Uzbekistan and Korea expand cooperation in materials science
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan’s Institute of Materials Science under the Academy of Sciences and Korea’s National Institute of Rare Metals (KORAM) have signed a memorandum of understanding on organizing tests of high-tech and aerospace materials.
The document was signed on 13 August at the Institute of Materials Science’s unique scientific facility, the Large Solar Furnace, the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan said.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Materials Science, the Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement, the Agency for Innovative Development and the Uzbek Technological Metallurgical Plant. The Korean side was represented by KORAM staff led by Professor Bum Sung Kim.
One of the main topics of the talks was the transformation strategy for the Institute of Materials Science, moving from a traditional academic model to a full innovation-cycle system. The strategy envisages progressing from fundamental research and applied development to pilot production, certification and commercialization.
Participants were also shown technologies for melting and synthesizing materials using high-temperature solar installations.
The sides paid particular attention to research into advanced smart materials, rare and critical metals, high-entropy alloys and two-dimensional materials. They also discussed lithium extraction technologies and the development of modern infrastructure for materials testing and certification.
Following the meeting, the Institute of Materials Science and KORAM agreed to cooperate in organizing tests of high-tech and aerospace materials. The memorandum is intended to provide a basis for joint scientific and technological projects.
The sides also considered opportunities to apply KORAM’s experience in the further development of the Institute of Materials Science and the creation of infrastructure needed for research, testing and subsequent commercialization of developments.
