Mayor Lee Gangdeok and Next-Generation Engineering Leader Professor No Junseok Vow to Foster Future Science Talent in Pohang

Meeting with POSTECH Professor No Junseok, Gaining Global Attention on Science Day
Efforts to Create an Environment Where Science Talent Can Be Born and Stay in Pohang

On April 21, Science Day, Lee Gangdeok, mayor of Pohang, met with Professor No Junseok, an engineer attracting global attention, to share Pohang's vision for fostering science and technology talent and to express his encouragement.

On the 21st, Science Day, Lee Gangdeok, mayor of Pohang, met with No Junseok, an engineer attracting global attention, to express his encouragement. Lee Gangdeok, mayor, and No Junseok, professor (right). Provided by Pohang City.

Professor No Junseok is a researcher currently affiliated with the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering at POSTECH. He is recognized as a next-generation leader who has secured the world's top foundational technologies in the field of nanophotonics based on metamaterials.

'Metamaterials', which artificially implement structures not found in nature to control light, sound, heat, and seismic waves, are drawing attention as a core technology that is turning imagined concepts such as invisibility cloaks and meta-holograms into reality.

Professor No's research team has developed new materials and nanoprocessing technologies that enable the rapid and cost-effective implementation of metamaterials, attracting significant attention from the international scientific community. Last year, he became the first Korean to receive the 'ACS Nano Lectureship' awarded by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

In particular, by developing a technology that reduces the production cost of ultrathin metalenses from tens of millions of won to around 10,000 won, his team has opened both academic and industrial breakthroughs, as recognized by their publication in the world-renowned scientific journal 'Nature Materials'.

Mayor Lee Gangdeok stated, "Professor No Junseok's research is a concrete example of the future that Pohang envisions as a city of science and technology," and emphasized, "We will spare no investment in nurturing science talent and improving research environments so that more people can grow up, conduct research, and go global from Pohang." He added, "We will continue to create an environment where talents like Professor No Junseok can be born and stay in Pohang."

Pohang City is working to strengthen the industry-academia-research cooperation ecosystem centered on POSTECH and Handong University, expand programs for nurturing future science talent, and continue its efforts to become a national R&D hub, while also focusing on securing next year's national funding.

In addition, through continuous investment in R&D, Pohang is gaining attention as a center for advanced scientific fields such as secondary batteries, biotechnology, energy, hydrogen, and marine science.

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