"Development of Ferrite Materials and Their Applications" Recognized as IEEE Milestone

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The invention of ferrite by the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the commercial development of ferrite cores by TDK made substantial contributions to the global electronics industry.

October 13, 2009
Tokyo Institute of Technology
TDK Corporation

The Tokyo Institute of Technology (President: Kenichi Iga) and TDK Corporation (President and CEO: Takehiro Kamigama) were honored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.^*1 (IEEE) with the grant of IEEE Milestones^*2 for the invention of ferrite materials and their applications.

This award is recognition that ferrite, a magnetic material invented at the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1930, is an original Japanese invention and of the contributions that TDK subsequently made in the development of electronics and that it continues to develop many new products and technologies even today, 80 years after that initial invention.

IEEE Milestones is a program that recognizes historical achievements that have made significant contributions to society and industry in the electrical, electronics, and related fields. Since the program's establishment in 1983, more than 80 achievements around the world have been granted IEEE Milestones. The recognition of the invention of ferrite and its commercial development is the 10th IEEE Milestone in Japan.

Ferrite is an electronic material created through the research of Dr. Yogoro Kato and Dr. Takeshi Takei at the Tokyo Institute of Technology Department of Electrochemistry in 1930. Ferrite is one of Japanese original inventions. To commercially develop ferrite, TDK was established in 1935 as a pioneering example of a university-launched startup in Japan (the original name of the company, Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kogyo [Tokyo Electric and Chemical Industries], was adopted from the names of the university and the research lab where ferrite was invented).

Applications of ferrite were unknown at the time, but the Tokyo Institute of Technology and TDK conducted research and development, and a component known as the ferrite core was used in wireless communications devices and radios in Japan started in 1937 ahead of the rest of the world. Through the end of the Second World War, TDK shipped 5 million ferrite cores. Later, ferrite was used in a wide range of power supply components such as the deflection yoke cores of television tubes and transformers that convert voltage, exerting a substantial impact on the evolution of virtually all electronic components. Today, ferrite makes extensive contributions as a key electronic component in cutting-edge electronics devices including in flat-screen televisions, automotive components, and the hybrid vehicles that have attracted much attention recently.

Commemorative IEEE Milestone plaques presented by IEEE will be put on permanent display in the Centennial Hall at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the TDK History Museum located in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture.
In addition, a special exhibit entitled "80 Years of Ferrite: Original Japanese Invention from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and TDK Expands throughout the Global Industry" will be on display on the first floor of the Centennial Hall at the Tokyo Institute of Technology from today (October 13) to October 20.

Text of the IEEE Milestone Commemorative Plaque

*1 The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
The world's largest non-profit organization (academic society) of electrical and electronic engineers. It is based in the United States. The IEEE, with more than 370,000 members from more than 160 countries, undertakes advanced activities in a wide range of fields including computers, electronics, communications, electrical power, aviation, and biotechnology and plays a leading role in these fields. The IEEE currently has 39 specialized committees, holds international conferences, publishes academic journals, and conducts standardization activities. There are nine branches in Japan including Tokyo and Kansai area, and approximately 13,000 Japanese engineers are members.

*2 IEEE Milestones
IEEE Milestones is a program established in 1983 to recognize significant historical achievements developed at least 25 years earlier that have made substantial contributions to society and industrial development in the electrical, electronics, and related fields. To date, more than 80 achievements including Volta's electric battery and the Fleming valve have been granted IEEE Milestones.
In Japan, there were achievements previously designated IEEE milestones: the Yagi/Uda antenna (1995); Mt. Fuji Radar System (2000); Tokaido Shinkansen (2000); the Seiko quartz wristwatch (2004); the Sharp electronic calculation (2005); Victor Company of Japan VHS (Video Home System) (2006); the Omron, Hankyu, and Kintetsu corporations and Osaka University railroad ticket examining system (2007); the Toshiba Japanese-language word processor (2008); and the Yosami radio transmitting station in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture (2009). "The Development of Ferrite Materials and Their Applications" marks the 10th IEEE Milestone in Japan.

For more information, please direct inquiries to:

Tokyo Institute of Technology
   Ms. Hirai, Evaluation and Public Relations Division, General Affairs Department
   Telephone: 81-3-5734-2975    E-mail: hyo.koh.sya@jim.titech.ac.jp
   (about ferrite materials)
   Prof. Yamazaki, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering
   Telephone: 81-45-924-5411

TDK Corporation
   Corporate Communications Department
   Telephone: 81-3-6778-1055
   E-mail; TDK.PR@tdk.com

Special exhibition: "80 Years of Ferrite"