Research Groups
There are 10 research groups at the Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability. We’ll now describe each one.
- Risk Assessment Strategy Group
This group is chiefly examining how to assess the risks associated with chemical substances (strategy), with their management taken into account. Current research subjects are both a human health risk and an ecological risk. The central tasks of the group are the risk assessment of industrial nanomaterials and the development of a method for risk tradeoff analysis. The group is also studying how to collect data, estimate risks and generate risk indicators.
- Environmental Exposure Modeling Group
This group is developing a technology for exposure assessment, the core point of assessing the risks of chemical substances to humans and ecosystems. It is also conducting research centering on the development of exposure assessment models in the atmospheric environment, indoor environment, rivers and oceans. Exposure and risk assessments using these models are being made in cooperation with other groups so that the results of such efforts can be utilized for policies for the management of chemical substances.
- Macro-Dynamics Modeling Group
To establish a multifaceted risk assessment method designed to realize optimum risk management of chemical substances, this group is developing an exposure and toxicity information prediction method and a method for comparing different risks between materials, using mathematical, statistical and experimental models. It also aims to disseminate more widely the risk assessment-based management of chemical substances by applying such methods under development to risk tradeoffs in materials substitution and a comprehensive assessment of the risks involved in the adoption of new technologies, and to release information on the methods developed and the results of our risk assessments.
- Substance Flow and Emission Analysis Group
The main task of this group is to develop a method for estimating the material flow of new and alternative substances and their emission rates into the environment, and identifying their sources for the risk of chemical substances. The group also aims to pass the results of their research on to the government and private sector in charge of risk management to help with their decision-making on materials substitution and new substance development, and measures to control substance discharge.
- Sustainability Governance Group
This group aims to develop assessment methods required to help the government, private sector and citizens play their roles effectively in realizing a sustainable society, and to put such methods into practical use. Research and development areas can be classified into (1) the development of a basic technology for strategic risk governance, (2) the development and application of a new preference elicitation method for citizens and consumers, and (3) a search for alternative environmental policies and measures and development of a method for their assessment. The group is striving to achieve unique research results by means of an interdisciplinary approach.
- Explosion and Shock Waves Group
The group’s main research activities are centered on the physics and engineering of shock waves and explosion phenomena. The group is researching the basics of science and engineering related to a wide range of explosion safety issues, such as the physics and chemistry of detonation and shock waves as well as the application of dynamic impacts to materials engineering.
To make the most of its potential, the group will also conduct real field explosion tests on a large scale, since there is a considerable need for the government to deal with the issue of explosives safety. Recent research themes include tests on shock sensitivity against explosives such as emulsion explosives and assessments of safety distances from new types of explosives storage magazines.
- Energetic Materials Group
This group is dedicated to the study of explosion phenomena in terms of chemistry. It is working on a technology to ensure the safety of high-energy materials, the clarification of a mechanism for halting runaway reactions, development of a risk assessment technology, and establishing technical standards for the safe handling of such materials. With an eye on computer-based chemistry methods and spectrographic technology, the group is attempting to establish a basic technology for describing explosion phenomena. To support sound industrial development, the group also receives numerous requests and consultations from the private sector concerning the explosion risks of chemical substances and conscientiously carries out risk assessments on them.
- Industrial Safety and Physical Risk Analysis Group
New energy materials such as hydrogen and explosives have the very useful property of instantly generating massive amounts of energy. However, the truth is that these substances are not used to their full potential because of the difficulty in ensuring their safety and the problem of their control technology. To establish a safe and secure society, the group is carrying out research designed to meet demand from the government and society at large for explosion safety by working on such issues as (1) the safe use of industrial explosives, (2) the safe use of new energy materials, including hydrogen, and (3) industrial safety.
- Material and Energy Sustainability Assessment Group
This group is conducting research aiming at recommending the precise direction in which materials and energy should be positioned in a sustainable society, through analysis and assessment using energy and environment policy support tools. It focuses on materials (material stock assessment, flow analysis of secondhand goods and the export and import of secondary resources, and recycling assessment), energy (assessment of energy especially biomass, energy technology assessment, and assessment for public energy technology acceptance), and methods for analysis and assessment (Material Flow Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment, Input-Output Analysis, and Social Surveys) as well as Sustainable Indicators.
- Advanced LCA Research Group
Based on lifecycle thinking, this group is conducting research mainly related to energy and the environment. Specific research topics include the systematization of environmental protection measures, adaptation and new technology.
We are also developing tools and methodologies for understanding sustainability and reducing environmental impact. These efforts include developing new indices, proposing innovative plans, constructing databases and developing software.
