- Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute's Advanced Radiation Technology Institute declares leap to global research hub on 20th anniversary

- Produced first spin-off company listed on Kosdaq, exported medical radioisotopes, designated IAEA cooperation center

- Next phase to focus on secondary batteries, improved new drugs, radiation-resistant semiconductors, space radiation assessment and AI research

Guests pose for a commemorative photo at the 20th anniversary ceremony of the Advanced Radiation Technology Institute of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute]
Guests pose for a commemorative photo at the 20th anniversary ceremony of the Advanced Radiation Technology Institute of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute]

The Advanced Radiation Technology Institute of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute is marking its 20th anniversary by designating secondary batteries, improved new drugs and radiation-resistant semiconductors as its next-generation strategic technologies. The institute also plans to build infrastructure for evaluating materials and components in space radiation environments and to pursue AI-assisted radiation research in earnest.

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute held a ceremony Wednesday at the JB Aureum Campus in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, unveiling a new vision: "A new future opened by radiation — an advanced radiation research institute leading the world."

The Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, which opened in Jeongeup in 2006, has pursued technology development and commercialization using radiation across fields ranging from medicine and biotech to agri-life sciences, advanced materials, and environment and energy.

Among its most notable achievements is KolmarBNH, South Korea's first spin-off research institute company. KolmarBNH commercialized "HemoHIM," an herbal composition developed at the institute to boost immune and hematopoietic function, and became the first such spin-off to list on Kosdaq in 2015. The institute has since established eight spin-off companies in total, including Biomeicin, a healthcare firm that uses maysin extracted from corn silk.

The institute also built national radiation research infrastructure. Using a cyclotron and an electron beam demonstration research facility, it produced and exported next-generation medical radioisotopes for use in treating intractable cancers. Radiation technology was also applied to research evaluating how fine dust and humidifier disinfectant substances behave inside the body.

The institute has further broadened its application areas to include reducing livestock odors using electron beams, developing high-strength lightweight composite materials for automobiles, restoring cultural heritage, and breeding new crop varieties through radiation-induced mutation.

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute President Jeong Woo-sik delivers a commemorative address at the 20th anniversary ceremony of the Advanced Radiation Technology Institute. [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute]
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute President Jeong Woo-sik delivers a commemorative address at the 20th anniversary ceremony of the Advanced Radiation Technology Institute. [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute]

The institute has also significantly expanded its international research capabilities. Since 2012, it has been designated an International Cooperation Centre by the International Atomic Energy Agency four consecutive times, conducting joint international research in the radiation field.

For the next 20 years, the institute will focus on advanced industries and emerging sectors. It plans to develop radiation-based secondary battery technology, high-value-added improved new drugs and radiation-resistant semiconductor technology, while also pursuing domestic development of low-energy electron accelerators.

In step with the expansion of the space industry, the institute will work to build infrastructure capable of evaluating the performance and safety of materials and components exposed to space radiation. It will also use AI to predict and explore interactions between radiation and molecules, and will strengthen research into radioisotope-based pharmaceuticals.

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute President Jeong Woo-sik said the past 20 years had proven that radiation technology is "a force for innovation that has moved beyond the laboratory to transform our society." He added that the institute would "take another leap forward as a world-class research hub contributing to public health and safety and national competitiveness."


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com