New Light-Weight Materials from Aerospace to Medicine
The Magnesium Research Center, Kumamoto University
There is a strong demand from the transportation industry (especially automotive, railways, and aerospace) for ways to reduce the weight of structural components, in order to reduce both energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Magnesium is the lightest known structural metal, however it’s application is limited by its low mechanical strength and lack of flame-resistance.
The Magnesium Research Center at Kumamoto University (“MRC”), established in December 2011, has been extensively involved in a variety of magnesium-related research areas both fundamental and application research. In 1999 there was only one microscope in Kawamura laboratory, but in the past a decade the center has grown into a top-class research environment and facility. Fundamental research includes alloy design, casting metal formation, mechanical properties, corrosion, surface treatment, and recycling.
MRC also works on industry/academia/government joint projects with the aim of commercializing the material in various areas, focusing on transportation and medical fields.
http://www.mrc.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/en