- The core of the technology is turning aluminum into a form of nano-particle ink and coating fabrics with it. Using the technology, conductive fabrics that are used in wearable devices such as smart watches can be produced. (Image : Shutterstock)
SEOUL, March 31 (Korea Bizwire) – The Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), a government research institution, announced it has developed technology to coat various surfaces with liquefied aluminum.
The core of the technology is turning aluminum into a form of nano-particle ink and coating fabrics with it. Using the technology, conductive fabrics that are used in wearable devices such as smart watches can be produced.
In the past, nickel was used to make conductive fabrics, raising controversy that it might cause harm to the human body. However, since aluminum-coated fabrics are safe, the material is expected to be in high demand for use in wearable devices.
The research center’s internal technology firm ALINK is currently producing fabrics for wearable devices, and is preparing the launch of aluminum-coated filters that block ultrafine particles efficiently.
The research center developed the technology with the support of the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. Authorities saw great potential in the new technology, explaining that if the application of aluminum-coated textiles is successful, the production costs of precise circuits could be cut down to one fiftieth of the current method in which gold or silver ink is used to coat fabrics.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
