University Students Solve Battery Industry Challenge... Pukyong National University's Ohmega Team Wins Minister of Education Award

Solutions to challenges in secondary battery materials, cell design, and manufacturing processes?

Student team of Jeong Seungeun, Kwon Huijeong, Yoo Yeonghwan, and Lee Jiyeong wins Grand Prize

Collaboration between Materials Science and Engineering and Nano Convergence Engineering majors applies academic knowledge to industry work

University students have solved technical challenges arising from the battery industry. Students from Pukyong National University analyzed a secondary battery-related problem presented by LG Energy Solution and proposed a solution, earning the Minister of Education Award.

Pukyong National University announced on October 30 that the Ohmega team, affiliated with its Specialized Battery University Support Project Group, had won the Grand Prize, the Minister of Education Award, in the secondary battery category of the 2026 STOB League. The prize money is 5 million won.

The team consists of third-year Materials Science and Engineering students Jeong Seungeun and Kwon Huijeong, and third-year Nano Convergence Engineering students Yoo Yeonghwan, the team leader, and Lee Jiyeong. Professor Kim Gyeongho of Materials Science and Engineering advised the team.

From left, Professor Kim Kyungho, and students Jeong Seungeun, Kwon Heejeong, Yoo Younghwan, and Lee Jiyoung, recipients of the 2026 STOB League Grand Prize.

The challenge involved problems related to secondary battery materials, cell design, and manufacturing processes presented by LG Energy Solution. The students analyzed the company's challenges in detail and proposed solutions using their academic knowledge. The team also received high marks for bringing together students from Materials Science and Engineering and Nano Convergence Engineering.

The STOB League is an industry-academia-research-linked competition organized by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology. In the competition, university students use a project-based approach to solve real-world technical problems from industry. It covers semiconductors, secondary batteries, and biotechnology.

Participating teams carry out the entire process, from analyzing a problem and developing a solution to making a final presentation. They are evaluated comprehensively on their application of academic knowledge, understanding of industry, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

This year's finals were held on October 1 at the Industry-Academia-Research Cooperation EXPO at KINTEX. The Ohmega team earned the highest evaluation in the secondary battery category by applying knowledge acquired at university to address industry needs.

Pukyong National University's Specialized Battery University Support Project Group plans to expand project-based education and industry-academia cooperation programs following the win. It aims to develop experts who can lead the secondary battery industry by helping students gain firsthand experience addressing challenges faced by companies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.