Pukyong National University Establishes Research Hub for Future Material 'Exciton' Control Technology ... Selected as University-Focused Research Institute with 8 Billion KRW Funding

Professor Kim Juhyun, Head of the Energy Transport Convergence Research Institute, Department of Polymer Engineering.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] Pukyong National University has been selected for the 2022 Science and Engineering University Focused Research Institute Support Project, a university research hub establishment project by the Ministry of Education.

The University Focused Research Institute Support Project is a large-scale national project that induces specialization and professionalization of university research institutes by supporting the infrastructure of university-affiliated research institutes in the science and engineering fields.

Pukyong National University’s Energy Transport Convergence Research Institute was finally selected for the project and will receive 8 billion KRW in funding from June 2022 to 2031 to establish a hub research center leading the nation’s advanced industries.

With the project selection, the research institute plans to establish technology to control excitons (quasi-particles), which form the basis of next-generation energy conversion and storage systems, and to implement future materials and devices using this technology.

An exciton is a quasi-particle created within insulating or semiconductor materials.

Since excitons are electrically neutral particles, they are attracting attention as next-generation semiconductors or optical communication devices that are fast and generate no heat by replacing electrons. However, excitons have the limitation of easily dissipating, and research is underway to overcome this.

The Energy Transport Convergence Research Institute at Pukyong National University will establish and operate a convergence research system by linking the material development team, physical property analysis team, and device application team.

They will also operate an industry-academia cooperation and international collaboration team for performance dissemination and cooperation with overseas experts, and plan to spread achievements to related local companies through collaboration with Busan City.

Professor Kim Juhyun, the project leader, stated, “Through the project, we will discover and nurture excellent young talent by specializing and professionalizing the exciton-based next-generation semiconductor field, and develop the Energy Transport Convergence Research Institute into a regional hub research institute in Busan.”

To ensure the successful operation of the project, Pukyong National University will support infrastructure such as funding to foster talent and strengthen research capabilities.

Busan City plans to provide financial and administrative support to secure the research institute’s regional hub status.

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