Photo of Kangyong Lee

Nanotechnology & materials

Kangyong Lee

The world’s first electronic self-cleaning technology for optical sensors of autonomous vehicles.

Year Honored
2021

Organization
Microsystems, Inc

Region
Korea

Kang Yong Lee has developed Drop Free Glass, the world’s first electronic self-cleaning technology for optical sensors of autonomous vehicles with his colleague at Microsystems Lab. With low electrical consumption and no additional external devices, the innovative self-cleaning glass is capable of quickly removing various contaminants generated on the optical sensor’s lens such as rain and dust that cause the functional failure of the sensors.

In addition, he has published in a top 2% percentile scientific journal and has obtained over 20 domestic and international patents. Not only does Drop Free Glass have an extraordinary academic value, but it also has been recognized as a piece of technology that could bring a far-reaching impact to 6 future industries, having won three consecutive yearly Innovation Awards from CES, the largest consumer products exhibition in the world. After graduated from Microsystems Lab, Kang Yong has founded Microsystems, Inc. with his partners of Microsystems Lab to develop innovative self-cleaning technology. 

In 2020, Kang Yong Lee has led that Microsystems, Inc. was selected among the “Top 100 Companies in the Field of Materials/Components/Equipment”, which was announced by Korea government. Moreover, in 2021, the company was given the highest score in the “200 Baby Unicorn Companies” government project, which seeks to find and support the next K-Unicorn.