Shinji Hirai

Biography

Shinji Hirai obtained his PhD in Engineering from Waseda University, Japan in 1988. In 1990, he joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology as an Associate Professor. In 1992–1993, he trained under Professor Emeritus L Brewer at the UC Berkeley. In 2003, he acquired the position of Full Professor and his research interests expanded to include high-performance biomass plastics created using animal fiber waste and effective utilization of rare earth sulfides. Since 2012, he is concurrently serving as the Director of Research Center for Environmentally Friendly Materials Engineering. Recently, as part of the ImPACT national project, he is involved in the study of resinification of artificial spider silk. Shinji Hirai obtained his PhD in Engineering from Waseda University, Japan in 1988. In 1990, he joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology as an Associate Professor. In 1992–1993, he trained under Professor Emeritus L Brewer at the UC Berkeley. In 2003, he acquired the position of Full Professor and his research interests expanded to include high-performance biomass plastics created using animal fiber waste and effective utilization of rare earth sulfides. Since 2012, he is concurrently serving as the Director of Research Center for Environmentally Friendly Materials Engineering. Recently, as part of the ImPACT national project, he is involved in the study of resinification of artificial spider silk.

Research Interest

biomass plastics