Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station
In search for eco-friendly resources and undiscoverd organisms, scientists have turned to the mystery terrains of Antarctica. Within the land where it has not yet been affected by human touch, countries of the world seek to construct stations to embark their novel research. With the name of 'Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station', Korea is planning to construct its second research station near the Terra Nova Bay in Antarctica. After a national vote, the station was named after a Korean historic figure named Jang Bogo who swept pirates off the coast in the Shilla Dynasty.
From 1st of August 2012 to 5th of August 2012, a 5-day exhibition was held in COEX to introduce the up-coming Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station. The exhibition included booths that showed 3-D video clip models of the station, the practice of the Antarctic research and the history of Korea's appearance in the Antarctic terrain. The following are some major booths that introduced the new research station to the visitors.
1.The footsteps of the Polar Research
This booth contained information of Korea's continuous efforts and results of polar research. A large timeline was pictured on the wall that pointed out some important dates. For example, in 1978~9, Korea embarked its polar research with the South Pole Ocean Krill work. Soon after on 17th February 1988, the first Antarctic research station of Korea, Antarctic King Sejong Station(남극세종과학기지), was constructed. In April 2002, the Arctic Dasan Station(북극다산과학기지) was built and subsequently, in 2009, Korea's first research icebreaker, 'Araon-ho'(아라온 호) was introduced.
2.A land of mystery, Antarctica
With models of different animals living in Antarctica, this booth introduced the natural environment and the ecological resources of the Antarctic. Along with rare Antarctic animals, there were displays of meteorites discovered in the region.
3.The Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station (1)
This booth showed a 3-D model of the Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station that is planned to be completed in 2014. Through this model design, visitors were able to form an abstract thinking of how the design will look and get a more realistic experience with the 3-D effects.
4. The Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station (2)
This booth contained life-sized models of some features of the Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station to introduce the special characteristics that the new station has.
-A duplicated heat insulation tube
Regarding the extreme temperatures of the Antarctic, freeze-resistant heat rays and urethane foams were used for the special manufacture. Eventually, pipes that are exposed to out-door environment can be protected from freezing to burst.
-A safe plant company
With 98% of the terrain covered with ice and an average temperature of -34 degrees, plant farming is impossible in Antarctica. However, the safe plant company balances the light, temperature, water and fertilizer in order to produce plants in any climate or area. The safe plant company wil provide fresh, safe vegetation to the Antarctic Scouts who only had frozen vegetables to feed on before.
-A triple windshield
To handle the extreme cold temperatures of the Antarctic, the Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station minimized the external areas and applied a triple windshield to limit the energy loss.
-A sewage disposal facility
In order to protect Antarctica's pure environment, a sewage disposal facility has been imported to re-use the waste water in the research station. The sewage disposal facility will apply a high-tech method of construction using internal circulation to create reusable water.
-A special wall and floor system
Acknowledging the extreme climates of the Antarctic, modular walls and floors have been selected to optimize the field construction in Antarctica. As a normal construction does not fit with the cold temperatures of the Antarctic, fabrication is completed in Korea and building materials are transported to Antarctica. Also, such walls and floors are designed with materials that are resistant against fires and noises for the safe and comfortable living of Antarctic Scouts.
-Facilities that have an efficient use of energy
The Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station has a wind generator that uses the strong winds of the Antarctic climate as its energy source. This power plant is not affected by the wind direction and it can reduce the emission of carbon dioxide along with the fuel usage. Also, all lights within the research station are made with LED bulbs for energy saving. To add, LEDs do not require replacements and such eco-friendly method of lighting do not have any harmful materials such as lead or mercury.
Other than these booths, others provided recent researches of climate changes to awake the consciousness and the will to take action. Also, visitors had the chance to experience activities that were related to Antarctica. This meaningful exhibition allowed its visitors to develop a good understanding of the new research station and the special facilities it holds. Regarding the efforts that are being put into the construction, this exhibition gave a chance for people to realize the importance of research stations in the polar region.
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