Kaist

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.    

Undergraduate Rover Team (MR2) Advances to Finals ..

  <Photo: KAIST Undergraduate Club MR2 Team Members>   Undergraduate students from KAIST are set to take on the world stage with an exploration rover—a robotic vehicle designed to explore in place of humans—that they built themselves. The team has secured a spot in the finals of the world’s largest Mars rover competition, marking a first-ever achievement for KAIST. KAIST announced on the 3rd that 'MR2' (Advised by Professor Yong-Hwa Park, Department of Mechanical Engineering), a rover team from the undergraduate robotics club MR (Microrobot Research), has earned a seed in the finals of the '2026 University Rover Challenge (URC)', the premier international Mars rover competition for university students. The URC is organized by The Mars Society and takes place at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, USA, an environment that closely mimics the Martian surface. Participating teams compete in four key missions using rovers they developed: ▲Science Mission, ▲Delivery Mission, ▲Equipment Servicing Mission, and ▲Autonomous Navigation Mission. This year’s competition saw 116 university teams from 18 countries engage in a fierce preliminary round. Team MR2 secured its place in the top 38 finalists by scoring 95.38 out of 100. This milestone is particularly significant as it is the first time a KAIST team has ever reached the URC finals, proving the excellence of KAIST undergraduates in robot design and control on a global scale. The next-generation exploration rover 'GAP-1000', independently developed by MR2, is a modular rover designed for stable operation in extreme environments. It features a 6-DOF (Degrees of Freedom) robotic arm capable of precisely controlling objects over 5kg, allowing it to perform complex equipment manipulation tasks. <Photo: Operation of GAP-1000's Manipulator and Science Module Integration> The rover also boasts strong autonomous driving capabilities. By combining RTK-GNSS (precision satellite positioning), IMU (Inertial Measurement Units) for motion sensing, and odometry based on wheel rotation, it can autonomously navigate optimal paths through complex terrain. Additionally, a drone relay system has been integrated to ensure stable exploration even in areas with communication dead zones. For the science mission, the rover can collect soil from 10cm underground, remove impurities via centrifugation, and analyze traces of life using protein detection reagents such as Biuret and Bradford. This is paired with spectroscopic analysis technology that identifies material composition by analyzing light wavelengths, creating an integrated system for real-time life detection. "We experienced a lot of trial and error while managing everything from design to production ourselves, but I am thrilled that we achieved KAIST’s first-ever advancement to the finals," said Myung-woo Jung (Department of Mechanical Engineering), the team leader of MR2. "We will prepare thoroughly in the remaining time to achieve a great result on-site." <Photo: Scenery of MDRS in Utah, USA, where the competition will be held (Photo Credit: The Mars Society)> Advising Professor Yong-Hwa Park noted, "It is impressive that the students independently implemented a rover for extreme environments. This competition will serve as an opportunity to showcase KAIST’s technological prowess to the world." KAIST President Kwang-Hyung Lee added, "It is a very meaningful achievement for our undergraduates to reach the finals of the world’s largest competition with a rover they designed and built themselves. I hope this experience serves as a catalyst for our students to challenge themselves and grow on the global stage." Team MR2 consists of 13 undergraduate students from various majors, including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Industrial Design. Having completed long-distance operation tests in outdoor environments, they are currently conducting final checks for the finals. The main competition will be held from May 27th to 30th at the MDRS in Utah, USA. ※ Related Links MR2 Official Website: https://urc-kaist.github.io/ MR2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urc_mr2/ MR2 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/＠MR2KAISTRoverTeam      

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).  

Excellence Award at the 4th Wonik Next-Generation ..

  < 4th Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award hosted by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK)>       At the 4th Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award hosted by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK), KAIST Ph.D candidate Yehhyun Jo from the Department of Electrical Engineering(Advisor: Professor Hyunjoo J. Lee) and Ph.D candidate Seokjoo Cho from the Department of Mechanical Engineering(Advisor: Prof. Inkyu Park) received Excellence Awards.   Yehhyun Jo was selected in recognition of the development of a system that enables the precise modulation and observation of brain functions by integrating ultrasound neuromodulation technology, MEMS, and biosignal measurement technology. As a leading researcher in ultrasound brain stimulation in Korea, Yehhyun has contributed to the advancement of next-generation neuroengineering research by publishing six SCI(E)-indexed first-author papers. In acceptance speech, Yehhyun Jo remakred, “It is a great honor to receive the Excellence Award at the Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award hosted by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea. I believe this award represents not only my personal achievements, but also the collective efforts of my advisor, fellow researchers, and my parents and brother, who have supported my research behind the scenes. Going forward, I will continue to develop and validate technologies grounded firmly in fundamental principles so that engineering innovation can reach real clinical and industrial settings, and I will strive to become a great researcher who contributes to society through responsible research.” <(From Left) Ph.D candidate Yehhyun Jo, Ph.D candidate Seokjoo Cho>   Seokjoo Cho was selected for developing a wireless multi-modal sensing system based on nano- and micro-fabrication processes for the management of chronic wounds and metabolic diseases. Through this related work, Seokjoo has published 25 SCI(E)-indexed papers and is leading technological innovation in next-generation healthcare sensor platforms. He accepted the award, saying, “I am sincerely grateful to receive the great honor of the Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award. Winning an award that I have long dreamed of as a researcher during my graduate studies brings me both deep fulfillment and a strong sense of responsibility. Taking this award as an opportunity, I will continue striving to grow as a researcher who does not lose sight of my original motivation and who can create meaningful value for society.”   The Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award is presented to undergraduate and graduate students in engineering-related fields in Korea to recognize creative and ambitious future engineers in the materials, components, and equipment sectors and support their growth into engineers who contribute to solving social problems.   The award ceremony was held on the afternoon of March 10 at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul Hotel in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.        

AI Blueprints Stolen with a Single Antenna... Coun..

  < Professor Jun Han >   From smartphone facial recognition to autonomous vehicles, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has long been protected as a "black box." However, a joint research team from KAIST and international institutions has uncovered a new security threat capable of "peeking" at AI blueprints from behind walls. The team also presented corresponding defense technologies. This discovery is expected to be utilized in strengthening AI security across various sectors, including autonomous driving, healthcare, and finance. On the 31st, Professor Jun Han’s research team from the KAIST School of Computing announced that they, in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Zhejiang University, developed "ModelSpy"—an attack system capable of hijacking AI model structures from a distance using only a small antenna. This technology works much like a bugging device, capturing and analyzing minute signals emitted while an AI is operational to reconstruct its internal structure. The research team focused on the electromagnetic (EM) waves generated by Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), which handle AI computations. When an AI performs complex calculations, the GPU emits subtle electromagnetic signals. By analyzing the patterns of these signals, the team successfully restored the layer configurations and detailed parameter settings of the AI model. Experimental results showed that the structure of AI models could be identified with high accuracy from up to 6 meters away or through walls, across five types of the latest GPUs. Notably, the team estimated the core structure—the layers of the deep learning model—with an accuracy of up to 97.6％. < AI model structures can be stolen through walls using an antenna hidden in a bag > This technology is considered a significant security threat because, unlike traditional hacking, it does not require direct server infiltration or malware installation. An attack can be carried out using only a portable antenna small enough to fit in a bag. Recognizing that this technology could lead to the leakage of a company's core AI assets, the research team also proposed defensive measures, such as electromagnetic interference and computational obfuscation. This is being hailed as a responsible security study that goes beyond demonstrating an attack to suggesting realistic protection methods. "This research demonstrates that AI systems can be exposed to new types of attacks even in physical environments," said Professor Jun Han. "To protect critical AI infrastructure, such as autonomous driving and national facilities, it is essential to establish 'cyber-physical security' systems that encompass both hardware and software." < Research Image (AI-generated) > Professor Jun Han of the KAIST School of Computing participated as a co-corresponding author. The study was presented at the NDSS (Network and Distributed System Security Symposium) 2026, a top-tier academic conference in computer security, where it received the Distinguished Paper Award in recognition of its innovation. Paper Title: Peering Inside the Black-Box: Long-Range and Scalable Model Architecture Snooping via GPU Electromagnetic Side-Chan Paper Link: https://www.ndss-symposium.org/ndss-paper/peering-inside-the-black-box-long-range-and-scalable-model-architecture-snooping-via-gpu-electromagnetic-side-channel/        

KAIST Enables Ultra-High-Resolution AR·VR Without ..

  <(From Left) Professor Young Min Song, Ph.D candidate Hyo Eun Jeong, (Upper Left) Professor Hyeon-Ho Jeong, Dr. Joo Hwan Ko>     A new display technology has emerged that significantly increases resolution while consuming almost no power. A Korean research team has developed a “monopixel” structure in which a single pixel can independently change colors while consuming minimal energy to maintain them. This breakthrough opens the possibility of creating sharper AR/VR displays without heavy battery demands. KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 29th of March that a research team led by Professor Young Min Song of the School of Electrical Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Hyeon-Ho Jeong’s team at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST, President Ki-Cheol Lim), has developed a new low-power monopixel technology called a “reconfigurable Gires–Tournois resonator (r-GT).” This system uses electrochromic materials—substances that change color when electricity is applied—to produce colors with very low power consumption. Displays have been making pixels increasingly smaller to achieve higher resolution. However, as pixels shrink, power consumption rises and brightness decreases. This is especially challenging for AR/VR devices, which must achieve both extremely small pixels and low power consumption due to their proximity to the human eye. The r-GT pixel developed by the research team changes color when voltage is applied, and once changed, the color is maintained for a certain period even after the power is turned off. In other words, power is only required when changing colors, while maintaining color requires almost no energy. The core of this technology lies in two elements. First is a conductive polymer, polyaniline (PANI), whose properties change when voltage is applied. This material responds even at voltages below 1 volt (V), altering its refractive index and thereby changing color. The refractive index refers to how much light bends when passing through a material, and changes in this value lead to changes in perceived color. Second, the system incorporates a resonator structure that reflects light multiple times to amplify specific colors. This structure enhances even small changes, enabling vivid color expression with minimal power. As a result, the system achieved a wide color variation exceeding 220° using ultra-low power (90 μW cm⁻²). In simple terms, it can express more than half of the full color wheel (360°) using only about 0.00009 watts per square centimeter. Another key feature is the “monopixel” structure. Unlike conventional displays that divide a single pixel into red (R), green (G), and blue (B) subpixels, the monopixel approach allows one pixel to independently produce various colors. This enables more pixels within the same area, resulting in higher resolution and reduced light loss, leading to clearer images. Additionally, PANI retains its color state even after the applied voltage is removed. This confirms the feasibility of a “memory-in-pixel” display, where energy is used only when changing colors, not when maintaining them. <Reflective display AI image> The research team demonstrated that this technology can achieve a wide color range (220.6°) and reduce pixel size to as small as 1.5 micrometers (μm), corresponding to an ultra-high resolution of up to approximately 16,900 PPI—beyond the level where individual pixels can be distinguished by the human eye. Moreover, even with a single-pixel structure, the system can represent about 48.1％ of the standard sRGB color gamut, and up to 69.9％ with varied material combinations, enabling richer color expression. The team fabricated a 5×5 monopixel array to verify performance. The energy required to change colors was extremely low (2.31 mJ), demonstrating up to 5.8 times lower power consumption compared to conventional LEDs. As a reflective display, it also becomes more visible under brighter ambient lighting, since it uses external light rather than emitting its own. <Structure and Representative Results of an Electrically Tunable Single Reflective Resonant Device Using Conductive Polymers> This study demonstrates that combining electrochemical materials with optical resonator structures enables full-color implementation at ultra-low power. It is expected to be applied in various fields requiring energy efficiency, including ultra-high-resolution near-eye displays for AR/VR, wearable devices, outdoor displays, and electronic paper. It also suggests the potential for sustainable and energy-efficient display technologies by minimizing power consumption during color retention. Professor Young Min Song stated, “This technology allows a wide range of color changes using very little electricity,” adding, “When combined with future display driving methods, it could enable not only clearer and more energy-efficient ultra-high-resolution displays but also a variety of optical applications.” This research was conducted with Hyo Eun Jeong, an integrated M.S./Ph.D. student at KAIST, as co-first author, and Professor Young Min Song as the corresponding author. The results were published online on February 28 in Light: Science & Applications, a leading international journal in optics. ※ Paper title: “Sub-1-volt, reconfigurable Gires-Tournois resonators for full-coloured monopixel array,” DOI: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41377-026-02228-2 This research was supported by multiple programs funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), the InnoCORE-GIST program, nanomaterials and technology development initiatives, future medical innovation programs, international collaboration hubs, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE).      

KAIST Researchers Unveil Technical Principles Behi..

  < (From left) Professor Hyun Jung Chung , Ph.D candidate Ju Yeon Chung, Ph.D candidate Sujin Cha, Professor Sang Ouk Kim >   Hygiene in everyday items that touch the body—such as clothing, masks, and toothbrushes—is critically important. The underlying principle of how graphene selectively eliminates only bacteria has now been revealed. A KAIST research team has presented the potential for a next-generation antibacterial material that is safe for the human body and capable of replacing antibiotics. KAIST announced on March 25th that a joint research team, led by Professor Sang Ouk Kim from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor Hyun Jung Chung from the Department of Biological Sciences, has identified the mechanism by which Graphene Oxide (GO) exhibits powerful antibacterial effects against bacteria while remaining harmless to human cells. Graphene oxide is a nanomaterial consisting of an atomic level carbon layer (graphene) with oxygen attached; it is characterized by its ability to mix well with water and implement various functions. This study is highly significant as it provides molecular-level proof of graphene's antibacterial action, which had not been clearly understood until now. The research team confirmed that graphene oxide performs "selective antibacterial action" by attaching to and destroying only the membranes of bacteria, much like a magnet attaches only to specific metals, while leaving human cells untouched. This occurs because the oxygen functional groups on the surface of graphene oxide selectively bind with a specific component (POPG) found only in bacterial cell membranes. Simply put, it recognizes a "target" present only in bacterial membranes to attach and destroy the structure. In this context, phospholipids are fatty components that make up the membrane surrounding a cell, and POPG is a component primarily present in bacteria. < Schematic diagram of the selective interaction between graphene oxide and cell membranes > < Identification of selective interaction mechanisms at the molecular level through microscopic and chemical analysis of artificial lipid vesicles mimicking cell membranes > Nanofibers applying this principle effectively inhibited the growth of various pathogenic bacteria, including superbugs resistant to antibiotics. Animal experiments also confirmed its effectiveness in promoting wound healing without inducing inflammation. < Verification of antibacterial and wound healing enhancement effects in a porcine infected wound model > Furthermore, fibers using this material maintained their antibacterial functions even after multiple washes, showing potential for use in various industrial fields such as apparel and medical textiles. This technology is already being applied to consumer products. The graphene antibacterial toothbrush, released through the original patents of the faculty-led startup 'Materials Creation Co., Ltd.,' has sold over 10 million units, proving its commercial viability. Additionally, GrapheneTex—textile materiala incorporating this technology—was used in the uniforms of the Taekwondo demonstration team at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is expected to play an active role in functional sportswear at upcoming international sporting events like the 2026 Asian Games. < Commercially available graphene toothbrush > < Graphene material image (AI-generated image) > Professor Sang Ouk Kim explained, "This study is an example of scientifically uncovering why graphene can selectively kill bacteria while remaining safe for the human body." He emphasized, "By utilizing this principle, we can expand beyond safe clothing without harsh chemicals to an infinite range of applications, including wearable devices and medical textile systems." Sujin Cha (PhD program, Department of Materials Science and Engineering) and Ju Yeon Chung (Integrated MS/PhD program, Department of Biological Sciences) participated as first authors. Professor Hyun Jung Chung participated as a co-corresponding author. The research was published on March 2nd in the prestigious materials science journal, Advanced Functional Materials. ※ Paper Title: Biocompatible but Antibacterial Mechanism of Graphene Oxide for Sustainable Antibiotics, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202313583 Additionally, Nanowerk (http://www.nanowerk.com/), a global portal for nanotechnology, featured these findings as a 'Spotlight' titled "Graphene oxide destroys bacteria without harming human tissue." This research was conducted with support from the 'Nano/Material Technology Development (R&D)' program, the 'Individual Basic Research' program, and the 'Mid-Career Researcher Support Program' funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT.  

KAIST solves solar cell dilemma… achieving over 25..

  <(Upper Left) Dr. Chansu Moon,(From Left) Dr. Namjoong Jeon, Ph.D candidate Jaehee Lee, M.S candidate Hajin Na, Professor  Jangwon Seo>     A KAIST research team has solved the “solar cell dilemma,” in which increasing efficiency shortens lifespan, while extending lifespan lowers efficiency. The team developed a technology to precisely control the internal structure of a surface passivation layer in perovskite solar cells, successfully achieving both high efficiency exceeding 25％ and long-term stability at the same time. KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 24th that a research team led by Distinguished Professor Jangwon Seo of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, in joint research with the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) (President Young-guk Lee), developed a 2D passivation layer design technology that simultaneously improves the efficiency and long-term stability of perovskite solar cells. <Research Concept Diagram (AI-Generated Image)> As the need to respond to the climate crisis and transition energy systems grows, improving the efficiency of solar power generation and securing long-term reliability have emerged as important challenges. In particular, perovskite solar cells, which are attracting attention as next-generation high-efficiency solar cells, have recently achieved rapid efficiency improvements. However, they have been pointed out as having commercialization barriers due to performance degradation under high temperature, high humidity, or prolonged light exposure. Previously, a “3D/2D structure” strategy—adding a 2D layer on top of a 3D perovskite layer—has been used. This method helps reduce surface defects and improve stability. However, if the structure of the 2D layer is not sufficiently robust, it has limitations in that the structure may deform over time or performance may gradually decline. To address this, the research team introduced a structurally more stable Dion–Jacobson (DJ) type 2D perovskite passivation layer and proposed a design strategy that precisely controls the “n value,” which refers to the number of stacked perovskite layers within the passivation layer. The DJ structure enhances structural stability by firmly connecting perovskite layers with organic molecules on both sides. In simple terms, it is similar to binding bricks together with a stronger adhesive so that the structure does not easily collapse. The research team controlled the stacking structure (n value) of perovskite layers inside the 2D passivation layer in a desired manner by adjusting heat treatment conditions, analogous to how controlling temperature and time during the curing of adhesive after stacking bricks results in a more solid and orderly structure. As a result, charge transport became more efficient, improving solar cell efficiency, and the robust characteristics of the DJ structure also enhanced long-term stability. In addition, the team experimentally revealed that during the heat treatment process, the internal structure of the 2D passivation layer changes as the structure is rearranged at the interface where different materials meet. They also presented the principles for controlling the passivation layer structure and reproducible process conditions. The perovskite solar cell applying this design strategy recorded a high power conversion efficiency of 25.56％ (certified efficiency of 25.59％). It also maintained a high level of performance under conditions of 85°C and 85％ relative humidity (85％ RH) as well as continuous light exposure, confirming long-term stability. The research team further applied this technology to the fabrication of large-area modules and verified excellent performance. <Schematic Diagram of Structure Formation Strategy (left) and Structural Evolution (right)> Distinguished Professor Jangwon Seo stated, “This study demonstrates that the longstanding challenge—where increasing efficiency reduces lifespan and increasing lifespan lowers efficiency—can be solved simultaneously through structural design of the surface passivation layer.” He added, “This technology operates relatively stably even under changes in process conditions, making it helpful for large-area manufacturing processes for commercialization.” This study, co-first-authored by Jaehee Lee (integrated M.S./Ph.D. student at KAIST) and Dr. Chansu Moon (KRICT), was published in the international energy journal Joule (IF 35.4) on February 24, 2026. ※ Paper title: “Tailored n value engineering of Dion-Jacobson 2D layers enables efficient and stable perovskite solar cells,” DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102301 ※ Author information: Jaehee Lee (integrated M.S./Ph.D. program, KAIST, co-first author), Chansu Moon (former KRICT, co-first author), Dr. Namjoong Jeon (KRICT, corresponding author), Distinguished Professor Jangwon Seo (KAIST, corresponding author) This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) (Nano and Materials Technology Development Program [Materials Hub], Basic Research Program [Mid-career], Engineering Research Center [ERC]) and the core program of KRICT. Some experiments were supported by beamlines at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL).  

World’s First SoulMate AI Semiconductor： A Persona..

  < (From left) KAIST Professor Hoi-Jun Yoo and PhD candidate Seongyon Hong >     While Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are adept at answering countless questions, they often remain unaware of a user's minor habits or previous conversational contexts. This is why AI, despite being deeply integrated into our daily lives, can still feel like a "stranger." Overcoming these limitations, researchers at KAIST have developed the world’s first AI semiconductor, dubbed "SoulMate," which learns and adapts to a user’s speech style, preferences, and emotions in real-time—becoming a true "digital soulmate." KAIST announced on March 17th that a research team led by Professor Hoi-Jun Yoo from the Graduate School of AI Semiconductors has developed SoulMate, a personalized LLM accelerator that evolves according to the specific characteristics of the user.This technology is being hailed as a core semiconductor breakthrough that will accelerate the era of "Hyper-Personalized AI"—moving beyond "AI for everyone" to an AI that learns and responds to an individual's unique conversational style and preferences. The core of SoulMate lies in On-Device AI technology, which processes data directly on the device without going through external servers (the cloud). The team directly implemented Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), which generates customized answers based on remembered conversations, and Low-Rank Adaptation (LoRA), which immediately reflects and learns from user feedback, within the semiconductor itself. < SoulMate AI Semiconductor Chip > Through this, SoulMate has realized a real-time personalized AI system that responds to the user at a staggering speed of 0.2 seconds (216.4 ms) while simultaneously performing learning tasks. < SoulMate Application Demo > Furthermore, the team applied a Mixed-Rank architecture that optimizes processing methods based on the importance of information, drastically reducing power consumption. The semiconductor operates at an ultra-low power of just 9.8 milliwatts (mW)—approximately 1/500th of a typical smartphone processor's power consumption—allowing it to handle complex learning and inference simultaneously on mobile devices without battery concerns. In particular, SoulMate features a "Security-Complete AI" structure where all personal data is processed internally within the device rather than being transmitted to external servers, fundamentally blocking any risk of personal information leaks. The research team expects this technology to pair with next-generation platforms such as smartphones, wearables, and personal AI devices to open a true era of personalized AI services. < SoulMate Demo Screen > "This research mimics the process of people building friendships, providing the technical foundation for AI to evolve into a true companion for the user," said Professor Hoi-Jun Yoo. "Future AI will move beyond being a mere tool to become a 'Best Friend' that understands me best anytime, anywhere, while perfectly protecting personal privacy." The study, with PhD student Seongyon Hong as the first author, was selected as a "Highlight Paper" at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) held in San Francisco this past February, garnering significant attention from the global academic community. Paper Title: SoulMate: A 9.8mW Mobile Intelligence System-on-Chip with Mixed-Rank Architecture for On-Device LLM Personalization Authors: Seongyon Hong, Jiwon Choi, Jeonggyu So, Nayeong Lee, Wooyoung Jo, Zhamaliddin Kalzhan Link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11409048 At the conference, the research team successfully demonstrated how the AI's response style changes in real-time according to user reactions using the actual semiconductor chip, proving the excellence of Korean AI semiconductor technology. The SoulMate AI semiconductor is planned for commercialization around 2027 through the faculty-led startup "OnNeuro AI." < SoulMate Demonstration Photo > This research was conducted with support from the Information and Communication Broadcast Innovation Talent Cultivation Program of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP).

European Academy of Microbiology welcomes 95 new F..

  <KAIST Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee>     The European Academy of Microbiology (EAM) is pleased to announce the election of 95 new Fellows, recognising scientific excellence and long-standing contributions to microbiology.  The newly elected Fellows represent a diverse range of expertise across microbiology and related disciplines, spanning institutions across Europe and beyond. Their work reflects the breadth and dynamism of the field, from fundamental microbial research to applied innovations addressing global challenges in health, environment, and biotechnology.  Election to the EAM Fellowship recognises outstanding scientific achievement and leadership in microbiology. Fellows are selected through a rigorous nomination and evaluation process by existing members of the Academy.  With the addition of these new Fellows in different areas of microbiology from Europe and beyond, the EAM continues to strengthen its network of leading microbiologists. As Fellows of the Academy, members are committed to advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and supporting the next generation of scientists. Together they promote the visibility, impact and rapid progress of microbiology across the world.  Reflecting strength and diversity of microbiology Commenting on the election, the EAM President Prof. Cecília M. Arraiano said:  “We are delighted to welcome this new group of Fellows to the European Academy of Microbiology. Their achievements and expertise reflect the strength and diversity of microbiology. The Academy thrives through the engagement of its Fellows, and we look forward to the perspectives and contributions they will bring to shape the future of microbial science.”  See the full list of the newly elected Fellows. About the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM)  The European Academy of Microbiology, is part of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) network, and brings together eminent microbiologists whose work has significantly advanced the field. Through the collective expertise of its Fellows, the Academy contributes to scientific dialogue, supports emerging priorities in microbiology, and helps amplify the impact of microbiological research for society.