The Samsung Group recently announced its plan that it will establish a new foundation in which it will invest 1.5trillion won($1.3billion) over the next decade from this year as a way of fostering future science technology. The new foundation, to be set up this month, will implement three programs dedicated to fostering future technology in line with current administration’s the so-called “creative economy” agenda.

 
The three programs include: 1) producing Nobel science prize winners in the fields of basic science(physics, chemistry, life science and math); 2) promoting materials technology; and 3) supporting the convergence of information and communication technology(ICT) industry.

 
“Abundant human resources and high technology are the only assets that Korea can rely on for future growth. Thus, in order to grow into an advanced country, it is vital to continue our investment in basic science, a foundation of innovative technology, such as materials technology and ICT convergence,” said Samsung, adding “Our aim is to produce Nobel science winners and inject new vitality into the science and technology industry by offering research support for the four fields of basic science without any red tape.”

 
In the first phase, Samsung will select 100 to 200 projects for college faculty, state think-tanks and researchers at mid-to small enterprises, providing 250 billion won for each program, a total of 750billion won over the next five years.

 
In its later phase, Samsung will provide financial assistance based on feasibility evaluation and research outcome. The research in basic science will be offered up to 10-year support while that in ICT convergence and materials technology will receive assistance for commercialization. The foundation will announce the program list upon the completing of its construction in June. And it will accept projects by July and select them in October to begin full-fledged support in November.

By Kim Min-su : Here

Ultra high definitions(UHD)TVs, which offer picture quality four times superior than full HD TVs, are forecast to gain a larger market share faster than previously expected. Global sales of UHD TVs are estimated to reach 930,000units this this year, according to a report for the first quarter(Q1) released by market research firm DisplaySearch.

 
The sales would rapidly surge to 3.90million units in 2014 to 6.88million units in 2015 to 9.87 million units in 2016, 10 times larger than the estimated sales for this year, predicted Display Search in the report. In the report for Q2 last year, the research firm had estimated global sales of UHD TVs would number 90,000units this year, 700,000units in 2014, 2.24million units in 2015, and 4.01million units in 2016.

 
Annual sales estimates have soared two-fold to 10-fold in less than a year. The estimates have been revised upward based on the concurrence of major tech companies’ aggressive activities in developing and launching UHD TVs.

 
South Korea’s leading tech company LG Electronics unveiled the world’s first 84-inch UHD TV in August last year, but the TV industry believed it was too premature because no contents had been produced for UHD resolution. But the industry has rapidly changed its perception since the launch. The nation’s largest tech giant Samsung Electronics released 85-inch UHD TV in January this year, while Sony unveiled 55-inch and 65-inch UHD TVs recent month.

 
China-based Seiki recently began selling its UHD TVs at a very cheaper price. LG Electronics is working on launching 55-inch and 65-inch models, and Samsung Electronics plans to expand its UHD TV portfolio to add both affordable and premium models.

By Kim Min-su : here