A research team, led by Dr. Seung-zeon Han of the Department of Special Alloys at the Korea Institute of Materials Science(KIMS), was awarded the minister's prize from MSIT since their technology has been selected as 2020 excellent research accomplishment of the 25 GRI's. KIMS is a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The selected technology is​ on precipitation-type Cu-Ni-Si and Al-Zn alloy that can simultaneously increase strength and its conflicting properties. The technology combines the machining process with computational design to develop microstructure, which is different from the existing one, and applies it to copper and aluminum alloys to dramatically improve strength, ductility, or strength and conductivity at the same time.

All metals have the property of maintaining stability, and there are two kinds of energy acting on the metal: stabilization energy for precipitation and energy by surface formation(interfacial energy) that interferes with precipitation. The essence of this technology is to control this interfacial energy to transform the shape of microstructures.

Certain attempts to increase metals' strength may reduce their conflicting properties: ductility, toughness, and electrical conductivity. However, the ultimate goal of this technology is the simultaneous improvement of both strength and its trade-offs by controlling alloy components.

This technology can be used for high-strength copper alloy contact materials, casting aluminum alloys, and high-strength aluminum alloys for processing. It is expected to increase the demand for electric vehicles, lightweight vehicles, and high-strength connector parts, which may create greater economic value.