Lee Seong-gyu, a research fellow at LG CHEM, and Lee Cheol-su, CEO of UND, were selected as the winners of the Korea Engineer Award for November this year.
The "Korea Engineer Award" is an honors program for outstanding engineers that selects engineers who have made significant contributions at technology worksites each month and presents the Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT award and prize money (5 million won) to encourage technological innovation in industry and foster a culture that respects engineers.
Lee Seong-gyu, a research fellow at the Petrochemical Research Institute of LG CHEM, succeeded in developing and commercializing the world's first eco-friendly plasticizer continuous process and Korea's first proprietary process for semiconductor cleaning agent (IPA), and was selected as a winner in recognition of these achievements. A plasticizer is a substance added to plastic products to improve processability or increase flexibility.
Research fellow Lee said, "Based on the technological capabilities and experience we have secured, I will continue to focus on developing innovative process technologies to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic petrochemical industry, and do my best to contribute to the nation's science and technology competitiveness."
Lee Cheol-su, CEO of UND, was selected as a winner in recognition of efforts based on about 10 years of dedicated research to overcome the limitations of existing permanent magnets and electromagnets, during which he applied switching magnetic technology to the development of a wireless robotic tool automatic replacement device, enabling precise tool changes with the advantages of low power consumption and strong magnetic force.
CEO Lee said in his acceptance remarks, "I am pleased to have proven that we can take on the global market with Korea's technology, and I will continue relentless innovation and challenges so that our country can leap forward as an advanced nation in robot technology."