SK Telecom joins project to develop gas safety solution based on quantum sensing

SEOUL -- SK Telecom, a leading mobile carrier in South Korea, will work with a public gas safety entity and two private firms to commercialize a new gas safety solution based on quantum sensing that detects or analyzes objects by measuring photons, the tiniest particle of light possible in nature.

SK Telecom (SKT) said in a statement that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS), Quantum Sensing and Korea Plant Maintenance to cooperate in the commercialization of a gas safety solution based on quantum sensing technology.

The solution called "Quantum Gas Imaging" detects gas leaks, measures gas concentration by illuminating the target with laser and analyzing reflected wavelength, and notifies the control center of possible risks in real-time, SKT said, adding the solution enables the control center to make an immediate response with the accurate location of gas leaks.

The solution can visualize gas leaks and concentration at large-scale gas facilities located up to 150 meters away. SKT and KGS would test the solution by applying it to a large-scale gas facility this year. "With the ability to detect gas leaks and measure concentration from a long distance, the quantum gas imaging solution will contribute to addressing the current difficulties in gas leak inspections," Kim Young-gyu, head of KGS' gas R&D institute, was quoted as saying.

SKT, the frontrunner in South Korea's quantum cryptography market, said it would develop a drone-based solution for use in hard-to-reach areas and upgrade it by applying 5G and artificial intelligence for enhanced data analysis. The company said it would consider linking the solution with physical security services of its security subsidiary, ADT Caps. "We will continue to develop diverse innovative services that can enhance people’s safety using quantum sensing technology," said SKT's security business head Park Jin-hyo.