News
KIST to Develop Recyclable Air Mobility Materials (December 19, 2023)
- Date : 2024-03-26
- Views : 301
-
Writer
International Cooperation Team
-
Att.
KIST to Develop Recyclable Air Mobility Materials
On December 19, 2023, KIST (President: Seok-Jin Yoon) and the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST; Chairman: Bok-Cheol Kim) held a plaque unveiling ceremony for the RAMP (Recyclable Air Mobility, Materials, and Platform) Convergence Research Center at the KIST Jeonbuk Institute of Advanced Composite Materials, located in Wanju-gun, North Jeolla Province.
The ceremony was attended by some 40 officials, including KIST President Seok-Jin Yoon, NST Chairman Bok-chul Kim, Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) President Jung-Hwan Lee, and Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) President Sang-mok Lee.
The RAMP Convergence Research Center, under the overall supervision of KIST, will conduct research over the next six years with a total budget of 43.4 billion won. The research will be carried out in collaboration with 19 institutions, including KIMS and KITECH, as well as other organizations such as the Korea Automobile Research Institute and LG Chem, with the goal of “developing lightweight platform technology for recyclable future air mobility structural materials and components.”
The RAMP Convergence Research Center aims to develop environmentally-friendly carbon composite parts and upcycling recycling platforms applicable to future air mobility such as urban air mobility (UAM) to promote carbon reduction and resource circulation. Carbon composite materials, lighter and stronger than metals, have been gaining attention in the air mobility field, but their inability to naturally decompose has made recycling and upcycling difficult. In addition to developing eco-friendly composite materials, the Center plans to conduct commercialization research to proactively respond to the demands of the air mobility industry.
Dr. Yong-Chae Jung, who oversees this convergence research at KIST, stated, "With the increasing global demand for eco-friendly mobility due to reductions in carbon emissions and environmental regulations, we aim to successfully develop safe, high-efficiency, lightweight technologies to complete the resource circulation cycle, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance Korea’s competitiveness in the future mobility industry."
KIST President Seok-Jin Yoon emphasized the role of regional economic revitalization, stating, "The RAMP Convergence Research Center, overseen by the KIST Jeonbuk Institute of Advanced Composite Materials, is expected to play a significant role in revitalizing the local economy through its R&D achievements." He further added, "We will spare no effort in providing institutional support to assist the RAMP Convergence Research Center with achieving its goals."