LG Energy Solution announced on May 18 that it held the '2026 Inventor of the Year & Filer of the Year Awards' at its Parc.1 headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, honoring 12 employees for outstanding research achievements in future battery technology.

The ceremony was organized to encourage researchers who secured innovative patents in key future technology fields, including LMR batteries, cylindrical 46-series cells, and next-generation battery pack designs.

This year's Gold Award for Inventor of the Year went to Park Byung-chun, head of cathode materials technology, who secured core patents in 'LMR Cell Chemistry.' Park was recognized for building a preemptive patent barrier by focusing on the combination of LMR cathodes and silicon anodes well before the industry began full-scale development.

LMR batteries are considered a next-generation technology capable of delivering high energy density while maintaining cost competitiveness by increasing the proportion of manganese. LG Energy Solution is also speeding up commercialization, recently pushing forward a project with GM to mass-produce prismatic LMR batteries for next-generation electric trucks and large SUVs.

Other award-winning innovations included a CAS structure for 46-series cells, electrode process quality tracking technology, additives to improve the high-temperature durability of LMR batteries, an insulation structure for cylindrical 46-series cells, and non-destructive cell life diagnosis technology.

The Gold Award for Filer of the Year was claimed by Senior Engineer Jang Hyuk-gyun, who filed numerous patents related to safety technologies, such as dual-cooling systems and upper/lower venting structures for battery packs. His achievements in developing pack design technologies that enhance battery safety, including thermal runaway delay and gas/spark control structures, received high marks.

LG Energy Solution selects its Inventors and Filers of the Year annually around Invention Day to foster a creative and challenging culture within its R&D organization. Winners are chosen through evaluations by internal and external experts based on patentability, technological merit, and commercial viability.

		0
LG Energy Solution held the '2026 Inventor of the Year & Filer of the Year Awards' at its Parc.1 headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. /LG Energy Solution

"In the battery industry, patents are a powerful weapon to maintain a global competitive edge and the source of customer value," said Kim Dong-myung, CEO of LG Energy Solution. "We will actively support the R&D environment so that our members' creative challenges can bear fruit, ensuring we continue to secure overwhelming tech leadership."

Meanwhile, as of the end of April this year, LG Energy Solution holds a global patent portfolio of approximately 58,000 registered patents and 99,000 patent applications.