Research Features
Metallic materials are one of the basic materials that support our lives and industries. Steel materials, in particular, are abundant and inexpensive, and are used in our daily lives as structural and functional materials with a wide range of performance depending on the additive min heat treatment temperature. The objective of our research is to realize a material manufacturing process that can sustainably and stably produce metallic materials, which are indispensable in our daily lives, even in a carbon-neutral society. We are tackling each research topic by utilizing thermodynamics, kinetics, and physical properties of high-temperature melts.
Research Overview
- Carbon Neutral Ironmaking Process
We are engaged in research to realize carbon-neutral ironmaking. The conventional blast furnace process inevitably emits a large amount of CO2 due to the limitation of using coke. Our carbon-neutral ironmaking process combines the reduction of iron ore by CO gas with a technology that re-composes the emitted CO2 gas back into CO. If this technology is established, we will be able to complete the ironmaking process with almost zero CO2 emissions by circulating CO2 gas within the plant. Currently, we are working on the development of a molten ironmaking process using reduction gas and related technologies. - Material Production Process Utilizing Low-Grade Raw Materials
In aiming to reduce CO2 emissions through the use of electric furnaces, the depletion of high-quality scrap iron, the raw material for electric furnaces, has become an issue. On the other hand, low-grade scrap iron is expected to increase in the future, and we are aiming to realize a materials recycling process that utilizes this scrap iron. In particular, our laboratory is working on the development of a "detoxification process" that removes impurity min from scrap and suppresses process impediments caused by impurity elements. - Materials Technology for Safe Decommissioning of Severely Accidental Reactors
In order to decommission severe accident reactors such as those involved in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, it is necessary to accurately predict the damage (contamination) status of structural materials inside the reactor. In addition, since it is impractical to dispose of all contaminated structural materials deep underground, technology to treat large quantities of structural materials is required. To achieve these goals, our research will contribute to the construction of a database for decommissioning of severe accident reactors by acquiring the necessary thermodynamic data through laboratory experiments.