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[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] On May 19, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of South Korea announced its full-scale support for the development of polymer-based solid-state battery technology, which is expected to be used in small-format batteries. The government plans to invest approximately KRW 180 billion (USD 130 million) in next-generation battery R&D by 2028.



As part of the initiative, MOTIE has selected key research institutions including AMOGREENTECH, Chungnam National University, and the Korea Photonics Technology Institute to lead the project. The aim is to develop solid-state batteries for compact IT and wearable devices. The program will run from 2024 to 2028, with a total investment of KRW 35.8 billion (KRW 25 billion in government funding and KRW 10.8 billion in private sector contributions).



Polymer-based solid-state batteries must meet stringent requirements for lightweight design, high energy density, and enhanced safety in order to be used in close-contact wearable devices such as smartwatches, VR headsets, wireless earbuds, and smart rings. MOTIE expects the successful development of this technology to accelerate the widespread adoption of wearable devices that are safer, lighter, and more convenient to use without frequent recharging or fire hazards.



This initiative follows ongoing government-backed projects to develop oxide- and sulfide-based solid-state batteries. In particular, oxide-based solid-state batteries are being developed for integration into printed circuit boards (PCBs) as low-power, highly safe auxiliary power sources for electronic devices.

 

 

 

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