Department of Energy Systems Research

Prof. Hyungtak Seo of Ajou University explaining his technology to Minister of Environment WhaJin Han.

Ajou University participated in the 43rd International Exhibition on Environmental Technology & Green Energy (ENVEX 2022), Korea’s largest environmental industry exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Environment and the Korea Environmental Preservation Association. The event was held from June 8 to 10 at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul.

The exhibition aimed to support market expansion for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with promising green technologies. A total of 267 companies, including 44 overseas exhibitors from 16 countries such as those in Europe, China, and the United States, participated in the event.

Ajou University joined 14 other universities, including Kyung Hee University, Sogang University, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, and the University of Seoul, to operate the University Coexistence Pavilion (U-COx). A total of 33 technologies, including five developed by Ajou researchers, were showcased. Under the theme “Sustainable Future,” Ajou’s participation emphasized high-level connections among industry, academia, and research, as well as demand-driven collaboration. Rather than organizing exhibits by institution, the pavilion grouped technologies by theme for a more integrated presentation.

The booth displaying Ajou University’s technologies received particular attention from Minister of Environment WhaJin Han, who visited and showed great interest in the “colorimetric hydrogen leak detection sensor technology” developed by Professor Hyungtak Seo (Department of Materials Science and Engineering / Department of Energy Systems Research in Graduate School). Professor SangIn Kim, Director of the Ajou University Office of University-Industry Cooperation, introduced the university’s key technologies and guided the minister through the exhibition.

Professor Seo’s hydrogen leak detection sensor is a high-performance device capable of precisely measuring hydrogen concentration, a crucial technology for ensuring safety in hydrogen utilization. As hydrogen emerges as a next-generation eco-friendly energy source, its high flammability, low density, and invisibility make it difficult to detect leaks—posing safety risks that have long hindered broader industrial adoption.

This technology was transferred to DaeHyun ST Co., Ltd. in July 2021 for a technology transfer fee exceeding 2.5 billion KRW (≈25 million KRW). Professor Seo’s research team also showcased the technology at CES 2022, the world’s largest consumer electronics and IT exhibition.

In addition, the booth attracted significant media attention, including coverage on SBS’s “Live Today” (June 9), as well as interest from multiple buyers, leading to several technology consultations—some of which are expected to result in actual technology transfer outcomes.

Meanwhile, Ajou University continues to achieve strong results in technology commercialization. In 2021, the university recorded 5.21 billion KRW in technology transfer revenue, marking its sixth consecutive year of growth. This figure places Ajou among the top five universities nationwide in technology transfer income. Technology commercialization refers to transforming academic research outcomes into business opportunities through technology transfer or startups, maximizing the practical impact of research while enhancing industrial and national competitiveness and creating employment opportunities.

Director SangIn Kim of Ajou University’s Office of University-Industry Cooperation briefing Minister Han Wha-jin on Ajou’s technologies