KICT-KOREA INSTITUTE of CIVIL ENGINEERING and BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

KICT and Pyeongtaek Sign MOU for Future Industry Cooperation

2024/09/19 00:00

On September 19, the KICT announced that it had signed an MOU with the city of Pyeongtaek for collaboration in the development of future industries, including hydrogen cities and future automobiles.

The MOU ceremony was attended by KICT President Kim Byung-suk, Mayor of Pyeongtaek Jung Jang-seon, and other officials from the KICT and Pyeongtaek. The MOU will see the KICT and Pyeongtaek work together to create hydrogen cities supportive of regional features, install hydrogen infrastructure, develop future aviation and transport technology, finance and validate government R&D projects, install regional research facilities for the KICT's hydrogen R&D, transform Pyeongtaek itself into a hydrogen city, install urban air mobility hubs, and jointly operate curriculums at a science high school to be established in Pyeongtaek.

“Having installed the largest public hydrogen production plant in the country and Korea’s first-ever integrated hydrogen transport base, as well as being a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport-designated hydrogen city, Pyeongtaek has been transforming into a hydrogen-powered, green city capable of developing future industries in line with the energy transition,” stated Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang-seon. “The city of Pyeongtaek will work closely with the KICT to implement a hydrogen city model unique to Pyeongtaek and develop future industries.”

“As Korea’s premier construction technology research entity, the KICT is looking forward to organically collaborate with Pyeongtaek, representing new growth cities, in its transformation into a hydrogen-powered city of the future,” commented KICT President Kim Byung-suk.

KICT and ROK Army Engineer School Conclude MOU

2024/08/28 00:00

The KICT signed an MOU with the Republic of Korea Army Engineer School on August 28 on the latter’s grounds in Korea’s South Jeolla Province.

The MOU signing ceremony was attended by KICT President Kim Byung-suk and Brigadier General Kim Sang-soon of the ROK Army Engineer School, as well as other representatives of both parties.

The MOU will see the two signatories cooperate and exchange knowledge and personnel in new construction technology and materials, defense technology, and other areas of common interest.

KICT's 41st Anniversary Ceremony Held Both Online and Offline

2024/06/11 00:00

On June 11, the KICT held an event at its Ilsan headquarters to mark the 41st anniversary of its establishment (76th anniversary of the National Construction Laboratory Institute).

The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including former KICT Presidents Lee Jae-myung, Jung Nak-hyung, Woo Hyo-seop, and Lee Tae-sik, as well as former head of the National Construction Laboratory Institute Park Kyung-bu, and Korea Society of Civil Engineering President Chung-ki Chung, Architectural Institute of Korea President Park Jin-cheol.

The anniversary event proceeded with congratulatory addresses from various dignitaries, awards presentations to recognize outstanding researchers, a commemorative speech by President Kim Byung-suk, a celebratory performance by the institute’s in-house club, and a commemorative photograph session with the guests in attendance. Following the ceremony, each department hosted meetings with KICT OB (“Old Boys”) alumni who had retired from the institute.

A notable highlight of the day was the establishment of the "KICT Alumni Association," led by KICT OB alumni, giving additional significance to the 41st anniversary celebration.

Multi-Party MOU Signed for Public-Private Cooperation for the Utilization of Space Resources

2021/09/08 00:00

On September 8, six national research institutes, including the KICT, and Hanwha Aerospace Co. Ltd., met at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) in Daejeon and signed a multi-party MOU for "In-situ resourceutilization (ISRU)", laying the groundwork for cooperation between government agencies and the private sector.

In attendance at the signing ceremony were: KICT President Kim, Byung-suk(Ph.D.); Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) President Park, Hyun-min; Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) Acting President Kim, Kwang-eun; Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) President Lee, Sang-ryul; Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) President Kim, Jong-nam; Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) President Park, Won-seok; and Hanwha Aerospace CEO Shin, Hyun-woo.

Under the MOU, each signing party agreed to: jointly pursue ISRU-related expedition programs, such as the Artemis program; contribute to the joint development of payloads for resource extraction demonstrations; and participate in initial and long-term cooperative efforts for the construction of factories on the Moon and Mars using on-site resources.

ISRU refers to facilities or systems that enable the production of supplies using resources found on planets and satellites in space, such as the Moon or Mars. The use of resources found on site reduces the costs and logistical efforts associated with shipping water, oxygen, solar cells, building materials, projectile fuel, and other supplies from Earth to the building site. As such, ISRU technology is now being emphasized as a core technology that will determine the success of humankind’s endeavors in space. It is also recognized as a technology that must be ready and functional at the start of any space-related projects to ensure their future success.

The Artemis program, one of the projects supported by the MOU, is already underway and aims to send a crew to the Moon by 2024 to "establish a sustainable human presence" there by 2030. So far, 12 countries have formally agreed to participate in the Artemis program. Interest in Moon exploration has risen in Korea following the Korean government's signing of the Artemis Accords in May 2021 and its announcement of plans to build a spacecraft for a Moon landing.

KICT Supports Construction SMEs to Overcome COVID-19 Crisis

2020/06/01 00:00

KICT Supports Construction SMEs to Overcome COVID-19 Crisis

- Largest support project for COIVD-19 with funding of up to KRW 6.2 billion
- Technology enhancement, employment retention, and continuous business activities all to be supported through the project

The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology is currently promoting the most generously funded project from among government-funded institutes to help SMEs in the construction field to effectively cope with the COVID-19 crisis.

The 6.2 billion won project, planned by the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT, President Seung Heon Han) is called the “KICT SME Support Project for COVID-19 Response” (hereinafter “KICT COVID-19 Support Project”). This project is intended to support SMEs in the construction sector that have become economically vulnerable due to the outbreak of the pandemic and to help them overcome the economic fallout. The comprehensive package project utilizes KICT resources, including funding, research manpower, and infrastructure, to help SMEs develop their technical skills and maintain their employment of research personnel. KICT resources are also being used to support marketing efforts and to provide SMEs with consultation services, such as for the settlement of disputes related to overseas construction projects.

According to a recent SME survey conducted in May 2020, about 8 out of 10 SMEs are facing business difficulties due to the coronavirus. To overcome the pandemic on a national scale, government ministries in Korea are operating various SME support programs. However, more than half (61%) of these projects are focused on temporary measures, such as simple financial support or labor cost support.

The project being operated by the KICT, a government-funded research institute, is different in that it focuses on strengthening the short- and mid-term R&D capabilities of SMEs in the construction sector so that they are better prepared for the post-coronavirus era. As such, the project does not provide temporary relief and expense support for overcoming the crisis, but rather seeks to empower SMEs by enhancing their R&D capabilities and maintaining the stable employment of their research personnel so that they can not only survive the COVID-19 crisis, but can also survive the expected economic crisis post-pandemic.

The KICT COVID-19 Support Project is further divided into three main projects: the Demand-Based SME Technology Support Project; Customized Direct Support Project for SME Growth; and SME Consulting Project for Seamless Business Activities. There are also seven sub-programs that provide detailed support to the three main projects. These different forms of support, as well as additional customized support projects, are designed to strengthen the research capacities of about 120 participating SMEs. All of these forms of support are designed to help the SMEs retain their current research staff of about 90 people and further secure additional research personnel.

“The construction industry is the nation's industrial base, and it is critically important to secure innovative capabilities in this field, so that it is not shaken by the [COVID-19] crisis.” said President Seung Heon Han of the KICT. “We will fulfill our role and responsibilities as a government institute by promoting support projects to help Korean companies secure technological competitiveness. We will also continue our research projects to share in the growth of SMEs in the construction industry and to solve national and social problems.”

More information on the program can be found by visiting the website of the KICT COVID-19 Support Project (www.kictsmes.com). Companies wishing to join the program may apply online through the website by June 12 (Friday).

KICT Signs Smart Construction Technology MOU with 6 Organizations, including Seoul Metropolitan Gov.

2020/05/26 00:00

KICT Signs Smart Construction Technology MOU with Six Organizations, including Seoul Metropolitan Government

The KICT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with six organizations, including the Seoul Metropolitan Government, on May 26(Tuesday) at Seoul City Hall to promote smart construction technology and create a smart construction environment.

The seven organizations that signed the agreement were the KICT, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Korean Society of Civil Engineers, the Architectural Institute of Korea, the Korea Information & Communication Contractors Association, the Construction Association of Korea, and the Korea Expressway Corporation.

Under the MOU, the signing parties agreed to: establish joint strategic cooperation systems, including advanced systems and private case studies/investigations; share related information; and actively engage in forums, academies, workshops, and pilot projects. For these purposes, six of the signing organizations will be applying their specialized capabilities and resources in the area of smart construction technology. All signees will also cooperate to develop policies, and improve systems, public relations, and international relations to introduce and increase the utilization of smart construction technology.

Smart construction is a cutting-edge construction technology that maximizes construction productivity and stability through digitization, automation, and safety management throughout the construction process. This is done by integrating the technologies characteristic of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as BIM(Building Information Modeling), drones, robots, AR/VR, IoT, big data, and modularization, into design, construction, safety, and other construction-related fields.

BIM technology, in particular, has been introduced to certain design elements connecting the World Cup Bridge, which is scheduled to open in December 2020. This technology will be applied in earnest to the development of the Yeongdong-daero Underground Space Complex as well as to the construction of the underground roadway of the Eastern Highway, which are expected to be officially approved by the Seoul in 2020.

Smart construction technology realizes the advanced technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as the digitization of the entire construction process, automation of construction equipment, virtual construction, smart safety management, and automated robots. It is expected that the application of these technologies will reduce the occurrence of accidents at construction sites,reduce costs, and increase productivity by shortening the construction period of road structures.

KICT Participates in LITT 2024

2024/05/15 00:00

The KICT participated in the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Technology Fair 2024 (LITT 2024), which was held at COEX in Seoul from May 15 to 17.Organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and hosted by the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement, LITT is the largest expo in Korea that highlights R&D achievements in the field of land, infrastructure, and transport. It centers around the 12 Strategic Technologies and Advanced Research (STAR) programs outlined in the Second Comprehensive Plan for Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Science and Technology R&D (2023–2032).At LITT 2024, the KICT unveiled its “modular negative pressure ward” along with other research findings and new technologies in the areas of land, construction, and transport. On May 16, Senior Researcher Lee Jong-won from the KICT’s Department of Building Energy Research gave a special presentation on the topic of “Smart Construction and the Future.”

KICT and Defense Installations Agency Conclude MOU for Defense Technology Advancement

2024/04/15 00:00

On April 15, the KICT and the Defense Installations Agency concluded an MOU on the development of defense technology using super concrete in the Ministry of National Defense building located in Seoul’s Yongsan District.

The agreement ceremony was attended by representatives of the two signatories, including KICT President Kim Byung-suk and Defense Installations Agency Director Cho Byung-yoon.

The KICT and the Defense Installations Agency held a joint seminar on the development of defense facilities in 2022 and a technical meeting in 2023, two milestones in their collaboration in applying construction technology to national defense. The new partnership agreement will see the KICT combine its super concrete technology with the Defense Installations Agency’s facility construction and management expertise.

KICT’s super concrete has five times the performance of regular concrete in compression strength (200 MPa), and four times the performance in durability (200 years), and also makes it possible to reduce carbon emissions by 40% to 50% and construction costs by about 10%. The super concrete technology has been named both one of the top 100 national R&D achievements and one of the top 3 technologies created by government-funded research institutes.

KICT Metaverse Service Launches to Support Smart Construction Startups

2024/04/03 00:00

On April 3, the KICT held an event at its Ilsan headquarters to mark the launch of the KICT Metaverse Service, designed to support startups operating out of the Smart Construction Support Center in marketing themselves and finding international business opportunities. The KICT Metaverse Service will be Korea’s first metaverse service offered by a government-funded research institute

With the KICT Metaverse Service, member companies of the Smart Construction Support Center can promote their offerings in a metaverse environment. This metaverse service features a virtual replica of the actual Smart Construction Support Center’s second center building, where the startups are physically housed. The metaverse building is equipped with meeting rooms with video conferencing capabilities, a conference hall that can host seminars and events for 50 attendees or more, and convention facilities for expos and other promotional events. Companies can market their technologies and achievements using a variety of media, including images, videos, and VR experience content. In addition, KICT Metaverse Service users can engage in multi-party chats when they are logged in.

The Smart Construction Support Center is an offshoot of the KICT that is focused on nurturing construction startups that will innovate and grow the construction industry. As the physical Smart Construction Support Center only has so much space for startups seeking residency, the KICT Metaverse Service was created to overcome such spatial limits and provide support to more construction startups.

KICT Lends Helping Hand to Daegu and Gyeongbuk

2020/03/03 00:00

KICT Lends Helping Hand to Daegu and Gyeongbuk

- KICT donates 25 air purifier units with anti-bacterial and anti-virus functionality to the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions

- KICT fulfills its roles and responsibilities as a government-funded research institute by tackling social problems and actively responding in times of emergency

- KICT develops HVAC filter technology able to remove 99% or more of viruses and bacteria with commercialization imminent

The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT, President Seung Heon Han), a government-funded research institute, announced on March 3 (Tue) that KICT staff and executives had made donations to help the residents of the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions suffering from the spread of COVID-19. These donations come in the form of 25 special air purifier units with anti-viral and anti-bacterial functionality (worth a total of approximately KRW 50 million). The special air purifier units will be donated to screening centers in the Daegu area where people are at high risk of virus exposure.

The air filters in the soon-to-be-donated air purifiers represent the research results of the Center of Convergence for Emerging Virus Infection (comprised of eight government-funded research institutes of the National Research Council of Science and Technology). These air filters can be installed in conventional air purifier units to completely remove sources of infections such as viruses and are advantageous in terms of their performance and replacement cycles. Conventional air filters physically filter outsources of infections, requiring that the filters be replaced at regular intervals, thereby posing the risk of the re-release of the sources of infection accumulated throughout the course of filter use.

Researchers from the KICT have been active at the Center of Convergence for Emerging Virus Infection since 2016, developing a “photocatalytic anti-bacterial and anti-viral air conditioning unit” that prevents the airborne spread of infectious diseases. The apparatus draws on the powerful oxidizing potential of free oxygen radicals generated when photocatalysts react with light.

Testing at specialized research institutes in Korea and overseas has shown that the unit is able to remove or neutralize (render inert) 99% or more of disease-causing agents, including E. coli, Salmonella, bacteriophages, rotavirus, norovirus, influenza virus, and human coronavirus.

The MERS, SARS and COVID-19 viruses, all of which are coronaviruses, have similar biological structures and primarily differ in terms of pathogenicity. Given the similar structure of these viruses, the recently-developed air filters are also expected to be effective against the more recent virus mutation, COVID-19.

The KICT seeks to commercialize a variety of air handling products, from air purifiers to building HVAC systems, based on this air filtering technology. Mass production capacity for these products will be secured through technology transfers to private sector manufacturers in April of this year.

In 2016, the KICT and the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Government signed a cooperative agreement to work together to resolve pending regional issues. The KICT has signed similar agreements with other local governments as well, and is engaged in numerous joint research and cooperation projects to address regional problems. The KICT expects its donation of the special air purifiers to be of substantial help to residents of Daegu and Gyeongbuk where the COVID-19 infection is spreading.

KICT President Seung Heon Han commented, “The KICT will continue to faithfully carry out its role and responsibilities as a government-funded research institute by conducting research and developing technologies to protect the lives and safety of the people from disasters, and to solve the problems of the state and society.”

* The Air purifier units with anti-bacterial and anti-virus functionality

* Wohn, Kwangyun : Chairperson of NST (Squatted Position)

* Seung Heun Han : President of KICT (Right Side)

* Kwak, Jong-Won : Executive Director, Planning and Coordination Department of KICT (Left Side)

* Dr. Koo, Hyun-Bon : Senior Researcher, Department of Infrastructure Safety Research (KICT)

With Crew of "Channel A" News Team