Thin Films for Energy: Conversion, Storage, Efficiency, and Sustainable Resource Circulation
MIRAI-TFE is a Japan–Sweden collaboration project under the umbrella of a large collaboration platform between the two countries. Our project aims to advance thin-film materials for various applications in energy conversion, storage, and efficient resource use. We focus on materials and interfaces that enable next-generation technologies—from photovoltaics and supercapacitors to gas-separation membranes and photocatalysis.
Why thin films?
Thin films sit at the core of many energy devices. They govern charge transport, transport selectivity, stability, and compatibility with scalable manufacturing. By tuning the composition, structure of thin films, layers, and interfaces, one can improve performance, durability, and manufacturability across energy generation (e.g., solar photovoltaics), energy conversion (e.g., in fuel cells), energy storage (e.g., batteries), and separation technologies (e.g., membranes).
Our mission
MIRAI-TFE collaboration brings together Swedish and Japanese researchers to advance thin-film materials for energy conversion, storage, and sustainable resource utilization. Our current network spans expertise in organic semiconductors, nanodiamond and polymer coatings, and polymer-based membranes for CO₂ separation and photocatalysis.
By integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines, we aim to improve the fundamental understanding, performance, durability, and scalability of thin-film materials for real-world applications. Advanced characterization techniques, including microscopy and X-ray methods (both laboratory and synchrotron-based), are central to uncovering the mechanisms that drive material function.
Our collaboration connects five MIRAI member universities: Karlstad University, Kyushu University, Uppsala University, Linnaeus University, and Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. A strong emphasis in our collaboration is placed on early-career researchers (3 postdocs and 2 PhD students), who are planned for exchange, training, and cross-border teamwork.
As a newly established network, MIRAI-TFE first seeks to build an effective communication platform and refine collaborative practices. Through this, we aim to accelerate innovation in thin-film technologies that contribute to a sustainable and energy-efficient future, in alignment with MIRAI’s mission to promote international and interdisciplinary collaboration in energy materials.