Basic research at universities plays a foundational role in driving innovation and advancing societal well-being. It enables the exploration of bold scientific ideas that, over time, evolve into technologies with profound human impact. Imagine a first responder entering a hazardous area, protected by technology developed in our labs, or a community breathing cleaner air thanks to Northwestern research.

[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SK Square is investing $40 million (approximately 55 billion KRW) in a U.S.-based semiconductor materials company, aiming to create synergies with its affiliate, SK Hynix.According to industry sources on May 28, SK Square has decided to invest $40 million in NuMat Technologies, a U.S. startup, through its overseas investment arm, TGC Square. The investment is part of an extension round to NuMat’s previous Series C funding and was made at the same company valuation as the initial round.NuMat Technologies develops specialty gas storage systems used in semiconductor manufacturing by leveraging metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)—materials with a porous structure. SK Square believes NuMat’s technology, which is particularly useful in safely handling toxic gases during manufacturing processes, holds significant potential for synergy with SK Hynix.