The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials

Scientific and Technical Category

I. Materials Physics
Electronic structures and physical properties
A. Electronic structures and physical properties:
Electronic state, Electron transport, Magnetic properties, Giant magneto-resistance, Spin polarization, Magnetro-optical properties, Superconductivity, Metal-insulater transition, Highly correlated electron system, Dielectric properties, Thermal properties, Optical properties, Nuclear physics, Semiconductor physics, etc.
B. Atomic structures and physical properties:
Crystalstructure, Quasicrystal, Amorphous structure, Liquid structure, Lattice dynamics and stability, Phase transition, Incommensurate and commensurate structures, Atom transport, Crystal growth, Lattice defect, Surface, Interface, Grain boundary, Nanocrystal, Crosslink, Crystallinity, Lamella, Tie molecule, Spherulite, Tacticity, Free volume, etc.
C. Applications to materials and evaluation method:
Intermetallic compounds, Non-equilibrium crystals, Multilayered films, Artificial lattice, Ultra-thin films, Ultra-fine particles/Atomic clusters, Low dimensional electronic materials, Fulleren materials, Complicated solids, Spin glass, Antiferromagnet, Radiation effect, Non-equilibrium materials transportation, Enegetic particle-solid interaction, Effects of impurities, Phase stability, Nano-scale quantum effect, Tunneling effect/STM, Mössbauer effect, Nuclear magnetic resonance, Spectroscopy/Luminescence/Diffraction in general, Thermomagnetic effect, Thin films/Surface/Interface physics, Nano particle, etc.

II. Microstructure of Materials
Phase transformation, structure-control and their applications

A. Phase transformations:
Diffusion, Aging, Precipitation, Diffusional and diffusionless transformations, Martensitic and bainitic transformation, Order-disorder transformation, Recovery, Recrystallization, Grain growth, Phase diagram, Micro segregation, Phase transformation under special conditions, Hydrogen related phenomena, Grain boundary segregation, Phase equilibrium, Non equilibrium, Magnetic transformation, Discontinuous precipitation , Grain boundary precipitation/Phase boundary precipitation, Displacement type phase transformation, TWIP/TRIP, Aging tempering, Twin deformation, Heat/Stress/Magnetic field induced phase transformation, Heterophase interface, Crystal twinning, Glass transition, etc.
B. Structure-control:
Structure-control by means of thermomechanical treatment, Rapid solidification and mechanical workings including mechanical alloying, Computer simulation for microstructure analysis (image processing in data science), Alloy design, etc.
C. Experimental techniques for analysis of transformation mechanism and microstructure :
Electron microscopy, X-ray, Neutron diffraction, FIM, STM, AFM, APT , Image mapping techniques, Computer simulation, EPMA, EBSD, Synchrotron radiation, Computational materials science/Materials design, First principles calculation, Molecular simulation, Molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo method, CALPHAD, Phase field, X-ray computed tomography, etc.
D. Mechanical properties:
Application of phase transformation and structure-control to engineering materials
Steel materials, Non-ferrous materials, Ceramics, Semiconductors

III. Mechanics of Materials

A. Fundamentals (theory, experiment, simulation):
Mechanics (elastic and plastic mechanics, fracture mechanics, finite element method, molecular dynamics, micromechanics, etc.), Constitutive equation, Dislocaion (structure, motion, multiplication, reaction, interaction, etc.), Dislocation-defect interaction, Deformation (elasticity, anelasticity, plasticity, viscosity, stress relaxation, grain-boundary sliding, deformation twinning, etc.), Strengthening mechanism, Fracture mechanism (nucleation, growth and coalescence of cracks and voids), Yielding, Work hardening, Ductile and brittle fractures, Dislocation microstructure, , Dislocation cell, Deformation bands, Heavy processing, Grain boundary precipitation, Grain boundary reaction type precipitation, Fine grain, Bulk nano metal, Plaston, Kink deformation, Disclination, Mille- feuille structure, Anisotropic yield function, Anisotropic hardening, Associated flow rule, Non- associated flow rule, Crystal plasticity, Dislocation dynamics, Elasto-viscoplastic mechanics, Multiphase mechanics, etc.
B. Structural factors:
Microstructure control (working, heat treatment, thermomechanical treatment, alloying, etc.), Non- equilibrium treatment (rapid solidification, mechanical alloying, etc.), Material systems (interface strength, composition, layering, thin films, coating, etc.), Additive manufacturing, Mille-feuille structure, etc.
C. Environmental factors:
Hydrogen embrittlement, Stress-corrosion cracking, Corrosion fatigue, Embrittlement at low and high temperatures, Shock embrittlement, High temperature environment, Embrittlement due to aging, Irradiation effects, Weathering, Long-term stability, High pressure environment, Polymer degradation, Hydrolysis, Craze, etc.
D. Mechanical properties:
Mechanical properties of various materials (pure metals, alloys, intermetallics, ceramics, amorphous, composites, thin films, micro-devices, forms): Elasticity, Anelasticity, Internal friction, Plasticity, Viscosity, Ductility, Toughness, Static and dynamic fracture, Fracture toughness, Fatigue, Creep, Creep-fatigue interaction, Thermo-mechanical fatigue、Superplasticity, Tribology, Wear and erosion, Delayed fracture, High temperature deformation, Order phase, Gigacycle fatigue, Combined stress fatigue, Fatigue at elevated temperature, Contact fatigue, Low cycle fatigue, Thermo-mechanical fatigue, Variable stress fatigue, Hyperelasticity, Viscoelasticity, Entropic elasticity, True strain softening, Molecular chain orientation hardening, Ratchet, Elasto-viscoplasticity, Creep fracture, Dynamic and impact deformation, Low temperature deformation, Anisotropy, Constitutive equation, Anisotropy, etc.
E. Testing, evaluation and analysis:
Testing and evaluation methods, Prediction of mechanical properties (stress-strain-strain rate- temperature curve, crack growth curve, X-FEM (extended finite element method)), Alloy design, Composite and material system design, Database, Boundary element method, Celluer automaton, Multi- scale analysis, Multi-scale physics, Materials informatics, Materials integration, Machine learning, Deep learning, Reinforcement learning, Transfer learning, Inverse problem, Data assimilation, Neural network, Optimization, Big data, Artificial intelligence, Constitutive equation, Molecular chain network theory, Digital image correlation method, etc.

IV. Materials Chemistry
Physical chemistry of materials

A. Physical chemistry of functional materials:
 a. Manufacturing processes of functional materials (manufacturing processes of electronic materials, ionic conductors, fine ceramics, new glasses, and sensor materials, systems and reaction processes of PVD and CVD, etc. )
 b. Physical chemistry of functional materials (structure and function, chemistry of defect structures, mechanism of ionic conduction, mechanism of chemical sensors, photo-chemistry, biocompatibility, antimicrobial chemistry, physical chemistry of battery materials, electrochemical function, sensing function, etc.) , Spin memory, Spin caloritronics materials, Spin injection technology, Spin flow control technology, Spin torque control technology, etc.
B. Chemistry of metallurgy, refining and recycling:
 a. High temperature physical chemistry (metallurgical thermodynamics, physics and chemistry of melts, melt crystal growth, reaction rates, etc. )
 b. Metallurgy and refining processes (metallurgical and refining processes, reaction processes, transport phenomena, process analysis, computational fluid dynamics, ultra-high purification, chemistry of materials recycling, removal of tramp elements, etc.)
 c. Chemistry for environmental preservation (CO2 emission control, energy saving, environmental consciousness, removal of harmful substances, etc.)
C. Surface chemistry:
 a. Corrosion and protection (aqueous corrosion, electrochemical measurement, surface films, corrosion resistant alloys, corrosion resistant coatings, corrosion inhibitors, cathodic protection, erosion, evaluation of corrosion environment, localized corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, corrosion, etc.), Pitting corrosion, Crevice corrosion, High temperature/High pressure corrosion, Galvanic corrosion, Corrosion examples, etc.
    b. High temperature oxidation and high temperature corrosion (high temperature gaseous corrosion, molten salt corrosion, heat resistant materials, heat resistant coatings, super critical environment, etc.), Electrolytic/Non- electrolytic plating, Chemical treatment, etc.
 c. Surface modification (electroplating, electroless plating, hot dip plating(coating), anodic oxidation, PVD and CVD coatings, spray coatings, weld overlay, dipping and diffusion treatment, etc.), Chemical conversion treatment, etc.
 d. Surface function (electrodes, electric cells, catalysts, displays, functionally gradient materials, etching, etc.), Ionic liquid, Electrochemical deposition, Wettability, Friction/Wear/Lubrication, etc.
D. Surface characterization:
 a. Surface characterization (compositional and chemical state analysis of surface by AES, XPS, SIMS etc., structural analysis of surface by STM, AFM, atomprobe, etc.)
 b. Surface and interface phenomena (properties of material surface, surface reaction, adsorption, evaporation, etc.)
E. Analytical science and chemical measurement:
 a. Analylical science (methods of chemical and instrumental analysis, ultramicroanalysis, ultramicroarea analysis, chemical state analysis in-situ analysis of environment and reaction process, imaging analysis of component, etc.)
 b. Chemical measurement (development of analytical instruments, chemical sensors, monitoring techniques, etc.), Probe microscope, Microspectrophotometry, DSC(differential scanning calorimetry, NMR(nuclear magnetic resonance), XRD(X-ray diffraction)
F: Modeling
 a. Database, Phase diagram, Thermodynamic quantities, Melt physics, etc.
 b. Modeling, Simulation

V. Materials Processing
Manufacturing process and methods of giving functions to materials

A. Gas/plasma-phase processing:
PVD, CVD, Sputtering, Plasma processing, Ion implantation, Ion mixing, Coating, Cluster control, Surface treatment, Surface modification, etc.
B. Solidification processing:
Foundry, Nucleation and crystal growth, Super-cooling, Non-equilibrium, Amorphous, Transport phenomena, High purification, Rheocasting, Welding, Thermal spray, Reactive thermal spray, Spraying fundamental, Manufacturing of single crystals, Semi molten processing, Manufacturing of composites, Ssoldering, Brazing, Casting, Die-casting/Pressure die casting, Melting, Molten metal treatment, Sand casting, Gravity die casting/Permanent mold casting, Low pressure die casting, Precision casting, Continuous casting, Centrifugal casting, Evaporative pattern casting/Expendable pattern casting, Casting and forging, Squeeze die casting, Rheo-casting/thixo-casting, Gate design/Gating system /Gating, Riser design, Solidification control, Segregation, Casting defects, Pattern, Green sand mold, Self-hardening mold, Vacuum mold, Special mold, Metallic pattern/Metal mold/Die/Permanent mold, Molding material, Binder, Coat/Mold wash/Facing material, Sand control/Sand preparation, 3D additive manufacturing mold, Insert/Internal chill, Casting equipment
C. Spray process:
Thermal spray, Reactive thermal spray, Spraying fundamental, Cold spray, Spray forming, Aerosol deposition, Atomization
D. Solid-phase processing:
Thermomechanical treatment, Plasticity, Fabrication of powders, Ultrafine powder, Powder metallurgy, Sintering, Mechanical alloying, Mechanochemical process, Room temperature bonding, Diffusion bonding, Plating process, Combustion synthesis, Combustion synthesis, High-strain rate forming, Strong forming process, Extreme environment process, Overlay, Diffusion immersion treatment, Swelling process, Fine particles deposition process, etc.
E. Net shaping:
Prototyping, Powder injection molding, Superplastic forming, Machining, Polishing, Metal 3D printer, Additive manufacturing (cold spray, spray forming, aerosol deposition, powder bed), Polymer 3D printer, etc.
F. Micromachining, microprocessing:
Etching, Ashing, Grinding, Cutting, Lithography, Micro-tribology, Micro-machining, Micro bonding, Chemical-mechanical polishing, etc.
G. Materials evaluation and process diagnosis:
Nondestructive testing, Quantitative nondestructive evaluation, Residual stress analysis, Sensing technology, Residual life evaluation, Reliability evaluation, etc.
H. Process simulation:
Computer science and engineering, Process simulation tools, Intelligent processing, Artificial intelligent, Hot-metal flow analysis/Solidification analysis, Transformational analysis/Stress analysis, Solidification structure simulation, Casting defect simulation, Traceability, etc.

VI. Engineering Materials and Their Applications
Materials development and evaluation

A. Structural materials:
Structural materials (alloys, intermetallics, ceramics etc), Composites and bonding materials, Friction and wear materials, High-hardness materials, Polymeric material, etc.
B. Electric and electronic materials and devices:
Superconducting materials, Electronic conducting materials, Semiconducting materials, Dielectric materials, Electrodes materials, Electronics packaging materials, Electron emitting materials, Sensor materials, Carbon nanotube, Piezoelectric materials, Topological insulator, Thermoelectric conversion, etc.
C. Magnetic materials and devices:
High-permeability materials, Permanent magnet materials, Magneto-resistance materials, Magnetic recording materials, Magneto-strictive materials, Soft magnetic materials, Radar absorbent material, Magnetic ultra thin film, Multilayer film, Magnetic metal artificial lattice, etc.
D. Optical materials and devices:
Optical crystal materials, Optical recording materials, Liquid crystalline materials, Optical fiber materials, Optical glass materials, Terahertz materials, etc.
E. Heat and energy materials and devices:
Batteries materials, Thermoelectric materials, Nuclear reactor materials, Hydrogen absorbing materials, Heat-conducting materials, Heat resistant materials, Thermal storage materials, etc.
F. Materials for severe environments:
Corrosion resistant materials, Heat resistant materials, Fusion reactor material, Beam coherence materials, Radiation damage, Radiation effect, Heat resistant alloy, Heat resistant ceramics, Ultra high temperature materials, Heat resistant composite materials, High melting point metals, etc.
G. Biomaterials:
Cell function/Tissue regeneration, Structure biological functionalization, Surface biological functionalization, Biomaterials/Medical materials/Welfare materials, Biological Ti/Biological Ti alloys, Additive manufacturing, Tailor-made medical materials, Biosafety evaluation/Bioavailability evaluation, Gel, etc.
H. Intelligent materials:
Shape memory alloys, Superelasticity alloys, Piezo-materials, Environmental conscious materials, etc.
I. Geological material
Cementitious material, Concrete(including admixtures), Aggregate, Slag, Clay, Soil, Rock, Rock mass, Materials for space development, Wood, Wood-based material, etc.
J. Other new materials:
Catalytic materials, Sporting-goods materials, Anti-microbial materials, Damping materials, etc.
VII. Environment
A. Environmental assessment & safety management:
Life cycle assessment, Risk management, Resources economics, Environment & resources policy, Environmental reliability of materials, Product liability, Accident analysis, Materials safety assessment, Environmental fate analysis, Material flow, etc.
B. Materials design & eco-materials:
Environment oriented materials, Recycling oriented materials, Recycling oriented design, Disassembly oriented design, Material selection, Materials saving design, Long life materials, Long life design, Carbon-neutral material, etc.
C. Recycling:
Separation process, Reutilization process, Materials recycling system, Resources recycling system, Recycle chemistry, Closed process, Reutilization marketing, Decarbonization, Sensor-based sorting, Remanufacturing, Liberation, Urban mining, etc.
D. Pollution control & environmental remediation:
Solid waste treatment, Waste water treatment, Waste gases treatment, Soil remediation, Environmental reclamation, Sludge treatment, etc.
E. Natural energies
Solar power, Wind power, Geothermal, Ground heat, Biomass fuel, Natural gas, Oil, Coal, Greenhouse gases, etc.

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