Ajou News

NEW Research Team Led by Prof. Seo Successfully Completes Large-scale Transfer of Essential Technology in Next-Generation

  • 2021-09-06
  • 3737


Ajou University has transferred color-changing technology to detect hydrogen leakage to a company in a related field. The technology will create significant momentum in the hydrogen economy and safety.


This technology was developed by a research team led by Prof. Seo Hyung-tak, and through a technology transfer agreement, generated more than KRW 2.5 billion in income. This is the largest technology transfer project in the non-bio sector for Ajou University since the university’s establishment.


The technology transfer agreement ceremony held in Yulgok Hall on July 27, 2021 was attended by Ajou University’s President Park Hyung-ju, CEO of Daehyun ST Co., Ltd. Eom Ju-heung, Prof. Seo (Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Graduate School Department of Energy Systems Research) of Ajou University, and other participants from both institutions.


This color-changing technology is a high-performance, high-precision sensor that can measure hydrogen concentrations with great precision, which is essential to safety in the use of hydrogen. Highlighted as a next-generation green fuel source, hydrogen is increasingly being applied to new industrial sectors. However, safety issues arising from its properties have always been a stumbling block. Since hydrogen has no color, is odorless and light weight, the risk of undetected leakage is high, and can result in combustion.


This sensor technology is comprised of a liquid combination method and semi-conductor deposition method allowing multi-angle sensor processes to be constructed and customized for different purposes and mass production in various application fields.


Existing conventional hydrogen detection requires a power supply, which can lead to hydrogen combustion from static electricity, and can only be installed in limited places. This new sensor is gaining wide recognition as a distinct technology in hydrogen leak detection as it primarily uses a chemical color-changing method, which enables the intuitive identification of hydrogen leaks at the starting point (without power supply). It also involves a multi-detection method which uses electrical signals for remote monitoring.


The research team has also acquired numerous patents in source material technology for the hydrogen sensor to enhance its reliability. One of the original technologies it developed is nano material protection layers to increase material reliability, which is an issue with today’s hydrogen sensors.


Daehyun ST plans to utilize this technology to offer hydrogen sensors to hydrogen charging stations and hydrogen automobiles. Building from this base, Daehyun ST expects to increase sales revenues not only in the domestic market but also overseas, including in Germany, Japan, and the United States.


The transferred technology is particularly significant because it is a base technology fundamental to the Act on the Promotion of Hydrogen Economy and Hydrogen Safety Management (“Hydrogen Safety Act”), which will come into effect in February 2022. The Hydrogen Safety Act legally institutionalizes a hydrogen safety device for systemic promotion and safety management of the hydrogen industry. With this, Ajou University has secured a foothold to position itself as a pioneering institution in cutting-edge technology.


Ajou University recorded earnings of KRW 3.35 billion from last year’s technology transfers, ranking seventh among universities nationwide. Earnings from technology transfers have been rising for five years. This is an amount paid by a company seeking to utilize the R&D results by an Ajou University research team and to acquire the relevant intellectual property rights. It is a major source of revenue from industry-academia cooperation and an indicator of the university’s leading research capacity. Ajou University operates a technology commercialization process for all periodic cycles that enables the results of its research teams to be widely utilized by businesses and society. It is committed to the commercialization of technology. 


Prof. Seo’s research team built the foundation for successful commercialization of this technology, and was selected for the Project to Support Mid & Large-scale Growth of the Research Industry under the Commercializations Promotion Agency for R&D Outcomes, itself under the Ministry of Science and ICT.


* Photo: From left, Eom Ju-heung, CEO of Daehyun ST Co., Ltd., Prof. Seo Hyung-tak and President Park Hyung-ju of Ajou University.