The Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS, President Lee Jeong-hwan), a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT, has agreed with Korea Technology Co., Ltd., Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Construction Co., Ltd., and Pureunbit Co., Ltd. to build a plasma technology-based quarantine air conditioning system to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Four organizations, including the Korea Institute of Materials Science, held a signing ceremony for a business agreement for this purpose at the headquarters of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. in Jung-gu, Seoul on March 2, and spent time solidifying smooth mutual cooperation for the execution of joint projects.

The Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has developed plasma air conditioning filter technology that inactivates COVID-19 virus aerosols using oxygen reactive species and electric fields through Dielectric Filter Discharge technology.

dl technology is a case in which the limitations of plasma technology, which had not been applicable to the HVAC industry until now, were overcome through material technology by integrating a plasma HVAC filter with an ozone removal catalyst material.

In addition, through the 'Development Project for Pathogen Removal Materials for Public Facilities,' KIMS is applying roll-to-roll ion beam technology to polymer filter materials widely used in various products.By utilizing it, a technology was also commercialized to maximize antibacterial and antiviral properties by coating copper nanofilms.

Through this business agreement, △KIMS will support the commercialization of plasma disinfection air conditioning materials and components, as well as the demonstration and product certification network; △Pureunbit Co., Ltd. will commercialize plasma disinfection air conditioning products as a technology transfer company to KIMS; △Korea Technology Co., Ltd. will support the development of plasma air conditioning systems and disinfection systems; and △Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Construction Co., Ltd. plans to apply the plasma disinfection air conditioning products to construction sites.

Lee Jeong-hwan, President of the Korea Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, said, “This MOU aims to establish a national quarantine infrastructure to effectively respond to future pandemic situations by carrying out a joint project to build a plasma technology-based quarantine air conditioning system,” adding, “KIMS promises to continue doing its best in research and cooperation to respond quickly to crises and ensure the safety of the public.”