hoots Light That Makes Happiness (Advanced Photonics Research Institute, Science DongA January edition)

Laser, Protect Bean Sprouts

“It looks ordinary on surface, but there is countless number of holes on the surface of this wrapping vinyl. Oxygen comes in through these holes letting the bean sprouts breathe.” Inwon Lee, director of Advanced Photonics Research Institute, explained the scientific principle of inside the wrapping vinyl. The holes that are the size of dozens um (micrometer, 1m of 1 millionth) were created by laser. It’s difficult to create holes this small but the way they are shaped is amazing. Hard look into it tells you there remains thin vinyl film at the end of the holes. Cutting into each hole this deep by using laser is more difficult than piercing a vinyl through. This micro-fabrication is the key of the technology inside the wrapping vinyl. The end of holes is slightly closed so that oxygen can come in and out freely of the wrapping vinyl but this doesn’t allow dust to come in at all. Lee added, “It will be a good idea to use this to wrap not only bean sprouts but flowers and fruits.” 

Advanced Photonics Research Institute is developing technologies that can help people in their daily lives by using various kinds of light including laser. Exhalation is being analyzed to diagnose a disease and there’s a study actively going on to monitor environmental toxic substances in the air. The institute is also developing a technology to detect red tide early by measuring it from a long distance and how to enhance efficiency of solar cells.