2024 Yale-Korea University Forum Held
"Hosted under the theme of Energy-Water Nexus Innovative Climate Technology "for a Sustainable Future in the face of Climate Change
At 2 pm on June 20, the 2024 Yale–Korea University Forum (hereinafter “Yale–KU Forum”) was held at Korea University’s Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall under the theme of Energy-Water Nexus Innovative Climate Technology for a Sustainable Future in the face of Climate Change.
The Yale–KU Forum, which was held for the second time in commemoration of Korea University’s 120th anniversary following the event held in November 2023 at Yale University, saw the attendance of President Kim Dong-one of Korea University, Dean Hong Seung-kwan of the Graduate School of Energy and Environment (KU-KIST Green School), Director Jae-hong Kim of the Yale University Center for Water Innovation , Director Gary Brudvig of the Yale Energy Sciences Institute, and Professors Noh Jun-hong, Im Sang-hyuk, and Weon Seung-hyun from Korea University. It served as a platform for researchers to network in order to strengthen academic exchange and research collaboration in response to climate change. Over 120 participants attended the forum, including Korea University’s Vice President for International Affairs, Vice President for Research Affairs, faculty members, and students, who engaged in active discussions.
[President Kim Dong-one giving a welcome address]
In his welcome address prior to the presentations, President Kim Dong-one said, “Following the 2023 forum held at Yale University, which was centered on the field of media with a focus on K-culture, the Yale–KU Forum will broadly cover topics from ideal alternatives to practical solutions in the field of energy-water technologies that can address climate change. I hope the Yale–KU Forum serves as a basis for our efforts on behalf of future generations, including strengthened research collaboration to develop solutions to global phenomena.”
At the forum, Professor Jae-hong Kim from Yale University gave the first presentation on the topic “Advanced Materials and Technologies for Modular Water Treatment.” He emphasized that the existing water cycle system is inadequate in terms of resilience in technologically advanced modern societies and that innovation in water infrastructure is necessary to address climate change. He introduced innovative, decentralized modular water treatment technologies, including solar-powered water disinfection technologies, a water filtration membrane, and advanced technologies utilizing new forms of single atom catalysts, which are applicable to each unit process, and suggested a new direction for water management systems in response to climate change.
[Professor Jae-hong Kim of Yale University]
Professor Gary Brudvig from Yale University delivered a presentation on the topic “Water Oxidation Catalysis with Atomically Defined Active Sites on Nanostructured Materials for Solar Energy Applications,” and shared research results on green hydrogen production using iridium dinuclear heterogeneous catalysts to address climate change. He emphasized that such catalysts feature only one or two iridium atoms, significantly reducing the use of precious metals and lowering hydrogen production costs compared to existing catalysts. In addition, he noted that these catalysts work stably on semiconductor surfaces, making them suitable for artificial photosynthetic materials that convert light energy into hydrogen energy. He anticipated that this research would contribute to overcoming technical limitations in green hydrogen production.r;">
[Professor Gary Brudvig of Yale University]
Professor Hong Seung-kwan from Korea University gave a presentation on the topic “Securing Water Resources for High-Tech Industry: Ultrapure Water Production.” He emphasized the importance of developing water treatment technologies to ensure water security, particularly in terms of producing ultrapure water, a crucial consideration for high-value industries, the significance of which has further increased in modern society. He also highlighted the necessity of innovation in water reuse technologies to achieve carbon neutrality.
[Professor Hong Seung-kwan of Korea University]
Professor Noh Jun-hong gave a presentation on next-generation solar cell technologies in relation to the topic “Halide Perovskites toward Next-Gen Solar Cells,” stressing that the introduction of renewable energy is essential to achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases, and that improving solar power efficiency is particularly important. He shared research results demonstrating world-leading efficiency and suggested directions for future research and development.
[Professor Noh Jun-hong of Korea University]
Lastly, Professor Im Sang-hyuk delivered a presentation on “Inorganic Metal Halide Perovskite Top Cells for the Production of Green Hydrogen.” He introduced multi-injunction photovoltaic technologies using highly durable inorganic perovskite materials, and emphasized the need to develop sustainable green hydrogen-based energy technologies.
[Professor Im Sang-hyuk of Korea University]
In the panel discussion following the presentations, Professor Hong, the moderator, remarked, “Addressing climate change is not merely an environmental issue, but presents a significant opportunity for sustainable next-generation industrial development through innovation in energy and water infrastructure technologies.” He posed questions about future cooperation between universities in ways that could best respond to climate change. In response, Professors Brudvig and Kim concurred that multidisciplinary research collaboration between Korea University and Yale University is essential. They emphasized the need for integrated research that combines advanced technologies developed in a range of fields, and the nurturing of skilled professionals with expertise in these areas, stressing the importance of educating the next generation. Furthermore, Professor Hong and the panelists discussed the importance of commercializing and industrializing newly developed technologies, underscoring the necessity for related institutional policies, such as university-level startup support programs. Lastly, the panelists agreed that the Yale–KU Forum should be held regularly, and that opportunities for academic exchange between the faculty and students of the two universities should be expanded in order to ensure the sustainability of joint research between Korea University and Yale University.
[Panel discussion]
The Yale–KU Forum was significant in that it highlighted the importance of international collaborative research on innovative energy-water nexus technologies to address climate change, and provided a platform for communication and cooperation among researchers. Moving forward, Korea University and Yale University plan to organize various joint research forums on a regular basis. In particular, through joint research in the field of energy-water climate technology, the two universities aim to contribute to the creation of a sustainable and healthy global environment, and to further strengthen their global competitiveness in the next-generation climate technology industry by nurturing skilled professionals.
