An automotive researcher from Mazda will be given a major award for his work with a new type of pgm single-nanocatalyst technology, it has been confirmed.

Seiji Miyoshi, from the company's powertrain development department, produced a structure which controls smaller particles than conventional nanotechnology can.

The employee's efforts will be recognised on 20th May at the annual Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (JSAE) awards, when he will receive the Asahara Science Award.

Mazda explained that the structure is capable of suppressing the thermal degradation of pgms in catalytic converters, which are designed reduce harmful emissions from vehicles.

"The research contributed significantly to the development of a single-nanocatalyst that uses approximately 70 per cent less precious metal than conventional catalysts," said the company.

In creating the Asahara Science Award, the JSAE was looking to celebrate young employees who produce "outstanding" research papers relating to the development of automotive technology.

Founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Company, Mazda is currently the fifth-largest automaker in Japan, behind Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi.

Source:

Mazda Researchers to Receive JSAE Awards (20/04/10)

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