'Charging a Pacemaker with Static Electricity' Scientist of April

Professor Kim Sang-woo of Sungkyunkwan University, selected as the Scientist of the Month for April

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Junho] Professor Kim Sang-woo of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University was selected as the Scientist of the Month on the 1st. Professor Kim will receive the Minister of Science and ICT Award and a prize of 10 million won. The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation select and award one researcher each month who has achieved outstanding research and development results.

Professor Kim's research team developed the world's first technology to charge implantable medical devices using energy harvesting technology. Using ultrasound, which is safely used in medical settings, Professor Kim developed an in-body remote energy charging technology that generates triboelectricity in implanted power devices to operate medical devices. They also succeeded in fabricating devices using this technology.

Energy harvesting technology collects energy wasted in daily life such as vibration, load, light, and heat, and converts it into electricity. Implantable medical devices have faced difficulties as replacement surgery is required when the battery life ends.

The related technology was transferred to Energy Mining Co., Ltd. in 2019. The research results were also published in the academic journal Science.

Professor Kim stated, "We realized the world's first ultrasound-driven triboelectric energy harvesting device capable of generating static electricity, power generation, and charging," adding, "It is expected to set a new milestone in the implantable medical industry as it can be applied to various medical technologies."