KICT 한국건설기술연구원

The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) participated in the Korea Science Festival 2025, held in Daejeon from April 16 to 20, 2025, where it showcased its research and development achievements in air purification, anti-contagion, and smart construction technologies aimed at supporting public health and safety.

At the science fair, KICT operated two booths to demonstrate “a purification/anti-contagion technology that constantly reduces harmful substances and microorganisms in the air” and “a technology for diagnosing at-risk areas in building exteriors using thermal imaging.”

The first technology uses a photocatalyst to effectively eliminate harmful substances (such as hazardous gases, volatile organic compounds, and odors) and harmful microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, and fungi) from indoor air. Its ability to remove 99.9% of contaminants within 30 minutes was proven during the COVID-19 pandemic. The technology has been verified as safe (bio-safe and eco-friendly), effective (comparable to ventilation in reducing airborne hazards in enclosed spaces), compatible (low differential pressure allows for integration into existing systems), and easy to maintain (with a semi-permanent lifespan). It is currently in use in several countries, including Korea, as a safety measure against infectious diseases.

As a purification/anti-contagion solution capable of removing harmful gases (ammonia, toluene, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, formaldehyde, etc.), odor-causing substances, and volatile organic compounds from the air, this technology is being applied not only in homes but also in agricultural and livestock environments to help prevent disease, control odors, and safeguard workers’ health.

The second technology assesses a building’s energy efficiency using minimal data and provides guidance on improvements. It creates composite thermal images of building exteriors in a panoramic format to detect anomalies and highlight problem areas. This serves as a useful tool for the early identification of buildings in need of energy efficiency upgrades.

The Korea Science Festival 2025, held as part of Science Month in Korea, is the country’s largest science fair. It features participation from government-funded research institutes such as KICT, technology companies, and private organizations. Hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and organized by the National Research Foundation of Korea, the event aims to promote public interest in science and technology. The Korea Science Festival 2025 is one of three major science fairs held annually in Korea, alongside the Korea Science and Technology Fair and the Daejeon Science Festival.

KICT’s exhibition booth at Korea Science Festival 2025

KICT President Park Sun-Kyu (right) at the exhibition booth after attending the event opening ceremony, 

with Senior Researcher JJeong, Jin-Woo (left) and Senior Researcher Koo, Bo-Kyoung (center)

A range of products featuring purification and anti-contagion technology that reduces harmful substances and microorganisms

The technology being showcased for diagnosing at-risk areas on building exteriors using thermal imaging