40 cases selected in the fields of basic science, materials technology, and ICT through rigorous evaluation by the review committee
Designated themes will also be selected to recruit separate support projects... 1.5 trillion won to be contributed over 10 years.

Samsung Electronics’ Future Technology Development Project, funded by research grants, selected 40 projects for support in the first half of 2017.

There are 18 projects in the field of basic science supported by the Samsung Future Technology Foundation and 22 projects in the fields of materials technology and ICT operated by the Samsung Electronics Future Technology Center.

The Samsung Future Technology Development Project is a program launched in 2013 that supports the development of national future technologies by contributing a total of 1.5 trillion won over 10 years to three research fields: basic science, materials technology, and ICT.

In the field of basic science, 18 projects were selected, including 'Research on mechanisms regulating the maintenance of brain health during sleep states and the aging process' (Professor Won-Seok Jung of KAIST).

In the field of materials technology, 7 projects were selected, including 'Research on next-generation low-power memory devices' (Professor Yang Hee-jun, Sungkyunkwan University), and in the field of ICT (Information and Communication Technology), 15 projects were selected, including 'Research on showing scenes desired by viewers using artificial intelligence technology during video viewing' (Professor Kim Sun-ju, Yonsei University).

Since starting the support program in August 2013, Samsung Electronics has selected a total of 312 projects and provided research funding to date.

Samsung Electronics accepts open call projects for three research fields year-round through its website, and a review committee composed of domestic and international scholars and experts evaluates the projects based on research originality and excellence through written and presentation reviews, selecting supported projects twice a year in the first and second halves.

Meanwhile, for the projects supported in the second half of this year, the results of the written review will be announced on July 25, and the final selection results will be announced on September 28. In addition to the open call, Samsung Electronics also operates a 'Designated Theme Project Call' every year to support research in future technology fields that are nationally necessary.

This year's designated themes, selected through recommendations from industry and academia, are ▲ next-generation semiconductor materials and devices and ▲ intelligence for smart machines. Proposals for designated theme projects can be submitted through the Samsung Electronics Future Technology Incubation Center website (www.samsungftf.com) from April 25 to May 6, and the selection results are scheduled to be announced on July 11.


♦ Details of Major Tasks

Basic Science Field : Research on New Mechanisms Regulating Brain Homeostasis in Sleep and Aging <Lead Researcher: Professor Won-Seok Jung (KAIST)>

It has recently been revealed that glial cells are cells that perform the important function of supplying necessary substances to brain neurons and enabling them to function, and that they also play a crucial role in maintaining brain health by removing unnecessary parts of the brain's neural networks.

By studying the phenomenon in which these functions of glial cells change with sleep and aging, it is expected that the mechanisms regulating brain homeostasis will be elucidated, thereby providing a new foundation for inhibiting brain aging and preventing/treating diseases.

Materials Technology Field : Neuroristor Integrated Circuits Based on Electronic Structure Phase Transition Materials <Principal Researcher: Professor Hee-Jun Yang (Sungkyunkwan University)>

The goal is to develop a new two-dimensional material capable of reversibly transitioning between semiconductor and conductor phases through electrical gating, thereby realizing not only next-generation two-terminal devices but also neuromorphic circuits.

If material development is successful, through electrical gating It can identify phase transitions for the first time in the world and, due to the characteristics of the memristor structure, can be used as an ultra-high integration device.
It is expected to be utilized as a candidate for next-generation semiconductors capable of low-power operation compared to existing *RRAM and PRAM.

ICT Field : Development of Visual and Language Intelligence Convergence Technology for Query-Based Video Highlight Production <Lead Researcher: Professor Sun-Ju Kim (Yonsei University)>

This is a technology development project that implements more advanced artificial intelligence technology capable of simultaneously understanding visual and linguistic information to display video highlights in response to user queries from long-duration videos.

It is expected to elevate the level of artificial intelligence technology to the next level by expanding into various application fields such as public safety and crime prevention, sports broadcast highlights, internet portal services, and entertainment.