Junji Iihara, an engineer of Sumitomo Electric, was granted a Hyogo SPring-8 Award by the Hyogo Science and Technology Association in recognition of his development of a tungsten high-efficient recycling technology using synchrotron radiation. Established by Hyogo Prefecture, Hyogo SPring-8 Awards honor those who have utilized SPring-8* mainly for an industrial purpose and who have achieved research results expected to contribute to the overall social and economic development.
In his efforts to develop a tungsten high-efficient recycling technology, Iihara measured the X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) using the synchrotron radiation of SPring-8, and derived optimum conditions for the absorption and elution of tungsten into and from ion exchange resin, hereby successfully improving tungsten recovery efficiency.
Iihara’s pioneering contribution to the industrial use of SPring-8 was also highly recognized by the Industrial Consortium for Beamline Construction and Application (Sunbeam Consortium), which consists of 13 companies including Sumitomo Electric, in order to construct and operate a beamline at SPring-8.
Sumitomo Electric will continue to make ambitious attempts to achieve technological development.

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