Scientists at a Korean research organization are in line for a financial windfall for developing a new process to make advanced compound metals used in everything from laptop computers to automobiles. The Korean Institute of Industrial Technology (Kitech) revealed that a 10-member team led by scientist Kim Se-gwang will receive 16.9 billion won ($15 million) for the successful transfer of the technology to the private sector. A midsize company called HMK has agreed to pay the Institute 28.2 billion won for access to the technology, which involves making magnesium and aluminum compounds in a safer, more environmentally friendly manner. HMK will pay five billion won in a lump sum and the remainder in phases over the next 15 years.
The deal ranks as the third largest in Korea for the transfer of technology from a government research institute to the private sector. According to Korean regulations governing tech transfer, at least half of the proceeds of such deals should be funneled to researchers. Some institutions are even more generous. For instance, Kitech grants its researchers 60% of the proceeds. As lead researcher, Kim will be responsible for distributing the 16.9 billion won in incentives to his team. He personally stands to receive 60% of the total, or roughly 10 billion won.
The research team’s process for developing magnesium compound metals could be a game-changer in the industry. Magnesium weighs one-fourth as much as steel but is six times as hard, making it ideal for portable electronics such as mobile phones and notebook computers as well as automobiles. However, magnesium also carries the risk of explosion, and it can rust easily when it comes in contact with water so it must be mixed with other metals to create alloys. Until now, harmful gases like sulfur hexafluoride, dubbed a “super greenhouse gas,” and sulfur dioxide — which is harmful to humans and corrodes steel — had been used to produce magnesium alloys. The technology developed by Kim and colleagues incorporates calcium oxide in the compounding process to create a protective layer, eliminating the risks of corrosion and explosion.
Source: JoongAng Daily