The Korea Foundation for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (WISET) announced on the 24th that it has published the 'Science and Technology Sector DE&I Report,' which contains the values and dissemination strategies for DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) that the science and technology sector should pursue. The report includes the definition of DE&I in the science and technology sector, an assessment and indicators for DE&I status in the science and technology sector, and examples of excellent institutions in the science and technology sector for DE&I. In particular, WISET added that it has developed 76 detailed indicators to measure the DE&I level in the science and technology sector and derive improvement directions. WISET Chairwoman Moon Aeri stated, 'We will actively work towards creating an inclusive research culture based on diversity in the future.'
Minister Yoo Sang-im of the Ministry of Science and ICT noted on the 24th that he held a meeting with heads of 22 research institutes in the science and technology sector at the National Research Foundation of Korea. At the meeting, each head introduced their institution's unique research and development tasks and announced new project proposals that require government support to fulfill these tasks. Following the presentations, various topics were discussed regarding considerations for each institution in implementing task-focused new projects. Minister Yoo stated, 'We will spare no support to expand the roles and scopes of each institute to secure core technologies in the context of international technological competition.'
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission announced on the 24th that a pediatric computational model for radiation dose assessment developed by Professor Kim Chan-hyung and his research team from Hanyang University has been adopted as an international standard set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. This research was conducted with the support of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission's research and development project, and the results were officially distributed through International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication No. 156 on the 19th. Currently, Professor Kim's research team is developing a model for pregnant women in addition to pediatric and adult models and is also developing high-performance computational codes that can assess radiation exposure doses in case of accidents or emergencies.
The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute announced that it has developed a nano new material with exceptional uranium adsorption performance by combining silica with organic phosphate compound (HDEHP) used in adsorbents. The nano new material developed by the research team can adsorb 136 mg of uranium per gram of adsorbent. The research team explained, 'This is at the same level as the best performance of currently commercialized products,' adding, 'It is economically viable as it can be simply synthesized and has no post-treatment process, significantly reducing waste and making it environmentally friendly.' This research was published in the international journal 'Separation and Purification Technology' in November last year.