SK On holds 2nd Future Technology Institute academic conference

SK On gathered its research talent to strengthen the company's next-generation battery technology competitiveness.

The battery maker held its second Future Technology Institute Academic Conference at the SK On Future Technology Institute in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, from Wednesday to Thursday, the company announced Sunday. The event was designed to consolidate research and development capabilities and reinforce the foundation for future growth.

Held for the second consecutive year under the theme "The Future We Create," the conference was attended by SK On President Lee Yong-wook and Future Technology Institute Director Park Ki-su, among others.

Submissions spanning six research categories — battery processes, cells, systems, materials, next-generation technologies and platforms — totaled about 300 entries, up roughly 15 percent from last year.

This year's grand prize went to a research team that developed a process to replace costly CNT (carbon nanotube) paste — a conductive material that facilitates electron movement within battery electrodes — with CNT powder in the manufacturing of cathodes for LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries.

The team earned high marks for evenly dispersing CNT powder into cathode materials, achieving performance comparable to conventional CNT paste processes while improving cost competitiveness. The company said it plans to review applying the technology to actual production processes in the future.

The best paper award and excellence award went to teams that developed, respectively, an electrode design for large-area pouch-type lithium metal batteries, and a predictive model for capacity degradation and internal resistance based on repeated charge-discharge cycles and storage conditions.

Judging was conducted blind across five criteria: topic relevance, research differentiation, contribution to outcomes, paper originality and practical applicability.

SK On also held a technology exhibition centered on key research projects. Researchers explained their work directly to attendees and fielded questions, with on-site voting used to evaluate the technologies presented.

Yonsei University Professor Lee Yong-min delivered the keynote address, outlining the current state and outlook of digital twin technology — which replicates real battery designs in virtual environments to analyze performance and condition. A question-and-answer session followed, during which he and SK On researchers exchanged views on battery technology and discussed the latest trends bridging academia and industry.

"The Future Technology Institute Academic Conference, now in its second year, is an important venue where the challenges and research achievements of our people translate into SK On's technological competitiveness," President Lee said. "We will continue to spread a research-driven culture and drive the technological innovation needed to lead the next-generation battery market."

An SK On official said the company plans to make the Future Technology Institute Academic Conference a regular event to promote knowledge exchange and research collaboration among employees, and to continuously strengthen its technology leadership in the global battery market.

Meanwhile, SK On has been demonstrating its technological competitiveness in global markets, including by earning Ford's Q1 certification. The Ford Q1 Award is the automaker's highest quality certification, given to outstanding suppliers of parts and raw materials based on a comprehensive assessment of production technology, product quality, quality improvement efforts, and manufacturing and quality management systems.