Senko "Kentech Develops Korea's First Domestic Ultramicro Dust Automatic Measuring Device"

Senco, a specialized company in electrochemical gas sensors, announced on the 26th that its subsidiary Kentech has domestically developed the first "ultrafine particulate matter (PM1.0) concentration automatic measuring device" in Korea.

This measuring device was developed by Kentech after being selected in July 2021 as one of the "100 Promising Green New Deal Companies" by the Ministry of Environment as a leading promising small and medium-sized enterprise in the green industry. It was developed through research and development support (approximately 2 billion KRW over three years) from the "Green Innovation Growth Support Program" of the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute under the Ministry of Environment.

Unlike low-cost optical sensor methods, this device applies the beta-ray absorption method, which measures concentration by collecting ultrafine particulate matter on a filter paper and calculating the intensity of beta rays absorbed as they pass through the filter paper. Notably, all major core components, including the inlet, beta-ray source, and collection part, were domestically developed, securing advantages in price competitiveness and maintenance.

The developed PM1.0 automatic measuring device has been tested and its performance verified by nationally accredited institutions such as the Korea Environment Corporation, Korea Testing Laboratory, and Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science.

Currently, private and government air pollution automatic monitoring networks and indoor air quality monitoring networks operate PM10 and PM2.5 measuring devices at over 2,000 locations nationwide. Kentech is now positioned to proactively supply the completed product once the introduction of PM1.0 measuring devices begins.

Ultrafine particulate matter (PM1.0) has a diameter less than half that of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and is about 1/60 the thickness of a human hair. It is a very harmful substance to the human body as it is not filtered by the respiratory system.

A Kentech official stated, "Currently, the Ministry of Environment and academia are actively conducting various studies on the necessity and methods of managing ultrafine particulate matter," adding, "It is expected that once ultrafine particulate matter measurement begins, an economic effect of over 40 billion KRW will occur." He further added, "The market related to fine particulate matter is expanding mainly in countries with high air pollution such as India and Vietnam, so export effects are also anticipated."