Pushing the limits

Structural materials—which form the backbones of buildings, infrastructure and equipment—are increasingly important in ensuring that structures survive earthquakes and other disasters and in global efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. 
These issues require structural materials to be fully functional in extremely severe environments.

For example, improving the fuel efficiency of aircraft and thermal power plants will require lighter weight materials with greater heat resistance. 
Next-generation energy infrastructure will have to deal with embrittlement caused by low temperatures and hydrogen exposure. 
Moreover, these new technologies will need to be sufficiently durable to help society become more sustainable over the long term.

The NIMS Research Center for Structural Materials carries out basic research with the goals of contributing to the industrial sector, meeting social demands and protecting people’s lives. 
Its activities include developing structural materials capable of effectively functioning in extreme environments and advanced evaluation and analytical techniques.