Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator, Driving Pohang's New Industries Beyond Basic Science Research

Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator Research Institute Promotes Activation of New Industry Development

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] On the 25th, Mayor Kang Deok Lee of Pohang met with the newly appointed Director Heung-sik Kang of the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory at the City Hall External Cooperation Office to congratulate him on his inauguration and agreed to cooperate mutually in fostering new industries.

Mayor Lee Gang-deok of Pohang (from the left), Kang Heung-sik, the newly appointed director of the synchrotron accelerator.

Accordingly, the urgent task is to add more beamlines to the 4th generation linear synchrotron currently operated with only two beamlines, and they agreed to cooperate in securing the budget for this purpose.

Additionally, although the current utilization rate of the synchrotron by industries is not high, they decided to continuously promote its expansion centered on the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory.

They also agreed to activate experiential activities for elementary, middle, and high school students by linking the abundant scientific facilities in Pohang, such as POSTECH and Technopark, with the Accelerator Laboratory, contributing to revitalizing the local economy, which has been stagnant due to COVID-19, and to share and communicate the fruits of advanced science with citizens.

Mayor Kang said, “It is urgent to secure related new industries for Pohang’s competitive future,” adding, “We will advance the research outcomes of the accelerator industry and create synergistic effects among industry, academia, research, and government to foster it as the next-generation new growth engine of Pohang.”

New Director Heung-sik Kang started as a researcher at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, served as a senior researcher and head of the 4th generation research team, and was appointed as the director of the Accelerator Laboratory on January 1 of this year.

The Pohang Accelerator Laboratory was established in April 1988 and is a national basic science facility essential for research such as analyzing the microstructure and properties of materials.

Currently, it operates the Pohang Light Source (PLS-II) and the 4th generation linear synchrotron (PAL-XFEL), and is promoting projects such as the development of EUV light sources and equipment technology for semiconductor inspection, as well as training and support for accelerator specialists.