Minister of Science and ICT Choi Ki-young is giving opening remarks on the 1st at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye to discuss cooperation in establishing a remote education infrastructure. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] 'Nano Korea 2020,' considered one of the world's top three nano technology events, will be held for three days starting from the 1st at KINTEX in Goyang City. This year's event has significantly reduced its scale compared to last year to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Additionally, a four-level quarantine system has been implemented to allow visitors to attend the event without concerns about COVID-19.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced the schedule for Nano Korea 2020, a platform for researchers and entrepreneurs in the nano field to exchange ideas. Marking its 18th edition this year, the event will showcase the latest research achievements and various advanced applied products in the nano sector.
The opening ceremony will be attended by key figures including Choi Ki-young, Minister of Science and ICT, Kim Wan-ki, Director of Materials, Parts, and Equipment Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Park Kwang-on, a member of the National Assembly. The Ministry of Science and ICT introduced Nano Korea as one of the world's top three events alongside Japan's Nanotech Japan and the USA's TechConnect World.
The event is centered around an academic symposium and an industrial exhibition. Lee Byung-gu, Chairman of Nepes, and Subra Suresh, President of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, will deliver keynote speeches reviewing current and future trends in nanotechnology and industry. Fraser Stoddart, a professor at Northwestern University and Nobel Chemistry Laureate in 2016, along with Han-woong Yeom, a professor at POSTECH, will give plenary lectures in the symposium.
The symposium, themed "Nano! A Leap in Technological Innovation for Humanity," will feature 21 sessions across six fields including bio, energy, display, nanoelectronics, and nanomaterials, presenting over 750 papers. Last year, 1,101 research results were presented from 24 countries, but this year the event scale has been reduced. Seating capacity per lecture has also been cut from 1,200 to 600 seats.
Instead, considering the decisive contribution of nanotechnology to COVID-19 prevention and treatment, a special session on "Detection and Diagnosis of Infectious Pathogens (COVID-19)" will be held this year.
The industrial exhibition will feature 280 companies showcasing the latest nano technology products in five fields, including Samsung Electronics' all-solid-state batteries (next-generation batteries with enhanced safety) and LG Electronics' large-area graphene patterning technology. Last year, 436 companies and institutions exhibited a total of 650 booths displaying nano-based advanced convergence technologies and applied products. The number of exhibition booths will be significantly reduced by 25% compared to last year. Designated movement paths within the exhibition hall and quarantine staff will be assigned to ensure visitors maintain appropriate distancing.
The awards ceremony will recognize researchers who have achieved remarkable results over the past year. In the research field, Professor Jeong Un-ryong of Pohang University of Science and Technology, who proposed various nano material synthesis methods and developed highly stretchable electrodes and sensors, will receive the Prime Minister's Award. In the industrial field, Amogreentech Co., Ltd., which presented thermally conductive plastics for automotive LED lamp heat sinks, will also receive the Prime Minister's Award.
Additionally, awards from the Minister of Science and ICT and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy will be presented at the event.
Meanwhile, Nano Korea 2020 will be conducted under a thorough four-level COVID-19 quarantine system. Measures include temperature checks upon entry to KINTEX, mandatory mask-wearing, QR code registration, primarily contactless registration desks, secondary temperature checks upon entering the venue, wearing vinyl gloves, managing the number of entrants, social distancing within the venue, and deployment of quarantine personnel.
Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "In the changed environment due to Japan's export restrictions and COVID-19, public interest in science and technology is very high, and the importance of nanotechnology, which can converge with various technologies and industries, has also increased. I hope that Nano Korea 2020 will create new value and opportunities for nanotechnology and the nano convergence industry in a safe and secure environment through thorough quarantine management."
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