23rd  Light Metal R&D Furtherance Medal

Winner

Professor HAGIHARA Koji

Related Website of the winner

HAGIHARA Lab.

Related Website

The Japan Institute of Light Metals

Outline

This medal is given to individuals who have made outstanding achievements in the fields of scientific research and technical development of light metals and contribution for development of the Japan Institute of Light Metals(JILM).

Professor HAGIHARA has a background in mechanics of materials and metallurgy, and has achieved many world-first pioneering results in the development and improvement of properties of various magnesium-, aluminum- and titanium-based light metal structural materials. For example, in the development of high-strength magnesium alloys using the LPSO phase with a long-period stacking structure, he is the first in the world to clarify the plastic deformation behavior of the LPSO phase itself by using unidirectional solidification crystals, thereby elucidating a new deformation and strengthening mechanism known as the kink band.  

More recently, he has proposed the "AMID mechanism," which makes more proactive use of the unique mechanical properties of this LPSO phase to simultaneously improve the strength and ductility of magnesium alloys. In addition, he has developed numerous new materials focusing on light metals, such as a new magnesium-based alloy that dissolves in the body, elucidated the crystal orientation dependence of dissolution behavior, and developed mille-feuille type aluminum-based and titanium-based complex alloys, and has clarified their properties from a fundamental perspective. His achievements have been recognised and led to him receiving this award.

For further details on the award recipients' research achievements, please visit his websites.