The University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) has signed an agreement with the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER , South Korea) to collaborate research on fuel cell technology. The agreement allows the university and KIER to exchange scientists and share research findings.
The partnership will draw on the strengths of each institution in fuel cell research and could give the university an edge in attracting grants and private investors to its research center planned in downtown Columbia, where fuel cell researchers will work. The university plans to complete construction on the first two buildings of the center by fall 2006. The $58 million project received approval this week by the Budget and Control Board. The center also has partnerships with 15 private companies, government laboratories and other organizations to study fuel cells.
The government-funded Korea Institute is the only one in the country specializing in energy research. Institute President Ik-Soo Choi stated, "There are many brilliant scientists in Korea already working in this area. This collaboration will strengthen the fuel cell research under way at each institution and provide additional opportunities for our top scientists to conduct research that will benefit our nations' energy needs."
