Shinigami Research and Development Institute

The Shinigami Research and Development Institute is an organization within Soul Society. 110 years ago, it was conceptualized and created by Kisuke Urahara, then the newly-promoted captain of the 12th Division, who intended for it to be attached to the 12th Division as well, with Urahara as president and Mayuri as vice-president. The current president is Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

Current
President
 * Mayuri Kurotsuchi - Mayuri is the current president of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute as well as the captain of the 12th Division.

Vice-President
 * Nemu Kurotsuchi - Nemu is the both the vice-president of the SRDI and the lieutenant of the 12th Division.

Researchers
 * Akon - Akon is one of the researchers and has been one since 100 years ago when he was a child. He is leader figure within the development department.
 * Hiyosu - Hiyosu is the top Gigai expert in the institute.
 * Rin Tsubokura - Rin is a low-ranking staff member who is the main operator of the Communication Research Section. He is a Shinigami who bears a slight resemblance to Hanatarō Yamada, a member of the 4th Division. He has a thing for sweets.

Former
President
 * Kisuke Urahara - Urahara was the founder and first president of the institute. He held this position until he was exiled for being accused of Hollowfication.

Vice-President
 * Mayuri Kurotsuchi - After being released by Urahara from imprisonment at the Maggot's Nest, he became the vice-president.

Head of Research Offices
 * Hiyori Sarugaki - Hiyori was the head of research offices and resented having her position being lower than Mayuri, whom she outranked in the 12th Division.

Special Duties
The main function of the S.R.D.I. is to research and develop new technology and spiritual tools. They have invented countless items. Throughout the day and night, experiments are conducted at the Reinō Spiritual Ability Research Facility to develop new spiritual tools and instruments. The department brings together the Soul Society's top technicians, who were recruited by Mayuri Kurotsuchi. The second function of the S.R.D.I. is to measure spiritual waves and oversee communications. The Spiritual Wave Measurement Lab closely monitors the world of the living to ensure spiritual stability. The Communications Research Section oversees transmissions between the human world and Soul Society, carrying out the other important function of the institute. If an incident occurs, things become pretty hectic, but otherwise, its usually slow.<ref.Bleach Official Bootleg Kubikiri+, page 114-115

History
The institute is behind the development of many of the technologies that aid the Shinigami, and is currently headed by Mayuri Kurotsuchi. It was founded by Kisuke Urahara, during the time when he and the Vizard were captains and lieutenants. The SRDI has close ties with the 12th Division of the Gotei 13 and both presidents of the institute have also served as captains of that division.

Known Developments

 * Gokon tekkō - which forcibly removes the soul from the body.
 * Soul Cellphone
 * Soul Candy: The Shinigami Research and Development Institute has performed extensive research into the modification of souls; the results of this research were artificial souls, both in the form of "soul candy" and Project Spearhead.
 * Gigai Development: maintains Gigais, and
 * Kenpachi's Eye Patch: developed Kenpachi Zaraki's reiatsu-absorbing eye patch.

Sub-labs
The Shinigami Research and Development Institute is nothing more than a series of labs specializing in particular types of research. These specialized labs include:
 * Reinō Spiritual Ability Research Facility: to develop new spiritual tools and instruments.
 * Spiritual Wave Measurement Lab: closely monitors the world of the living to ensure spiritual stability. Rin Tsubokura is a member of this lab.
 * Communication Research Section: Oversees transmissions between the human world and Soul Society. This lab is responsible for the development of communication technology, including soul cellphones.

Trivia

 * The SRDI was not involved with Ran'Tao's creation of the Bount, with its establishment postdating the Bount's creation by some centuries.