The Institute for Materials Research (IMR), referred to as “Kinken” and established in 1916 as the 2nd Division of the Provisional Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, is approaching its centenary. The Kinken was the first of six institutes to be established at Tohoku University and is the oldest of all public university-established research institutes in Japan. "During the early years, the primary research focus was steel. Thereafter, the research domains gradually broadened to various types of alloys and metals. In 1987, the institute was reorganized into a national collaborative research institute affiliated with Tohoku University. Its name was also changed to the present one, the Institute for Materials Research. This shows clearly that it started to expand its research fields not only metals but also a wide range of other materials. Certified as a joint usage / research center for material science in 2009, the institute is thus now striving to establish a new framework and to promote the research and development of new materials. In the 20th century, along with the development of material science, new materials that served as key elements in material civilization were studied and developed in quick succession, bringing hitherto unforeseen convenience to human life. Our institute also made great contributions in materials science fields. In the early years, the institute became globally known for KS steel, which was the first artificial permanent magnet and was invented under the leadership of Dr. Kotaro Honda, the first Director of the institute. "