KAIST

<(From Left) Dr. Sukkyung Kang, Professor Sanha Kim from Department of Mechanical Engineering>  The performance and stability of smartphones and artificial intelligence (AI) services depend on how uniformly and precisely semiconductor surfaces are processed. KAIST researchers have expanded the concept of everyday “sandpaper” into the realm of nanotechnology, developing a new technique capable of processing semiconductor surfaces uniformly down to the atomic level. This technology demonstrates the potential to significantly improve surface quality and processing precision in advanced semiconductor processes such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM). KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 11th of February that a research team led by Professor Sanha Kim of the Department of Mechanical Engineering has developed a “nano sandpaper” that utilizes carbon nanotubes—tens of thousands of times thinner than a human hair—as abrasive materials. This technology enables more precise surface processing than existing semiconductor manufacturing processes, while also reducing environmental burdens generated during fabrication, presenting a new planarization technique. < Nano Sandpaper AI-Generated Image >  Although sandpaper is a familiar tool used to smooth surfaces by rubbing, it has been difficult to apply it to fields such as semiconductors, where extremely precise surface processing is required. This limitation arises because conventional sandpaper is manufactured by attaching abrasive particles with adhesives, making it difficult to uniformly secure extremely fine particles. To overcome such limitations, the semiconductor industry has adopted a planarization process known as chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), which uses a chemical slurry in which abrasive particles are dispersed in liquid. However, this method requires additional cleaning steps and generates large amounts of waste, making the process complex and environmentally burdensome. To address these issues, the research team extended the concept of sandpaper to the nanoscale. By vertically aligning carbon nanotubes, fixing them inside polyurethane, and partially exposing them on the surface, they implemented a “nano sandpaper.” This structure structurally suppresses abrasive detachment, eliminating concerns about surface damage and maintaining stable performance even after repeated use. The nano sandpaper developed in this study achieves an abrasive density approximately 500,000 times higher than that of the finest commercially available sandpaper. The precision of sandpaper is expressed in terms of “abrasive density (grit number),” which indicates how densely abrasive particles are arranged on the surface. While everyday sandpaper typically ranges from 40 to 3000 grit, the nano sandpaper exceeds 1,000,000,000 grit. Through this extremely dense structure, surfaces could be processed with precision down to several nanometers—equivalent to the thickness of only a few atoms. The effectiveness of the nano sandpaper was confirmed through experiments. Rough copper surfaces were polished to a smoothness at the nanometer level, and in semiconductor pattern planarization experiments, the technique reduced dishing defects by up to 67% compared with conventional CMP processes. Dishing defects refer to the phenomenon in which the center of interconnect lines becomes recessed, a major defect affecting the performance and reliability of advanced semiconductors such as HBM. In particular, because the abrasive materials are fixed on the sandpaper surface, the technology does not require continuous supply of slurry solutions as in conventional processes. This reduces cleaning steps and eliminates waste slurry, presenting the possibility of transitioning semiconductor manufacturing toward more environmentally friendly processes. < Nano Sandpaper Schematic Diagram >  < Detailed Image of Nano Sandpaper > The research team expects that this technology can be applied to advanced semiconductor planarization processes such as HBM used in AI servers, as well as to hybrid bonding processes, which are gaining attention as next-generation semiconductor interconnection technologies. The study is also significant in that it expands the everyday concept of sandpaper into nano-precision processing technology, suggesting the possibility of securing core technologies required for semiconductor manufacturing. Professor Sanha Kim stated, “This is an original study demonstrating that the everyday concept of sandpaper can be extended to the nanoscale and applied to ultra-fine semiconductor manufacturing,” adding, “We hope this technology will lead not only to improved semiconductor performance but also to environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.” In this study, Dr. Sukkyung Kang of the Department of Mechanical Engineering participated as the first author. The research was recognized for its excellence by receiving the Gold Prize (1st place) in the Mechanical Engineering Division at the 31st Samsung Human Tech Paper Award, hosted by Samsung Electronics. The findings were published online on January 8, 2026, in the international journal Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials (IF 21.8). ※ Paper title: “Carbon nanotube sandpaper for atomic-precision surface finishing” DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-025-01608-3 This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (Mid-Career Researcher Program; Ministry of Science and ICT, NRF, RS-2025-00560856), the Glocal Lab Program (Ministry of Education, NRF, RS-2025-25406725), the InnoCORE Program (Ministry of Science and ICT, NRF, N10250154), and the KAIST Up Program.  

<(From top left) Professor Woo Youn Kim (KAIST), Dr. Jeheon Woo (KISTI), Dr. Seonghwan Kim (KAIST), and Jun Hyeong Kim (PhD candidate)> Whether a smartphone battery lasts longer or a new drug can be developed to treat incurable diseases depends on how stably the atoms constituting the material are bonded. The core of 'molecular design' lies in finding how to arrange these countless atoms to form the most stable molecule. Until now, this process has been as difficult as finding the lowest valley in a massive mountain range, requiring immense time and costs. Researchers at KAIST have developed a new technology that uses artificial intelligence to solve this process quickly and accurately. KAIST announced on February 10th that Professor Woo Youn Kim's research team in the Department of Chemistry has developed 'Riemannian DenoisingModel (R-DM),' an artificial intelligence model that understands the physical laws governing molecular stability to predict structures. The most significant feature of this model is that it directly considers the 'energy' of the molecule. While existing AI models simply mimicked the shape of molecules, R-DM refines the structure by considering the forces acting within the molecule. The research team represented the molecular structure as a map where higher energy is depicted as hills and lower energy as valleys, designing the AI to move toward and find the valleys with the lowest energy. R-DM completes the molecule by navigating this energy landscape, avoiding unstable structures to find the most stable state. This applies the mathematical theory of 'Riemannian geometry,' resulting in the AI learning the fundamental law of chemistry: 'matter prefers the state with the lowest energy.' Experimental results showed that R-DM achieved up to 20 times higher accuracy than existing AI models, reducing prediction errors to a level nearly indistinguishable from precise quantum mechanical calculations. This represents the world's highest level of performance among AI-based molecular structure prediction technologies. <Comparison of energy landscapes in Euclidean space and Riemannian space> This technology can be utilized in various fields, including new drug development, next-generation battery materials, and high-performance catalyst design. It is expected to serve as an 'AI simulator' that will dramatically speed up research and development by significantly shortening the molecular design process, which previously took a long time. Furthermore, it has great potential in environmental and safety fields, as it can quickly predict chemical reaction paths in situations where experiments are difficult, such as chemical accidents or the spread of hazardous substances. Professor Woo Youn Kim stated, "This is the first case where artificial intelligence has understood the basic principles of chemistry and judged molecular stability on its own. It is a technology that can fundamentally change the way new materials are developed." <Image of Riemannian Diffusion Model application (AI-generated image)> This study was led by Dr. Jeheon Woo from the KISTI Supercomputing Center and Dr. Seonghwan Kim from the KAIST Innovative Drug Discovery Research Group as co-first authors. The research results were published on January 2nd in the world-renowned academic journal Nature Computational Science. ※ Paper Title: Riemannian Denoising Model for Molecular Structure Optimization with Chemical Accuracy, DOI: 10.1038/s43588-025-00919-1 Meanwhile, this research was conducted with the support of the Chemical Accident Prediction-Prevention Advanced Technology Development Project of the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute, the Science and Technology Institute InnoCore Project of the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Data Science Convergence Talent Cultivation Project conducted by the National Research Foundation of Korea with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT.  

< (From left) Ph.D candidate Changhwan Kim, Ph.D candidate Seunghwan Kim , Ph.D candidate Namwook Hur, Professor Joonki Suh, Ph. D candidate Youngseok Cho> As artificial intelligence advances, computers demand faster and more efficient memory. The key to ultra-high-speed, low-power semiconductors lies in the "switching" principle—the mechanism by which memory materials turn electricity on and off. A South Korean research team has successfully captured the elusive moment of switching and its internal operational principles by momentarily melting and freezing materials within a microscopic electronic device. This study provides a foundational blueprint for designing next-generation memory materials that are faster and consume less power based on fundamental principles. On February 8th, the research team led by Professor Joonki Suh from our department (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering), in collaboration with Professor Tae-Hoon Lee’s team from Kyungpook National University, announced the development of an experimental technique capable of real-time monitoring of electrical switching processes and phase changes within nano-devices—phenomena that were previously difficult to observe. To verify the electrical switching, the team applied a method of instantaneous melting followed by rapid cooling (quenching). Through this, they succeeded in stably implementing amorphous tellurium (a-Te)—a state where tellurium is disordered like glass—within a nano-device much smaller than a human hair. Tellurium is typically sensitive to heat and changes properties easily when current is applied; however, in its amorphous state, it is garnering significant attention as a core material for next-generation memory due to its speed and energy efficiency. *Tellurium (Te): A metalloid element possessing properties of both metals and non-metals. < Illustration of the experiment involving instantaneous melting and freezing in a memory electronic device (AI-generated image) > Through this study, the team specifically identified the threshold voltage and thermal conditions at which switching begins, as well as the segments where energy loss occurs. Based on these findings, they observed stable and high-speed switching even while reducing heat generation. This enables "principle-based" memory material design, allowing researchers to understand exactly why and when electricity starts to flow. The results confirmed that microscopic defects within amorphous tellurium play a crucial role in electrical conduction. When the voltage exceeds a certain threshold, the electricity does not flow all at once; instead, it follows a two-step switching process: first, a rapid increase in current along the defects, followed by heat accumulation that causes the material to melt. Furthermore, the team successfully implemented a "self-oscillation" phenomenon—where voltage spontaneously increases and decreases—by conducting experiments that maintained the amorphous state without excessive current flow. This demonstrates that stable electrical switching is possible using only the single element of tellurium, without the need for complex material combinations. < Electrical characteristics of amorphous tellurium created through rapid cooling from a liquid state within an electronic device > This research is a significant achievement as it implements amorphous tellurium—a next-generation memory material—within an actual electronic device and systematically elucidates the fundamental principles of electrical switching. These findings are expected to serve as essential guidelines for designing semiconductor materials to realize faster and more energy-efficient memory in the future. "This is the first study to implement amorphous tellurium in a real-world device environment and clarify the switching mechanism," said Professor Joonki Suh. "It sets a new standard for research into next-generation memory and switching materials." The study, with Namwook Hur as the first author and Seunghwan Kim as the second author, and Professor Joonki Suh (KAIST) as the corresponding author, was published online on January 13th in the international academic journal Nature Communications. Paper Title: On-device cryogenic quenching enables robust amorphous tellurium for threshold switching DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-68223-0 Meanwhile, this research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) through the PIM (Processor-in-Memory) AI Semiconductor Core Technology Development Project, the Excellent Young Researcher Program funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, and Samsung Electronics.  

<(From Left) Professor Hyunjoo Lee, Ph. D candidate Yunji Choi, Ph. D candidate Jaebeom Han, Professor Jeong Young Park> As the climate crisis becomes a part of daily life with unprecedented heatwaves and cold snaps, technology to effectively remove greenhouse gases is emerging as a critical global challenge. In particular, catalytic technology that decomposes harmful gases using oxygen is a key element of eco-friendly purification. South Korean researchers have identified the principle that catalysts—which were previously vaguely thought to simply ‘use oxygen well’—can selectively utilize different oxygen sources depending on the reaction environment, presenting a new standard for catalyst design. A joint research team consisting of Professor Hyunjoo Lee from KAIST Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Professor Jeong Woo Han from Seoul National University, and Professor Jeong Young Park from KAIST announced on February 4th that they have identified for the first time in the world that ceria (CeO₂), widely used as an eco-friendly catalyst, completely changes its method of using oxygen depending on its size. *Ceria (CeO₂): A compound formed by the combination of the metal cerium and oxygen. Ceria is a metal oxide catalyst enables high catalytic performance while reducing the need for expensive precious metal catalysts. It is called an ‘oxygen tank’ in the field of catalysis because it can store oxygen and release it when needed. However, until now, it had not been clearly identified where the oxygen came from and under what conditions it was used in the reaction. The research team focused on a new concept of a catalyst that ‘chooses and uses oxygen according to the situation,’ rather than just a catalyst that ‘uses oxygen well.’ To this end, they fabricated catalysts with precisely controlled ceria sizes, ranging from ultra-small nano-sizes to relatively large sizes, and systematically analyzed the oxygen movement and reaction processes. <Schematic Diagram of the Oxygen Transport Mechanism According to Seria Size> As a result, it was confirmed that small ceria catalysts operate as an ‘agility type’ that quickly takes in oxygen from the air and uses it immediately for reactions, while large ceria catalysts play an ‘endurance type’ role that pulls oxygen stored inside to the surface and supplies it continuously. In other words, the design principle was revealed for the first time that by simply adjusting the size of the catalyst, one can choose whether to use oxygen from the air or oxygen stored internally depending on the reaction conditions. The research team proved this mechanism simultaneously through advanced experimental analysis and artificial intelligence-based simulations. The research team applied this principle to methane removal. Methane is a greenhouse gas with a global warming effect dozens of times stronger than carbon dioxide, and it is removed through a catalytic oxidation reaction that converts it into carbon dioxide and water using oxygen. The experimental results showed that the small ceria catalyst, by immediately utilizing oxygen from the air, demonstrated stable performance in removing methane even in low-temperature and high-humidity environments. This shows that it is possible to significantly reduce the use of expensive precious metals (platinum and palladium) while actually improving performance. This achievement is expected to lead to the development of highly durable catalysts that maintain performance even in realistic industrial environments such as rain and moisture, as well as reducing the manufacturing cost of environmental purification equipment, thereby accelerating the commercialization of eco-friendly energy and environmental technologies. <Schematic Illustration of Ceria Catalyst Applications> Professor Hyunjoo Lee stated, “This research is an achievement that clearly distinguishes the two core mechanisms of how oxygen operates in catalysts for the first time,” and added, “It has opened a new path to custom-design high-efficiency catalysts required for responding to the climate crisis according to reaction conditions.” Ph. D candidate Yunji Choi from KAIST, Dr. Seokhyun Choung from Seoul National University, and Ph. D candidate Jaebeom Han from KAIST participated as joint first authors of this study. The research results, also co-authored by Jae-eon Hwang, Hyeon Jin, Yunkyung Kim, and Jeongjin Kim, were published in the international academic journal 'Nature Communications' on January 9th. This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (Global Leader Grant, Mid-Career Research Program) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Republic of Korea.

Dr. Eun Hae Cho> A new solution that could overcome the limitations of conventional hair-loss treatments is emerging. Heavy and rigid helmet-type phototherapy devices may soon become a thing of the past. A joint research team has developed a hat-like, wearable OLED-based phototherapy device and demonstrated that it can suppress hair-follicle cell aging by up to 92%, a key factor in hair-loss progression. KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 1st of February that a research team led by Professor Kyung Cheol Choi of the School of Electrical Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Yun Chi’s group at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, has developed a non-invasive* hair-loss treatment technology using a textile-like, flexible wearable platform integrated with specially designed OLED light sources.*Non-invasive treatment refers to therapies that do not involve skin incisions or direct physical damage to the body. Although drug-based treatments for hair loss have been known to be effective, concerns over side effects from long-term use have driven interest in safer alternatives such as phototherapy. However, existing phototherapy devices for hair loss are typically bulky, rigid helmet-type systems, limiting their use to indoor environments. Moreover, because they rely on point light sources such as LEDs or lasers, it has been difficult to deliver uniform light irradiation across the entire scalp. To address these challenges, the researchers replaced point light sources with area-emitting OLEDs, which emit light uniformly over a wide surface. In particular, they integrated near-infrared (NIR) OLEDs into a soft, fabric-like material that can be worn as a cap. This design allows the light source to naturally conform to the contours of the scalp, delivering even optical stimulation over the entire scalp. Beyond wearable design, the study focused on suppressing hair-follicle cell aging, a central driver of hair-loss progression. The key achievement of this work lies not only in realizing a wearable device, but also in precisely tailoring the wavelength of light to maximize therapeutic efficacy. Recognizing that cellular responses vary depending on light wavelength, the team extended wavelength-control techniques originally developed for display OLEDs to therapeutic applications. As a result, they fabricated customized OLEDs that selectively emit near-infrared light in the 730–740 nm range, which is optimal for activating dermal papilla cells—critical cells located at the base of hair follicles that regulate hair growth. The effectiveness of the developed NIR OLEDs was validated through experiments using human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Cellular aging analysis showed that NIR OLED irradiation suppressed cell aging by approximately 92% compared with the control group, outperforming conventional red-light irradiation conditions. First author Dr. Eun Hae Cho commented, “Instead of rigid, helmet-type point-light devices, we propose a wearable phototherapy platform that can be used in daily life by implementing soft, textile-based OLEDs in a cap form. A key outcome of this study is demonstrating that precisely engineered light wavelengths can effectively suppress hair-follicle cell aging.” Professor Kyung Cheol Choi added, “Because OLEDs are thin and flexible, they can closely conform to the curved surface of the scalp, delivering uniform light stimulation across the entire area. Going forward, we plan to verify safety and efficacy through preclinical studies and progressively evaluate the potential for real therapeutic applications.” This research was led by Dr. Eun Hae Cho of the KAIST School of Electrical Engineering as first author and was published online on January 10 in the international journal Nature Communications. ※ Paper title: “Wearable Textile-Based Phototherapy Platform With Customized NIR OLEDs Toward Non-Invasive Hair Loss Treatment", DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-68258-3, Co-authors: Eun Hae Cho, Jingi An, Yun Chi, Kyung Cheol Choi This research was conducted with the support of the Ministry of Science and ICT through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) under the National R&D Program (Future-Oriented R&D Convergence Science and Technology Development Program (Bridge Convergence Research): Development of a skin patch for wound treatment integrating bio-tissue adhesive patches with drug delivery and phototherapy OLED therapy, the Technology Innovation Program supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (development of substrate materials stretchable by more than 50% for stretchable displays), and the BK21 FOUR Program of the Ministry of Science and ICT (Connected AI Education & Research Program for Industry and Society Innovation, School of Electrical Engineering, KAIST). (2021M3C1C3097646, 20017569, 4120200113769)  

< Professor Kyung-Jin Lee at the ceremony > KAIST announced on February 12th that it has selected Professor Kyung-Jin Lee from the Department of Physics as the recipient of the ‘KAISTian of the Year’ award in celebration of the university's 55th anniversary. Established in 2001, the ‘KAISTian of the Year’ award is the university’s highest honor, presented to members who have significantly enhanced KAIST's global prestige through exceptional academic and research milestones. As the 25th recipient of this award, Professor Kyung-Jin Lee was recognized for his groundbreaking work in identifying the phenomenon of ‘Quantum Spin Pumping,’ effectively overturning 30-year-old conventional assumptions in spin transfer theory. While existing theories treated spin as a classical physical quantity, Professor Lee focused on the fact that spins within materials possess intrinsic quantum properties, much like electrons. To verify this, he researched Iron-Rhodium (FeRh), a magnetic material where spin magnitude changes abruptly under specific conditions. He became the first to observe a quantum transition in which the spin magnitude of Rhodium (Rh) atoms increased suddenly rather than gradually, theorizing that this very change serves as a new mechanism for inducing electron movement. Experimental data showed that this effect is more than 10 times greater than what previous theories had predicted. This achievement is hailed as a major breakthrough that redefines the core premises of spin transfer theory and provides a vital theoretical foundation for next-generation ultra-low-power magnetic memory and quantum information devices. The study gained worldwide acclaim following its publication in the journal ‘Nature’ last year. The anniversary ceremony also honored 58 faculty members for their excellence in education, research, and international cooperation. Professor Wonho Choe of the Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering received the ‘Academic Achievement Grand Prize’ for his world-first identification of physical phenomena in low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma and his contributions to medical and space technologies. The ‘Creative Teaching Grand Prize’ went to Professor Hyung-soo Kim of the Department of Mechanical Engineering for his innovative sports fluid mechanics curriculum. Professor Park Bum-soon of the Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy was awarded the ‘Outstanding Teaching Grand Prize’ for his interdisciplinary ‘Anthropocene Humanities’ courses that bridge science, art, and policy. Furthermore, Professor Hyeon-Min Bae of the School of Electrical Engineering received the ‘Distinguished Service Grand Prize’ for his leadership in accelerating deep-tech prototyping and fostering a robust startup ecosystem. Professor Shin-Hyun Kim of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering was honored with the ‘International Cooperation Grand Prize’ for establishing the T2KN consortium between Korea, Japan, China, and ASEAN, facilitating global academic exchange for over 120 students. KAIST President Kwang-Hyung Lee stated, “The true spirit of KAIST lies in the dedication of our members who venture into uncharted territories and strive to transcend existing limits. I hope today serves as a moment for all our members to share in the joy and celebrate the remarkable achievements of our awardees.”

< KAIST Professor Kyung Ryul Park delivering a keynote speech > KAIST announced on February 9th that the KAIST-NYU AI and Digital Governance Summit, co-hosted with New York University (NYU), was held at NYU in New York from February 6 to 7 (local time). Amid the rapidly expanding impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across society, this summit was designed to combine private consensus meetings with public discussions to seek practical AI governance solutions that harmonize technological innovation with safety and ethical responsibility. The summit was attended by 60 global AI governance leaders representing academia, industry, and civil society, including NYU professors Matthew Liao and David Chalmers, Victoria Nash (Director of the Oxford Internet Institute), Professor Vincent Conitzer (Carnegie Mellon University), Iason Gabriel (Principal Scientist at Google DeepMind), and Philip Goldberg (former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea). In particular, the public discussion on the second day drew high interest, with approximately 450 audience members in attendance. < Brad Carson, U.S. Representative for Responsible Innovation and former U.S. Congressman, delivering a keynote speech > This event garnered attention as an 'experimental consensus model' aimed at deriving an actionable AI governance framework beyond a simple forum. KAIST’s Global Center for Open Development with Evidence-based Strategies (G-CODEs) and the NYU Center for Bioethics had formed three working groups—Governance Requirements, Institutional Architecture, and Implementation Pathways—since last December to conduct preliminary discussions. At the New York site, practice-oriented recommendations were derived through intensive consensus-style discussions and voting. In the Governance Requirements session, the need for enhanced oversight and monitoring of high-risk AI systems was discussed. In the ‘Institutional Architecture’ session, principles for designing AI oversight bodies were reviewed, referencing existing high-risk technology oversight models such as the FDA, IRB, and FAA. In the Implementation Pathways session, short-term governance tools and corporate responsibility standards that could be applied even during the current gap in international regulation were addressed as key issues. Major global Big Tech experts from Meta, Google DeepMind, IBM, Amazon, Anthropic, TikTok and Hugging Face participated in the summit. From KAIST, researchers including Prof. So Young Kim , Prof. Kyung Ryul Park, and Prof. Hyungjun Kim shared Korea’s research achievements in AI governance.his event was conducted with support from the Korea Foundation’s (KF) international collaborative research program. Professor Kyung Ryul Park of KAIST stated, “This summit was a meaningful attempt to expand AI governance beyond technical regulation into a matter of international cooperation and institutional design. Through the cooperation between KAIST and NYU, we will build a foundation for Korea to lead global AI governance discussions.” KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee remarked, “The importance of governance discussions for responsible AI innovation is growing. KAIST will continue to lead interdisciplinary research and policy discussions in the field of AI governance through international partnerships.” < Sebastien Krier, AI Policy Lead at Google DeepMind, speaking >

<Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee immediately after receiving the AIBN Medal (AIBN Translational Research Award)> KAIST announced on February 9th that Sang Yup Lee, Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (and Vice President for Research), was presented with the AIBN Medal (AIBN Translational Research Award) on February 3rd (local time) at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), located at the University of Queensland (UQ) in Brisbane, Australia. The AIBN Medal is awarded to recognize translational research achievements that extend biotechnological research into industrial and social value. It is often described as an award for "achievements that do not let research end in the laboratory." Rather than focusing solely on the number of papers or citations, the award prioritizes industrial applicability, technology dissemination, international cooperation, and social impact. It is a symbolic global award in the field of translational research presented by AIBN, a world-class research hub for synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and biomanufacturing. The medal was personally presented by Professor Sue Harrison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Queensland. <Professor Sue Harrison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UQ, personally presenting the medal> During his commemorative lecture, Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee spoke on the topic of "Systems Metabolic Engineering for Chemical Production," presenting a future vision for sustainable biomanufacturing and synthetic biology technologies. <Vice President for Research giving the award lecture on Systems Metabolic Engineering for Chemical Production> For approximately 32 years at KAIST, Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee has pioneered research in metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and systems biotechnology. To date, he has accumulated world-class research achievements, including 798 papers in international journals, 868 patents (registered and filed), over 3,000 presentations at domestic and international conferences, and approximately 690 keynote and invited lectures. Furthermore, he has contributed to establishing the academic framework of the field through numerous publications, such as Metabolic Engineering, Systems Biology and Biotechnology of Escherichia coli, and Systems Metabolic Engineering. In its official announcement, AIBN stated the background for the award: "Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee is a world-renowned scholar in the field of systems metabolic engineering who has made continuous and meaningful contributions not only to academic influence but also to the University of Queensland and the Australian research ecosystem." Notably, Professor Lee played a key role in establishing research strategies during the early days of AIBN (2006–2007). His collaboration has since expanded from sugar-based biomanufacturing to synthetic aviation fuels and waste-gas fermentation-based bioprocessing. This collaboration led to global joint research with entities such as Amyris (a US-based bio-chemical and fuel company), UC Berkeley, LanzaTech (a global leader in waste-gas fermentation), and SkyNRG (a Dutch company leading the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, SAF). These efforts served as a vital foundation for the University of Queensland to become Australia’s representative research hub in synthetic biology and systems metabolic engineering. Professor Lee is an International Member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in the US, a Foreign Member of The Royal Society in the UK, and a Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He also serves as the Co-Chair of the Global Future Council on Biotechnology for the World Economic Forum (WEF), continuing his international activities across academia, policy, and industry. In his acceptance speech, Vice President Sang Yup Lee remarked, "I believe this AIBN Medal is not just an individual achievement, but the fruit of long-standing cooperation between researchers from KAIST, UQ, and Korea and Australia. It is a meaningful award that demonstrates how research in systems metabolic engineering and synthetic biology can lead to solutions for sustainable industry and social issues." He added, "Moving forward, I will continue to strengthen global research cooperation and translational research to ensure that biotechnology provides tangible value to human life." KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee commented, "This award goes beyond the personal excellence of Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee; it is a case where KAIST’s research capabilities and international cooperation strategies have been recognized globally. KAIST will continue to lead translational research where results spread to industry and society, contributing to the sustainable bio-industry and the resolution of global challenges through cooperation with global partners." Meanwhile, Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee was originally named the inaugural recipient of the 1st AIBN Medal in 2016. However, the official ceremony was delayed due to scheduling conflicts and the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to his attendance and formal receipt of the award nearly 10 years later.

< Bird’s-Eye View of KAIST BioSquare > KAIST is embarking on a full-scale journey in Osong, Chungcheongbuk-do, to leap forward as a world-class bio-medical hub. The university announced that it will hold the opening ceremony for ‘KAIST Bio Square’ on the 6th at the Chungbuk Cosmetic Clinical Research Support Center, in collaboration with Chungcheongbuk-do Province and Cheongju City. KAIST Bio Square is a core hub for the creation of 'K-Bio Square' and serves as a convergence research and education platform that breaks down the boundaries between various disciplines such as AI, physics, and mechanical engineering, centered on bio-technology. Using this as a strategic outpost, KAIST plans to establish a cooperation system with Seoul National University Hospital, Chungbuk National University Hospital, the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, and the Osong Medical Innovation Foundation to create innovative achievements in the field of R&D for aging, including the development of treatments for Parkinson's disease and medical devices. Furthermore, it plans to attract startups that will lead innovation in the future bio-industry and develop the related industrial ecosystem, while fostering it as a bio-entrepreneurship outpost that concentrates KAIST's startup capabilities, which produce 120 venture companies annually. The opening ceremony will be attended by major figures from industry, academia, research, and hospitals, including Young Hwan Kim, Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do; Kwang Hyung Lee, President of KAIST; Yeon Hee Lee, Member of the National Assembly; Daesoo Kim, Dean of the KAIST College of Life Science and Bioengineering; Yong Jin Kim, Vice President of Research at Seoul National University Hospital; Sang Bae Han, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at Chungbuk National University; Kyu Sun Lee, Head of the Research Division at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology; and Myung Soo Lee, Chairman of the Osong Medical Innovation Foundation. The building where KAIST Bio Square is located (formerly the Chungbuk Cosmetic Clinical Research Support Center) consists of one basement level and three floors above ground, with the first floor currently being used as a seminar room and networking space. Starting in June, the entire building will be remodeled to create a state-of-the-art research and education space equipped with lecture rooms, faculty research offices, graduate department offices, and open labs. Young Hwan Kim, Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do, stated, “K-Bio Square consists of three major pillars: the KAIST Osong Bio-Medical Campus Town, the Seoul National University Hospital R&D Clinical Hospital, and R&D involving the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology and the Osong Medical Innovation Foundation. KAIST Bio Square will be the strategic base for realizing this.” He added, “I am grateful to KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee and Dean Daesoo Kim of the College of Life Science and Bioengineering for their major decision.” Kwang Hyung Lee, President of KAIST, remarked, “K-Bio Square is an important project being promoted as part of the national bio-strategy and mid-to-long-term national tasks.” He stated, “We will focus all of KAIST’s capabilities to ensure that the Osong Bio-Medical Campus Town can settle in early.” He also plans to propose cooperation measures for future medical innovation, such as the establishment of an AI healthcare graduate school with Seoul National University Hospital and Chungbuk National University Hospital, and the joint development of physician-scientist training programs. Daesoo Kim, Dean of the KAIST College of Life Science and Bioengineering, said, “This opening is a practical fruition of the open innovation strategies that KAIST has been pursuing, such as R&D planning, the attraction of global bio-labs, and joint responses to innovative regulation-free zones.” He added, “We will lead drug development and brain/anti-aging research here to create an AI-bio innovation ecosystem where industry, academia, research, and hospitals coexist.”

KAIST extends its deepest condolences on the passing of the late Chairman Chang Sun Jung, founder of Jungheung Group. Chairman Jung made significant contributions to the development of Korea’s construction industry and regional economy, and was a visionary leader who deeply recognized and actively supported the importance of nurturing science and technology talent. In particular, through his generous contribution to the KAIST Development Fund, he left a meaningful legacy in fostering future scientific talent and advancing research environments that will shape the nation’s future. KAIST honors Chairman Jung’s noble spirit of giving and dedication, and will continue to strive to ensure that his vision lives on through the advancement of science and technology in Korea. We extend our sincere condolences to the bereaved family and to the executives and employees of Jungheung Group, and pray for the eternal rest of the deceased.

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