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Achieving Technological Self-Reliance via Full Localization of Tap Water Turbidity Meters, Type Approval, and NEP Certification Participating in '2026 Water Technology Seminar' to Share Grand Prize Achievement The.Wave.Talk announced its participation in the upcoming 'Water Journal 2026 Water Technology Seminar' on October 7, where it will showcase its innovative water quality measurement technology and share significant milestones achieved through dedicated R&D. The company recently won the prestigious 'Grand Prize' in the Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco) Benefit-Sharing Program, recognized for successfully localizing continuous automatic turbidity meters (TSC-50/IQ-50) essential for the tap water production process. 10 Months of Intensive R&D… The Fruit of Technological Self-Reliance This accolade was not earned overnight. TheWaveTalk embarked on its localization journey in July 2024 by signing a benefit-sharing agreement with K-eco. Following 10 months of intensive research and development, the joint technical development was completed in May 2025. In April 2026, the company capped off its push for technological independence by taking home the top honor, the 'Grand Prize,' at the Ministry of Environment’s K-eco Win-Win Cooperation Competition. Complete Localization of Turbidity Meters and NEP (New Excellent Product) Certification TheWaveTalk successfully completed 100% domestic localization of the continuous automatic turbidity meter (TSC-50/IQ-50), indispensable to municipal tap water production. Beyond securing official Type Approval, the device's exceptional performance earned it the official NEP (New Excellent Product) certification. This accomplishment carries deep significance as it establishes domestic technological independence in a turbidity measurement market long dominated by foreign equipment. Fruits of Win-Win Cooperation… Presenting Plaque of Appreciation to Head of K-eco Gangwon Headquarters At the upcoming seminar, a special ceremony will be held to present a Plaque of Appreciation to the Head of K-eco's Gangwon Regional Headquarters, honoring his pivotal role in supporting the successful localization and market expansion of the turbidity meters. The plaque will be jointly awarded under the names of the National Assembly Environment Forum, Korea Water Forum, Korean Federation of Environmental Science Societies, and Water Journal/Water Love Newspaper Co., Ltd. As the 6th Head of the Gangwon Regional Headquarters, he dedicated himself to operating the Integrated Water Management Center and led the charge in driving market access for environmental SMEs through benefit-sharing programs. The ceremony will serve as a platform to express deep gratitude for his contributions to water welfare and environmental justice by delivering clean and safe tap water to Gangwon residents.

Challenging the Limits of Ceramic Membrane Filtration with Ultra-Precise Detection Below 0.05 NTU, Powered by Laser Light and Multi-Scattering Technology Contracting with K-Water… Officially Launching the K-Testbed Demonstration TheWaveTalk's outstanding water quality measurement technology has once again taken center stage for rigorous validation at a highly credible field facility. The company recently signed a performance verification agreement with Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) for its regional membrane filtration facility and has officially commenced field testing under the government-backed K-Testbed program. Monitoring Below 0.05 NTU… Navigating the Complexities of Ceramic Membrane Filtration The 'membrane filtration facility' hosting this demonstration presents unique challenges distinct from conventional water treatment processes. The 'ceramic membrane filtration process' utilized here relies on microscopic pores to filter water—an advanced method that maximizes safety but demands far more precise and stringent turbidity management than standard treatment routines. To effectively monitor this process, the system requires ultra-precise detection capable of recognizing minute turbidity fluctuations under 0.05 NTU, alongside real-time, lag-free data transmission to the central control system. Ultra-Precise Measurement via Laser Light and Proprietary Multi-Scattering Technology TheWaveTalk has directly installed its laser-powered continuous automatic turbidity meters (TSC-50/IQ-50) across two filtration lines at the facility. In particular, the company’s core proprietary technologies—'Multi-scattering' and 'Image Analysis'—analyze the multi-scattering patterns generated by laser light within water samples via real-time imaging, delivering unparalleled accuracy down to micro-particle levels. Thanks to these unique technological capabilities, the system is expected to deliver optimal performance even in the demanding ceramic membrane filtration environment. Leveraging the K-Testbed to Expand into Advanced Water Treatment Markets Nationwide This K-Testbed demonstration serves as a premier showcase for the pinnacle of TheWaveTalk's technological capabilities. Successfully proving ultra-precise turbidity measurement below 0.05 NTU under the extreme conditions of a precision filtration process will establish a solid foundation for supplying the company's devices to K-Water’s top-tier, advanced water treatment facilities nationwide.

Signals a Paradigm Shift in Water Quality Management from Water Treatment Plants to Swimming Pools with Field-Tailored Upgrades and Real-Time AI Deep Learning Technology Successful Completion of Daejeon BIRD Mid-Term Evaluation… Project Cruising on Schedule The 'Intelligent Turbidity-Larva Hybrid Detection System,' currently being developed with concentrated R&D by TheWaveTalk, has successfully passed the mid-term evaluation of the Daejeon BIRD Program demonstration support project. Following the execution of the contract on June 9, 2026, equipment installation was completed across two operational field sites on July 21 and 22. Since installation, water quality data collection and system operations have proceeded seamlessly, confirming that the overall project schedule remains well on track. Actively Reflecting Field Feedback… Customized Upgrades Including 'Sample Water Recycling' Throughout the demonstration, TheWaveTalk has gone beyond standard performance verification by actively incorporating feedback from field operators to enhance system capabilities. During on-site inspections, field personnel requested a way to reuse sample water after measurement rather than letting it go to waste. TheWaveTalk immediately embraced this requirement, formulated a customized sample water recycling plan, and swiftly executed system modifications. This proactive responsiveness to operational needs has served as a vital catalyst in elevating the system's overall technical completeness. Developing Differentiated Larva Detection Algorithms Powered by AI Deep Learning In AI deep learning development, data acquisition and algorithmic refinement are progressing smoothly, keeping practical field applicability as the top priority. Moving beyond simple detection of larval presence, the company is building differentiated algorithms optimized for flawless field operation, featuring: Clear classification and analysis distinguishing general foreign debris from larvae Dynamic flow analysis under fluid motion conditions Systematic evaluation of essential field maintenance items and service intervals Key Stakeholders Attend Field Inspection… Resonating with the Need for Pool Implementation Key stakeholders—including representatives from Daejeon City's Future Strategy Office (AI & Strategic Industry Division), Daejeon Technopark (New Growth Industry Division), and the Daejeon Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation—attended the on-site mid-term review meeting to inspect demonstration progress. Observers at the live demonstration expressed high expectations, noting, "We have entered an era where precise water quality measurement for swimming pools is indispensable. Given that no domestic localized solution currently caters to swimming pool water quality monitoring, we strongly agree with the necessity and support for deploying this system, which monitors turbidity and larvae simultaneously." Revolutionizing Water Quality with 24/7 Monitoring… Blueprint to Expand Nationwide Conventional water treatment facilities currently rely on manual methods, such as inspecting mesh filters under a microscope once a day, which severely limits real-time response capabilities. In contrast, TheWaveTalk’s system combines high-resolution imaging with AI to enable 24/7 real-time larva detection, dramatically enhancing both operational convenience and water safety. Building upon these real-time capabilities, TheWaveTalk plans to finalize a concrete commercialization roadmap to roll out the system across water treatment plants nationwide, as well as public and commercial swimming pools closely tied to citizens' daily lives.

Turbidity is a core metric in global drinking water regulations and the most frequently measured parameter across treatment processes. Yet, the underlying measurement method has remained virtually unchanged for nearly 50 years. Relying on the same traditional principle—measuring scattered light as it passes through an optical window—conventional sensors still demand routine cleaning, regular recalibration, and frequent parts replacement. While many products are marketed as "maintenance-free," their operating manuals tell a different story. Rather than preventing contamination at its source, these systems merely design optics to dodge direct buildup. Beneath bold claims of being "factory calibrated," the fine print almost always specifies that "periodic recalibration is required." 50-Year Optical Limitations: THEWAVETALK Solves the Root Cause This contradiction stems from a fundamental optical flaw Conventional sensors measure light intensity at a single instant, making them incapable of distinguishing sensor surface fouling from actual suspended particles in the water. THEWAVETALK broke through this barrier by shifting the paradigm from preventing contamination to measuring through it. By continuously analyzing multi-scattered light, its technology accurately differentiates static surface buildup from moving particles. This proprietary algorithm is embedded directly into a custom ASIC chip, creating a compact 20×30 mm sensor with zero moving parts and zero consumables. Proven data and field validation As South Korea's first laser-based inline turbidimeter to receive official Type Approval from the Ministry of Environment, the sensor has proven its reliability in certified testing, maintaining stable readings even under harsh conditions like flow pulsations and air bubbles. Currently, it is operating completely maintenance-free in real-world public and industrial environments—including water treatment plants (15 months), distribution reservoirs (12 months), steel mills (12 months), and public swimming pools (7 months)—proving its long-term operational durability without any cleaning or recalibration. With maintenance costs reduced to virtually zero, water quality monitoring is no longer restricted to central treatment facilities. It can now be extended across entire distribution pipe networks directly to end-user household water meters (WaveTap, currently in Phase 1 laboratory validation). At the North America Water Technology Roadshow hosted by K-water on August 28, THEWAVETALK presented this technology along with its field-test data. Key stakeholders from major U.S. public water utilities—including LACSD, AlexRenew, MWRDGC, WSSC Water, and Prince William Water—attended to evaluate the technology's capabilities.

As countries worldwide race to construct data centers, securing 'power' has become a critical priority. However, the next major bottleneck beyond electricity will be 'water' (cooling water). Water Demand Projected to Surge Up to 26-Fold Currently, South Korea's 314 data centers consume roughly 35,000 tons of water per day. However, if all approved and planned mega-projects become operational while current cooling methods persist, total power capacity will surge by approximately 26 times, pushing daily water demand up to 850,000 tons. The Trade-Off Between Power and Water Data center cooling is a constant trade-off between power and water. To lighten the heavy burden of electricity bills, operators face an economic reality where they must rely on water-based cooling tower systems. Recycled Water as the Sole Alternative—and a New Risk Google’s data center in Georgia, USA, covers 90% of its cooling water needs with recycled wastewater, cutting tap water reliance by 95%. While recycled water addresses supply volume, it introduces a severe 'water quality' risk: organic matter causing biofilm buildup and heat exchanger contamination. "If You Can't Measure It, You Can't Manage It" Safely utilizing recycled water requires advanced purification systems alongside uninterrupted, real-time water quality monitoring. Conventional sensors requiring frequent cleaning cannot reliably control water quality inside 24/7 operating data center pipelines. As the industry shifts from an era of Volume to an era of Quality, THEWAVETALK’s maintenance-free turbidity monitoring sensor offers a vital solution for managing cooling water in next-generation data centers.

Accuracy is the cornerstone of a turbidimeter. However, conventional optical turbidimeters have constantly required cleaning and recalibration due to sensor contamination. The Wave Talk has broken through this limitation. Our in-line turbidimeter currently installed at a water treatment plant in Gangwon-do has been operating for approximately 15 months without a single instance of sensor cleaning, lamp replacement, or consumable replacement. Ultra-Precise Accuracy Maintained Even during 15 months of maintenance-free operation, accuracy has been sustained through continuous comparative verification by minute, hour, and day against periodically calibrated conventional turbidimeters. It does not even require separate accessories for bubble removal. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Reduced by Over 50% Featuring an initial capital expenditure (CAPEX) comparable to conventional equipment and supporting easy plug-and-play installation, operational expenditure (OPEX) is dramatically eliminated. This reduces the 7-year TCO to less than half of conventional systems. 100% Purchase Conversion Rate Proven by Field Tests Our technology is proven in the field, not just through laboratory data. Currently, field tests and adoptions are underway at dozens of water treatment plants and water treatment facilities nationwide, and 100% of customers who completed Proof of Concept (PoC) testing have converted to actual purchases.

This video is part of The Wave Talk’s in-house project, the Digitized Water Project (DWP). Using our advanced water measurement technology, the project aims to provide valuable insights to help society access cleaner water. Starting with this video, the DWP will span several series, during which we will develop prototype products and conduct various experiments to ensure cleaner water across different sectors. Staying true to The Wave Talk’s mission, we hope to make it possible for more people to drink and use clean, pure water. The turbidity of the water used prior to filtration in this experiment was 0.40 NTU. Please note that the results may vary depending on the quality of the water used.

TheWaveTalk has successfully completed its participation in the 7th cohort of the 2025 Dream Play open innovation program, jointly hosted by LG Display, ENSL Partners, and the Seoul Startup Hub (SBA). The program focused on validating and exploring the commercialization of our deep-learning–based ultrapure water monitoring solution. Over the past seven months since the Kick-Off in March, The.Wave.Talk collaborated with LG Display to complete a Proof of Concept (PoC) on high-speed bacterial detection in ultrapure water. As a result, the company was selected as a top-performing startup and secured a formal pathway for follow-up collaboration with LG Display. A Core Technology for Yield Improvement in Precision Manufacturing AI-generated image inspired by the product used during the PoC TheWaveTalk’s ultrapure water monitoring solution combines laser speckle–based optical measurement with deep-learning analysis to rapidly detect bacterial presence. This capability is critical for improving yield and reducing defects in display and semiconductor manufacturing. Throughout the PoC period, LG Display validated the technology’s performance, accuracy, and operational efficiency in a real precision manufacturing environment. The results confirmed the solution’s strong potential to enhance quality control and productivity. The technology has already received Korea’s New Excellent Technology (NET) certification in 2024 and was recognized globally with a CES 2025 Innovation Award. Follow-Up Collaboration Toward a New Industry Standard Photo from the final evaluation of the ‘2025 Dream Play’ 7th cohort / Photo by ENSL Partners During the final evaluation held on November 11 at LG Science Park in Magok, Seoul, TheWaveTalk was selected as one of the top-performing teams. This milestone lays the groundwork for positioning our deep-learning–based ultrapure water monitoring solution as a new standard in precision manufacturing. A representative from TheWaveTalk commented: “The successful PoC with LG Display is an important milestone demonstrating the practical value of our technology in precision manufacturing. Through continued collaboration, we aim to accelerate development and grow as a leading partner in ultrapure water quality management.” TheWaveTalk will continue working with LG Display to advance quality and efficiency in manufacturing processes and expand its impact across the global display and semiconductor sectors.

Global Public Drinking Water Infrastructure: A Safety Blind Spot Unlike South Korea, where indoor water purifier rentals are widespread, global markets—especially the United States—rely heavily on direct-line public drinking fountains and bottle-filling stations (such as Elkay systems) across schools, parks, offices, and airports. "From US School Mandates to Dubai’s Public Campaign" Louisiana in the U.S. enacted legislation mandating bottle-filling stations in new and renovated school buildings (at least one per floor and per 100–200 occupants). Similarly, Dubai’s "Dubai Can" campaign is expanding refill stations citywide to curb single-use plastic bottles. Driven by rising public health awareness, the global drinking fountain market continues to grow steadily. However, most of these stations are directly connected to main plumbing lines without real-time water quality monitoring. If aging pipes corrode or filter replacements are delayed, contamination remains undetected until an incident occurs—creating a critical safety blind spot. The Scalability Advantage of Public Drinking Fountains Unlike commercial water purifiers leased on individual contracts, public drinking fountains are permanent building fixtures integrated directly into architectural plumbing plans. In countries like the U.S., building and plumbing codes legally mandate a specific number of stations based on occupancy count as a requirement for building completion. Because they are directly plumbed, these stations deliver unlimited continuous flow—ideal for high-traffic venues like museums and stadiums—while eliminating disposable cup and plastic bottle waste. This structural integration allows for far faster, broader adoption than individual rental purifiers. Integrating Real-Time Turbidity Monitoring into Drinking Fountains THEWAVETALK envisions directly integrating our real-time turbidity monitoring system into global public drinking fountains. By continuously tracking filter status and water quality without requiring manual end-user maintenance, our solution safeguards public drinking water. Protecting thousands of daily users with a single sensor, this model delivers an exponential impact per installation that individual water purifiers simply cannot match.

From Research to Industry, and Into Bio THEWAVETALK has been developing core technologies to analyze diverse particle characteristics using proprietary Optical Scattering and Image Analysis. In a recently published paper, we introduced a novel analytical method for high-precision nanoparticle measurement. By combining image-based analysis with data processing technology, we successfully overcame the limitations of conventional optical measurement to deliver far more accurate micro-particle analysis. This achievement proves that our core optical platform can seamlessly scale beyond nanoparticle analysis into a wide range of industrial applications. 👉 Read the Full Paper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/nap2.70193 Proven Technical Excellence: Top-Tier Water Quality Measurement Our AI-based turbidity measurement technology has gained widespread recognition for its excellence through prestigious national certifications and evaluations in South Korea, including: Ministry of Environment Type Approval (K-EPA) NEP (New Excellent Product) Certification K-water New Technology Registration Minister’s Award at the Korea Invention Patent Exhibition These milestones demonstrate that our innovation extends far beyond laboratory results—it is a field-proven, highly reliable technology ready for industrial application. AI-Powered Bacteria Detection in Ultrapure Water (UPW) We are currently developing a new bio-analytical device by integrating deep-learning algorithms into our proven optical scattering technology. This upcoming system aims to detect bacterial contamination in Ultrapure Water (UPW) in under 3 hours. Unlike conventional culture methods that take days to deliver results, our technology offers minimal reagent use, rapid testing times, automated analysis, and low operational costs. It is poised to deliver a game-changing alternative for UPW monitoring across high-tech sectors including semiconductors, displays, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. We are actively pushing forward with development to launch a working prototype within this year. Proven Technology Reliability THEWAVETALK proves its technological maturity through real-world field operations, not just laboratory data. We will continue expanding our field demonstrations across public and private facilities to set the standard for maintenance-free water quality monitoring.

Innovative Maintenance-Free Turbidimeters, Proven in the Field THE.WAVE.TALK’s proprietary optical and image analysis technologies are solving long-standing pain points in real-world water quality management. Conventional optical water quality meters frequently suffer from sensor fouling and ongoing calibration issues. Our turbidimeter overcomes these challenges, earning both Ministry of Environment Type Approval (0–10 NTU) and NEP (New Excellent Product) certification in South Korea. Building on this government-validated technology, we have expanded our measurement range up to 0–50 NTU for swimming pool environments and are successfully conducting multiple on-site field demonstrations. Public Swimming Pool in Seoul: Maintenance-Free Since February 2026 Since its installation, our water quality monitoring system has been operating reliably for six consecutive months with zero maintenance. By completely eliminating the need for manual sensor cleaning by field personnel, this site serves as a prime case study demonstrating how facility operational expenditure (OPEX) can be dramatically reduced. Launching New Field Validation at Public Swimming Pool in Gyeonggi Building on the high reliability demonstrated in our initial project, we launched a new field demonstration this past July, rapidly building out our operational track record. Two Major Municipal Swimming Pools Equipped with Larva Detection Monitoring At two major facilities in Daejeon, our turbidimeters have been upgraded with an integrated Larva Detection Monitoring feature. Our proprietary image analysis and deep-learning algorithms accurately distinguish subtle pattern differences between larvae and harmless elements like air bubbles, minimizing false alarms while precisely detecting micro-larvae as small as 1 mm. Operating 24/7 autonomously, the system instantly triggers real-time alerts to the central control monitoring system upon detecting larvae. This enables operators to take immediate corrective action before contaminated water enters the pool, establishing a rapid, reliable defense against complex water quality threats. Proven Technology Reliability THEWAVETALK proves its technological maturity through real-world field operations, not just laboratory data. We will continue expanding our field demonstrations across public and private facilities to set the standard for maintenance-free water quality monitoring.

Resolving the Fatal Bottleneck of Detecting Contamination 48 Hours Too Late Biological contamination in the Ultrapure Water (UPW) lines—the core of semiconductor yield and bio/pharmaceutical quality—leads directly to astronomical production losses. However, traditional microbial cultivation methods typically take 24 to 48 hours to confirm results, making immediate initial response structurally impossible when contamination occurs. To completely eliminate this fatal industry bottleneck, THE WAVE TALK is set to officially launch the game-changer, Alert-Culti 500, in the second half of 2026, redefining the paradigm of microbial testing in advanced industries. The Core of Alert-Culti 500: Time Innovation and Precision Deep Learning Object Recognition Ruling out the inaccuracy of traditional visual inspections while maximizing field speed and efficiency, this device delivers the following overwhelming capabilities: Revolutionary Testing Time Reduction (Under 6 Hours): The Alert-Culti 500 radically reduces the sterility testing time in ultrapure water to under 6 hours. This eliminates the "blind time" of contamination awareness and minimizes damage to the processing line. Fusion of Precision Laser Optical Technology and Advanced Algorithms: We have fully integrated our precision laser optical technology with our proprietary image analysis and deep learning algorithm. Based on laser scattering signals, our advanced AI precisely targets trace amounts of microbial growth and early patterns, pushing data credibility and alarm reliability to the absolute limit. Minimized Pre-treatment and Maximized Usability for Non-Experts: Designed for immediate use in industrial sites, we minimized pre-treatment processes, thereby eliminating human errors. By adopting an intuitive User Interface (UI), we have maximized usability so that general field operators, not just specialized microbiologists, can operate the equipment instantly without complex training. Official Launch in H2 2026: Securing the Water Safety Net for High-Tech Industries The Alert-Culti 500 flawlessly resolves the critical time delays of traditional microbial testing, providing overwhelming labor productivity and risk-blocking effects for advanced B2B industries where UPW is vital.