NTBase together with the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute has invested 5 years in developing technology for the nano-powder business, says Gun-Yong Song of NTBase. The company has been using its technology of “spark gap devices for manufacturing nanopowder” and a “classification system for dry and wet nanosize powders” to commercialize silver nanopowder production, while continuing to develop technologies for commercialization of other metal powders, which are marketed as raw materials with additional functionality. The company employs the spark gap method: after the stored energy is compressed into a pulse, high-density electric current is momentarily pushed through a metal wire and plasma formed through resistance heating is transformed into nanopowder, which is classified by particle size distribution. Since only the silver of high purity is used for in its production, the silver nanopowder contains no impurities and is harmless to the human body and environment. High voltage is generated by accumulating low-voltage electricity, therefore the electricity consumption is low and price compatibility is high. Nanosilver powder produced by NTBase is the purest in the world (99.99%). It can be easily applied to products that require antibacterial, deodorizing and other properties of silver. The technology is suitable for mass production, while low costs make it competitive not only in the Korean market but also abroad. The demand for antibacterial and deodorizing products is expected to skyrocket as people, who are increasingly concerned about well-being and the sick building syndrome, request such products more and more. The company’s production capacity is about 20% of today’s domestic demand, and NTBase plans to increase it up to 60% before the end of this year. Suitability for mass production and the high purity of produced nanopowders make the technology developed by NTBase potentially applicable to various industries. This technology is hoped to open new niches in functional product markets. NTBase has been promoting this technology in the U.K. and Taiwan, and hopefully nanosilver will become an export item too.