Wonyoung Choe, Professor of Chemistry at UNIST has been selected for excellence and merit in environmental technology development and given a commendation from the Minister of Environment. It has been recognized for its achievements in developing a technology that can handle environmental pollutants with innovative porous materials that imitate natural ecology.
The award ceremony took place at the 2021 Environmental R&D Public Opinion Forum and Joint Performance Presentation Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Environment and the Korea Institute of Environmental Industry and Technology on November 26, 2021. At the ceremony, 10 people of distinguished service to environmental technology have been awarded.
Professor Choi’s team stood on the podium in recognition of their outstanding performance and contributions in environmental technology development. The team achieved the best performance and was in the top 20.
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials with unprecedented chemical and structural tunability. Because they can synthesize numerous results in various combinations, MOFs are used in various applications such as carbon dioxide storage and utilization, sensors, and catalysts.
The research team selected zirconium-based metal-organic skeletons with high water stability using the characteristics of MOF and conducted a study to remove trace pollutants such as pesticides, antibiotics, and industrial dyes.
Through about three years of research and development, the researchers confirmed the world’s best resolution and adsorption capacity, and based on this, they published six SCI-level papers and applied for and registered 14 patents.
Meanwhile, this event has been designed to promote excellent environmental technology and promote the development and distribution of environmental technology. Under the theme of “Carbon Neutrality by 2050: Emerging Technologies for a Green Future,” various programs, such as environmental technology presentations, exhibitions, and on-site tours were held in the form of metaverse until December 17, 2021.
