Miyake Prize

Akira Tsuchiyama

Commendation

Innovative research such as experiments on phase change/crystallization of natural materials and development of synchrotron radiation X-ray CT method

Major achievements

Dr. Tsuchiyama has made innovative achievements in laboratory experiments on phase transformation, crystallization, melting, evaporation, condensation, and diffusion of natural materials, and in the development of synchrotron radiation X-ray computed tomography. Representative achievements include the quantification of heating and cooling conditions through experiments reproducing the chondrule textures of meteorites, and the quantification of kinetic effects on nucleation, microstructure formation, and solid-liquid element partitioning during igneous processes. He also developed an X-ray CT system with submicron spatial resolution at the synchrotron radiation facility SPring-8 for the non-destructive observation of three-dimensional structures, and elucidated the large-scale mass transport in the solar system and the surface geology of asteroids from the micro-rock samples of comet Wild2 and the asteroid Itokawa. He also identified meteorite accumulation sites by analyzing the pore structure and micro-liquid inclusions in the primitive meteorite matrix. These outstanding achievements are a new contribution from the field of material science, distinct from research in planetary science and astronomy based on observation, theory, and exploration.

Nominator

Shogo Tachibana