The Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) was selected for the 2022 STEAM Research Project (Future Convergence Technology Pioneer Project: Conundrums) implemented by MSIT and held the research group launching ceremony on December 28 (Wednesday). The Metal Heterogeneous Phase Control Research Group, selected for the STEAM project, plans to control the atomic level of materials and physical properties suggested by the MSIT to present a new paradigm of science and technology.

MSIT has implemented the STEAM project to support research that is the world's first attempt based on hyper convergence to tackle scientific conundrums that could not be easily solved in previous studies and to challenge and create innovative science and technology achievements. Solving scientific challenges requires convergence approach and extensive engagement of various fields, which needs the government's investment and role as a pump primer for collaboration. The goal of STEAM is to establish a network of experts across all fields of science and technology and, through deliberation of researchers, to discover and study key scientific tasks that play an essential role in solving scientific conundrums.

The Metal Heterogeneous Phase Control Research Group aims to adopt contrarian change that improves the properties of micro structures that are thermodynamically stable but impede the physical properties of metals. This method increases physical properties beyond the limit while maintaining a trade-off relationship between the physical properties of metal materials. It develops an innovative material development methodology and new materials that can utilize harmful phases that hinder material properties as beneficial phases.

Seung-jeon Han, the Director of The Metal Heterogeneous Phase Control Research Group, said, “It may bound to fail, but our goal is to break through the limits of existing theories and technologies and create high value-added innovation. If we’re successful, the technology can play a crucial role in conversion and storage performance improvement of the next-generation energy by discovering new models and developing original theories and technologies.”