National Academy of Engineering recognizes 14 of 2023’s best technologies

K-cab [Courtesy of HK inno.N]

The National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK) honored 14 technological innovations as leaders of the country’s industrial progress in 2023 to date. On Tuesday, NAEK unveiled its list of the year’s best industrial technology that showcased a diverse range of groundbreaking achievements.

The NAEK received nominations from its members, related organizations, and companies between the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023.

The 14 technologies on the list were celebrated for their significant contributions across various sectors, including the healthcare, entertainment, and semiconductor industries.

A standout entry is the gastroesophageal reflux disease drug K-cab, developed by HK inno.N Corp. The drug (tegoprazan) was acclaimed for its rapid and potent therapeutic effects, along with its ability to suppress nighttime excessive gastric acid secretion, leading to a notable improvement in the quality of life for patients suffering from acid-related conditions.

Another remarkable achievement is the world’s first 4K 120Hz wireless OLED TV developed by LG Electronics. The television allows both video and audio to be transmitted wirelessly, providing wireless TV with the same ultra-high-definition quality as wired counterparts. By eliminating all cables except the power cord, this TV innovation addresses the challenges related to TV interior design and installation restrictions, making it a practical and innovative solution for home entertainment.

Other recognized technologies include SK hynix’s development of the world’s first 24-gigabyte (GB) high-bandwidth memory (HBM3) product and LG Innotek’s ultrathin optical zoom camera module for smartphones, also the world’s first.

Other technologies on the list include Hanwha Ocean’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) offshore platform and nitrogen refrigerant-based reliquefaction system for ships, Avikus’ commercialization technology for autonomous ship navigation systems, and BKT’s first nitrogen removal technology for energy-saving sewage and wastewater treatment.