aweXome Ray is a startup developing CNT (carbon nanotube) fiber and film materials, next-generation X-ray sources, and air sterilization and purification modules. It was founded in July 2018 by CEO Kim Se-hoon, who is betting heavily on CNT as the company’s future growth driver.
Carbon nanotubes first appeared over 30 years ago and were hailed as a “dream material.” But commercialization stalled due to the limitations of their powder form. aweXome Ray, now in its seventh year, has broken through this barrier by developing the technology to process CNTs into fibers that can be used as real components.
“CNTs are theoretically outstanding, but in powder form they were very difficult to turn into parts,” Kim explained. “We succeeded in spinning them into long, yarn-like fibers that open up a wide range of applications.” The company has built proprietary technology that grows CNTs from methane gas and then converts them into fibers through a water-based process.
aweXome Ray’s CNT fibers combine three qualities at once: high electrical conductivity, high strength, and light weight. “This material can be applied in fields such as ultra-lightweight wires, electromagnetic shielding, and surface heating elements,” Kim said. “In particular, CNT-based wires can dramatically cut weight in electric vehicles and satellites.”
Kim noted that about 30% of an EV’s weight comes from copper wiring. “By replacing copper with CNT wires, we can reduce that weight to one-fifth,” he emphasized. “We aim to see adoption in EVs by around 2030, with aerospace applications likely to come even sooner.”
The company is also drawing attention in semiconductors, having succeeded in developing CNT membrane materials for pellicles used in lithography. “There are virtually no alternative materials for pellicles, so once we enter the market, steady demand is expected,” Kim said. “We are already in talks with several domestic and global semiconductor companies.”
