The conductive air purification module technology developed by the Korea Institute of Materials Science(KIMS), which led to the establishment of a research start-up company(Alink Co., Ltd.), has been tested and applied to a domestic general hospital and has begun empirical testing to objectively compare its performance with existing air purification modules. Alink Co., Ltd. decided to test its Air Clesan air purification module system technology to Changwon Hanmaeum Hospital. The company specializes in materials technology and was founded based on the original aluminum 3D special coating technology developed by KIMS.

KIMS has developed 3D aluminum coating material technology through a support project from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Moreover, KIMS has continued to support Alink Co., Ltd., a research startup founded based on the original technology, and successfully commercialized a conductive air purification module for hospital building air conditioning systems that completely removes fine dust, bacteria, and viruses from the air and significantly reduces power consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Conductive air purification modules using the technology have been installed and tested in large buildings, hotels, and subway stations since late 2021. However, this is the first time to conduct verification test by installing it in a special building directly related to people's health, such as a hospital. KIMS and Changwon Hanmaeum Hospital signed a business agreement in early July to strengthen capabilities in future convergence medical technology. Changwon Hanmaeum Hospital quickly reviewed the principles and empirical results of conductive air purification module technology among the technologies proposed by KIMS, and by applying the results to the hospital's air conditioning system, the hospital began an empirical test that can be objectively compared with the existing air purification module.

A conductive air purification module and a general air purification filter were installed in each of two air conditioning units with the same specifications, and an empirical test was conducted to measure and compare fine dust removal efficiency and power consumption. The result showed that the general air purification filter removed about 40% of fine dust, while the conductive air purification module removed more than 80%. It also showed that the general air purification module air conditioning system consumes about 44 kWh per day on average, while the conductive air purification module air conditioning system consumes 33 kWh per day on average. This means that compared to the existing one, the use of conductive air purification modules can reduce power costs incurred by operating the air conditioning system by more than 25%. It is also expected to be of great help in strengthening ESG management as it can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere as much as the amount of power saved.

Ha Choong-sik, a chairman of Changwon Hanmaeum Hospital said, “If the existing air conditioner’s power consumption was around 4 million won per year, it will be around 3 million won per year when we use the Air Clesan model. “If about 60 units are installed, the annual budget savings will be around 60 million won,”and he also added:“Based on the results of this cooperation, we will continue to actively apply various advanced technologies to the hospital system and take the lead in maintaining a pleasant and healthy hospital indoor and protecting the global environment.”

Changwon Hanmaeum Hospital plans to continue the demonstration test of the conductive air purification module until June 2024. In addition, they announced that they plan to confirm the safety of application to the hospital building based on more empirical test results and then decide whether to apply it to the entire hospital air conditioning system.