Through collaborative research with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), we are advancing development of fine wiring technology for next-generation devices using printed electronics (PE). PE is a technology that forms wiring by printing ink containing conductive materials onto resin films or glass substrates. It is said to enable finer wiring than the wiring formation using copper foil etching methods, and it is expected to contribute to the further miniaturization and thinness of devices such as smartphones and wearables.
By combining our copper ink technology using copper micropowder with AIST's printing technology, we have made it possible to form fine copper wiring. Having achieved the formation of fine copper wiring with a line width of 6 µm, the finest level in the world using screen offset printing technology^*, we have officially launched marketing activities aimed at social implementation. Moving forward, we will gather feedback through dialogue with our customers and continue to explore various applications.

• *Screen Offset Printing Method: A technique where conductive ink is screen-printed onto a transfer medium, and then the printed conductive ink is transferred to a substrate for formation. The process is simple, large-area printing is easy, and the printing speed is fast.

We are conducting joint research with Ibaraki University's College of Engineering on magnesium silicide (Mg2Si) single crystal, a semiconductor material that will be used in next-generation optical sensing technology. Optical sensing technology is expected to be used in a wide range of fields such as industrial inspection, healthcare, disaster prevention and security, and autonomous driving in automobiles.
The Mg2Si single crystal, which Professor Udono Haruhiko of the College of Engineering at Ibaraki University and our Company are working on developing, can detect light in a wide range of wavelengths from visible light to shortwave infrared. Additionally, because it utilizes a widely available material, it achieves a balance between performance and cost-effectiveness. In the collaborative research, we are working to increase the size and quality of Mg2Si single crystals.
We are promoting marketing activities aimed at the social implementation of this product, raising awareness of the product through exhibits at trade shows, etc., and fostering communication with manufacturers involved in the production and development semiconductor devices.

Despite growing needs for a stable supply of nonferrous metal materials in recent years, the pool of researchers and engineers in Japan working in fields related to smelting, refining, and recycling nonferrous metals has been on the decline. In response to this situation, JX Advanced Metals, in collaboration with the Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, launched the Endowed Research Unit for Nonferrous Metal Resource Recovery Engineering (JX Metals Endowed Unit) in 2012. The purpose of this organization is to develop new environmentally friendly recycling technologies for nonferrous metals while also developing the human resources responsible for the work in this field.
The unit began Phase 3 (five years) in January 2022. In Phase 3, we are developing activities to promote a further understanding and awareness of the importance and future of the nonferrous metals industry, as well as focus on activities for realizing the SDGs and for STEAM education^* to nurture the next generation.

• *STEAM education: An educational concept that combines the initial letters of five words: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. This concept aims to develop logical thinking and creative skills that lead to problem-solving in the real world

Symposium on Issues and Initiatives for Securing and Developing Human Resources in the Domestic Manufacturing Industry

On September 8, 2023, the Symposium on Issues and Initiatives for Securing and Developing Human Resources in the Domestic Manufacturing Industry was held at the Convention Hall of the Institute of Industrial Science at the University of Tokyo, hosted by the Endowed Research Unit for Nonferrous Metal Resource Recovery Engineering (JX Metals Endowed Unit).
The event was attended by a large number of participants and featured a lecture by Professor Kurokawa Harumasa on the current state of attracting talent in the nonferrous metal smelting and refining industry and initiatives for talent development and acquisition through collaboration between companies and universities. The event also included a panel discussion and a technology exchange session.

11th Symposium on Precious Metals

The JX Metals Endowed Unit held the special joint 11th Precious Metals Symposium Frontier of Extraction and Recycling Technology for Precious Metals on January 12, 2024. This symposium aims to expand personal exchanges through discussions in the field of precious metals extraction and recycling. Nakajima Kota, manager of the Precious Metals Smelter & Refinery, gave a presentation titled Recovery of impurities as valuable resources in Precious Metals Refining Plant to make the Green Hybrid Smelting project successful. Approximately 210 participants from industry, government, and academia, primarily from precious metals-related companies, attended the event, resulting in lively discussions.