Eun-Young Ahn

Analysis on Research Projects Trends of the Geoscientific Research Institution in Korea since the Fiscal Year of 1976

The importance of RD geologic environmental research, 28.8%; geological research, 15.6%; petroleum and marine research, 12.1%; and policy research, 3.1%. The percentage of the RD geologic environmental research, 25.6%; geological research, 22.8%; petroleum and marine research, 15.9%; and policy research, 2.1%. Allocation of R&D investment was determined by considering the governmental priority of such research, as well as which area were most promising. Based on the research projects trends within KIGAM and analyses of its R&D, we should build our R&D portfolio in the areas of geosciences and mineral resources.

Analysis on Research Projects and Trends of Mineral Resources Survey and Mineral Deposits : Focused on the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources

This study was carried out to raise research productivity through the analysis on the research projects and to find trends of mineral resources survey and mineral deposits of the KIGAM for 38 years since the fiscal year of 1976 to 2013. The KIGAM in the projects for mineral resources survey and mineral deposits expended 67.41 billion won for last 38 years, which is 107.07 billion won calculated using the present value in 2013 at discount rate of 5%. RD origin of ore deposits and basic research, 19%(54 projects); exploration for ore deposits, 17%(48 projects); database and information, 13%(37 projects); mineralogy and ore analysis, 9%(25 projects); and etc., 10%(27 projects). Based on analysis of research trends over the last 38 years, to raise research productivity, the existing survey research techniques with repeated use and related technology development should be enhanced.

Analysis on Survey, Exploration and Development Policy and Technology of China : Focused on Shale Gas Resources

The Chinese government and its agencies were trying in order to solve the unstability of resource supply and demand. Ministry of Land and Resources of China(MLR) carried out a lot of national-level policy and planning for estimating the domestic mineral and energy resources potential and recoverable reserves, as the Chinese land and resources survey plan(1999~2010), the Chinese mineral resource survey and exploration plan(2008~2020), announcement for shale gas industry policies of China, the Chinese shale gas resources evaluation and selection project for its development priority areas(2012), and the plan for Chinese shale gas development(2011~2015). The two large sedimentary basins of Chinese shale gas reserves are Sichuan and Tarim basins with excellent potential, accounting for majority of the estimated national reserves. Recoverable gas-bearing shale of China was surveyed to be widespread. The volume of recoverable shale gas reservoirs in China has been estimated to be around 31 trillion cubic meters(1,115 trillion cubic feet). China is one of only three countries with the US and Canada to produce shale gas in commercial quantities. China is concentrating on technology development to enhance commercial production of shale gas, and on survey and exploration activities to increase its recoverable reserves. The trends related to shale gas development and R&D activities in China to respond to changes in international oil market should be actively monitored based on analysis of Chinese policies and technology.

New Governmental National Agenda and New Executive Bodies` R&D Strategic Goals on Geoscience and Mineral Resources

With the advent of a new Korean government, a new national agenda (140 items) was reported. Additionally, Work Plans of the executive bodies were also released, including the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP); the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE); the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF); and the Ministry of Environment (MOE); the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT). For government-supported research institutes, it will be important to watch and analyze the changes in the government`s primary policies and strategic goals. In this paper, we analyzed new governmental research and development (RD science and technology development based on creativity and innovation; creation of new growth engines by fusion and diffusion; construction of stable energy systems; promotion of environmental industry; and creating satisfactory land services. In the area of geoscience and mineral resources technology, it is time to search for a new, creative, and interagency fusion R&D contents to meet the needs of the public and boost its national competitiveness.

Analysis on New Research Opportunities and Strategies for Earth Sciences in the United States

Policy Research Division, Korea Institute Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Daejeon 34132, Korea(Received: 24 December 2015 / Revised: 20 January 2016 / Accepted: 1 February 2016)The essential role of the Division of Earth Sciences(EAR) in the Directorate of Geoscience(GEO) of NationalScience Foundation of America(NSF) is to support basic research aimed at acquiring fundamental knowledge of theEarth system that can be directly applied to the United States strategic needs. The 2011 Committee on NewResearch Opportunities in the Earth Sciences(NROES) of the National Academy of Sciences(NAS) identified spe-cific areas of the basic earth science research scope of the EAR that were poised for rapid progress during the nextdecade. Quantified by interdisciplinary approaches, the Committee highlighted the following topics relating to theEAR Deep Earth Processes and Surface Earth Processes sections: (1) the early Earth; (2) thermochemical internaldynamics and volatile distribution; (3) faulting and deformation processes; (4) interactions among climate, the Earthsurface processes, tectonics, and deep Earth processes; (5) co-evolution of life, environment, and climate; (6) cou-pled hydrogeomorphic-ecosystem response to natural and anthropogenic change; and (7) interactions of biogeochem-ical and water cycles in terrestrial environments. We also promote future research challenges such as the criticalzone studies. In order to promote more active such a huge future research challenges, additional research supportpolicies are needed.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) Indicator Development for Geoscience and Mineral Resources R&D

Base researches in geoscience and mineral resources, such as geological and geo-thematic mapping, geological survey and observation, have long-term, continuity and time-leasing characteristics and they are difficult to present the particular research stages or progressions in the research span. The Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), developed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is effective for presenting research maturity levels and progression in the development of new technologies. This study suggests adjusted definitions for the Technology Readiness Levels to fit Geo-technology (Technology in Geoscience and Mineral Resources). Base geological researches, including mapping, surveys and observation, can be also presented in research levels from TRL 1 (R&D planning, literature survey) to TRL 9 (geological information construction and service in all target areas) in terms of the final product`s coverage. Moreover, not only development and construction of commercial products, geological disasters and environmental researches can also be presented in field demonstrations through public pilot applications. The modified commercialization or cemonstration TRLs in Geo-technology are TRL 5 (starting pilot field application), TRL 6 (pilot field operation) and TRL 7 (pilot field operation for a larger scale, greater than ten percent of the actual environment).