KENTECH Institute for Energy Materials and Devices aims to improve the competitiveness of energy industry technology and secure new materials, devices, parts, and systems that can create new markets. In addition, the institute conducts research on novel future energy materials and electronic source technologies, as well as industrial application technologies, including energy generation, conversion, storage, and efficiency improvement, while also carrying out challenging research to preoccupy key areas leading the future.

Energy materials and devices are key factors in determining the added value of the energy industry, and countries around the world are finding new ways to secure the materials necessary for leadership roles in the burgeoning energy paradigm shift. The demand for associated energy material technologies is growing rapidly due to green energy requirements, the popularity of electric vehicles, and technology convergence and digitalization.

Our institute has been researching new energy materials and energy-related electronics and industrial application technologies, such as energy generation, conversion, storage, and improvements to energy efficiency. Our research is intended to dramatically improve technological competitiveness in the energy sector and develop new materials, devices and systems that will create and service new energy markets.

Current research projects include next-generation solar cells, rechargeable electrochemical systems, and semiconductors. From understanding the fundamental properties of existing materials to generating and simulating new materials (high throughput synthesis), advanced analysis has born innovative materials research. Research will soon expand into energy harvesting, sensors, spintronics, neuromorphic materials and devices, and special materials for power generation that considers the industrial and technological impacts from the mid- to long-term perspective.
Our detailed research focus includes:

• Advanced materials and devices for next-generation photovoltaics based on silicon, organics and inorganics, perovskite as well as complementary next-generation optoelectronic devices
• Advanced materials and devices for next generation rechargeable batteries including Li/Na-ion, solid state, Li-sulfur, metal-air and aqueous rechargeable batteries
• Advanced semiconducting materials and devices for next generation electronic devices including high power applications, wide band gaps and circuits for power management and conversion
• In-situ/operando atomic level analytical techniques including atom/ion/electron imaging techniques for energy-related materials research
• Atomic level, advanced functional material synthesis and modification processes using chemical, thermal, plasma and combinations of these techniques for electronic, energy, optoelectronic materials.
• Artificial intelligence and advanced computing techniques including DFT and molecular dynamics for discovering, developing, and synthesizing new materials
• Energy Device/Material/Interface modeling & simulation