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Development of Chemical Sensors and Application Devices


Positioning as the World’s Leading Research Group in Chemical Sensors

“This research outcome bears significance in that the departments of materials, electronics, and mechanical engineering collaborated in developing a range of chemical sensors and application devices after repeating sensor-related convergent research. It is also of note that this achievement has contributed to maximizing the synergistic effects of R&D through convergent research and helped KAIST become a core research center that is reviving the sensor industry, which has recently lagged behind in Korea. Considering that most projects are conducted over the course of a few years, this achievement is now a successful example of long-term R&D efforts and the fruit national R&D strategies. Furthermore, the development of a variety of innovative gas sensors and their application devices is expected to spearhead a creative economy in the coming years.”

Product Commercialization from Original Patent Technology

Working for the KAIST Institute for IT Convergence (KIITC), Professor Park Chong Ook is a world-renowned chemical sensor researcher who holds original patent technology. After joining KAIST in 1988 in the field of chemical sensors, the professor developed, in 2000, a breathalyzer that uses an oxide semiconductor sensor.

An electrochemical CO2 sensor was developed in 2006 based on the novel principles of converting the voltage generated by an electrochemical reaction into CO2 concentration (ppm) by using a new material (electrode-assisted material) that selectively reacts to CO2 in the air. In the process, Professor Park published an article on sensor technology, part of feature articles focusing on chemical sensors in J. Materials Science. At the 2012 KAIST EEWS Business Planning Competition to solve global issues facing humans in the 21st century, such as energy depletion, environmental contamination, water shortages, and unsustainable practices, the professor suggested the development of a hydrogen sensor and measurement system for molten aluminum and won the grand prize in the green technology section.

Professor Park has continued his research on chemical sensors for the past 28 years and has strived to spur the growth of the sensor industry, which had not received much attention in Korea. Based on his long-term research efforts, he has achieved six successful accomplishments.

The first is a device to measure dissolved hydrogen in aluminum melt and is the result of a 13-year project to develop an independent model applying the Park-Rapp principle, a new method to correct existing problems and to apply such principle to industrial measuring devices. Based on this accomplishment, a device was developed, with the highest accuracy in the world, to measure dissolved hydrogen in aluminum and is scheduled to be launched in the global market.

The second product is a sensor and system to detect an electric transformer’s cooling oil deterioration. If the cooling performance of cooling oil in a transformer worsens, the transformer releases heat and explodes. In order to prevent this, the hydrogen sensor technology was introduced and will soon enable the commercialization of transformer deterioration monitoring devices.

Third, an electrochemical CO2 sensor was developed by applying the Park-Rapp principle to improve the stability of the reference electrode, one of the weaknesses of the CO2 sensor developed in 2006, and to measure CO2 levels by using the air as a reference.

The fourth achievement is a leakage sensor using hydrogen gas. General gas devices such as vacuum chambers and air conditioners are checked with bubbles for any gas leakage, but helium leak detectors are often used on the scene. The detector using hydrogen gas is an excellent alternative since helium gas is highly expensive.

Fifth, a sensor characterization device was developed for gas sensor research. Integrating the experimental know-how of the past 25 years of sensor study, this research device allows gas sensor researchers to easily analyze gas detecting materials. The automated system is ideal for accurate experimentation 24 hours a day and is expected to determine research productivity.

The sixth achievement is a self-diagnosis sensor and healthcare device that detects respiratory gas. When users breathe into the sensor embedded in a mobile phone, the device analyzes the gas and builds a database of extensive information about health conditions and diseases. The small-sized sensor detects biofactors from outbreathing and uses the information for healthcare services. Its Bluetooth function allows it to link with mobile phones, and its small size, which is equivalent to that of a business card, make it convenient to carry around.

The chemical sensors and application technologies developed by the team led by Professor Park Jong-uk are valuable achievements obtained from 13-year-long research that has gone from basic research to the current development stage. It took about five years to identify problems in an environment where the technologies are actually applied, followed by research to improve such shortcomings and turn the initial basic research results into innovative performances. Such accomplishments are all original patent technologies possessed by the research team, which will play a crucial role as a leader in bringing about a creative economy in the near future.


Prof. Park, Chong-Ook
2014 Annual Report


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