Chihiro Tabata
Trainee, High Temperature Materials Group, Materials Manufacturing Field, Research Center for Structural Materials
Hobbies
Reading, watching movies and Formula 1
Favorite quotes
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" - Eleanor Roosevelt
C.V. (as of September 2024)
Bachelor Department of Applied Mechanics and Engineering, School of Fundemental Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2020
Department of Applied Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering, Graduate School of Fundemental Science and Engineering ,Waseda University, 2022
Doctoral Student, Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Fundemental Science and Engineering, Waseda University, April 2022 - present 
Q＆A
Q：How did you come to know about NIMS?
A：I learned about NIMS when I joined the laboratory at Waseda University as a fourth-year undergraduate student. One of the research groups in our lab collaborated with NIMS, and I decided to join that group, mainly because I thought it would be a great opportunity to study at a national institute.
Q：How did you get involved in materials research?
A：I first learned the basics of materials science as a second-year undergraduate student in a seminar called "Aerospace Engineering Materials" and was intrigued. I joined the laboratory that focuses on the properties of metals and eventually became part of NIMS as a student trainee.
Q：What is the attraction of NIMS?
A：I believe one of the merits of conducting research at NIMS is being able to collaborate and converse with many researchers with different backgrounds. NIMS also has equipment that cannot be found in universities, and being able to participate in one of the cutting-edge projects and experiments as a student or young researcher seemed like an amazing opportunity.
Q：What is your research topic, and what attracts you to it?
A：I currently study high-temperature alloys called Ni-base superalloys, which are often used as materials for the blades of jet engines and gas turbines. It is known that impurity elements such as sulfur tend to enter these materials and degrade their properties. My research focuses on understanding how the impurities affect the oxidation resistance of Ni-base superalloys. I have clarified the mechanisms behind methods used to remove these impurities, using several cutting-edge experimental and analytical techniques, which is one of the fascinating parts of my research. This study also relates to the recycling of used materials and helps face some environmental challenges, which I believe is part of what makes this study interesting and worthwhile. I had hopes to study materials used in aircraft engines before joining this group, so that may also be why I am drawn to this research.