> Nanotechnology, Materials and Manufacturing 
Laboratories
 Vice-President Director General Toshihiko Kanayama |
 Deputy Director General Toshimi Shimizu |
 Director, Research Planning Office Ichirou Matsubara TEL:029-862-6031 E-mail:  |
Realization of technologies to reduce CO2 emissionsIt is important for the prevention of global warming to reduce CO2 emissions by improving energy use efficiency while maintaining the quality of life. We are conducting research on lightweight alloys used to reduce vehicle weight for improved fuel economy and on technologies for machining these alloys. We are also engaged in the development of building materials such as light-controlling window glass materials and humidity-controlling materials, to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of houses, office buildings, and factories. |
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| Switchable Mirror (Mirror State(left), and Transparent State (right) ) |
Reduction of the use of rare metals and precious metals and development of technologies as alternatives to them, in order to secure and effectively use resourcesRare metals and other exhaustible mineral resources are commonly used in vehicles and home appliances. We are studying technologies to reduce the use of rare and precious metals such as tungsten and platinum, which are essential for leading-edge industries but very unstable in supply, as well as alternative material technologies. |
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| An example of rare metals used in automobiles with low environmental load |
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| Recovery of rare earth magnet powder from HDD |
Development of materials and devices that will play a core role in green innovation through nanosystemsAn innovative technology evolves with the development of a new material or device that has new functions or features not available in conventional technologies. We are developing materials and components that function at the nano level, using nanosystematization combining a theoretical simulation technique and a nanotechnology experimental technique. Another focus of our research is the development of technologies for the mass-production of single-walled carbon nanotubes expected to be used for the reduction of component weights and the realization of low-powerconsumption devices, and the development of large diamond crystal substrates. |
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| Separation of metallic and semiconducting SWCNTs in a column packed with agarose gel beads |
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| One-inch-size mosaic large-area wafers of single crystal diamond |
Development of technologies to reduce the burden on the environment by innovations in manufacturingNew manufacturing processes are essential to reduce the environmental load of industrial activities without compromising industrial competitiveness. We are developing manufacturing technologies for high-mix, variable-volume production that have a smaller environmental load or take resource productivity into account. In order to improve microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and promote their widespread use, we are developing manufacturing technologies to combine and integrate MEMS devices in different areas and a system to monitor energy consumption at manufacturing sites using MEMS devices. |
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| Microreactor used in the production of hydrogen peroxide at concentrations higher than 10% |
Heads and outlines of laboratories [ PDF: 902 KB ]