Background
Fujishima, Akira was born on March 10, 1942 in Tokyo. Son of Kaoru and Tsuruko Fujishima.
藤嶋 昭
Fujishima, Akira was born on March 10, 1942 in Tokyo. Son of Kaoru and Tsuruko Fujishima.
In 1966 he earned his Bachelor of Arts (Engineering) at the Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, and in 1971 his Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) at the Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo. In 1967, while working on his Doctor of Philosophy under the supervision of professor Kenichi Honda (本多 健一), he discovered the phenomenon of photocatalytic water decomposition (water photolysis) when he exposed a titanium dioxide electrode to strong light, later called the Honda-Fujishima effect. On completing his Doctor of Philosophy in 1971 he became assistant professor at Kanagawa University but returned to the University of Tokyo in 1975 as assistant professor in the Department of Applied Chemistry.
The discovery of self-cleaning properties of titanium dioxide by the group under his supervision initiated a revolution in the ceramic, glass, and other industries (see eg, self-cleaning glass). He was promoted to associate professor in 1978 and professor in 1986 within the same department. He became professor emeritus in 2003 and special university professor emeritus in 2005.
In 1989 he was appointed executive director of the Chemical Society of Japan.
In 1998 he became chief of the optical science group at Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology Research, and president of the Japanese Photochemistry Association. In 2001 he was nominated vice president of the Chemical Society of Japan, becoming its president in 2006.
In 2002 he was research supervisor for the development of advanced nanostructured materials for energy conversion and storage at the Japan Science and Technology Agency (Japan Science and Technology Agency). In 2003 he became president of the Electrochemical Society of Japan. and chairman of the Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology.
Member Chemical Society Japan (award for progress in chemistry 1976, award 2000), Electrochemical Society Japan (award for progress in electrochemistry 1972, award 1999), Photographic Society Japan (award for excellent research 1991), American Chemical Society, Electrochemical Society, International Society Electrochemistry.
Married Tomiko Fujishima, November 23, 1969. Children: Kanako, Akiko.