Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Establishes "MHI Innovative Combustion Dynamics Laboratory" at Kyoto University through Industry-Academia Collaboration
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kyoto University have launched a joint research laboratory to develop high-efficiency, carbon-neutral combustion technologies aimed at achieving over 70% efficiency in GTCC power generation. The initiative also focuses on cultivating next-generation talent in the hard-tech sector through advanced research and experimental simulation.
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 20:15
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56 (2h 40m after Published)
◆ Launching joint research on innovative combustion technologies to challenge GTCC efficiency levels exceeding 70%
◆ Cultivating next-generation hard-tech talent through deepened industry-academia collaboration
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Kyoto University will establish a joint industry-academia laboratory titled the "MHI Innovative Combustion Dynamics Laboratory" on April 1. This initiative aims to promote the development of high-efficiency, carbon-neutral combustion technologies—targeting world-leading GTCC (Gas Turbine Combined Cycle) efficiency levels of over 70%—and to foster next-generation talent in the hard-tech field.
Global electricity demand is on the rise, driven by the progress of electrification and the expansion of data centers due to the proliferation of generative AI. Consequently, balancing stable power supply with decarbonization has become a critical common challenge for nations worldwide. In this context, gas turbines are gaining importance as a core power source capable of high efficiency and superior output adjustment, contributing to CO2 emission reductions while complementing renewable energy. Furthermore, they are expected to become a central technology supporting the realization of a carbon-neutral society by adapting to clean, decarbonized fuels such as hydrogen in the future.
One of the fundamental elements of this technology is combustion. Advanced combustion control, which simultaneously achieves high efficiency and ultra-low emissions, is a field where Japan has cultivated strengths for many years and serves as a source of international competitiveness. Continuous research and development investment in this field and the cultivation of next-generation talent are essential efforts directly linked to strengthening the competitiveness and sustainable development of Japan's energy industry.
In this laboratory, to pursue innovative technologies for GTCC efficiency exceeding 70% and to realize carbon-neutral combustion, we will install combustion test equipment capable of reproducing real-world phenomena. We will work to elucidate these phenomena using advanced measurement technologies and numerical simulations, challenging ourselves to create new concepts in combustion technology. Furthermore, with an eye toward social implementation, the scope of research will extend beyond GTCC to include a wide range of combustion studies, such as rocket engine combustion, supersonic combustion, and reciprocating engine combustion. Through these efforts, the laboratory will serve as a vital driving force for achieving both academic challenges and social value creation, while contributing to the development of next-generation talent in the hard-tech sector.
Through these initiatives, MHI will continue to produce world-leading products and advance the expansion of business domains and overall optimization as set forth in our "Innovative Total Optimization (ITO)" strategy.
Overview of the Industry-Academia Joint Laboratory
[Laboratory Name]
MHI Innovative Combustion Dynamics Laboratory
[Duration]
April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2031 (5 years)
[Faculty (Full-time)]
Naoto Horibe (Specially Appointed Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University)
[Faculty (Part-time)]
Ryoichi Kurose (Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University)
[Faculty (Part-time)]
Jun Hayashi (Professor, Department of Energy Conversion Science, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University)
[Activities]
Aiming for the pursuit of innovative combustion technologies for GTCC efficiency exceeding 70% and the realization of carbon-neutral combustion, the laboratory will focus on installing combustion test equipment capable of reproducing real-world phenomena, elucidating these phenomena through various measurements and numerical calculations, and cultivating next-generation talent.
■ Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Website: https://www.mhi.com/jp/
Online Magazine "SPECTRA" (Japanese): https://spectra.mhi.com/jp
Official X (formerly Twitter): @MHI_GroupJP
Official Instagram: @mhi_groupjp
◆ Cultivating next-generation hard-tech talent through deepened industry-academia collaboration
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Kyoto University will establish a joint industry-academia laboratory titled the "MHI Innovative Combustion Dynamics Laboratory" on April 1. This initiative aims to promote the development of high-efficiency, carbon-neutral combustion technologies—targeting world-leading GTCC (Gas Turbine Combined Cycle) efficiency levels of over 70%—and to foster next-generation talent in the hard-tech field.
Global electricity demand is on the rise, driven by the progress of electrification and the expansion of data centers due to the proliferation of generative AI. Consequently, balancing stable power supply with decarbonization has become a critical common challenge for nations worldwide. In this context, gas turbines are gaining importance as a core power source capable of high efficiency and superior output adjustment, contributing to CO2 emission reductions while complementing renewable energy. Furthermore, they are expected to become a central technology supporting the realization of a carbon-neutral society by adapting to clean, decarbonized fuels such as hydrogen in the future.
One of the fundamental elements of this technology is combustion. Advanced combustion control, which simultaneously achieves high efficiency and ultra-low emissions, is a field where Japan has cultivated strengths for many years and serves as a source of international competitiveness. Continuous research and development investment in this field and the cultivation of next-generation talent are essential efforts directly linked to strengthening the competitiveness and sustainable development of Japan's energy industry.
In this laboratory, to pursue innovative technologies for GTCC efficiency exceeding 70% and to realize carbon-neutral combustion, we will install combustion test equipment capable of reproducing real-world phenomena. We will work to elucidate these phenomena using advanced measurement technologies and numerical simulations, challenging ourselves to create new concepts in combustion technology. Furthermore, with an eye toward social implementation, the scope of research will extend beyond GTCC to include a wide range of combustion studies, such as rocket engine combustion, supersonic combustion, and reciprocating engine combustion. Through these efforts, the laboratory will serve as a vital driving force for achieving both academic challenges and social value creation, while contributing to the development of next-generation talent in the hard-tech sector.
Through these initiatives, MHI will continue to produce world-leading products and advance the expansion of business domains and overall optimization as set forth in our "Innovative Total Optimization (ITO)" strategy.
Overview of the Industry-Academia Joint Laboratory
[Laboratory Name]
MHI Innovative Combustion Dynamics Laboratory
[Duration]
April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2031 (5 years)
[Faculty (Full-time)]
Naoto Horibe (Specially Appointed Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University)
[Faculty (Part-time)]
Ryoichi Kurose (Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University)
[Faculty (Part-time)]
Jun Hayashi (Professor, Department of Energy Conversion Science, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University)
[Activities]
Aiming for the pursuit of innovative combustion technologies for GTCC efficiency exceeding 70% and the realization of carbon-neutral combustion, the laboratory will focus on installing combustion test equipment capable of reproducing real-world phenomena, elucidating these phenomena through various measurements and numerical calculations, and cultivating next-generation talent.
■ Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Website: https://www.mhi.com/jp/
Online Magazine "SPECTRA" (Japanese): https://spectra.mhi.com/jp
Official X (formerly Twitter): @MHI_GroupJP
Official Instagram: @mhi_groupjp