School of Engineering, Tohoku University

There are many engineered products, buildings, and transportation structures surrounding us in our daily lives, and they all use a variety of materials. Just as in ancient times the development of new materials such as earthenware, bronze and iron led to the further development of civilization, so now the development of new materials has a tremendous impact on society.

Today, engineered products are diversifying and meeting a host of different needs. Technological innovation is evident in many different fields, including energy, communications, machinery, chemistry, civil engineering/construction and the environment. In the energy field, for example, material technologies that efficiently store and utilize energy from hydrogen are in the spotlight as replacements for oil. In the communications field, the expanding amount of data being handled and the speed with which it is processed has placed a high priority on high-speed, high-volume systems with human-friendly interfaces. In the field of machinery, there is demand for new materials that are more reliable and durable, for use in such applications as space and robotics. In the various fields of chemistry, medicine, construction and the environment, there is ongoing demand for the development of materials that are earth- and human-friendly, safe, and more effective, as well as for the development of recycling systems.

The materials that support our living environment go beyond metals to include semiconductors, ceramics and polymers that are in turn used in composite materials to meet simultaneous demands for high performance and diverse functionality. In this context, there is a high demand for people who can create new materials that meet the demands of our age, and who can provide leadership in the materials industry to build a recycling society that takes the global environment into account.

The research content pursued by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering changes with the times. And yet, our basic philosophy remains constant: we are dedicated to creating materials needed by society. In addition to basic knowledge about materials, we provide our students with the basic knowledge and intellectual approach necessary to fabricate materials, thereby nurturing engineers who will support next-generation materials industries and work effectively in an international context, as well as researchers who are flexible enough to adapt to changing times as they develop new materials. In this way, we contribute to the betterment of society.

Courses of Department of Materials Science and Engineering