The Nano Korea exhibition, which is considered one of the world's top three nanotechnology exhibitions along with Tech Connect World in the U.S. and Nanotech Japan in Japan, has opened.

Nano Korea 2024 was held on the 3rd at the Ilsan Kintens 1st Exhibition Hall. This event, which is in its 22nd year, will be held for three days with various symposiums, side events, and exhibition booths.

Nano Korea 2024 shared the latest research results and commercialization status of research institutes and universities, and nanotechnology-related industries participated in the event to showcase the latest technologies and products. This year, the event was held with approximately 700 booths from 350 companies, and a symposium was held concurrently with the event, where approximately 1,300 papers were presented.

In his opening remarks, Hong Soon-guk, Chairman of the Nano Convergence Industry Research Association, said, “This year’s Nano Korea slogan is ‘Invisible Nano Realizes the Futures.’ I hope that Nano Korea 2024 will provide a glimpse into the present and future of nanotechnology and that Korea will play a pivotal role in the global nano community.”

Lee Chang-yoon, Vice Minister of Science and ICT, said, “Over the past 20 years, more than 11 trillion won has been invested in nanotechnology, and it is evaluated that we possess technological prowess that ranks fourth in the world,” and added, “We will strive to present the Nano 2.0 technology innovation strategy within the second half of this year.”

Nano Korea was attended by government-affiliated research institutes such as the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), and the Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI), which presented their research results and commercialization performance related to nanotechnology.

The Nano Korea 2024 Awards honored innovative research achievements and product companies. In the Nano Research Innovation category, the Prime Minister's Award went to Professor Kim Woo-yeol of Korea University of Energy Technology, while the Minister of Science and ICT Award went to Professor Park Woo-ram of Sungkyunkwan University and CEO Jang Kyung-in of Enside.

In the industrial technology sector, Microtunano Co., Ltd. was honored with the Prime Minister's Award.

On this day, Samsung Electronics President Song Jae-hyuk participated as a keynote speaker and delivered a keynote speech titled ‘Semiconductor Innovation for a Better Life.’

“Even powerful chipmakers have to deal with a wide range of technologies, and technologies are becoming increasingly difficult,” said Song, emphasizing that supply chain cooperation is key to AI semiconductors, adding that “innovation requires interaction with diverse people.”