LG Chem and Yonsei University Join Forces to Develop Next-Generation Battery Material Technology

MOU Signed on the 7th to Establish the 'Energy Material Industry-Academic Cooperation Center' with Yonsei University

Myeong Jaemin, Dean of the College of Engineering at Yonsei University (left), and Yoo Jiyoung, CTO of LG Chem (right). Photo by LG Chem

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] LG Chem is partnering with Yonsei University to develop future battery material technologies and jointly nurture talent.

On the 7th, LG Chem announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of the 'Battery Material Industry-Academic Cooperation Center' with Yonsei University at Yonsei University's Sinchon Campus in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The signing ceremony was attended by LG Chem CTO (Chief Technology Officer) Yoo Ji-young, Yonsei University Dean of Engineering Myung Jae-min, and Professor Lee Sang-young of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, among others.

Through this collaboration, LG Chem and Yonsei University will establish the Battery Material Industry-Academic Cooperation Center to conduct joint research aimed at proactively securing next-generation technologies. Yonsei University possesses extensive research experience, know-how, and excellent human resources in battery materials, which is expected to create synergy with LG Chem's advanced facilities and infrastructure.

The research fields to be initiated include ▲long-life silicon-based anode materials ▲high-stability sulfide-based electrolytes ▲eco-friendly binders for electrodes, technologies to be utilized in next-generation batteries. The two parties plan to further discover and advance additional research projects in the future.

LG Chem and Yonsei University will also operate personnel dispatch and industry-academic scholarship systems at the cooperation center to nurture talent in battery materials. Yonsei University researchers participating in research projects will conduct experiments using LG Chem's research facilities, or LG Chem researchers will conduct joint research at Yonsei University. LG Chem plans to provide preferential hiring benefits to outstanding talents who participated in the research when they apply for employment at LG Chem.

Myung Jae-min, Dean of the College of Engineering at Yonsei University, said, "This signing ceremony is very meaningful considering the status of next-generation battery materials, whose importance is increasing to secure differentiated technological competitiveness in the fiercely competitive global secondary battery field," adding, "It is expected to greatly contribute to advancing LG Chem's world-class battery material technology to the next level."

Yoo Ji-young, CTO of LG Chem, stated, "We expect to accelerate securing next-generation core technologies through cooperation with Yonsei University, a leader in battery material research," and added, "We will continue to expand research support and talent development to create future technologies that provide the highest value to customers."