**Executive Vice President Lee Jae-heon Contributes to Technological Innovation in Electric Vehicle Batteries**
**Director Shin Jin-oh Commercializes Ultra-High Pressure Hydrogen Safety Devices**
The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Industrial Technology Association announced on the 10th that they have selected Executive Vice President Lee Jae-heon of LG Energy Solution and Director Shin Jin-oh of Youngdo Industries as the February recipients of the ‘Engineer of the Month Award’ in South Korea.
Executive Vice President Lee Jae-heon applied single-crystal cathode technology and new electrolyte additive technology to develop universal high-voltage mid-nickel batteries for electric vehicles. This innovation lowers the nickel content—a costly raw material—while increasing the usage voltage, contributing to the spread of electric vehicles and enhancing the competitiveness of the battery industry. The mid-nickel battery technology is noted for increasing operating voltage while maintaining battery longevity, marking a breakthrough in next-generation battery technology.
In his acceptance speech, Lee stated, “Based on my 26 years of experience in battery research and development, I will continue to lead technological innovation in battery materials, design, and processes.”
Director Shin Jin-oh successfully developed and commercialized a valve for containers equipped with a safety device to control ultra-high pressure hydrogen gas for the first time in the world. This achievement has bolstered the technological competitiveness of domestic hydrogen vehicles. The developed valve operation control device and safety device were applied to the first generation of hydrogen vehicles and have since been commercialized in the second generation with enhanced new technologies and safety designs. This has particularly led to an increase in sales by 10 billion won annually, playing a significant role in the growth of the hydrogen mobility business.
Shin expressed, “I will continue to accelerate the ultra-high-pressure hydrogen mobility industry and lead not only the domestic market but also the global hydrogen mobility market, contributing to securing world-class technological competitiveness.”
The Engineer of the Month Award in South Korea is presented to encourage technological innovation in the industrial field and foster a culture of honoring engineers. Each month, one engineer from a large corporation and one from a mid-sized or small enterprise are selected and awarded the Minister of Science and ICT’s award along with 5 million won in prize money.