LG Energy Solution awarded researchers who secured unrivaled intellectual property in key technology fields that will lead future markets, including LMR (lithium manganese rich) batteries. LG Energy Solution selects and rewards an invention king and a filing king every year on Invention Day (May 19).
On the 18th, LG Energy Solution said it held the "2026 invention king and filing king awards ceremony" at its Park One headquarters in Yeouido and recognized 12 people for producing outstanding research results.
This year's gold prize for invention king went to Park Byung-cheon, head of cathode materials technology, who secured core patents in the "LMR cell chemistry" field. Park focused on the technological potential of combining LMR cathodes with silicon (Si) anodes and proactively built a patent barrier before the industry began full-scale development. The technology is expected to serve as a core platform when LMR batteries enter commercialization.
LMR batteries are a next-generation battery technology that increases the manganese ratio to secure price competitiveness while achieving high energy density. LG Energy Solution is also accelerating commercialization, including pushing a mass-production project for prismatic LMR batteries for next-generation electric trucks and large SUVs with GM.
In a previous conference call, LG Energy Solution said it is jointly developing LMR batteries, which are prismatic batteries for electric vehicles, with customers, including producing samples through its Ochang pilot line.
In addition, the following were selected as invention kings: ▲ core structure of CAS (cell array structure) applying 46-series cells (silver prize, senior researcher Jeong In-hyeok) ▲ tracking technology for quality control in the electrode process (silver prize, senior researcher Lee Jae-hwan) ▲ additive for electrolytes to improve high-temperature durability of LMR batteries (bronze prize, senior researcher Lee Jeong-min) ▲ insulation structure for cylindrical 46-series (bronze prize, senior researcher Cho Min-gi) ▲ non-destructive cell life state verification technology through charge-discharge signals (bronze prize, senior researcher Choi Sun-ju).
The gold prize for filing king went to senior researcher Jang Hyuk-gyun, who filed numerous core patents in areas such as battery pack dual-cooling and upper-lower venting. Jang was recognized for contributions to multiple studies, including developing pack design technologies that enhance battery safety, such as delaying thermal propagation and structures for controlling gas and sparks.
In addition, ▲ senior researcher Kim Gwang-mo (silver prize) ▲ senior researcher Lee Hyeon-hui (silver prize) ▲ senior researcher Kim Dae-cheon (bronze prize) ▲ senior researcher Go Gil-nam (bronze prize) ▲ associate researcher Lee Su-ho (bronze prize) were also selected as filing kings.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) President Kim Dong-myung said, "In the battery industry, patents are a powerful weapon that protects global competitive advantage and the source of customer value," adding, "We will fully support the research and development (R&D) environment so that members' creative challenges can bear fruit and continue to secure overwhelming technological leadership."