Mitsubishi Electric Licenses Metal Corrosion Sensor Technology for Corrosion Detection to KOA Corporation

Implementation example of Mitsubishi Electric's metal corrosion sensor technology (left) and KOA's sulfur reaction chip 'SK73 Series' using the same technology (right)

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has concluded a licensing agreement with KOA Corporation (headquartered in Komagane, Nagano Prefecture; hereinafter 'KOA') for its proprietary metal corrosion sensor technology used in corrosion detection. Under this agreement, KOA begins general sales today of the sulfur reaction chip 'SK73 Series,' which utilizes this technology.

Mitsubishi Electric positions intellectual property as a vital long-term management resource and conducts IP activities aligned with its business and R&D strategies. Since October 2021, through its 'Open Technology Bank® (Open Technology Bank),' which promotes internal and external collaboration centered on intellectual property, the company has been publicly sharing and offering its rich technological assets, engaging in co-creation initiatives with partner companies to achieve synergistic innovation.

As part of this initiative, Mitsubishi Electric has explored external applications for its metal corrosion sensor technology, which it originally developed in 2019 and has used for corrosion detection in its own industrial equipment such as inverters. Due to repeated requests for commercialization from various industries—including automotive, industrial equipment, precision machinery, and telecommunications—both domestically and internationally, Mitsubishi Electric has now entered into a licensing agreement with KOA, a company with strong capabilities in the development, manufacturing, and sales of electronic components, designating it as a co-creation partner. By incorporating this technology into the 'SK73 Series' sulfur reaction chips and offering them for general sale, KOA will expand the application of this technology beyond Mitsubishi Electric's own products. This will contribute to stable operation of industrial equipment by helping prevent sudden failures caused by corrosion and enabling planned maintenance.

Going forward, Mitsubishi Electric will continue to create new value by strengthening intellectual property utilization and promoting co-creation initiatives, contributing to solving societal challenges through its business operations, all in pursuit of its core management principle: 'Achieving Sustainability.'

About the 'SK73 Series'

KOA's sulfur reaction chip 'SK73 Series' consists of elements that exhibit increased resistance when reacting with sulfur gases. The product is based on components jointly developed by both companies for Mitsubishi Electric's industrial equipment, leveraging Mitsubishi Electric's metal corrosion sensor technology.

The series offers two types of elements with different levels of reaction progression. KOA has applied the expertise gained from its existing sulfur-resistant chip resistors, the '-RT Series,' to achieve this differentiation in progression levels. By combining these two types of elements, it becomes possible to monitor the degree of corrosion progression caused by sulfur exposure.

For more details, please visit KOA's website section on 'Sulfur Detecting Chips':

https://www.koaglobal.com/product/category/sulfur_detecting

About KOA Corporation

Company Name

KOA Corporation

Representative

Hiroaki Mukaiyama, Representative Director, President and Executive Officer

Headquarters

14016 Nakakomagane, Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, inside KOA Pine Park

Founded

March 1940

Business Activities

Development, manufacturing, and sales of various electronic components

URL

https://www.koaglobal.com/

Trademark Information

'Open Technology Bank'

Registered trademark of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

About the Mitsubishi Electric Group

Under its 'Our Philosophy,' the Mitsubishi Electric Group places sustainability at the core of its management, valuing trust from stakeholders including society, customers, shareholders, and employees. The Group strives for profitability, capital efficiency, and growth, while continuously engaging with customers to create new value that solves societal challenges and achieves sustainable corporate value enhancement. Since its founding in 1921, the Group has over 100 years of history and operates businesses in social systems, energy systems, defense and space systems, factory automation systems, automotive equipment, building systems, air conditioning and home appliances, digital innovation, semiconductors, and devices. With more than 200 group companies worldwide and approximately 150,000 employees, the consolidated sales for the fiscal year 2025 reached 5.8947 trillion yen. For more details, please visit the official website.

※1 'Mitsubishi Electric Group Intellectual Property Strategy'

https://www.MitsubishiElectric.co.jp/corporate/chiteki/hoshin/

※2 'What is Open Technology Bank?'

https://www.MitsubishiElectric.co.jp/corporate/chiteki/otb/index.html

※3 Press Release, September 4, 2019: 'World's First Mountable 'Metal Corrosion Sensor' for Printed Circuit Boards Developed'

https://www.MitsubishiElectric.co.jp/ja/pr/pdf/2019/0904.pdf

＜Customer Inquiries＞

・Open Technology Bank

Intellectual Property Center, Intellectual Property Strategy Department, Technology Asset Utilization Group, Legal & Risk Management Headquarters, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8310

E-mail: [email protected]

・Metal Corrosion Sensor Technology

Environmental and Analytical Evaluation Technology Department, Advanced Technology Research Laboratory, R&D Headquarters, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

8-1-1 Tsukaguchihonmachi, Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture 661-8661

FAX 06-6497-7285

https://www.MitsubishiElectric.co.jp/corporate/randd/inquiry/index_at.html

・Sulfur Reaction Chip SK73 Series

Sales Initiative, Product Management Center, KOA Corporation

2-17-2 Midorigaoka, Fuchu City, Tokyo 183-0006

https://www.koaglobal.com/tech_support/productsForm