Minister of Industry Visits Research Site of Green New Deal Innovative Technology 'Super Solar Cell'

"Sustainable Promotion of New and Renewable Energy Expansion"

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Sung Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, visited the research site of the 'super solar cell,' an innovative technology related to new and renewable energy, which is the core of the 'Green New Deal,' on the 22nd. The research is part of the 'Alchemist Project,' which pursues innovation with high technological levels despite low chances of success.

The super solar cell research aims to create a solar cell that surpasses the theoretical efficiency limit of silicon solar cells, which is 30%. If successful, it could far exceed the current commercialized solar cell efficiency level of 20-23%. Last year, Seoul National University, Korea University, and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology participated as lead institutions in the Alchemist Project.

The on-site visit was arranged to hear the voices from the research field on the occasion of one year since the Alchemist Project was launched. The visit aimed to emphasize the importance of innovative research and development (R&D) for the effective implementation of the Korean-style Green New Deal and strengthening the competitiveness of the new and renewable energy industry.

About ten people attended the site, including Minister Sung, representatives from Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Sejong University, LG Electronics, Kwon Oh-kyung, President of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, Cha Guk-heon, Dean of the College of Engineering at Seoul National University, Jung Yang-ho, President of the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, Na Kyung-hwan, Director of the R&D Strategy Planning Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Lim Chun-taek, President of the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute.

Minister Sung congratulated the researchers who achieved a world-class tandem solar cell efficiency of 26.7% in April and published related papers in 'Science.' Tandem solar cells are made by stacking two or more different types of solar cells.

Professor Kim Jin-young of Seoul National University, the principal investigator of the project, expressed gratitude on behalf of the researchers. Professor Kim said, "I hope that challenge-type R&D like the Alchemist Project will expand further, providing researchers with more opportunities to realize their ideas through various attempts."

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Minister Sung said, "The Alchemist Project was launched to encourage challenging research that does not fear failure in a research culture where success is taken for granted." He emphasized, "Innovative R&D like the Alchemist Project is very important for the prompt implementation of the 'Korean New Deal Comprehensive Plan' Green New Deal announced on the 14th and for strengthening the competitiveness of related industries."

He added, "Bold research like the super solar cell research by researchers will create game changers that will change the future industrial landscape," and urged, "Since this is an opportunity to lead the global market, I hope you will do your best in your research."

Professor Kim presented the current status of the super solar cell project research at the meeting. The researchers participating on-site suggested, "It is necessary to create an environment where researchers can focus solely on their research."

Kwon Oh-kyung, President of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, stated, "Continuous challenges and innovation are necessary for our country to lead the global market," and added, "The Alchemist Project will greatly contribute to the development and advancement of new innovative technologies."

Attendees, including Minister Sung, also received explanations about a new solar cell device model made by 3D printing and its operating principles. Afterwards, they moved to Professor Kim's laboratory to observe a technology demonstration. In the lab, they demonstrated actual solar cell devices (small-area cells, 1cm2) and products using solar cells. They confirmed the role of the developed solar cell in actual commercialized products.

Last year’s Alchemist Project will undergo evaluation in the first half of next year, and only one team will receive government support in the main research phase.

Currently, six projects and 18 teams are conducting preliminary research, including super solar cells, 1-minute charging 600km cars, 100m 7-second frequency robot suits, transparent solar cells, air-purifying cars, and high-efficiency heat pumps.

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