Gwangju City Promotes Construction of Self-Applied Science Research Center

On the afternoon of the 3rd, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, signed the agreement at the 'Business Application Science Research and Development Infrastructure Establishment and Related Industry Promotion Agreement Ceremony' held in the city hall business room, and took a commemorative photo with Shin Hyung-sik, Director of the Korea Basic Science Support Institute. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City has joined hands with the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) to develop technology in the field of magnetic applied science and to foster related industries.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, Gwangju City announced that it signed a business agreement for "Establishment of Magnetic Applied Science R&D Infrastructure and Fostering Related Industries" at the City Hall Business Room, attended by Mayor Lee Yong-seop, KBSI Director Shin Hyung-sik, and Gwangju Technopark Director Kim Seon-min.

Through this agreement, the two organizations will promote the construction of a Magnetic Applied Science Research Center in Gwangju to build R&D infrastructure and conduct research and development in magnetic applied science. They will also jointly cooperate to discover policies and implement various corporate support programs to create an ecosystem for related industries.

The main contents of the agreement include ▲ Establishment of the Magnetic Applied Science Research Center ▲ Development of global-level high-temperature superconducting magnets and fostering of high magnetic field applied industries ▲ Discovery and promotion of policies and corporate support programs in the field of magnetic applied science.

The Magnetic Applied Science Research Center, jointly promoted by Gwangju City and KBSI, will utilize high magnetic field research equipment to conduct advanced scientific research and develop fundamental core technologies. It will also focus on developing industry-academia-research convergence technologies using low magnetic fields with high industrial applicability and advancing technology industrialization.

High Magnetic Field refers to a high intensity of magnetic field strength. Research on high magnetic fields is utilized not only in condensed matter physics, quantum materials, and superconductors but also in various basic science fields such as biology, chemistry, and energy.

High magnetic field research equipment is a core facility for developing new materials and characterizing material properties, which are key to strengthening competitiveness in advanced industries in the global market. It provides opportunities to secure fundamental technologies in basic science, advance science and technology, and create new markets.

In particular, high magnetic field applied technology has high applicability in industries strategically promoted by Gwangju, such as new drug development, medical industries including MRI, superconducting power devices, energy storage devices in the energy sector, electric vehicles, and high-efficiency industrial equipment.

High magnetic field research facilities are considered one of the three major core large-scale research facilities in the nano and bio research fields, along with synchrotron radiation accelerators and neutron scattering experimental devices.

With synchrotron radiation accelerators in Pohang and neutron facilities in Daejeon already in operation, the establishment of a high magnetic field research center is urgently needed in the Gwangju region, which lacks large-scale basic science research infrastructure.

KBSI is a government-funded research institute that acts as a control tower for national advanced research facilities and equipment. One of its main roles is to promote the localization of research equipment, thereby fostering the domestic research equipment industry ecosystem.

In particular, KBSI possesses world-class technology in the development of high-temperature superconducting magnets, which are essential for generating high magnetic fields.

Gwangju City has decided to closely cooperate with KBSI, which holds a unique position in the high magnetic field field, to establish a business roadmap for fostering the high magnetic field industry domestically and to coordinate with central government ministries for project promotion.

Shin Hyung-sik, Director of KBSI, said, "We will focus KBSI’s world-class research capabilities, such as high-temperature superconducting magnet manufacturing technology, to create synergy with regional industries. Especially, once core fundamental technologies related to research equipment development, such as high magnetic field technology, are secured, the economic ripple effects on related industrial sectors will be significant, and it will greatly contribute to the activation of related industries, including technology startups and SME development."

Mayor Lee Yong-seop stated, "If the unique 'high magnetic field basic research' field of KBSI is linked with our city’s three strategic industries?automotive, energy, and healthcare?Gwangju is expected to gain new growth momentum once again. We will spare no support to develop fundamental technologies in magnetic applied science and related industries, establishing Gwangju as the future of Korea and preparing sustainable new growth engines."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.