On 22 September 2023 ACE Inventor established a corporate research institute and licensed core technologies from the Sookmyung Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, moving university research into corporate ownership and building an in-house team to carry it forward.

Three technologies were transferred, among them the hydrogel electrolyte membrane and the electrophoretic flexible electrode. From that point materials and modules were developed under one roof.

The institute mattered for pace as much as ownership. A university laboratory runs to the rhythm of papers and degrees; product development runs to customer schedules and certification deadlines. The two clocks needed separating.

The licensed technologies have since grown into a patent portfolio. The company now holds seven registered Korean patents and one registered US patent, with 23 applications filed at home and abroad.

ACE Inventor Inc., founded in November 2022, develops ultra-lightweight building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules. Its core technologies are a water-based hydrogel electrolyte membrane, electrophoretic large-area flexible electrode coating, and ultra-lightweight curved module design using FRP and ETFE composites. The company operates a 50 MW annual production line in Paltan-myeon, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, and holds KS C 8577 BIPV module certification together with ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001. Its patent portfolio includes seven registered Korean patents and one registered US patent, with 23 applications filed in Korea and abroad. Contact info@aceivt.com · www.aceivt.com

Related coverage and sources

· Sookmyung Women's University — DeepTech-TIPS selection, 28 Dec 2023

· Korea Lecturer News — DeepTech-TIPS selection, 29 Dec 2023