SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED

Innovation in chemical compounds or optimized formulations specifically designed to control or inhibit the growth of unwanted plants (weeds) in agricultural settings, often with improved selectivity or reduced environmental impact.

Focuses on the composition, crystal structure, and synthesis methods of positive electrode active materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, often involving complex metal oxides of nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium.

Methods and equipment for applying photoresist uniformly onto wafers, forming patterns through various exposure techniques (e.g., direct imaging, multi-exposure), and integrating patterned layers into semiconductor structures or packaging.

Development of novel chemical compositions for photoresists, including polymers, sensitizers, and crosslinking agents, to achieve improved lithographic performance such as resolution, sensitivity, line edge roughness, and etch resistance.

Development and application of living organisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses) or their natural derivatives (e.g., peptides, plant extracts) as agents to suppress or eliminate agricultural pests, weeds, or plant diseases.

Polymer compositions incorporating inorganic or organic filler materials to impart specific functional properties such as thermal conductivity, flame retardancy, electrical conductivity, or enhanced mechanical strength and dimensional stability.

Light-initiated polymerization processes used to create structures, coatings, or components, particularly for electronic devices, displays, or additive manufacturing, often involving photoinitiators and specific monomer/oligomer compositions.

Polymer compositions engineered for enhanced heat resistance, thermal stability in molten states, or improved processability at high temperatures, often involving specific copolymers, blends, or stabilizing additives for applications in electronics or automotive.

Active anode materials and manufacturing techniques for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, including silicon-carbon composites, graphite, lithium-metal anodes, and electrode coating processes that improve capacity, cycle life, and rate capability.

Slurry compositions and coating processes for battery electrodes, including binder/active-material slurries, surface coating layers, and electrode-to-foil adhesion for cathode and anode.

Mixtures of liquid crystal compounds and other additives, such as monomers or carbon black, designed to achieve specific optical, electrical, or physical properties for use in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) or other electro-optical devices.

Development and optimization of organic chemical compounds and their structures, including guest-host systems and metal complexes, used within the emission layer to achieve specific light emission characteristics such as color, efficiency, and operational lifetime.

Methods and catalyst systems, often supported (e.g., on silica or alumina), for the synthesis of polyolefins like polyethylene and polypropylene, focusing on controlling molecular weight, distribution, and polymer morphology.

Methods and compositions that stimulate a plant's natural defense mechanisms or improve its physiological resilience against pathogens, pests, or environmental stressors, rather than directly eliminating the threat.

Synthesis and modification of high-performance thermoplastic polymers, such as poly(arylene ether ketone) (PAEK) or polycarbonates, to achieve enhanced thermal stability, mechanical strength, or specific processing characteristics.

Synthesis and formulation of polymers, such as epoxy resins, polyimides, or ionic binders, tailored for specific functions in electronic components like sealing, insulation, or energy storage.

Techniques for precise material removal, pattern shaping, and controlling etch selectivity or uniformity, often involving plasma, wet chemistry, or directed beams to achieve desired features on semiconductor substrates.

Development and application of polymer compositions designed for reprocessability, recyclability, or incorporating sustainable additives, often featuring reversible bonds or bio-based components.

Compositions and methods designed to either lure insect pests to traps or away from crops, often utilizing specific volatile organic compounds such as pheromones, kairomones, or natural essential oils.

Technologies focused on enhancing the stability, efficacy, spread, or targeted application of biocidal active ingredients through specialized carriers, adjuvants, encapsulation, or physical forms (e.g., gels, spray-dried particles).

Methods and apparatus for the efficient and selective production of organic compounds, including amines, acids, and esters, often involving catalytic or continuous processes and purification steps.

Synthesis and application of organic compounds designed to impart specific functionalities in material science, such as photosensitivity or charge transport, for electronic or optical devices.

Techniques for forming thin films of metal oxides or related metal compounds on substrates, often using solution-based methods, for applications in electronics, optics, or specialized coatings.

Novel methods and reactor designs for polymer synthesis, focusing on improving efficiency, achieving continuous production, or controlling specific polymer architectures and product morphologies like particle size or sheet formation.

Development of rubber and elastomer compositions, often involving specific polymer blends, additives (e.g., process oils, reinforcing agents), and cure packages, to achieve desired mechanical properties like abrasion resistance, wet grip, shear durability, or flexibility for demanding applications.

Synthesis and modification of polysiloxane polymers to introduce specific functional groups or structures, enhancing properties for applications like composites, coatings, biomedical uses, or powder treatment.

Polymer compositions tailored for medical and biological applications, including implantable devices, drug delivery systems, and diagnostic tools, emphasizing properties like biocompatibility, hydrolysis resistance, optical clarity, and specific mechanical characteristics.

Synthesis and formulation of epoxy resins, often derived from phenolic precursors like cardanol and vanillin, for applications requiring specific thermal, mechanical, or electrical properties.

Processes and apparatus for disassembling spent batteries and recovering valuable materials (e.g., metals, electrolytes, plastics) through mechanical, chemical, or electrochemical methods for reuse or sustainable disposal.

Design and synthesis of acyclic or carbocyclic organic compounds that selectively modulate specific biological targets or pathways for the treatment of diseases.

Additives or compositions specifically formulated for surface application or modification to impart protective, decorative, or specialized functional properties to polymer products.

Techniques for preparing and characterizing specific solid forms, such as crystal forms, salts, co-crystals, or amorphous forms, of active pharmaceutical ingredients to optimize properties like stability, solubility, and bioavailability.

Multi-layer polymer films engineered to provide superior barrier properties against gases (e.g., oxygen), moisture, or aromas, often incorporating heat-sealing or resealing mechanisms for food and product preservation.

Additives that enhance a polymer's resistance to thermal degradation, high temperatures, or ignition, including flame retardants and heat stabilizers for improved safety and durability.

Process and equipment for producing solid-state battery cells, including solid electrolyte synthesis (sulfide/oxide/polymer), thin-film deposition, lamination, sintering, dry-electrode fabrication, and stacking under controlled atmosphere.

Technologies and materials for capturing carbon dioxide from gas streams and subsequently converting it into valuable chemical products or materials, rather than simply storing it.

Processes and methodologies for the efficient and scalable preparation of complex heterocyclic compounds and their precursors, including specific reaction conditions, purification techniques, and intermediate compounds.

Large-scale processes for synthesizing, purifying, or recycling various industrial metal compounds, including sulphides, hydroxides, and sulfates, often involving chemical reactions, crystallization, or electromembrane processes.

Materials added to polymers to modify their thermal transfer properties, typically increasing conductivity for heat dissipation in applications like electronics or battery packs.

Polymers incorporating reversible bonds or crosslinks that enable reprocessing, self-healing, or tunable mechanical properties, often responding to stimuli like heat, light, or pH for de-crosslinking and re-crosslinking.

Methods for producing organic chemicals from biomass or through fermentation processes, often focusing on carbohydrates or fatty acid derivatives for food, health, or industrial applications.

Substances incorporated into polymer systems to control or enhance adhesive properties, cross-linking reactions, or processing characteristics such as mold release and flow.

Formulated liquid compositions designed for specific industrial applications, such as non-flammable cleaning, thermal management in electronics, or as low-viscosity, high-flash-point base fluids.

Innovations in the design, materials, and manufacturing of lithography masks, including reflective masks, programmable masks, and defect mitigation strategies, to enable finer feature patterning and process control.

Methods for synthesizing polyurethanes and polyureas, including non-isocyanate routes, using various monomers, catalysts, and curing agents, often for foams, coatings, or adhesives.

Composite materials where a metallic matrix is reinforced with a second phase (e.g., ceramic particles, carbon nanotubes, diamond grains) to significantly enhance properties like hardness, wear resistance, stiffness, or strength, often used in cutting tools, wear parts, or structural applications.

Polymer compositions designed to change their properties (e.g., shape, optical transmittance, solubility) in response to external stimuli such as pH, temperature, light, or chemical presence, enabling applications in sensors, smart windows, or controlled release.