Another advance in nanotechnology comes from SKKU researchers that is expected to improve batteries for electronics. The Ministry of Education announced on November 28 that a joint research team have developed a distribution membrane material that is connected through a nano manhole structure constructed by pouring block copolymer into a microscopically sized mold cast. The team consists of Prof. Yoo Phil-jin and Dr. Kim Young-hun of SKKU's Deparment of Chemical Engineering and Prof. Ryu Du-yeol of Yonsei University.

A block copolymer is constructed through forcefully combining two polymers of different characteristics. When making a small hole that increases the degree of separation, existing distribution membrane material takes on a bigger resistance and its capacity for process decreases. In reverse, the degree of separation goes down.

In this sense the research team’s distribution membrane material in terms of separation efficiency and process capacity has found a way to kill two birds with one stone.

A minute nanogrid can separate removal object particles by 100%. Micro channels taking on the role of an express way showed three or four times penetrating power compared to before.

The research team also explains that this distribution membrane material has sufficient mechanical stability by having 50 times the thickness of existing block copolymers.

“The new approach for designing distribution membranes suggested in this research also shows outstanding capability when it is applied to lithium secondary batteries for controlling movement of ions or fuel battery distribution membranes,” says Prof. Yoo.

The research team was funded by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). Research results will be published in the online version of the international academic journal Advanced Materials on Nov. 28.