KRISS Heads Visit National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

 

- Discussions to expand cooperation in key research areas such as quantum technology and semiconductors -

 

▲ President Hyun-Min Park and the heads of KRISS Institutes visited the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

  ▲ View of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

 

On August 16, President Hyun-Min Park and the heads of KRISS Institutes visited the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the national metrology institute of the United States. The last high-level exchange between the two institutes took place three years ago in July 2019, when NIST was under the leadership of Dr. Walter Copan.

 

The KRISS delegates discussed the latest research trends and measures for cooperation with Dr. Laurie Locascio, appointed as the director in April this year.

 

▲ The two heads discussed future directions of cooperation and exchanged gifts.

 

President Hyun-Min Park introduced past efforts of Korea-US cooperation, including how NBS played a key role in establishing the Korean system of measurement standards and in the founding of KRISS during the 1960s and 1970s. He also emphasized that the Korea-US Summit has helped to expand cooperation, from politics and economy to science and technology. The president proposed expanding the scope of cooperation in fields such as 5G/6G, nano-stability, and biotechnology, quantum technology, semiconductors, batteries, and greenhouse gases.

 

Director Locascio thanked KRISS for the excellent summary of cooperation between the two institutes. The two heads agreed that science and technology will be key areas of Korea-US cooperation, and discussed measures for research cooperation in quantum technology, semiconductors, and energy, which are being heavily invested in by the US government.

 

NIST proposed strengthening government-level exchange and cooperation with international organizations through meetings of the Korea-U.S. Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation and the Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP). Another suggestion was to increase the exchange of research personnel between the two institutes.

 

▲ Presentations were given by three KRISS researchers and 10 NIST researchers.

 

In the researcher presentation session, KRISS’ head of physical metrology, head of chemical and biological metrology, and head of the Quantum Technology Institute shared research trends and future plans. Ten NIST heads shared research activities in physical and material measurement, quantum technology, and IT. Possible areas for research cooperation were explored through a Q&A session and discussions.

 

▲ NIST gave a tour of laboratories specializing in quantum technology, electronics, semiconductor, gas, and biotechnology.

 

Lastly, KRISS heads were given a tour of NIST laboratories specializing in quantum technology, ohm measurement, semiconductor, gas and bio, and digital PCR.

 

President Hyun-Min Park said, “I hope this visit has strengthened ties between NIST and KRISS. I look forward to Director Locascio’s visit to Korea and the next meeting of high-level representatives.” Director Locascio replied, “I expect the two institutes to cooperate not only in measurement standards, but also other industrial areas such as semiconductors and quantum technology. I hope for us to meet again, possibly in connection with the next meeting of the Korea-U.S. Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation.”

 

KRISS will develop agendas for cooperation with NIST to boost actual cooperation in semiconductors and quantum technology. This visit to NIST is expected to pave the way for more active cooperation between the two institutes.