Tateo Usui

Short Bio:

Tateo Usui, 73, was graduated from Osaka University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Metallurgy, in March, 1969 and graduated from Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Department of Metallurgy, in March, 1974 and at the same time he got the degree of Doctor of Engineering from Osaka University. He started his career as Assistant Professor from April, 1974, in the same Department, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka University. He became full Professor in November, 1995. From 2007 till 2010, he invited “Nippon Steel Collaboration Laboratory on Ironmaking Process.” After his retirement from Osaka University in March, 2010, the title of Emeritus Professor of Osaka University was given to Prof. Usui. He started his second career as full Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Fukui University of Technology from April, 2010 till March, 2012. From April, 2012 till March, 2017, the title of Guest Professor in Joining and Welding Research Institute, Osaka University was given to Prof. Usui. He started his third career as Visiting Professor, School of Mines, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil, from September, 2013 until now. Over the span of 50 years, his research activities focused primarily on Ironmaking including reduction behavior and kinetic analyses of iron ore agglomerates (pellets and sinter), pre-reduction behavior of iron oxide pellets with coal carbonization gas for an Iron Bath Smelting Reduction Process and rate enhancement by using semi-char and semi-charcoal for carbon composite pellets; as well as experimental and thermodynamical or kinetic studies on environmental problems (CO2 and Dioxin emissions), refining of steel, elimination of tramp elements from used steel, and reduction of hydrocarbon volume in carburizing process of solid steel. Prof. Usui was granted numerous prestigious awards for his outstanding research and academic activities such as Prize of JSME from JSME (The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers) in 1977; Nishiyama Commemorative Prize (Scientific Achievement Commemorative Prize) from ISIJ (The Iron and Steel Institute of Japan) in 1986; Gakujutsu Kouseki Prize (Scientific Achievement Merit Prize) from ISIJ in 2006, Tanigawa – Harris Prize for High Temperature Metal Processing from JIM (The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials) in 2011; Yamaoka Prize (Joint Research Prize for distinguished Group Research Activities) from ISIJ, 6 times, in 1986, 1993, 1995, 2003, and 2013 as a member and in 2007 as the chairman; Nishiyama Medal (Academic Prize) from ISIJ and Fray International Sustainability Award from FLOGEN Star OUTREACH in March and October, 2019, respectively. Most recently, Prof. Usui received the Iron and Steel Merit Award from ISIJ on “Fundamental Studies on Ironmaking and Steel Processing in Consideration of Resources and Environment” in March, 2020. In addition, he has held distinguished Chairman positions leading the research group in ISIJ on Iron Ore Sintering Process for Limonite Ore from 2000 till 2004, and heading the organizing and steering committees of 4th ICSTI (International Congress on the Science and Technology of Ironmaking) in 2006 and ISISD (International Symposium on Ironmaking for Sustainable Development) in 2010 - both were organized by ISIJ and co-organized by Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University. Especially, 4th ICSTI was supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Currently, he is a Steering Committee Member for an Ironmaking Forum of High Temperature Process Division in ISIJ and an Advisory Board Member for “The Research and Development of Ironmaking Process Using Ferro-coke,” NEDO, Japan.