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The Korea Institute of Materials Science, a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT, held

the ‘N-Lab. (National Laboratory) Research Achievements Presentation Day’ and shared opinions on materials, parts, and

equipment (MPE) with experts in industry, academia and research, and government officials.

To respond to Japan's export control of key items to Korea in 2019, the Korean government established ‘MPE R&D  

investment strategies and innovation measures’ and implemented ‘a National Research Infrastructure (3N)’ policy including the

so called N-Lab. (National Laboratory), N-Facility (National Research Facility), and N-Team (National Research Consultative

body) to reinforce self-reliance capabilities. It aims to sustain research on key MPE items and to quickly respond to emergency

situations such as export control in Japan by drawing the capabilities of representative MPE laboratories and research facilities

together at the national level.

The N-Lab. of KIMS consists of 4 departments regarding steel, titanium, aluminum, and metal powder research. On the

presentation day, the heads of departments presented their research achievements and shared opinions with experts from

industry, academia, and research and government officials who attended the event online and offline.

The research achievements are: △ effect analysis of each alloying element on 630 degrees ferritic/martensitic heat-resistant

steel creep life and strength of the Department of Steel, △ technology transfer of new titanium material for energy plant and

blade manufacturing; and support for the establishment of a titanium material and part demonstration center of the

Department of Titanium, △ high yield strength 6000 series aluminum alloy development and performance evaluation for

automotive parts by the Department of Aluminum, and △ development of soft magnetic alloy for motors and the world-class

permanent magnet for neodymium (Nd) reduction by the Department of Metal Powder. 

Jung-Hwan Lee, the President of KIMS, said, “The government intended to create excellent research achievements for the nation by 

designating the government-funded research departments as ‘N-lab.’ and empowering them to suggest a direction of industry-university

research association, on-site technical support, and technology development regarding the key MPE items. I hope that today’s event will

become a stepping stone to enhance Korea’s competitiveness of MPE as well as localize MPE and diversify imports.”