307 Chapter 301 (1/2)

As soon as he heard the news, Hyunwoo headed for STM Research Center.

The center was huge compared with its small size during the first year. It was more s.p.a.cious than most universities, and there were 15 research buildings five stories or higher.

Hyunwoo paid the most attention to EVT Research Center these days because the researchers there were working on the core technology of the Paekdu Project which would change the automobile market in the world.

They have already researched improvements to luxury cars of Samryong Motors to increase their shock-absorbing ability and greatly improve ride comfort. The Super Car currently under pilot production in the first factory in Dangjin was equipped with this new technology.

But the research center Hyunwoo visited today was a different one.

It was a solar energy cell research inst.i.tute that has been working on a solar project.

When Hyunwoo arrived there, he asked Dr. Namyol Koh.

”Is this a new technology related to the production of graphene?”

”Yes. When I fired a certain frequency on the graphite at high temperatures, I found that the graphene fell to pieces. These pieces of graphene can be aligned using ultrasonic waves.”

Graphene is a layer of graphite. Its electrical conductivity was more than 100 times better than copper, and electron mobility is more than 100 times faster than silicon.

Besides that, it was 200 times stronger than steel and had excellent transparency and elasticity.

Accordingly, it was a material that was attracting attention as a new material along with carbon nanotubes and fullerenes.

But the problem was that its ma.s.s production was difficult because of the pollution created in the process. Besides, it was expensive, so it wasn't compet.i.tive economically.

Taeho Min noticed graphene, along with carbon nanotubes while researching components for a new solar energy cell but couldn't achieve any tangible outcomes because he couldn't solve the problems a.s.sociated with it.

But the EVT center resolved the environmental pollution as well as economic feasibility at the same time.

Hyunwoo was overjoyed to hear that.

”Now, we have solved it finally. We can produce organic solar energy cells freely, right?”

But Dr. Koh shook his head.

”We've overcome only one big problem, but we have a long way to go. Organic solar cells are so low that their efficiency is only 2%. We must raise this.”

Hyunwoo had no idea of how low 2% was.

Dr. Koh explained easily.

”Current solar cells are the most common silicon solar cells. Its efficiency is about 17% on a module basis. That is nearly nine times that of organic solar cells.”

Only then did Hyunwoo nod his head.

”Why is there such a big difference? Is the working principle different?”

”Very different.”

Though Hyunwoo didn't know much about it, he could get a grasp of it thanks to Dr. Koh's kind explanation.

Silicon solar cells were manufactured in the form of diodes. So when it met the sunlight, the electrons and holes aligned in both directions. All you had to do is pull it out with wires. However, organic solar cells utilized a photoactive layer. When the cells received the electrons, the electrons fluctuated.

It is a way of extracting the accidental electrons by installing a substance that easily accepts electrons on one side. Therefore, the names of the materials const.i.tuting the photoactive layer were also given to the electron donor and the electron acceptor.

In short, it was the difference between pulling out the sorted letters in a word and accidentally popping out of it.

”Then you only need to find a way to align the electrons in the organic solar cell to one side, right?” Hyunwoo asked.

Dr. Koh answered with a hearty laugh, ”Of course. But it's not that easy to develop that technology so easily. But you can use this for a variety of purposes such as smartphones, monitors and TV.”

Hearing his explanation, Hyunwoo felt it had great added value.

Actually, Dr. Koh was interested in venture enterprise.

”I would like to start a business in this field with students. Can you invest in it?”

There was no reason for Hyunwoo to say no. That was the reason he established STM Research Center and Sinsung Univ.

”How much money do you think you need?”

”It doesn't need a huge facility or technology. I think I need about five billion won for introducing facilities, except for the lot and building. I can give you 60% stakes in our business.”

”Got it. Let me invest in your start-up enterprise.”

***

It was already winter. Though the first snow didn't fall, it was very chilly during the day.

Hyunwoo became impatient as he had no news yet on the successful development of the Super Car.

Then he had a call from the manager of first factory in Dangjin where Super Car was under pilot production.

”Sir, we have finally succeeded on the Paekdu Project! We also tested the performance of the new model briefly. It's perfect.”