Model of the export-only APR1000
Photo credit: Lee Dong Gun
The experimental facility at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), located in Ulju County, Ulsan, is fast becoming an international center for nuclear engineering research. At the heart of this experimental facility is "Patriot," a miniaturized unit mimicking the APR1000 nuclear reactor and designed to be operated under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions to simulate actual heat transfer and cooling conditions. The facility is part of South Korea's nuclear export strategy, and the APR1000 is to be exported to, among others, the Czech Republic.
The facility has also drawn attention from prestigious universities abroad, with the visit of professors from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Michigan Technological University, and Polytechnic University of Milan. In addition, a research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will visit the institute in early 2025. "The carbon steel structure of the facility allows testing at the cutting edge of nuclear engineering, thereby contributing to South Korea's position at the forefront of nuclear engineering," says Professor Bang In-cheol of the Department of Nuclear Engineering at UNIST.
The place of UNIST in the global community of nuclear engineering shows the broader developments of South Korea in science and technology. UNIST has also excelled in patent creation with more than 1,000 patents filed over the past three years—an average of 3.5 patents per professor per year. The achievement reflects the university's focus on innovation, in particular with technologies such as Small Modular Reactors, where Professor Bang's patented hybrid control rod technology has gained international recognition.
In semiconductor research, KAIST's School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering is taking giant strides: last year, for instance, those industry collaborations brought in more than 114 billion won ($81.5 million in US dollars). Professor Kim Jung-ho spearheaded the development of HBM technology and was largely instrumental in its success. Those collaborations show just how important linking research to industry is in developing new technologies.
Professor Lee Jin-wook of Sungkyunkwan University teaching students
Photo credit: Joongang Ilbo
Another strong performer in the rankings was Sungkyunkwan University, which proved to be a major player in the competition for external research funding. The Department of Nanoengineering attracted 44 billion won in research funding, despite having only 18 full-time faculty members. Nanotechnology is the field that embraces this new area of research, including its applications in semiconductors and biotechnology; additionally, the university has placed itself at the forefront in innovative research, especially in quantum computing.
The advancements by these universities in key industries, such as nuclear power, semiconductors, and nanotechnology, is supporting the development of South Korea's status as a leader in the field of future technologies. Its global partnerships, research potential, and focus on innovation will see it sustain the competitive advantage within the fast-changing world of science and technology.
저작권자 ⓒ 국제학교뉴스, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지