On February 4, Korea University Sejong Campus hosted an opening ceremony for the Joint Research Lab with the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Functional Passive Material (FIP-FPM@KU) at the Research and Business Cooperation Building.

 

This event was organized following the establishment of the joint research lab through an equal partnership between the Advanced Materials Transfer Evaluation Center of Korea University and the Fraunhofer Institute of Germany. Both institutions aim to conduct joint research and technology transfer to develop next-generation AI semiconductors, immersive displays, and core technologies for future mobility, as well as to promote commercialization in the region.

 

The Fraunhofer Institute is a globally renowned research institution possessing cutting-edge core technologies in organic and inorganic composite advanced materials. Through this collaboration, it plans to utilize Korea University Sejong Campus advanced Clean Room Test Line and evaluation facilities to conduct material processing and device evaluations. After the evaluations, the institution intends to proceed with technology transfers to specialized material companies and establish a comprehensive R&DB (Research and Development Business) system to support the supply of pre-commercial materials.

 

The launch of this joint research lab is expected to mark a significant turning point for Sejong City, which has faced challenges in participating in international joint projects at the municipal level due to the absence of overseas research institutions. The lab is also anticipated to facilitate the sharing of various achievements, including the status of international supply chain construction between Korea and Germany and the progress of collaborative projects with the Fraunhofer Institute, which was designated as a Global Industrial Technology Cooperation Center (GTIC) by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in 2024.

 

The Division of Display and Semiconductor Physics and the Department of AI Semiconductor Engineering at Korea University Sejong Campus have leveraged their extensive on-site experience of over 10 years and excellent research capabilities to achieve outstanding results. These include participation in large-scale national projects and the development of the world’s first panel technology capable of 20% computation in collaboration with LG Display. The opening ceremony highlighted these achievements and introduced the expected effects of the joint research lab. By presenting a concrete model of industry-university-research cooperation, the institute is expected to significantly contribute to strengthening the international cooperation capabilities of Sejong City and Korea University Sejong Campus.

 

The event was attended by about 20 officials, including the director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (FH-ISC) in Germany, the director in charge of GTIC, and the head of the Fraunhofer Korea Office. A tour of Korea University Sejong Campus state-of-the-art Clean Room and evaluation facilities, recognized as the best among domestic universities, was also provided to enhance understanding of the research infrastructure.