Skip to content
Nagoya Institute of Technology and NGK Establish “NGK Environment Innovation Laboratory”

Press release -

Nagoya Institute of Technology and NGK Establish “NGK Environment Innovation Laboratory”

Nagoya Institute of Technology (hereinafter, “NITech”) and NGK INSULATORS, LTD. (hereinafter, “NGK”), both based in Nagoya, Japan, have established the NGK Environment Innovation Laboratory on the NITech campus. This collaboration between the private sector and academia will work on creating innovative next-generation products that contribute to a significant reduction of greenhouse gases, such as materials for next-generation power semiconductors and high-performance storage batteries.

The NGK Environment Innovation Laboratory is headed by Professor Tomokatsu Hayakawa of the NITech with Project Professor Hideki Mori and NGK’s Shinji Kawasaki as deputy directors. Five NITech professors with different fields of expertise will initially engage in three research and development with NGK’s R&D division. The project will run for five years from April 1, 2021.

In its mid-to long-term vision NGK Group Vision: Road to 2050 formulated in April 2021, NGK identified carbon neutrality (net zero volume of greenhouse gas emissions) as one of its priority social issues. Since 2009, the NITech and NGK have engaged in a comprehensive collaboration program including joint research and technological exchange. The NGK Environment Innovation Laboratory was established as part of this collaboration under the NITech’s project laboratory program* to focus on development related to carbon neutrality. The laboratory project will engage in research and development of next-generation power semiconductor wafers essential for energy-saving electronic devices and electric vehicles (EV), ceramic solid-state electrolytes and separators with high ionic conductivity for high-performance storage batteries that are indispensable to utilize renewable energy. These research themes are included in the 39 themes identified in the Japanese Government Cabinet Office’s “Environment Innovation Strategy” set in 2020 and can take advantage of NGK’s ceramics technologies. The laboratory will consider taking on additional research themes that contribute to inventive environmental innovations and themes related to materials informatics* going forward.

With the private sector and academia working together, the laboratory aims to drive innovation in energy and environmental fields that help us substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Next-generation power semiconductor wafer prototype (2-inch wafer)

* Project laboratory program:
The project laboratory program promotes interdisciplinary research to pioneer new fields of study and research through collaboration between the private sector and academia to create new industries.

* Materials informatics (MI):
Method of analyzing big data from experiments and academic papers using artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies for use in materials development.

Related links

Topics

Categories


About NGK Insulators

NGK Insulators (NGK) is a leading company in the field of ceramics. Since its foundation in 1919, NGK has used its unique ceramic technology to provide numerous ground-breaking products that solve social issues. Today, NGK is active in more than 20 countries worldwide, with business foci including mobility, energy, IT and industry.

As one of the largest manufacturers of ceramic substrates for automotive catalytic converters, NGK is actively reducing the strain on our global environment. Furthermore, NGK’s products include the energy storage system “NAS” battery, in addition to the compact, thin and high-energy-density lithium-ion rechargeable “EnerCera” battery line, vital tools for sustainable energy infrastructure.

Through providing innovative, high-quality products, NGK is committed to contributing to our society. In order to create a future where people can coexist with nature, we will continue to develop and provide products that support social infrastructure while preserving the environment. 

Contacts

  • Aki Sawafuji

    Press contact Corporate Communications Department
  • Yusuke Inoue

    Press contact Corporate Communications Department
  • NGK_Next-generation power semiconductor water prototype (2-inch wafer).jpg
    NGK_Next-generation power semiconductor water prototype (2-inch wafer).jpg
    License:
    Media Use
    File format:
    .jpg
    Size:
    636 x 599, 109 KB
    Download

Related content

  • Carbon Neutrality Strategic Roadmap

    NGK has established a target for net zero volume of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050

    NGK INSULATORS, LTD. has announced the NGK Group Environmental Vision for 2050 and the Fifth Five-Year Environmental Action Plan as a five-year initiative beginning in FY2021.

    As a policy that represents the E (Environment) in this ESG management, we announced the NGK Group Environmental Vision, which established targets such as net zero volume of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050.

  • NGK's new products for contributing to carbon neutrality and digital society

    Road to 2050: NGK contributes to achieving carbon neutrality and digital society with its unique ceramic technologies

    NGK INSULATORS, LTD. announced its mid-to long-term vision 'NGK Group Vision: Road to 2050' on April 28, 2021.

    Since its foundation in 1919, the NGK Group has provided society with new values centered around ceramics, while possessing an SDGs-like concepts. Still valuing this philosophy, NGK formulated a mid-to long-term vision in April 2021 in order to continue contributing to the resoluti

  • Business Scheme of Ena Electric Power

    Notice Regarding Establishment of Ena Electric Power to Achieve a Zero-Carbon City

    Ena City
    NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Co., Inc
    First Regional Power Producer and Supplier in Gifu Prefecture Through Municipal Government Investment

    Ena City (Mayor: Takane Kosaka), NGK INSULATORS, LTD. (hereinafter “NGK”), and Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Co., Inc. (hereinafter “Chubu Electric Power Miraiz”) announced today that they have concluded a shareholder

  • NGK to Invest in Startup Developing and Providing Artificial Intelligence

    NGK to Invest in Startup Developing and Providing Artificial Intelligence

    NGK INSULATORS, LTD. (hereinafter “NGK”) has invested in Laboro.AI Inc. (hereinafter “Laboro.AI”), a company headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, and involved in the development and provision of artificial intelligence (AI).

    Digital transformation (DX) has progressed in various industries in recent years. In the manufacturing industry in particular, DX is being used in a variety of activities t

  • NGK Selected as an “A List” Company, the Highest Rating, in CDP Water Security

    NGK Selected as an “A List” Company, the Highest Rating, in CDP Water Security

    NGK INSULATORS, LTD. (hereinafter “NGK”), based in Nagoya, Japan, announced that it has been selected as an “A List” company, the highest rating, in CDP Water Security for 2024. The selection was made by CDP, an international non-profit organization that operates an environmental information disclosure system.
    CDP is an international non-profit organization that discloses environmental data obt