By Aisylu Akhmetzianova
Video = Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials' official YouTube channel

A domestically developed vehicle air purification system removes fine dust and brake dust from the surrounding air while the vehicle is in motion. 

After its commercial application, this is expected to serve as a game changer in improving urban air quality.

A research team led by Han Bang-woo, director of the Department of Urban Environment Research at the Eco-friendly Energy & Environment Research Division of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), announced its invention of an automotive air purification technology that reduces both fine dust along roadsides and that from brake wear during driving.

This technology is one of the core achievements of AirFive, KIMM's five flagship brands, applicable to cars as a mobile device for air purification while traveling in urban areas.

It incorporates grill- and caliper-type dust collection technologies along with wireless power transmission for air purification while a vehicle is parked. Performance and feasibility were confirmed through installation in vehicle models including the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Sonata.

Performance evaluations showed that the grill-type dust collector removed over 95% of ultrafine dust (PM 2.5) and more than 99% of fine dust (PM 2.5–10) at a driving speed of 30 kph. It maintained the same performance even at 50 kph, with a single vehicle purifying about 1,800 cubic m of air per hour.

The team published its findings in global academic journals such as Tribology International and Atmosphere and filed numerous patent applications in several countries including Korea, the U.S. and Germany.

aisylu@korea.kr