Kaist

KAIST Develops New Concept Hologram Technology Whe..

<(From Left)Dr. Joonkyo Jung. Professor Jonghwa Shin> A new type of hologram technology has been developed that uses the motion of light as a “key,” revealing information only under specific conditions. This is gaining attention as a novel approach that can simultaneously overcome the limitations of existing optical communication and security technologies. KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 4th of May that a research team led by Professor Jonghwa Shin from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering has developed a next-generation vectorial hologram metasurface that uses the “total angular momentum (TAM)＊” of light as a key for information selection, enabling the realization of different vectorial images depending on the state of the incident light. ＊Total Angular Momentum (TAM): a physical quantity that represents both the vibration direction (polarization) and rotational (twisting) properties of light, enabling the creation of precise vectorial images whose intensity and polarization distribution vary depending on the state of light Previously, research utilizing either the vibration direction of light, known as “polarization,” or the property of light twisting in a helical form, known as “orbital angular momentum (OAM),” had been actively pursued. However, independently controlling these two properties within a single device had long been considered an unsolved challenge in the field of optics. To address this, the research team precisely designed nanoscale structures much smaller than the thickness of a human hair and implemented a “bi-layer metasurface” by stacking them in two layers. A metasurface is an optical device based on ultra-fine artificial structures designed to freely control the direction and properties of light. This device uses the “total angular momentum (TAM),” which combines the polarization and degree of twist of light, like a complex encryption key. In other words, the device responds and reconstructs hidden information only when light with a specific vibration pattern and a specific number of twists is incident. With this technology, even if light appears identical externally, the information cannot be read without the designated “light key,” ensuring high security. <Conceptual Diagram of the Study> In addition, the twisting state of light (OAM) can theoretically take on a very wide range of values, significantly increasing the amount of information that can be carried by a single light beam. This also enables expansion into ultra-high-capacity optical communication technologies capable of transmitting far more data simultaneously than before. In particular, this study is meaningful in that it goes beyond simple intensity-only image implementation and achieves a “vectorial hologram” that precisely controls the vibration direction (polarization) of light at each point in the image. A vectorial hologram is a high-dimensional holographic technology that represents not only the intensity of light but also its vibration direction information. <Vector hologram that generates independent intensity and polarization images depending on the conditions of the incident light> This achievement is the first demonstration that two key properties of light—polarization and twist—which had been difficult to separate physically, can be independently controlled within a single device. This is expected to enable applications not only in next-generation display technologies such as immersive holograms, smart glasses, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) devices, but also in various fields including anti-counterfeiting security labels and ultra-high-speed optical communication. Professor Jonghwa Shin stated, “This study demonstrates that polarization and twist, which are fundamental properties of light, can be combined into a single independent information key and freely utilized,” adding, “It will evolve into a key platform for security systems that are difficult to replicate and for ultra-high-speed, ultra-high-capacity optical communication technologies.” This study, with Dr. Joonkyo Jung as the first author, was published online on March 12 in the international journal Advanced Materials. ※ Paper title: “Arbitrary Total Angular Momentum Vectorial Holography Using Bi-Layer Metasurfaces,” DOI: 10.1002/adma.202519106 This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT through the “Nano Materials Technology Development Program” and the “Group Research Support Program,” as well as by the Ministry of Trade.

Abandoned Fallen Leaves Transformed into ‘Biodegra..

<(From left) (Top to bottom) Professor Jaewook Myung of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dr. Shinhyeong Choe, Ph.D candidate Yongjun Cho, M.S candidate Hoseong Moon, (Center) Ph,D candidate Pham Thanh Trung Ninh> Fallen leaves, which were discarded every year, have been transformed into a resource that can replace waste plastics, a major nuisance in rural areas. A research team at our university has developed biodegradable agricultural vinyl made from fallen leaves, presenting a new way to solve the problem of conventional plastic vinyl, which has been pointed out as a cause of soil pollution. KAIST announced on April 30th that a research team led by Professor Jaewook Myung of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering developed an eco-friendly agricultural mulch film (an agricultural vinyl that covers the soil to suppress weeds and maintain moisture) that decomposes in the ground using fallen leaves collected from the campus and near the Gapcheon River in Daejeon. This research is significant in that it converted fallen leaves, which are non-edible biomass (plant resources not used for food) that were discarded as useless, into high-value functional materials. Mulch films, widely used in agricultural fields, are essential materials for suppressing weed growth and maintaining soil moisture. However, most films currently used are made of polyethylene (PE, a representative petroleum-based plastic), making them difficult to collect after use. Residuals left in the soil turn into microplastics (plastic particles so small they are invisible to the naked eye), causing environmental pollution. To extract key components from fallen leaves, the research team utilized a Hydrated Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES, a special eco-friendly solvent with low toxicity) that mixes citric acid and choline chloride. Through this, they extracted nanocellulose (plant-derived nanofibers with high strength and eco-friendliness) obtainable from plant cell walls and combined it with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, a water-soluble and naturally degradable polymer material) to produce a composite film. In particular, the eco-friendliness was further enhanced by performing all manufacturing processes based on water instead of harmful organic solvents. The "fallen leaf film" developed in this way showed sufficient performance even in actual agricultural environments. As a result of the experiment, it effectively blocked ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB) and exhibited moisturizing performance that suppressed soil moisture loss to a level of about 5％ for 14 days. In addition, ryegrass grown using this film showed better growth status than cases where no film was used. <Figure 1. An eco-friendly strategy that upcycles low-utilization fallen leaves into biodegradable mulching film for natural soil, along with the concept of applying sustainable plasticulture.> <Figure 2. A schematic diagram of the fabrication process and self-assembly mechanism by which a mulching film is formed through complex hydrogen-bonding interactions> Biodegradation performance was also confirmed. As a result of testing under soil conditions, the developed film decomposed by 34.4％ in about 115 days, showing a faster decomposition rate than conventional biodegradable films. Furthermore, it was confirmed that plant toxicity (harmful effects on plant germination or growth) did not occur during the decomposition process, thus not affecting the germination and early growth of ryegrass and bok choy. Professor Jaewook Myung said, “This research is meaningful in that it went beyond simply processing fallen leaves and converted them into functional materials that can protect the agricultural environment. Through the use of fallen leaves that do not compete with food resources and water-based processes, it can be utilized as a sustainable alternative technology for agricultural plastics.” This research was participated in by Pham Thanh Trung Ninh, a PhD student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, as the first author. The research results were published on February 6, 2026, in ‘Green Chemistry,’ an international academic journal in the fields of chemistry and environment, and were selected as the journal’s inside front cover. ※ Paper Title: All-water-based fabrication of biodegradable mulch films from dead leaves via complex hydrogen-bonded networks, DOI: 10.1039/d5gc06616f (Author Information: Pham Thanh Trung Ninh (KAIST, First Author), Shinhyeong Choe (KAIST), Yongjun Cho (KAIST), Hoseong Moon (KAIST), Jaewook Myung (KAIST, Corresponding Author) total of 5 persons) <Figure 3. The inside front cover page of the latest issue of the Green Chemistry journal> Meanwhile, this research was conducted with the support of the Excellent Young Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea under the Ministry of Science and ICT and the KAIST Grand Challenge 30 project funds.

KAIST Identifies Multiple Viruses and Variants Sim..

<Professor Sungmin Son, (From Upper Left) Professor Dan Fletcher, Professor Melaine Ott> As the spread of infectious diseases accelerates, technologies that can accurately distinguish multiple viruses in a single test are becoming increasingly important. KAIST and an international research team have developed a new diagnostic technology that simultaneously identifies various viruses and variants by controlling the “speed” of gene scissors. This technology is expected to transform responses to emerging infectious diseases, as it can detect multiple infections at once while reducing the complexity of testing procedures. KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 26th of April that a research team led by Professor Sungmin Son from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, in collaboration with researchers from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and the Gladstone Institutes, has developed a new ribonucleic acid (RNA) diagnostic technology that can distinguish multiple viruses and variants simultaneously by utilizing the reaction speed of gene scissors. The tool used by the research team is a CRISPR-based protein called Cas13. Gene scissors are proteins that locate and cut specific genetic material, becoming activated when they recognize their target. Cas13 specifically targets RNA. When it finds its target, it becomes activated and cuts surrounding RNA, generating a fluorescent signal. Existing technologies require the use of different gene scissors or various fluorescent colors to detect multiple viruses simultaneously, making the system complex and difficult to apply in real-world settings. The research team took a different approach. They focused on the fact that when gene scissors bind to their target, the speed of “cutting” varies depending on the type of virus. By observing at the single-molecule level within tiny droplets, they confirmed that unique reaction speed patterns emerge depending on the combination of guide RNA and target RNA. Guide RNA is an RNA molecule that provides “positional information,” guiding the gene scissors to their target. < Conceptual diagram of kinetic barcoding using the reaction rate of the CRISPR Cas13 enzyme. The dashed area on the right represents the guide RNA region modified to control the reaction rate. > Based on this, the research team developed a “kinetic barcoding” technology that uses differences in reaction speed like a barcode. This method interprets reaction speeds as signal patterns to distinguish different viruses. Through this technology, it became possible to simultaneously identify multiple viruses and variants using only a single type of gene scissors. < Multiplex virus detection using microdroplet-based kinetic barcoding > In addition, by adjusting the design of guide RNA, the cutting speed of gene scissors can be tuned, enabling scalable and simultaneous detection of a wide range of viruses. The testing process has also been greatly simplified. In conventional methods, detecting RNA viruses requires a “reverse transcription” process that converts RNA into DNA, but this technology enables direct detection of RNA as it is. Reverse transcription is a step that increases testing time and complicates procedures. When tested on actual clinical samples, the technology successfully distinguished various respiratory viruses and SARS-CoV-2 variants in a single reaction. Professor Sungmin Son stated, “This study goes beyond simply determining whether a virus is present, and is the first case to use the reaction speed of gene scissors as a new form of diagnostic information,” adding, “It will become a next-generation platform capable of diagnosing various infectious diseases at once in the field.” This study was led by Professor Sungmin Son of KAIST as the first author and co-corresponding author, and was published on March 31, 2026, in the world-renowned journal in bioengineering, Nature Biomedical Engineering. ※ Paper title: “Programmable kinetic barcoding for multiplexed RNA detection with Cas13a,” DOI: 10.1038/s41551-026-01642-6 This research was supported by KAIST’s New Faculty Settlement Research Fund and by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIAID).

AI Computation Enables Clearer Views of the Deep B..

< Professor Iksung Kang, KAIST > Observing the depths of a living brain with clarity has traditionally required expensive, high-end equipment. However, a KAIST research team has advanced neuroscience research by developing a physics-based AI computational algorithm that restores blurred images into sharp ones without the need for additional optical measurement hardware. KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on April 21st that Professor Iksung Kang (School of Electrical Engineering), in collaboration with Professor Na Ji's research team at UC Berkeley, has developed a technology that accurately corrects image aberrations in microscopes used for live biological imaging. Notably, the experimental design and algorithm development – the core components of this technology – were led by Professor Kang during his postdoctoral fellowship in Professor Na Ji’s group. This breakthrough was achieved using Neural Fields — a neural network-based technology that continuously represents 3D spatial structures to simultaneously reconstruct clear images and volumetric forms. The research team utilized Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy, a core technology for observing deep within living biological tissues by using two low-energy photons simultaneously to selectively illuminate specific points. However, as light passes through thick tissue, it bends and scatters, causing the image to become blurred — much like how objects appear distorted underwater. This phenomenon is known as optical aberration. Previously, correcting these distortions required adding complex and costly hardware, such as wavefront sensors, which measure exactly how much the light path has deviated. < Framework for Integrated Distortion Correction in Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy > In contrast, the research team developed an algorithm that inversely calculates how light was distorted using only the captured image data and corrects it. In other words, it is a method of restoring image clarity by analyzing blurred photos, without relying on any additional equipment. The core of this technology is a machine learning algorithm based on the Neural Fields model. This algorithm tracks the distortion process that occurs as light travels, implementing an integrated technology that compensates not only for optical aberrations caused by biological tissue but also for microscopic movements of the living specimen and alignment errors of the microscope itself. As a result, the team successfully and reliably obtained high-resolution, high-contrast images from deep within biological tissues, without any separate aberration measurement or correction devices. This research is particularly significant because it overcomes the conventional limitation that “better images require more expensive equipment” by solving the problem through a software-based approach. This is expected to lower the burden of research equipment costs and allow more researchers to perform precise brain observations. < Comparison of images using a framework that integrates correction for optical aberrations, sample motion, and microscope errors (AI-generated image) > Professor Iksung Kang stated, “This research opens the way to see more accurately inside living organisms by combining optics and artificial intelligence technology. Moving forward, we plan to develop this into an intelligent optical imaging system where the microscope itself finds the optimal image.” This study was published on April 13th in Nature Methods, a leading methodology journal in the field of life sciences. Paper Title: Adaptive optical correction for in vivo two-photon fluorescence microscopy with neural fields DOI: 10.1038/s41592-026-03053-6 Authors: Iksung Kang (KAIST, Co-corresponding & First Author), Hyeonggeon Kim, Ryan Natan, Qinrong Zhang, Stella X. Yu, & Na Ji (UC Berkeley, Co-corresponding Author)

Zero-Crease Foldable Technology to Shift the Parad..

< Professor Phil-Seung Lee (center), Master’s graduate Jun-han Bae (top left) > The "crease," long considered the biggest weakness of foldable smartphones, has been pointed out as a major obstacle to market expansion, causing screen distortion and reduced durability over repeated use. A research team at KAIST has presented a solution to this problem, marking a turning point for foldables to leap forward as the standard for next-generation smartphones. Furthermore, the technology is expected to establish itself as a core component of the future mobile industry, expanding into various devices such as laptops. KAIST announced on April 20th that a research team led by Professor Phil-Seung Lee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering has developed an original technology capable of fundamentally solving the crease issue that occurs at the folding area of foldable smartphone displays and has registered a patent for it. The team has secured global technological competitiveness by filing patent applications in the United States, China, and the European Union (EU), in addition to South Korea. While global smartphone companies have attempted to solve this issue through massive R&D investments for years, they have yet to achieve the complete removal of the crease. Consequently, the industry has identified the crease problem as the single greatest barrier to the widespread adoption of the foldable smartphone market. The research team began their study to resolve the inconveniences they personally experienced while using mobile foldable phones. After disassembling dozens of used foldable phones and repeating various experiments, they derived a solution by innovatively redesigning the "adhesive area" between the display and the supporting plate. The core of the design is ensuring that deformation is not concentrated in a specific folding area but is instead distributed to the surrounding sections. Through this, they perfectly demonstrated the feasibility of a "crease-free foldable" while maintaining normal smartphone functionality. To verify performance, the team shone a straight-line LED light onto the screen. Unlike commercial products where the light refracts and the straight line appears curved at the fold, the prototype maintained a sharp, straight reflection without any distortion. Notably, no visual distortion appeared even under conditions sensitive enough to detect minute curves with a crease depth of less than 0.1mm. < Display surface reflecting a straight-line LED lamp > This technology presents a new design paradigm that surpasses the limitations faced by the current industry. It not only fundamentally suppresses the formation of creases but also ensures superior durability by minimizing deformation even after tens of thousands of folding cycles. Furthermore, because the structure is intuitive and simple, it can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes. It is expected to have high industrial utility, as it can be expanded beyond smartphones to various foldable display devices, including tablets and laptops. < Core idea of the invention: (a) Adhesive and non-adhesive areas of a conventional foldable smartphone, (b) Adhesive and non-adhesive areas in this invention, (c) Stress distribution in a conventional foldable smartphone display, (d) Stress distribution in a foldable smartphone display applying this technology > Industry experts anticipate that the commercialization of this technology will encourage global companies—which have been hesitant to enter the market due to crease issues—to participate. This is projected to significantly improve consumer satisfaction and accelerate the growth of the stagnating foldable market. Professor Phil-Seung Lee stated, "We have solved a challenge that global giants could not resolve, using a relatively simple and clear method. We expect this technology to spread across next-generation displays, including laptops and tablets, further strengthening Korea's technological competitiveness." Meanwhile, this research was conducted with support from the "2022 Daedeok Innopolis Campus Project," and the patent for the related original technology was registered on September 9, 2025.

Development of Dream Battery Material： Air-Stable ..

<(Bottom row, from left) Dr. Jae-Seung Kim (Seoul National University), Prof. Dong-Hwa Seo (KAIST), Researcher Heeju Park (KAIST), Researcher Jiwon Seo, Researcher Jinyeong Choe. (Top row, from left) Researcher Hae-Yong Kim (Dongguk University), Prof. Eunryeol Lee (Chungbuk National University), Prof. Kyung-Wan Nam (Dongguk University), Prof. Yoon Seok Jung (Yonsei University)> Expectations are rising for all-solid-state batteries—the "dream battery" with low fire risk—not only for electric vehicles but also for various fields such as robotics and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). A research team at our university has presented a new design principle that simultaneously overcomes the limitations of solid electrolytes, which were previously vulnerable to air exposure and suffered from low performance. This technology is gaining significant attention as it can enhance both battery safety and charging speeds, demonstrating the feasibility of commercializing next-generation all-solid-state batteries. KAIST announced on April 16th that a research team led by Professor Dong-Hwa Seo from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, through joint research with teams from Dongguk University (President Jae-Woong Yoon), Yonsei University (President Dong-Sup Yoon), and Chungbuk National University (Acting President Yu-Sik Park), has developed a design technology for solid electrolytes used in all-solid-state batteries. This technology maintains structural stability even when exposed to air while dramatically increasing ionic conductivity. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that use liquid electrolytes, all-solid-state batteries are spotlighted as next-generation batteries due to their low fire risk. Among these, halide-based solid electrolytes—which contain halogen elements such as chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br)—are advantageous in terms of performance due to their high ionic conductivity. However, they are known to be difficult materials to manufacture and handle because they are highly vulnerable to moisture in the air, which easily degrades their performance. To solve this problem, the research team introduced a new structure called "Oxygen Anchoring." This method involves stably bonding oxygen inside the electrolyte to strengthen its structural intergrity, a process in which the element Tungsten plays a key role. < Research image on tungsten-based oxygen fixation strategy > As a result, it was confirmed that the electrolyte maintains a stable structure without collapsing, even in air-exposed environments. Furthermore, the research team improved battery performance in addition to stability. The changes in the internal structure of the electrolyte widened the pathways for lithium ions, allowing them to move more smoothly and increasing the ion migration speed. It was confirmed that the oxygen-incorporated material exhibited an ionic conductivity approximately 2.7 times higher than that of conventional zirconium (Zr)-based halide solid electrolytes. Another feature of this technology is that it is not limited to a specific material. The research team applied the same strategy to various halide solid electrolytes, including those based on zirconium (Zr), indium (In), yttrium (Y), and erbium (Er), and confirmed similar effects. This demonstrates that it is a "universal design principle" applicable to a wide range of battery materials. < Research image (AI-generated image) > The research team expects this technology to contribute to the development of solid electrolytes that possess both air stability and high performance. Professor Dong-Hwa Seo stated, "This study presents a new material design principle that optimizes multiple performances through a structural design strategy that simultaneously improves air stability and ionic conductivity. It will serve as a key indicator for future all-solid-state battery research and process development." This study involved Jae-Seung Kim (formerly KAIST, now SNU), Heeju Park, and Hae-Yong Kim as joint first authors. The research included contributions from Eunryeol Lee, Heewon Kim, Soeul Lee, Jinyeong Choe, Jiwon Seo, Hyeon-Jong Lee, Hojoon Kim, Jemin Yeon, and Yoon Seok Jung. The findings were published on March 6, 2026, in the international academic journal Advanced Energy Materials. Paper Title: Universal Oxychlorination Strategy in Halide Solid Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Batteries DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202506744 This research was conducted with support from the Samsung Electronics Future Technology Promotion Center and the Nano and Materials Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea. Computational studies were performed using the resources of the National Supercomputing Center.

Breakthrough in Data Processing via Light Control...

< (From left) Undergraduate researcher Taewon Kim and Professor Sangsik Kim > A new technology has been developed that allows light to be "designed" into desired forms, potentially making Artificial Intelligence (AI) and communication technologies faster and more accurate. A KAIST research team has developed an "integrated photonic resonator"—a core component of next-generation optical integrated circuits that process data using light. The research is particularly significant as it was led by an undergraduate student. This technology is expected to serve as a key foundation for next-generation security technologies such as high-speed data processing and quantum communication. KAIST announced on the 15th that a research team led by Professor Sangsik Kim from the School of Electrical Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Jae Woong Yoon’s team from the Department of Physics at Hanyang University (President Kigeong Lee), has developed a new integrated photonic resonator structure capable of freely controlling optical signals by utilizing light interference (the phenomenon where two light waves meet and influence each other). Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) process data at ultra-high speeds and with low power consumption using light. They are garnering significant attention as a fundamental platform technology for next-generation fields such as AI, data centers, and quantum information processing. The core of this technology lies in the precision with which light can be controlled. Specifically, the ability to freely adjust the spectrum (color or wavelength distribution) and phase response (timing or wave position) of optical signals is essential for implementing high-performance optical communication and computing. However, conventional methods have faced fundamental limitations. The integrated photonic resonator (optical resonator) focused on by the research team is a key optical device that traps light in a specific space to amplify it or select specific colors (wavelengths), similar to how the body of a musical instrument amplifies sound. However, existing single-bus resonators have had limitations in precisely adjusting the phase and spectrum of optical signals. To overcome these challenges, the research team introduced a "dual-bus" structure. This design allows light that has passed through the resonator to recombine with light that has not, enabling precise control over interference. This allows for the free design of optical signals into desired forms, making it possible to control various types of light signals that were previously difficult to implement. By applying this technology, the research team secured new characteristics for more precise control of wavelength properties and presented new possibilities for non-linear frequency conversion research (changing the color of light). Utilizing this technology enables faster and more accurate data processing, which is expected to provide the groundwork for performance enhancements in future high-speed data centers, AI accelerators, and quantum communication systems. This research is especially meaningful as it was led by an undergraduate student. Taewon Kim, an undergraduate student who conducted the study through the KAIST Undergraduate Research Program (URP), stated, "I was able to develop the resonator principles I learned in the Introduction to Integrated Optics class into actual device designs and a published paper." < Research Image of the Dual-bus Resonator > Professor Sangsik Kim remarked, "This study goes beyond proposing a new device; it demonstrates that by precisely analyzing previously overlooked optical characteristics, physical limitations can be overcome. We expect this to contribute broadly to the development of optics-based AI accelerators and optical communication technologies." KAIST undergraduate student Taewon Kim participated as the lead author of this study, and the results were published on March 6th in the international optics journal, Laser & Photonics Reviews. Paper Title: Dual-bus resonator for multi-port spectral engineering DOI: 10.1002/lpor.202502935 Authors: Taewon Kim, Mehedi Hasan, Yu Sung Choi, Jae Woong Yoon, and Sangsik Kim This research was supported by the KAIST URP Program, the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), the U.S. Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AOARD), and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF).

AI Fixed ＇Temporal Errors＇... Enhancing Reliabilit..

<Ph.D candidate Soyeon Kim, (From Left)Jindong Wang (Microsoft; currently at the College of William & Mary), Xing Xie (Microsoft), and Steven Euijong Whang (Professor at KAIST)> What if ChatGPT answered with the name of a minister from a year ago when asked, "Who was the minister inaugurated last month?" This is a prime example of the limitations of AI that fails to properly reflect the latest information. Our university’s research team has developed a new evaluation technology that automatically reflects changing real-world information while catching "temporal errors" that may appear correct on the surface. This is expected to drastically improve AI reliability. KAIST announced on April14th that a research team led by Professor Steven Euijong Whang from the School of Electrical Engineering, in joint research with Microsoft Research, has developed a system that automatically evaluates and diagnoses the temporal reasoning capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs) using temporal database technology. For AI to earn user trust, the ability to accurately understand real-world information that changes moment by moment is essential. However, existing evaluation methods only checked whether the answer matched or failed to sufficiently reflect complex temporal relationships, making it difficult to properly evaluate various question scenarios occurring in actual environments. To solve this, the research team introduced "Temporal Database" design theory—which has been verified over the past 40 years—into AI evaluation for the first time. By utilizing the temporal flow and relational structure of data, the core of this technology is the automatic generation of 13 types of complex time-based problems from the database itself, without the need for humans to manually write evaluation questions. <Schematic Diagram of the Evaluation Framework Proposed in This Study> In particular, this technology is evaluated as a major innovation because it shifts from the traditional method where humans manually created problems to a method where evaluation questions are automatically generated based on data. Furthermore, by automating the entire process from problem generation to answer derivation and verification based on the database, the burden of maintenance can be drastically reduced without the need to manually modify questions as was previously required. When real-world information changes, the evaluation questions, answers, and verification criteria are automatically updated simply by updating the corresponding content in the database. While the input of the latest information itself is handled by external data or administrators, this technology is structured to perform the overall evaluation automatically after such data is updated. Additionally, moving beyond the existing method of simply judging whether the final answer is correct or incorrect, the research team introduced a new metric that verifies the logical validity of dates or periods presented during the answering process. Through this, they achieved a performance improvement in detecting "Temporal Hallucination" phenomena—where an answer appears correct but has the wrong temporal basis—by an average of 21.7％ more accurately than before. Applying this technology can significantly reduce evaluation maintenance costs since only the database needs to be updated when information changes, and it showed an effect of reducing the amount of input data by an average of 51％ compared to previous methods. <Future AI Evaluation System (AI-Generated Image)> Professor Steven Euijong Whang stated, "This research is an example showing that classical database design theory can play a crucial role in solving the reliability issues of the latest AI. By converting vast amounts of professional data into evaluation resources, we expect this to become a practical foundation for verifying AI performance in various fields such as medicine and law in the future." Soyeon Kim, a PhD student at KAIST, participated as the lead author of this study, and Jindong Wang (Microsoft Research, currently at William & Mary) and Xing Xie (Microsoft Research) participated as co-authors. The research results will be presented this April at ICLR 2026, the most prestigious academic conference in the field of artificial intelligence. Paper Title: Harnessing Temporal Databases for Systematic Evaluation of Factual Time-Sensitive Question-Answering in Large Language Models Paper Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.02045 Meanwhile, this research was conducted with support from Microsoft Research, the National Research Foundation of Korea, and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) Global AI Frontier Lab projects (RS-2024-00469482, RS-2024-00509258).

KAIST Presents Roadmap for AFM Utilization in Next..

<(From Left) Ph. D candidate Yeongyu Kim, Professor Seungbum Hong, Ph.D candidate Kunwoo Park> For smartphones and computers to become smaller and faster, technologies capable of precisely controlling electrical properties at the nanoscale—beyond what is visible to the naked eye—are essential. In particular, ferroelectric materials, which can maintain their electrical state without external power, are gaining attention as key components for next-generation memory and sensor technologies. However, due to their extremely small size, there have been limitations in precisely observing the internal changes occurring within these materials. KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 4th of April that a research team led by Professor Seungbum Hong from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering has published a review paper systematically outlining research strategies for ferroelectric materials based on atomic force microscopy (AFM), addressing these limitations. The research team proposed new strategies for utilizing AFM to precisely control electrical properties at the nanoscale and presented a direction for next-generation materials research. Ferroelectric materials possess electric polarization similar to magnetism, and this property enables the realization of memory devices that retain information even without power, as well as highly sensitive sensors. As semiconductor devices continue to shrink, nanoscale physical phenomena increasingly determine overall device performance, making technologies capable of precisely analyzing and controlling these phenomena more important than ever. The team presented an integrated analytical framework that uses AFM to both observe and directly manipulate materials at the nanoscale. AFM is a device that scans surfaces using an extremely fine probe to obtain atomic-level information, effectively serving as both the “eye” and “hand” of the nanoscale world. Based on AFM, which measures physical and electrical properties at the atomic scale by scanning surfaces with a fine probe, the researchers established a system that integrates various techniques—including piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) for measuring electrical responses, Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) for analyzing surface potential, and conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) for measuring current flow—into a unified framework. This allows for a three-dimensional understanding of material structures and charge distributions. This approach goes beyond simple observation and represents the evolution of AFM into a research platform capable of directly designing and manipulating data domains at the nanoscale by applying electrical stimuli through the probe. Furthermore, AFM can apply electrical stimulation or mechanical pressure directly to extremely small nanoscale regions, enabling changes and control of material properties. In other words, it has evolved from a tool that merely observes to one that enables design and experimentation at the nanoscale. In particular, this study demonstrates applications in evaluating and improving the performance of next-generation semiconductor materials such as two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides like molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and ultrathin hafnium–zirconium oxide (HfZrO₂)-based materials. The research team also proposed future directions involving the integration of high-speed AFM with artificial intelligence (AI), enabling rapid interpretation of complex nanoscale structures that are difficult for humans to analyze manually, as well as more efficient design of advanced materials. < Research Image (AI-Generated Image) > Professor Seungbum Hong stated, “This review shows that atomic force microscopy has evolved beyond a simple observation tool into a key process technology for designing and precisely controlling advanced materials,” adding, “Analytical techniques combined with artificial intelligence will play a critical role in securing technological competitiveness in next-generation semiconductor and energy materials.” This review was led by Yeongyu Kim (Doctoral student) and Kunwoo Park (integrated MS–PhD program student), both from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at KAIST, as co-first authors. The research was recognized for its excellence and published as a front cover article in the international journal Journal of Materials Chemistry C, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, on February 26. ※ Paper title: “Atomic Force Microscopy for Ferroelectric Materials Research” DOI: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2026/tc/d5tc03998c < Front Cover Selection Image for Journal of Materials Chemistry C (JMCC) > This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea through the project on developing an AI platform for multi-scale data-integrated lithium secondary battery design, and has been recognized as establishing a new milestone in the field of nanomaterials.

Era of Ultra-Slim, Wide Field-of-View and , High-R..

<(From left) Young-Gil Cha, Hyun-Kyung Kim, Jae-Myeong Kwon, Professor Ki-Hun Jeong, (Top right) Professor Min H. Kim> A breakthrough technology has emerged to fundamentally solve the "camera protrusion/thickness issue," which has been a persistent limitation as smart devices become thinner. KAIST research team has developed an ultra-thin camera that achieves a wide 140-degree field of view (FOV) without any lens protrusion. This technology is expected to be applied across various fields, including medical endoscopes, wearable devices, and micro-robots. On the 7th, a joint research team led by Professor Ki-Hun Jeong from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering and Professor Min H. Kim from the School of Computing announced the development of a "wide-angle biomimetic camera." Inspired by insect vision, the camera is exceptionally thin yet boasts a vast field of view. The team successfully secured a diagonal FOV of 140 degrees—surpassing human peripheral vision—within an ultra-thin structure of less than 1 mm, roughly the thickness of a coin. High-performance wide-angle cameras typically require multiple stacked lenses, inevitably leading to increased thickness. To overcome this, the research team focused on the visual structure of the parasitic insect Xenos peckii. <Conceptual diagram of the camera structure mimicking insect compound eye principles and photos of the manufactured ultra-thin camera> While typical insect compound eyes offer a wide FOV, they suffer from low resolution. Conversely, single-lens cameras provide high resolution but limited FOV. Xenos peckii, however, possesses a unique visual system where multiple eyes capture partial segments of a scene, which the brain then integrates into a single high-resolution image. By introducing this "split-capture and integration" principle into the camera architecture, the team simultaneously achieved both thinness and high image quality. This overcomes the low-resolution issues of conventional compound eye cameras and the narrow FOV limits of single-lens systems. <Result of reconstructing a single scene by combining partial images captured via a microlens array> The team implemented a method where several micro-lenses with ellipsoidal shape capture different directions simultaneously, merging them into one sharp image without optical aberration. Notably, by precisely adjusting the lens shape and light entry points, they prevented blurring at the edges of the frame. As a result, uniform clarity is maintained from the center to the periphery, enabling stable imaging even at very close ranges. With a thickness of only 0.94 mm, this ultra-thin camera is expected to bring innovation to space-constrained fields. It can significantly enhance image acquisition efficiency for medical endoscopes requiring precise observation of narrow areas, as well as for micro-robots and wearable healthcare equipment. This technology shifts the design paradigm from increasing device size for better performance to enabling high-performance imaging in ultra-small form factors. <Results of photographing actual subjects at close range: microfluidic channels (20 mm distance), oral models (30 mm), and human faces (50 mm)> Furthermore, the research team has completed a technology transfer to MicroPix Co., Ltd., a specialist in optical imaging, with the goal of full-scale commercialization by next year. "Conventional wide-angle cameras faced a trade-off where reducing size lowered resolution, and increasing resolution enlarged the device," explained Professor Ki-Hun Jeong. "By applying visual principles from nature, we have secured both a wide FOV and stable image quality in an ultra-compact structure. This is a new image acquisition method usable even in extreme space-constrained environments." Jae-Myeong Kwon, Ph.D candidate at KAIST, participated as the lead author. The study was published on March 23 in the world-renowned academic journal Nature Communications. Paper Title: Biologically inspired microlens array camera for high-resolution wide field-of-view imaging DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70967-2 Authors: Jae-Myeong Kwon, Yejoon Kwon, Young-Gil Cha, Dong Hyun Han, Hyun-Kyung Kim, Je-Kyun Park, Min H. Kim & Ki-Hun Jeong This research was conducted with support from the Mid-Career Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (Ministry of Science and ICT), the Korean ARPA-H Project (Ministry of Health and Welfare), and the Materials and Components Technology Development Program (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy).

KAIST Achieves 3-fold Increase in Hydrogen Product..

<(From Left) Professor Kang Taek Lee, Ph.D candidate Seeun Oh, Researcher Incheol Jeong, Dr. Dongyeon Kim, Ph.D candidate Hyeonggeun Kim> While mixing materials typically leads to instability, there exists a phenomenon known as “high entropy,” where increasing compositional complexity can actually enhance stability. KAIST researchers leveraged this principle to enable faster proton transport and more efficient reactions within electrochemical cells, developing a technology that significantly improves hydrogen production efficiency. This breakthrough is expected to reduce hydrogen costs and accelerate the transition to clean energy. KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 5th of April that a research team led by Professor Kang Taek Lee from the Department of Mechanical Engineering has developed a novel oxygen electrode material that dramatically improves reaction kinetics and power performance through entropy-maximized design. The oxygen electrode is a key component in electrochemical cells where oxygen evolution occurs during hydrogen production. Green hydrogen—produced from water without carbon emissions—is considered a cornerstone of future clean energy systems. In particular, protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs), which generate hydrogen by splitting water using electrical energy while protons migrate through the cell, have attracted attention for their high efficiency. However, their performance has been limited by slow reaction kinetics at the oxygen electrode. To address this issue, the research team adopted a high-entropy strategy, introducing multiple metal elements simultaneously to increase configurational disorder. Although mixing many elements typically destabilizes structures, under certain compositions, maximizing entropy can instead stabilize a single-phase structure. <Structural and chemical characterization of PBSCF and PLNNCBSCF. XRD patterns of a) the synthesized PBSCF and PLNNCBSCF and b) enlarged view of the XRD patterns from 31.5 to 33.5°. c) Rietveld refinement results of the XRD profile for PLNNCBSCF, with the inset showing the idealized structure. d) HR-TEM image of PLNNCBSCF with the inset showing lattice fringes. e) Corresponding EDS mappings of the PLNNCBSCF elements. XPS of F) survey peak, G) Pr 3d, and H) O 1s spectra for PBSCF and PLNNCBSCF> Based on this concept, the researchers designed a high-entropy double perovskite oxygen electrode by incorporating seven different metal elements (Pr, La, Na, Nd, Ca, Ba, Sr) into the A-site of the electrode structure. This material combines a perovskite crystal framework with a double perovskite structure, further enhanced by high-entropy design. The presence of multiple mixed metal elements improves charge transport and oxygen-related reactions within the electrode, resulting in significantly faster electrochemical reactions for both electricity generation and hydrogen production. Notably, density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the energy required to form oxygen vacancies—active sites where reactions occur—was reduced by more than 60％ compared to conventional materials. This indicates that reactive sites can form more easily and in greater abundance. Additionally, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) analysis showed that proton transport speed increased by more than sevenfold, demonstrating that hydrogen generation processes proceed much more efficiently within the electrode. The performance improvements were substantial. Cells incorporating the new electrode achieved a power density of 1.77 W cm⁻² at 650°C, approximately 2.6 times higher than conventional systems. Hydrogen production performance also improved by approximately threefold (4.42 A cm⁻²) under the same conditions. Moreover, in long-term testing under steam conditions for 500 hours, performance degradation was only 0.76％, confirming excellent durability and stability over extended operation. Professor Kang Taek Lee stated, “This study demonstrates that the thermodynamic concept of entropy can be used to control electrode reactivity,” adding, “It has the potential to significantly enhance green hydrogen production efficiency and accelerate the commercialization of the hydrogen economy.” This study was co-led by Seeun Oh of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST and Incheol Jeong of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources. The findings were published on December 16, 2025, in the international journal Advanced Energy Materials (IF: 26.0) and were selected as a front cover article, highlighting their scientific impact. ※ Paper title: “Unveiling Entropy-Driven Performance Enhancement in Double Perovskite Oxygen Electrodes for Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells,” DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202503176 ※ Authors: Seeun Oh (KAIST, first author), Incheol Jeong (Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, first author), Dongyeon Kim (second author), Hyeonggeun Kim (second author), Kang Taek Lee (corresponding author) This research was supported by the Mid-Career Researcher Program and the Global Basic Research Laboratory Program funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Korea.

KAIST, Developing National Positioning Infrastruct..

<(From Left) Prof. Dong-Soo Han, Dr. Kyuho Son, Dr. Byeongcheol Moon, Dr. Sumin Ahn, Ph.D candidate Seungwoo Chae> A Korean research team has developed a technology that enables precise indoor positioning using only a smartphone. Developed over eight years by KAIST researchers, this technology is expected to help secure critical time in missing-person searches and is being recognized as a “location sovereignty” solution that could reshape the current location service ecosystem dominated by global big tech companies such as Google and Apple. KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 2nd pf April that a research team led by Professor Dongsoo Han of the School of Computing has developed a core technology that can build a nationwide high-precision positioning infrastructure in a short time and at low cost by combining smartphone Wi-Fi signals with real-world address data. This achievement is the result of eight years of research, during which the team filed around ten patents to enhance the technology’s completeness. The key feature of this technology is its use of Wi-Fi signals collected by smartphones in everyday life. It can provide precise location information anywhere in the country without requiring large-scale equipment or additional infrastructure. It also maintains high accuracy in environments where GPS is weak, such as indoors, underground, or in dense high-rise areas. In particular, this research is seen as a challenge to the location service ecosystem currently led by global platform companies. Today, most location data worldwide is accumulated and managed by a small number of big tech firms, and Korea also relies heavily on these platforms. Most importantly, this research establishes a foundation for independently building and managing location data generated domestically. Amid ongoing debates over exporting high-resolution national maps (1:5,000 scale spatial data detailing buildings and roads), the importance of data sovereignty is growing. This technology is drawing attention as an alternative that could reduce dependence on global big tech and realize “location sovereignty.” The research team proposed a method that automatically combines Wi-Fi signals collected during smartphone app usage with the actual address of the location. This allows the construction of a unique “signal pattern map” (signal fingerprint) for each place, with accuracy improving as more data accumulates. In a real-world demonstration in Daejeon, using a gas meter reading app, an average of about 30 Wi-Fi signals were detected per household in apartment complexes. This confirmed that city-scale location data can be rapidly built using this approach. <Status of Radio Map Construction in Daejeon Using a Gas Meter Reader App> <Address-Based Automation of Wireless Signal Collection and AI-Based Location Labeling Techniques for Collected Wireless Signals> This technology is expected to significantly reduce location errors—previously up to hundreds of meters—in emergency situations such as missing-person searches, helping secure critical response time. It can also be applied to “location-based authentication,” allowing payments only at specific locations, thereby helping prevent financial crimes such as identity theft or unauthorized remote transactions. Furthermore, precise location data is a key infrastructure for future AI industries, including autonomous driving, robotics, and logistics. This achievement is expected to enhance competitiveness across these sectors. <Research Use Image (AI-Generated Image)> Professor Dongsoo Han stated, “Positioning infrastructure is not just a convenience technology but a core asset directly linked to national data sovereignty,” adding, “It is time for the government, telecom companies, and platform providers to collaborate in building an independent national positioning infrastructure.” This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the National Research Foundation of Korea, the National Fire Agency, and the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) (Grant No. RS-2025-02313957).