Two research achievements from the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), including 'SiC power semiconductor technology' and 'DC circuit breaker technology,' which can significantly improve fuel efficiency when applied to electric vehicles, have been selected as this year's outstanding national R&D achievements.

On the 7th, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning selected the 'Top 100 Outstanding National Research and Development (R&D) Achievements of 2016' and held an awards ceremony and certificate presentation for the outstanding achievements at the National Gwacheon Science Museum.

Since 2006, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning has been selecting and announcing outstanding achievements annually to boost the pride of scientists and engineers and to promote excellent R&D results. Out of a total of approximately 54,000 government-supported R&D projects, the Ministry selected the Top 100 Outstanding Achievements by evaluating around 620 candidate projects recommended by various ministries and agencies based on their impact on scientific and technological development and the realization of the Creative Economy. Top 10 Outstanding Achievements in Technology Transfer and Startups were also selected.



The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) had two achievements selected, including the 'SiC power semiconductor technology' developed by Principal Researcher Kim Nam-kyun's team and the 'DC circuit breaker technology for HVDC' developed by Principal Researcher Lee Woo-young's team. This technology has been transferred to specialized domestic companies and is on the verge of commercialization.

In particular, the achievement in SiC power semiconductor technology development was selected as one of the 14 best achievements chosen out of 100, and received a commendation from the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute had the honor of receiving a total of three awards at this event, including being selected as an 'Excellent Institution for Technology Transfer, Commercialization, and Startups' in recognition of its efforts and achievements in technology transfer and commercialization.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning plans to compile the core technologies of the selected outstanding achievements, along with their ripple effects and research anecdotes, into a case study booklet and distribute it to the National Assembly, public institutions, major libraries, and research institutes. The case study booklet is also available in the 'Outstanding Achievements' section of the National Science and Technology Information Service (NTIS, www.ntis.go.kr).