Development of functional materials which improve efficiency of energy and resources needs ultimate investigation of physical and chemical properties of materials. In this division, high strength and high durability materials, high performance electrochemical materials are aimed for long life cycle and high reliability of products used in severe environment, and development of epoch-making manufacturing methods are carried out with the objective of practical application.

Research on materials design by computer (Dr. Sato)
　Studies in electron states by molecular orbital method on new alloy design.

Research on characteristic improvement of ceramic structural materials
(Dr. Nino)
　Developing ceramic materials with superior mechanical properties and studying their improvement mechanisms from microscopical view.

Development of novel fuel cell materials (Dr. Takahashi)
　Although fuel cells are valuable technique owing to its high efficiency, higher activity and greater durability are needed for commercial application. Then, development of novel fuel cell materials is investigated.

Research on simulation method of deformation of materials (Dr. Ohguchi)
　Studies in numerical and experimental methods for constitutive modeling for materials.

Research on high-functional film materials and their application (Dr. Yoshimura)
　Development of thin films with ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity for high-performance magnetic device application.

Research on composite of plastic working material and foamed metal (Dr. Fukuchi)
Studies in method of joining materials having different material properties and fabricated different methods.

Research on higher-performance castings (Dr. Goto)
　Studies in casting materials for higher-strength or complex-shaped products, and casting processes for manufacturing those products.