[Science & Tech NOW] UNIST develops technology to extend EV range and lower battery costs.

From left: Professor Kwak Won-jin of UNIST, Professor Choi Jeong-hyeon of Gachon University, Professor Moon Jang-hyuk of Chung-Ang University, and Lee Hyun-wook, a researcher at UNIST. Courtesy of UNIST

■ Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) introduced on the 18th {that a} group led by Professor Kwak Won-jin of the Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering, in collaboration with Gachon University and Chung-Ang University, has developed a technology that concurrently reduces the preliminary capability loss and manufacturing prices of dry-processed thick-film electrode batteries. The analysis findings have been printed on January 21 within the worldwide journal ‘Energy & Environmental Science.’ Thick-film electrodes are a next-generation technology that will increase battery capability by thickening the energetic materials layer. While eco-friendly due to a dry course of that avoids poisonous solvents, they’ve been restricted by important preliminary capability loss. The analysis group diminished this loss by inserting a skinny lithium steel movie as a substitute of a primer between the anode’s energetic materials layer and the copper foil, chopping the preliminary capability loss by about 75%. This can successfully enhance the driving range of electrical autos by about 20%.

■ UNIST additionally introduced on the 18th that it has produced 291 AI specialists via its ‘AI Novatus Academia’ program for workers of Korea Zinc. A completion ceremony was held on the thirteenth at Korea Zinc’s Onsan coaching middle. The program, aligned with Korea Zinc’s ‘AI-based Smart Smelter’ technique, ran for about 4 months from September of final yr to January of this yr. Trainees outlined on-site issues primarily based on precise smelter course of information and devised AI software strategies, leading to 32 proposals for on-site software initiatives. Key proposals included detecting irregular operations in environmental amenities, constructing a predictive upkeep system for tools, and growing an AI mannequin for high quality prediction.