Shiraiwa Laboratory (Reliable Materials Engineering)

β€»Click here for the website of the Enoki/Shiraiwa Laboratory until FY2024

Bridging the Micro and Macro Scales to Unravel Fracture

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When materials are subjected to external forces and environmental loads, microscale deformations and microcracks are initiated within their microstructures, eventually leading to macroscopic failure. The reliability of materials is of growing importance across diverse fields, from tackling societal challenges like carbon neutrality and resource circulation to applications in advanced devices and the medical field.
Our research framework combines experimental observation, utilizing fracture mechanics and non-destructive evaluation, with numerical simulations that faithfully reproduce these phenomena. Furthermore, by applying data-driven science to the vast correlational data on "structure-microfracture-property" relationships generated by these simulations, we aim to acquire the insights needed to guide effective material design for optimizing macroscopic material properties.
By fusing experiments, simulations, and data science, we seamlessly bridge the process from elucidating microscopic damage mechanisms to predicting macroscopic fracture behavior. Through this integrated approach, we contribute to building a safe and more resilient social infrastructure.

Latest News
June 1, 2026 πŸ“„ Our paper on additively manufactured titanium alloys has been published in Materials Science and Engineering: A.. This study revealed that the interaction between process-induced defects and microstructures promotes local fracture. [paper]
June 1, 2026 πŸ“„ Our paper on early detection of fatigue cracks in CFRP using air-coupled ultrasonic imaging has been published in Measurement. [paper]
May 18, 2026 πŸ“„ Our paper on deformation and damage mechanisms in a metastable medium-entropy alloy has been published in Acta Materialia. This is a joint research with Dr. Yin Wujun (Tsuji Lab, Kyoto University / Kang Lab, UC Berkeley). [paper]
Apr. 16, 2026 πŸ“„ Our paper on the micro-fracture of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) has been published in Results in Engineering. This is a joint research with Tokyo University of Technology. [paper]
Mar. 3, 2026 πŸ† A/Prof. Shiraiwa received the Konica Minolta Image Science Award. [url] [pic]
Jan. 31, 2026 πŸ“„ Our paper on the strain localization of martensitic steel has been published in Scripta Materialia. This is a joint research with JFE Steel. [paper]
Dec. 5, 2025 🎀 A/Prof. Shiraiwa organized the symposium "Long-Term Reliability in Structural Materials" at MRM2025. It was co-organized with Prof. Enoki (Tokyo University of Technology) and A/Prof. Vidit GAUR (IIT Roorkee). [url]
Dec. 5, 2025 πŸ“„ Our paper on defect detection during metal additive manufacturing has been published in Scientific Reports. This is a joint research with NIMS and Metal Technology Co. Ltd. (MTC). [paper]
Nov. 18, 2025 πŸ“„ Our paper on the fatigue fracture of nickel-based superalloys has been published in Materials Science and Engineering: A. This is a joint research with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. [paper]
Nov. 10, 2025 πŸ† Dr. Shiraiwa received the IIIAE Outstanding Oral Presentation Award. [url] [pic]
Oct. 7, 2025 πŸ“„ Our paper on the mechanical properties of nanolaminated metallic materials has been published in Nanomaterials. This is a joint research with A*STAR, Oregon Tech, and Bina Nusantara University. [paper]
Sep. 24, 2025 πŸ† Kitamura-san received the Best Poster Award at the 177th Annual Autumn Meeting of the Japan Institute of Metals and Materials. [url] [pic]
Sep. 18, 2025 πŸ“„ Our paper on the room-temperature dwell fatigue of additive-manufactured titanium alloys has been published in Journal of Alloys and Compounds. This is a joint research with NIMS. [paper]
Sep. 3, 2025 πŸ† Louis-san received the Best Poster Award at the 1st Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Additive Manufacturing. [url]
Jul. 30, 2025 πŸ“„ Our paper on AE analysis during dwell fatigue has been published in ISIJ International. [paper]
Jun. 1, 2025 πŸ“„ Our paper on the high-temperature fatigue of additive-manufactured titanium alloys has been published in Engineering Failure Analysis. This is a joint research with IIT Roorkee. [paper]
Apr. 15, 2025 πŸ† Dr. Shiraiwa received the Young Scientists' Award from the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). [pic]
Apr. 3, 2025 The homepage has been updated.
2025/3/22 We held a retirement celebration for Enoki-sensei. [pdf]