Project
In NEXTA, 2 industry-academia collaborative reseach projects " Aircraft industry project" and "Motor industry project" has been proceeding in centering material manufactuers in the prefecture, together with the related companies and administrative organs. In addition, "Human resouces development project" is also proceeding aiming to foster innovative human resources who will be leading future material field.
Aircraft-Industry Project Research Promotion Department
Aiming to provide aircraft engine parts that can compete against the best in the world
Heat resistant superalloys have excellent corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance and high temperature strength. With increasing globalisation, the market for jet engine components is expected to grow and the emergence of superior materials is awaited.
Although orders for materials for aircraft engine components produced by companies in Shimane Prefecture are increasing every year, the most important components, large forgings, are not produced in Japan.
In this project, we will first establish manufacturing technology for large forged parts using heat-resistant superalloys by establishing a joint research system through industry-academia cooperation centred on Shimane University with support from domestic and international institutions. By advancing the development and improvement of new materials, we aim to win orders in the energy field such as gas turbines and eventually realise domestic production, including the production of large forged parts for aircraft engines, and contribute to the development of the aircraft industry in Japan.
In addition, to increase orders and improve productivity in the aircraft industry, we are striving to establish an integrated production system in which companies in Shimane Prefecture work together. Shimane University, Matsue National College of Technology and the Shimane Prefectural Government are assisting these companies in acquiring the techniques needed to expand the processing area and special processes such as heat treatment, non-destructive testing, etc., by making use of the unique characteristics and strengths of each company.
Our ultimate goal is to develop a joint processing facility that will serve as a base for aircraft clusters, promote cooperation among related companies, and improve business productivity and quality.
Motor-Industry Project Research Promotion Department
Striving to become a production base for amorphous motors
Shimane Prefecture has the largest production base for amorphous metals in Japan. Making full use of this local advantage, we aim for mass production of amorphous motor cores by controlling the material’s difficult-to-process properties, through advancing material evaluation technology accumulated at Shimane University and developing new processing technology. We will also focus on developing specialized human resources and technology transfer to companies in the prefecture to pursue the goal.
Furthermore, we aim to become a production base for next-generation motors by creating venture companies and attracting motor manufacturers.
Although amorphous alloy is a kind of metal, it is not crystallized and shows various unique material properties. In particular, its excellent soft magnetism will serve to make motors with higher efficiency, higher rotation, smaller size, and higher output.
Human Resource Development Project Promotion Department
Become a personnel who will play an active role globally after graduate
At Shimane University, we aim to cultivate innovative human resources who will lead the future material field while maintaining the manufacturing tradition handed down in the region through the ancient Tatara, Japanese steelmaking. In the course of education, students can acquire knowledge and technology on the evaluation and processing of metal materials that Shimane University has developed with Matsue College and the local companies, studying state-of-the-art metal materials engineering in collaboration with domestic and overseas universities.
In order to achieve the goal, we will establish new courses specializing in metal engineering and offer internship and PBL programs, etc. so that the students can develop immediate skills that companies in the region seek in formulating business strategies and solving regional issues.
Furthermore, we will offer engineering courses in English by faculty members of collaborating universities outside Japan, and encourage students to study abroad, enrolling in programs such as the ‘Tobitate! (Leap for Tomorrow) Young Ambassador Program’, a Japanese public-private partnership, etc., for the purpose of improving responsiveness as global human resources.
Fundamental Research Promotion Department
Shimane University has the world's most advanced metallographic analysis technology at the atomic, nano and micro levels. In addition, the foundation for the development of metal materials has been completed with specialists such as computational science, mechanical strength testing, etc. With these technical seeds, we are contributing to the research and development of amorphous materials and aircraft materials,as well as the development of human resources through research activities.