Mariko Kadowaki
Overcoming Rust to Create Resilient Metals
Overcoming Rust to Create Resilient Metals
Position: Senior Researcher, Corrosion Research Group, Materials Evaluation Field, Research Center for Structural Materials
Q1.What kind of research are you doing?
Metals are widely used in various areas of daily life. We find them in buildings, automobiles, and many small products. However, corrosion is one of the serious problems which triggers huge disasters including the collapse of infrastructure. My research aims to elucidate the corrosion mechanisms and to develop new corrosion-resistant materials . Currently, my main research subjects are steel materials and aluminum alloys.
Q2.Why did you choose NIMS?
During my doctoral studies, I spent three months at NIMS as an intern. I was attracted by the large-scale equipment and abundant research space available, and the environment where each researcher can concentrate on their research independently and at their own discretion. This led me to choose NIMS. Additionally, there are no mandatory transfers to other sites, so the research environment is stable. Also, the appealing landscape and livability of Tsukuba (such as good transportation access) were also attractive to me.
Q3.What do you find appealing about NIMS?
One appeal, I think, is the atmosphere that, while allowing the freedom to pursue independent research, also facilitates discussions across group and field boundaries with researchers from different disciplines. Although my specialty is analyzing material corrosion phenomena through experimental electrochemical measurements, since coming to NIMS I have also engaged in various areas outside my field, such as computer simulation and metallographic control through casting and forging, with the help of experts from other fields. I think there's an environment here that makes it easy to take on new challenges.
Q4.What are your future career goals and aspirations?
Currently, my primary focus is on elucidating why corrosion occurs in steel materials and alloys that are already in industrial use, and how to prevent it. I hope to accumulate insights from this research and, in the future, take on the challenge of developing new corrosion-resistant materials with my own hands. I would also like to pursue collaborations and international joint research with institutions abroad.