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KIST Selects Its First KIST Fellow Researcher (September 30, 2021)
- Date : 2021-11-15
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KIST Selects Its First KIST Fellow Researcher
On September 30th, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST; President: Dr. Seok-Jin Yoon) announced that it had selected Dr. Heon Phil Ha of the KIST Extreme Materials Research Center as the first researcher to receive institutional recognition and courtesy as a KIST Fellow.
The KIST Fellowship was established in April 2021 to
promote pride in our researchers and support their ongoing research activities
by providing institutional recognition and courtesy to those with outstanding
research achievements. KIST Fellow candidate recommendations were submitted
starting in June, and the first KIST Fellow was selected through a peer review
of overseas scholars and a KIST Fellowship Committee composed entirely of
external experts, all of whom were appointed for their ability to recognize
research results and academic and technical leadership.
Dr. Heon Phil Ha was chosen for his world-leading
research achievement, whereby he successfully improved the performance of SCR
(Selective Catalytic Reduction), which facilitates nitrogen oxide removal,
through the development of an ultra-low temperature degreasing catalyst. SCR is
a type of eco-friendly device that decomposes the nitrogen oxide (NOx) in
exhaust gas into water and nitrogen, which are harmless to the human body,
through a chemical reaction with a reducing agent in the catalyst layer, and
then discharges it. Dr. Ha has also been involved with facilitating the
successful transfer of notable technologies to companies such as Doosan Engine
and POSCO, and has continued to publish papers in excellent journals,
contributing to the academic development of the field.
Dr. Ha’s technology is in a field with high potential for
future development at a time when exhaust gas regulations are expected to
tighten and demand for environmental technology aimed at carbon neutrality is
expected to accelerate. Dr. Ha commented, "We want to contribute to solving
environmental problems by applying these technologies at home and abroad while
overcoming subordination to advanced technologies through continuous research
on the development of next-generation catalysts in the future."
Dr. Ha’s other accolades include the Dasan Technology
Award (2014), Science and Technology Award of The Month (2015), Korean
Engineering Award (2019), and Woongbi Medal of Science and Technology (2019).
Those who are selected as KIST Fellows will receive 200 million won a year and research funds for up to six years, and will also be eligible to apply for top positions at KIST. Dr. Yoon, the President of KIST, stated, "Through the KIST Fellowship, we will encourage our researchers to continue their research activities with pride, while developing it into a symbolic system for KIST that everyone can take interest in and supplement."