Fundamental Magnesium Researches in Japan

In the current four-year term project in Japan, new platform science and technology is proposed as a core concept of research and development of advanced magnesium alloys together with understanding of their intrinsic characteristics. The research fields related to advanced super-light magnesium alloys for 21st Century have been focused to the selected three categories; ecomaterial design and processing, high qualification of mechanical performance, and high performance design and processing in functionality. On the basis of the obtained results, platform science and technology for environmentally benign and high performance magnesium alloys is constructed as an industrial base material for the next generation. As a result, numerous large-scale joint research and development projects on magnesium alloys based on partnerships between industries, academia and government has already started towards practical utilization since last year.