KCC Silicone Launches Technical Exchange with Seoul National University Robotics Institute on Silicone Materials Robotics

KCC Silicone has initiated a regular technical exchange program with the Robotics Institute at Seoul National University (SNU RI) to advance the development of silicone materials for robotics applications.

On July 14, KCC Silicone hosted the inaugural Robotics Technology Exchange Seminar at its R&D Center in Giheung-gu, Yongin, South Korea. The event brought together Professor Yongrae Park's research team from the SNU Robotics Institute, along with researchers and technical specialists from both organizations.


Approximately 20 participants attended the seminar, where they shared the latest research and technical expertise on silicone materials for robotics. Key topics included silicone polymer compounding technology, which enables customized material properties such as elasticity, strength, and durability by optimizing polymer formulations for specific applications, as well as the use of silicone materials in soft actuators—flexible actuation systems that mimic the contraction and relaxation of human muscles to generate movement.

The robotics industry is rapidly evolving beyond the research stage toward broader commercial and industrial deployment. Public interest in robotics has also grown significantly, highlighted by recent demonstrations such as humanoid robots delivering match balls during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At the same time, automotive manufacturers and suppliers around the world are actively building supply chains for robotics components and advanced materials.


As robotic systems become increasingly sophisticated, material performance is playing a more critical role, particularly for components that interact directly with people or external environments. Silicone offers an excellent combination of softness, elasticity, durability, and resistance to repeated deformation and temsuperature fluctuations, making it well suited for a wide range of robotic applications, including actuators, tactile sensors, and artificial skin.


Building on this first seminar, KCC Silicone and the SNU Robotics Institute plan to establish an ongoing technical exchange framework to further explore the application of silicone materials in robotics. The two organizations are also considering formalizing their collaboration through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support future joint research initiatives.

"The robotics industry is still in its early stages, with material technologies and industry standards continuing to evolve," said a representative of KCC Silicone. "Close collaboration with academia is essential for validating the performance and application potential of silicone materials. Through our continued partnership with the SNU Robotics Institute, we aim to strengthen our technological competitiveness in silicone materials for next-generation robotic applications.


source : KCC Silicone Corporation


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Robotic 3D printing can compete with traditional boatbuilding

Image
Today's KNOWLEDGE Share “Robotic 3D printing can compete with traditional boatbuilding”, Simone Barbera and Mattia De Santis, Caracol V2 catamaran was printed in Italy at Caracol’s production center and headquarter in Barlassina, near Milan, with a Heron AM 400, Caracol’s robotic Large Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM) platform. The lattest was specifically configured with a 7-axis robotic arm mounted on a rail, enabling the printing of parts up to 10 meters in length. How did the collaboration between V2 Group and Caracol come about? Simone Barbera : The collaboration between V2 Group and Caracol originated from a shared vision to revolutionize boat manufacturing through sustainable innovation. V2 Group, a Spanish-company specialized in nautical design and engineering, is seeking to develop electric vessels manufactured sustainably. On the other hand, Caracol, leader in robotic advanced manufacturing technology, had had years of experience working with Large Format Additive Ma...
Read more

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : What Is Going Wrong in UK Plastics Recycling?

Image
Today's KNOWLEDGE Share What Is Going Wrong in UK Plastics Recycling? Biffa shut its Sunderland plant. Viridor walked away from Avonmouth and Rochester. Yes Recycling Fife collapsed within a year. All three were backed by major investments All three had buyers lined up for recyclate All three are now offline This is not bad luck It is bad structure Over the next four posts I will break down: 1. Why cheap virgin imports are undercutting UK recyclers 2. How weak policy enforcement is fuelling market failure 3. What volatile PRNs and cheap exports are doing to infrastructure 4. Why demand from brands is softer than their promises Let’s start with the first: **Cheap Virgin Resin = Broken Economics** Virgin PE, PP, and PET have been flooding the global market. New capacity in Asia and the US has driven prices down 30 to 40 percent. Meanwhile, recycled plastic costs more to produce in the UK than it can sell for. We are asking UK recyclers to compete with materials made in places with – ...
Read more

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : A BUG IN INJECTION MOLDING

Image
Today's KNOWLEDGE Share A bug in injection molding – an injection-molded part in a bug? Neither! Nature and injection molding have reached similar results. Nature created the first micro-gear long before any human engineering existed. One such example is the Issus coleoptratus (shown in the picture). Furthermore, only now are we reaching the point where injection-molded polymer microgears can approach this level of performance. Looking at the images, which one do you think is the natural gear, and which one is the molded version? It is not that easy to tell, right? Their appearance and operating principles are surprisingly similar. Chitin, a natural linear polymer, forms what nature essentially "molds” into shape. In engineering, we rely on advanced technical polymers to produce similar geometry through actual injection molding. They are not the same material, yet they solve the same issue: Stiffness, dimensional stability, and reliable function at a scale where tolerances...
Read more