Samsung Electronics' 'Ultra-Thin Glass Galaxy Fold' Wins Presidential Award at Technology Awards

'2020 Online Industrial Technology R&D Expo and Technology Awards Ceremony' from 16 to 18
142 products exhibited online... 32 awardees including Choi Si-young, President of Samsung Electronics
30 companies including Kamtek selected for pilot application of 'R&D Sandbox'

Galaxy Fold. (Photo by Samsung Electronics)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chae-seok] Samsung Electronics received the highest award, the Presidential Award, at the '2020 Korea Industrial Technology Research and Development (R&D) Expo and Technology Awards Ceremony' held on the 16th at COEX in Seoul for the ultra-thin glass used in the Galaxy Fold.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that the event will be held from the 16th to the 18th. The Industrial Technology Expo is a venue for technology exchange and communication to share excellent R&D achievements with the public. This year, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the event is conducted online.

Samsung Electronics was recognized for launching the Galaxy Fold, the world's first smartphone to apply ultra-thin glass. Solbrain also received the Presidential Award for developing the world's first 'high-selectivity nitride film etchant,' which improved semiconductor manufacturing efficiency.

On the first day of the event, awards were given to industrial technology promotion contributors who made significant contributions to industrial technology development, and awards were presented to institutions selected for the best technology of 2020.

Choi Si-young, President of Samsung Electronics Foundry Division, received the highest honor, the Gold Tower Industrial Order of Merit. President Choi led the development of core semiconductor technologies, including the world's first 3D NAND development.

The Bronze Tower Industrial Order of Merit was awarded to Yoo Jang-dong, CEO of FST. He contributed to improving semiconductor productivity by developing the world's first pellicle applied with water-soluble adhesive.

The Industrial Medal was awarded to Lim Ki-bin, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor), and Lee Sung-jun, Research Director at SK Innovation.

Thirty companies, including Camtec, were selected as 'Industrial R&D Sandbox' companies. At the award ceremony, Camtec, Sungil SIM, and GSM received designation certificates.

These companies will be granted significant autonomy regarding changes in research objectives, use of research funds, and settlement of research expenses during government R&D execution.

From today until the 18th, an online exhibition hall will be open for three days. A total of 96 companies and 7 institutions will participate, exhibiting 142 products in the Mega Trend Hall, Materials·Parts·Equipment Hall, and K-New Deal Hall.

In the Mega Trend Hall, Smart Diagnosis's 'Smartphone Pupil Analysis Heart Information Extractor,' developed for the first time in the world, and Twinny's logistics robot 'Nargo,' capable of perfect autonomous driving indoors without GPS, will be exhibited online.

In the Materials·Parts·Equipment Hall, Hana AMT's '3D Printing Dedicated Metal Powder' technology will be displayed. In the K-New Deal Hall, the Korea University Solar Cell Laboratory's ongoing Super Solar Cell project can be seen.

The laboratory is developing innovative technology to overcome the current solar cell efficiency limit of about 30% as part of the 'Alchemist Project.' The Alchemist Project encourages and supports the development of challenging and innovative technologies that are difficult to realize.

Park Jin-gyu, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, emphasized, "In a situation where uncertainty is increasing due to the spread of COVID-19 and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we must move forward with technological innovation to respond to the new industrial environment."

Vice Minister Park said, "The government plans to spare no support across all fields, from laws and systems to budget and regulatory improvements, to accelerate industrial digital transformation," adding, "We will do our best to create an innovative R&D foundation by significantly expanding challenging R&D such as the 'Alchemist Project.'"