Prof. Dr. Koh-ichi Sugimoto, Shinshu University, Japan
Prof. Dr. Koh-ichi Sugimoto is a renowned Japanese academic and researcher in mechanical systems engineering. He holds a Doctor of Engineering from Tokyo Metropolitan University (1985) and is a Professor Emeritus at Shinshu University. His research focuses on TRIP-aided steels, precision die, and carbon nano composites. With over 9 books, 176 journal papers, and 63 patents, he has made significant contributions to materials science. Prof. Sugimoto has received numerous awards, including the 2024 Metals Outstanding Reviewer Award and the 2014 Gilbert R. Speich Award. He also serves on several editorial boards and advisory committees. 📚🔬
Publication Profile
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Education 🎓
Prof. Dr. Koh-ichi Sugimoto holds an impressive academic background, beginning with his Bachelor of Engineering (1973) and Master of Engineering (1975) degrees from Shinshu University. His passion for materials science led him to pursue a Doctor of Engineering at Tokyo Metropolitan University, where he completed his doctoral research in 1985. His doctoral dissertation focused on “A Basic Study on Deformation Mechanism of High-Strength Dual-Phase Steels,” a topic that has influenced his lifelong research in steel technology and materials engineering. Prof. Sugimoto’s strong educational foundation has shaped his influential contributions to the field. 📘🔬
Work Experience 💼
Prof. Dr. Koh-ichi Sugimoto has had a distinguished career spanning several decades. He served as a Research Advisor at OP Jindal University since 2019. Prior to that, he was Professor Emeritus at Shinshu University (2016) and held various key roles including Advisor to the President (2009-2010) and Associate Dean (2008). His leadership also extended to serving as Councilor (2005-2007) and Special Advisor to the President (2001-2003) at Shinshu University. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Prof. Sugimoto was a Professor (1998-2015) and Associate Professor (1987-1997). He also worked as an Assistant Manager at Daido Steel Co. Ltd. (1986) and Assistant Professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University (1975-1985). 🌟📚
Awards 🏆
Prof. Dr. Koh-ichi Sugimoto has received several prestigious awards throughout his career. Notably, he is the recipient of the 2024 Metals Outstanding Reviewer Award (announced in March 2025) from MDPI. He earned the Metallography, Microstructure, and Analysis Editor’s Choice Award in 2016 for his paper on TRIP-Aided Martensitic Steel. In 2014, he was honored with the Gilbert R. Speich Award for his work on advanced ultrahigh-strength steels. Other awards include the Materials Significant Contribution Award (2013), Charles Hatchett Award (2006), and the Nishiyama Commemorative Prize (2001). 🌟📚
Research Focus 📚🔬
Prof. Dr. Koh-ichi Sugimoto’s research primarily revolves around ultrahigh-strength TRIP-aided steels and their mechanical properties, microstructure, and deformation behavior. His work explores bainitic ferrite and martensite matrix structures in steels, including their impact toughness, fatigue properties, and cold formability. He also investigates the effects of thermomechanical processing on hydrogen embrittlement and the influence of mean normal stress on strain-hardening behaviors. His contributions to advanced materials are crucial in enhancing steel applications, particularly in automotive and structural engineering industries. ⚙️🔧🛠️
Publication Top Notes 
- Evaluation of Shear-Punched Surface Layer Damage in Ultrahigh-Strength TRIP-Aided Steels (2024) 📘 | DOI: 10.3390/met14091034
- Effects of Mean Normal Stress and Microstructural Properties on Deformation Properties of Ultrahigh-Strength TRIP-Aided Steels (2024) 📘 | Cited by: 1 | DOI: 10.3390/ma17143554
- Evaluation of Shear-Punched Surface Layer Damage in Three Types of High-Strength TRIP-Aided Steel (2024) 📘 | Cited by: 1 | DOI: 10.3390/met14050531
- Effects of Mean Normal Stress on Strain-Hardening, Strain-Induced Martensite Transformation, and Void-Formation Behaviors in High-Strength TRIP-Aided Steels (2024) 📘 | Cited by: 3 | DOI: 10.3390/met14010061
- Effects of Partial Replacement of Si by Al on Impact Toughness of 0.2%C-Si-Mn-Cr-B TRIP-Aided Martensitic Steel (2023) 📘 | DOI: 10.3390/met13071206
- Effects of Partial Replacement of Si by Al on Cold Formability in Two Groups of Low-Carbon Third-Generation Advanced High-Strength Steel Sheet: A Review (2022) 📚 | Cited by: 3 | DOI: 10.3390/met12122069
- Effects of Thermomechanical Processing on Hydrogen Embrittlement Properties of Ultrahigh-Strength TRIP-Aided Bainitic Ferrite Steels (2022) 📘 | Cited by: 1 | DOI: 10.3390/met12020269
- Cold Formabilities of Martensite-Type Medium Mn Steel (2021) 📘 | Cited by: 3 | DOI: 10.3390/met11091371
- Influence of Cooling Process Routes after Intercritical Annealing on Impact Toughness of Duplex Type Medium Mn Steel (2021) 📘 | Cited by: 4 | DOI: 10.3390/met11071143
- Recent Progress of Low and Medium-Carbon Advanced Martensitic Steels (2021) 📚 | DOI: 10.3390/met11040652