Specialist Song Min-keun does research on the next generation OLED display in LG Sciencepark. LG Sciencepark tries to provide the best research environment for its researchers, with spaces where they can work with people from LG subsidiaries or other companies in various ways.

AM 9:00 Shared Laboratory Center (SLC)

“Let me introduce some research facilities that are open to all researchers working in LG Sciencepark.”

When he arrives at work each morning, Specialist Song heads straight to Shared Laboratory Center (SLC). That is because he is currently involved in an OLED development project with researchers from other subsidiaries. Here in SLC, there are active joint research projects going on between subsidiaries. LG Group is sharing analytical equipment among its subsidiaries and developing analytical technologies to research core future technologies based on six analytical technology platforms—shape, surface, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, environment and materials simulation—for the first time in Korea.

AM 11:00 3D Printing Room
The next place Manager Song took us with a mockup in his hand was 3D Printing Room located in building W1 in LG Sciencepark. Here, they have various sorts of 3D printing equipment inside a 530㎡ space where tasks like prototyping, mass-production module making and industrial 3D printing development take place. Equipment here is accessible to all researchers in LG Sciencepark. These machines help the 3D printing experts with a range of tasks from design to modeling, enabling them to realize the desired models. In fact, it is worth pointing out that very few of the major conglomerates in Korea have equipment of this high level.

PM 1:30 Idea Room
With our bellies full, we went right back to our tour. In the afternoon, Researcher Song goes to the Idea Room on the third floor of ISC to attend an interim review meeting on the project he has been part of. Idea Room is well-equipped with devices for meetings and presentations such as town hall meetings. The free and lively interior, which reminded me of an indoor campsite, was designed to provide a more relaxing atmosphere for meetings and discussions.

PM 3:00 Convergence Road “When you have a lot in your mind because of research and meetings, it helps to just walk and organize your thoughts.” Manager Song often goes out to Convergence Road, a walking path with trees in a park-like atmosphere, and walks there to get some fresh air. When walking inside LG Sciencepark is not enough, he walks even further toward the outdoor park of Seoul Botanic Park.

PM 4:00 Office
Manager Song came back to his office. The spacious office area and bright lamps made the whole atmosphere feel more free and relaxed. There are many meeting rooms and lounges, which help the workers communicate with other colleagues and concentrate better on their work. Today Researcher Song has had no time to sit down at his spot, so he is spending the rest of the day in the office to organize his work.

Open Lab When it comes to collaboration in LG Sciencepark, one could not go without mentioning this place. Open Lab is a research space that was built for LG to gain future growth momentum through win-win cooperation with startups. It is available for free to the researchers. Currently, 11 startups have moved into Open Lab. Through LG Sciencepark, LG facilitates startup investments and research and provides commercialization infrastructure and business consulting service. Startups that have moved into Open Lab also have access to the R&D facilities such as Shared Laboratory Center and 3D Printing Room, which were introduced earlier.

Open Lab of LG Sciencepark promotes win-win relationship with startups.