Materials Processing Department

It should be recognized that natural resources and energy are essential for all industrial activity and that an increasingly affluent lifestyle depends on a sufficient supply of these resources. However, it has also been recognized that natural resources are not infinite, and that the environment can be destroyed, even on a global scale, by industrial pollution. Research must therefore be conducted which attempts to harmonize human activities with the need to preserve the environment.

This department is responsible for the development of technology by which natural resources may be secured and utilized, while protecting the environment of our beautiful planet, the earth.

Materials Handling and Characterization Division

Aiming at the developments of processing and characterization for particulate materials, and resources circulation system, we are studying the following subjects.

• Recycling of the solid waste by mechanical separation.
• Environmentally harmonized solid processing using solvothermal reaction.
• Advanced processing and characterization of particulate materials by the photo and/or acoustic techniques.
• Environment impact assessment of resources circulation system.

Mineral Processing Division

Through the researches on innovative separation technologies for particles, this division contributes to the development of highly efficient production and recycling processes.
Current research topics are:

• Physical chemistry of inter-particle surface forces.
• Particle separation in waste materials recycling.
• Improvement of paper recycling process.

Rare Metals Division

Our present researches are focussed on the development of environment-friendly metallurgy, Soft Metallurgy, to push on with recycling, energy-saving, minimum waste, and so on.
Research topics are as follows:

• Development of energy-saving processes of metal extraction for recycling And manmade resources.
• Refining and purification of metals with hydrometallurgical process.
• Synthesis of fine rare-earth and metallic particles with aqueous processing, and their application.
• Minimization of waste water and sludge from surface plating plants and so on.
• Removal of harmful metals from effluents.

Siliceous Materials Division

The Siliceous Materials Division conducts research both on the purification and utilization of minerals containing mainly silica and alumina, and on the synthesis and utilization of siliceous eco-materials.
Specific research projects are:

• Preparation and utilization of silica-based mesoporous materials.
• Synthesis and functionalization of inorganic layered compounds.
• Plasma utilization for fine powder synthesis and solid waste treatment.

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Global Warming Control Department

Thermal Energy and Combustion Engineering Department

Atmospheric Environmental Protection Department

Hydrospheric Environmental Protection Department

Environmental Assessment Department

Energy Resources Department

Materials Processing Department

Geotechnology Department

Safety Engineering Department

Coal Mine Safety Research Center, Hokkaido

Coal Mine Safety Research Center, Kyushu