Tanaka Precious Metals Memorial Foundation Announces Winners of 'Research Grants for Precious Metals'
The Tanaka Precious Metals Memorial Foundation has announced the winners of its 2025 research grants, awarding a total of 19.8 million yen to 27 research projects.
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The Tanaka Precious Metals Memorial Foundation (Representative Director: Hideya Okamoto) announced today the winners of the 2025 'Research Grants for Precious Metals.'
Following a rigorous selection process, the 'Ichiro Tanaka Award' was awarded to Professor Takanori Iwasaki (Kyushu University) and Professor Toshinori Fujieda (Tokyo Institute of Science). Both recipients will receive a research grant of 3 million yen. Additionally, 4 projects were selected for the 'Innovative Precious Metals Award' and 5 for the 'KIRAMEKI Award.'
The foundation aims to pioneer new fields for precious metals and contribute to the development of academia, technology, and the socio-economy. This grant program has been held annually since 1999 to support various challenges in the 'new world opened by precious metals.' With the slogan 'Creating a tomorrow that surpasses today with inspiration and brilliance,' the foundation solicited research and development themes that contribute to creating a 'better future' through the creativity of researchers and the potential of precious metals. In this 27th edition, there were 244 applications, and a total of 19.8 million yen in grants will be awarded to 27 research projects.
The winners of the 'Ichiro Tanaka Award' and their research titles/reasons are as follows:
■ Ichiro Tanaka Award
Professor Takanori Iwasaki, Kyushu University
'Chemical Recycling of Intractable Polymer Materials Using Hydrogen Transfer'
This research addresses the decomposition reaction of polyurethane using a unique precious metal complex catalyst. It has been demonstrated that polyurethane can be decomposed by hydrogen gas. The development of a chemical recycling method for polyurethane, used in cushioning materials such as car seats and mattresses, is essential for promoting the reuse of waste plastics and was highly evaluated as research and development that significantly contributes to the realization of an environmentally friendly society.
■ Ichiro Tanaka Award
Professor Toshinori Fujieda, Tokyo Institute of Science
'Development of Biodegradable Nanosheet Electrodes Consisting of Inkjet Gold Wiring and Its Application to Plant Health Management Systems'
This research forms array-shaped gold electrodes on a polymer ultra-thin film substrate to measure changes in the surface potential of plant leaves in real-time. By considering materials with low biological impact, it is expected that raw data from plants can be acquired. Furthermore, the biological surface potential changes captured in this research were highly evaluated for their potential to express various conditions not only in plants but also in animals.
Details regarding other awards and the application overview for the 2026 fiscal year will be announced in the autumn.
Following a rigorous selection process, the 'Ichiro Tanaka Award' was awarded to Professor Takanori Iwasaki (Kyushu University) and Professor Toshinori Fujieda (Tokyo Institute of Science). Both recipients will receive a research grant of 3 million yen. Additionally, 4 projects were selected for the 'Innovative Precious Metals Award' and 5 for the 'KIRAMEKI Award.'
The foundation aims to pioneer new fields for precious metals and contribute to the development of academia, technology, and the socio-economy. This grant program has been held annually since 1999 to support various challenges in the 'new world opened by precious metals.' With the slogan 'Creating a tomorrow that surpasses today with inspiration and brilliance,' the foundation solicited research and development themes that contribute to creating a 'better future' through the creativity of researchers and the potential of precious metals. In this 27th edition, there were 244 applications, and a total of 19.8 million yen in grants will be awarded to 27 research projects.
The winners of the 'Ichiro Tanaka Award' and their research titles/reasons are as follows:
■ Ichiro Tanaka Award
Professor Takanori Iwasaki, Kyushu University
'Chemical Recycling of Intractable Polymer Materials Using Hydrogen Transfer'
This research addresses the decomposition reaction of polyurethane using a unique precious metal complex catalyst. It has been demonstrated that polyurethane can be decomposed by hydrogen gas. The development of a chemical recycling method for polyurethane, used in cushioning materials such as car seats and mattresses, is essential for promoting the reuse of waste plastics and was highly evaluated as research and development that significantly contributes to the realization of an environmentally friendly society.
■ Ichiro Tanaka Award
Professor Toshinori Fujieda, Tokyo Institute of Science
'Development of Biodegradable Nanosheet Electrodes Consisting of Inkjet Gold Wiring and Its Application to Plant Health Management Systems'
This research forms array-shaped gold electrodes on a polymer ultra-thin film substrate to measure changes in the surface potential of plant leaves in real-time. By considering materials with low biological impact, it is expected that raw data from plants can be acquired. Furthermore, the biological surface potential changes captured in this research were highly evaluated for their potential to express various conditions not only in plants but also in animals.
Details regarding other awards and the application overview for the 2026 fiscal year will be announced in the autumn.
FAQ
What precious metals are covered by the grant?
The eight elements covered are platinum, gold, silver, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, and osmium.
Who is eligible to apply?
Researchers affiliated with educational or research institutions in Japan. The KIRAMEKI Award is for young researchers aged 37 or under.
When is the next application period?
Applications for the 2026 fiscal year grants are scheduled to open in the autumn of 2025.