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Turning a Toxic Gas into a Therapeutic Tool Using Electricity: The Two Faces of Hydrogen Sulfide
<(From Left) Professor Jimin Park, Dr. Jaewoong Lee, M.S candidate Lian Lim, Ph.D candidate Changho Lee>
KAIST Research Team Develops a 'Bioelectronic Platform' for Precision Hydrogen Sulfide Delivery, Opening New Doors for Digital Healthcare and Precision Medicine
A toxic gas known for its "rotten egg smell" has been transformed into a therapeutic tool. A research team at KAIST has developed a technology to precisely control hydrogen sulfide (H2S) using electrical signals, bringing us one step closer to precision medicine that targets only the desired areas while minimizing side effects.
KAIST announced on March 23 that a research team led by Professor Jimin Park from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has developed a "bioelectronic H2S delivery platform." This platform can precisely regulate the generation and delivery of H2S at specific times and locations.
< Schematic Diagram of a Hydrogen Sulfide–Generating Bioelectronic Platform (AI-Generated Image) >
While H2S has long been recognized as a hazardous substance due to its odor and toxicity, it has recently gained attention as a "biological signaling molecule" that maintains cellular health and regulates protein functions.
In particular, H2S acts as a "chemical switch" that can modulate protein functions by subtly altering their conformations. However, its use in clinical therapy has been limited because it is difficult to control its concentration and deliver it precisely to specific sites. The research team solved these issues by implementing a technology that controls H2S delivery precisely like an electrical switch.
Inspired by the metabolic cycles of bacteria in nature, the team designed a system that generates H2S by applying electricity to thiosulfate ions (S2O32-), a precursor harmless to the human body. This method offers higher safety and precision compared to conventional chemical administration methods.
< Hydrogen Sulfide Regulation Capability Depending on Electrode Materials and Input Parameters >
Furthermore, through a comparative analysis of various metal electrodes, the team identified the "silver (Ag) electrode" as the most efficient material for H2S electrosynthesis. The Ag electrode selectively generates H2S with high electron transfer efficiency, allowing precise control over its production. Using this platform, both the amount and release kinetics of H2S can be finely tuned by adjusting the voltage and electrolysis time, enabling delivery at the optimal time based on the patient’s condition or the treatment site.
When applied to human-derived cells (HEK293T), the research team successfully regulated ion channels (TRPA1), which act as an internal cellular "switch" for sensing pain and irritation. Notably, when applied to cells under oxidative stress (such as those with increased reactive oxygen species), the delivered H2S restored cellular redox balance and demonstrated protective effects. Minimal cytotoxicity was observed, confirming its safety for potential human applications.
< Spatiotemporal Regulation of TRPA1 Activation by a Hydrogen Sulfide–Delivering Bioelectronic Platform >
< Spatiotemporal Recovery of Oxidative Stress Using a Hydrogen Sulfide–Delivering Bioelectronic Platform >
Professor Jimin Park explained, "This study is significant in that it transforms H2S, once regarded solely as a toxic substance, into a new tool for regulating biological systems through precise electrical control." He added, "This technology holds great potential for expansion into precision medical devices for treating neurological and cardiovascular diseases, as well as digital healthcare for real-time health management."
This research involved Lian Lim, Changho Lee, and Jaewoong Lee as co-first authors. The study also included contributions from Myeongeun Lee, Yongha Kim, Tae Kyoung Lee, Gwangbin Lee, Jinsoo Kim, and Sang Yeon Oh, with Professor Jihan Kim as a co-author and Professor Jimin Park as the corresponding author.
The findings were published on March 19 in the internationally renowned academic journal Science Advances.
Paper Title: Bioelectronic Synthesis of Hydrogen Sulfide Enables Spatiotemporal Regulation of Protein Modification and Cellular Redox
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb3401
This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) through the Young Researcher Program and the Global Matching Program.
< Research Illustration (AI-Generated Image) >
2026.03.25 View 338 -
World’s First AI-Managed Unmanned Factory Implemented... Construction of Physical AI KAIROS
< Integrated Operation of Heterogeneous Logistics Robot Systems >
KAIST announced on March 23rd that Professor Young Jae Jang's team from the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering has constructed ‘KAIROS’ (KAIST AI Robot Orchestration Systems), a physical AI testbed that integrates and controls heterogeneous robots, sensors, facilities, and digital twins into a single system.
KAIROS is a 100% unmanned factory platform based on physical AI and is the first integrated testbed of its kind in Korea, developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). It is particularly noteworthy as a domestic integrated solution aimed at exporting "Dark Factories" in the future.
The most significant feature of KAIROS is its structure, which integrates and controls various factory equipment through a single AI agent-based Operating System (OS). While existing factory automation was operated around individual devices, KAIROS integrates Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), humanoid robots, collaborative robots, and automation facilities into a single intelligent platform. Through this, the concept of ‘Physical AI-based factory operation’—where the entire factory is operated like a single AI system—has been realized.
The core of this testbed is the 100% domestic integration of the entire process from sensors and control to data processing. By integrating key elements of a Dark Factory—including logistics robots (AMR), OHT, 3D shuttles, humanoid robots, collaborative robots, industrial sensors and PC controllers, wireless charging systems, digital twins and simulations, and AI-based integrated control and safety management systems—using domestic technology, the project has replaced factory automation equipment and software that were heavily dependent on foreign technology and laid the foundation for a ‘K-Manufacturing Factory Export Model.’
As part of the Physical AI Pre-verification Project, the MSIT has supported the establishment of a demonstration lab within the KAIST Industrial Management Building. On March 23, Vice Minister Bae Gyeong-hoon (Minister of Science and ICT) visited KAIST to announce the National Physical AI Strategy (Draft) and unveil the KAIROS-based Dark Factory demonstration site.
At the event, the factory operating system of the KAIST demonstration lab, joint physical AI demonstration results with Chonbuk National University, and the direction of the ‘Team Korea Physical AI (TK-PAI)’ alliance—a cooperative structure of domestic companies—were discussed.
< KAIROS Operation Plan Announcement >
< KAIROS Demonstration >
< KAIROS Factory Site >
KAIST plans to further advance the next-generation factory operating system (OS), covering the design, construction, and operation of Dark Factories through KAIROS, and to develop simulation and virtual verification environments.
In addition, the university intends to utilize the platform as a testing and evaluation site where domestic robot and automation companies can pre-verify highly reliable equipment, thereby increasing industrial applicability. Furthermore, the goal is to develop physical AI-based Dark Factory solutions capable of competing with global companies such as Siemens (Germany), FANUC (Japan), and Yaskawa (Japan) to pursue entry into the global market.
Kwang Hyung Lee, President of KAIST, stated, “KAIROS is the beginning of a new industrial paradigm where AI directly operates factories. KAIST will lead manufacturing innovation based on physical AI and contribute to ensuring South Korea’s leadership in global industrial competition.”
Professor Young Jae Jang, who led the construction of KAIROS, explained, “KAIROS goes beyond individual automation technologies to implement the concept of a factory operating system (OS) that integrates diverse robots and facilities into one system. It will serve as a foundation for domestic companies to verify physical AI technologies applicable to actual industrial sites and expand into the global market.”
2026.03.23 View 1367 -
KAIST Develops Motor-less Robotic Hand Actuation Technology Capable of Bending in Under One Second
< (From left) KAIST Ph.D. students Sangyoon Bae and Professor Seong Su Kim, Ph.D. student Dajeong Kang, and Dr. Wonvin Kim >
While space structures and robotic arms require lightweight actuation devices capable of repetitive movement, conventional motor-based systems face limitations due to their heavy weight and complex structures. A KAIST research team has developed a smart material-based actuation technology that operates rapidly in less than a second without a motor, suggesting new possibilities for next-generation robotics and space deployable structures.
KAIST announced on the 22nd that a research team led by Professor Seong Su Kim from the Department of Mechanical Engineering has developed a "two-way shape memory material-based hybrid smart actuator" capable of "reversible self-shape change." This technology allows the material to change its shape in response to external stimuli, such as heat, and return to its original state without the need for additional complex mechanical devices.
The research team designed a hybrid composite actuator that combines Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) and Shape Memory Polymers (SMP) to leverage the advantages of both materials. SMAs are metallic materials that return to their original shape when heated, while SMPs are polymer materials that change shape in response to heat or other external stimuli.
Conventional shape memory materials had limitations; they either could not return to their original state once deformed (one-way) or had extremely slow recovery speeds. Furthermore, because metal alloys and polymer materials have different levels of stiffness, they often failed to restore their shape accurately during repetitive use.
To solve these issues, the research team improved both the material and its structure. First, they adjusted the chemical composition of the SMP and reinforced it with carbon fibers to make the material more rigid. Additionally, they applied a "tape spring" structure—similar to a retractable measuring tape—to the actuator. This structure creates a "snap-through" phenomenon, where energy is stored during deformation and released instantaneously, significantly increasing both the speed and accuracy of the movement.
As a result, the developed actuator achieved full two-way actuation, bending when heated and flattening again as the temperature drops. The technology also demonstrated a significantly increased range of deformation and a nearly 100% recovery rate to the initial shape. The recovery speed was also greatly improved, confirming that the actuator can operate repeatedly without the need for complex control systems.
< Development process of the SMA-SMP hybrid two-way actuator >
The shape memory actuator developed in this study is highly significant as it simultaneously achieves two-way deformation, sub-second actuation speed, and high deployment accuracy. This achievement is evaluated as a major step forward in the practical application of shape memory material-based actuation technology.
Professor Seong Su Kim stated, "This research overcomes the physical limitations of materials through original structural design, elevating the performance of shape memory actuators to the next level. We expect this technology to be applied in various fields, such as robotic grippers requiring repetitive motions or deployable structures for space applications."
Dajeong Kang, a Ph.D. student, participated as the lead author of this study. The paper was published online on January 19, 2026, in Advanced Functional Materials, an international journal published by Wiley. In recognition of its excellence, the study was featured as the Front Cover of the March 2026 issue of Advanced Functional Materials.
Paper Title: Two-Way Shape Memory Alloy and Polymer Composite Hybrid Smart Actuator With High Speed, Accuracy, and Reversible Deformation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202528863 Author Information: Dajeong Kang (KAIST, First Author), Seong Yeon Park (KAIST, Co-author), Yitro Samuel Aditya (KAIST, Co-author), Ha Eun Lee (KAIST, Co-author), Wonvin Kim (KAIST, Co-author), Sangyoon Bae (KAIST, Co-author), and Seong Su Kim (KAIST, Corresponding Author)
< Image of the Front Cover of Advanced Functional Materials >
This research was conducted with the support of the Nano and Materials Technology Development Program (Project No. RS-2024-00450477) and the National Semiconductor Research Laboratory Core Technology Development Program (Project No. RS-2023-00260461) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
2026.03.23 View 438 -
KAIST Expands Storage Capacity with Smart Gate Semiconductor Technology
<(From Left) Ph. D candidate Dae Hyun Kang, Professor Byung Jin Cho>
From smartphones to large-scale AI servers, most digital information in modern society is stored in NAND flash memory*. KAIST researchers have developed an innovative technology that can overcome the limitations of next-generation semiconductors, where more data must be stored in smaller spaces. This advancement is expected to serve as a key enabling technology for realizing ultra-high-capacity memory.*NAND flash memory: a non-volatile semiconductor memory used in storage devices such as smartphones and SSDs, where data such as photos, videos, and apps are retained even when power is turned off.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 20th of March that a research team led by Professor Byung Jin Cho of the School of Electrical Engineering has overcome the scaling limitations of 3D V-NAND memory* by implementing a “smart gate” structure that selectively controls electron movement depending on conditions, using a new material applied to an ultra-thin semiconductor layer thinner than a human hair.*3D V-NAND: a memory technology that stacks memory cells vertically, unlike conventional planar (2D) arrangements, enabling higher data storage density.
This research is particularly significant in that it addresses the longstanding issues of speed degradation and reliability during data write and erase operations by utilizing a novel material called boron oxynitride (BON).
In semiconductor memory, the tunneling layer—a thin insulating layer that acts as a pathway for electrons to move in and out of the memory cell—has historically faced a trade-off between performance and reliability.
With conventional materials, it has been difficult to achieve both simultaneously. For example, the widely used silicon oxynitride (SiON) increases data leakage when the tunneling path is widened to improve erase speed, while narrowing the path to prevent leakage significantly slows down data erasure. This trade-off has been a major obstacle to implementing next-generation penta-level cell (PLC) technology.
PLC technology stores 5 bits of data per memory cell by distinguishing 32 different voltage states, allowing much higher data density within the same physical size.
To overcome this limitation, the research team introduced BON, a completely new material beyond conventional silicon-based systems, into the tunneling layer. This material exhibits a unique physical property in which the energy barrier height differs depending on the type of charge carrier.
Leveraging this property, the team designed an asymmetric energy barrier structure that allows holes (positive charge carriers)—needed for data erase—to pass through easily, while blocking electrons, which represent stored data, from leaking out.
An asymmetric energy barrier refers to a structure in which the energy required for charge carriers to move varies depending on the type of charge. This enables efficient charge transport during erase operations while effectively preventing data loss. The concept is analogous to a “smart gate” that opens easily for entry but firmly blocks exit, implemented at the semiconductor level.
Experimental results showed that devices using the BON tunneling layer achieved up to a 23-fold improvement in erase speed compared to conventional technologies and demonstrated excellent durability with minimal performance degradation even after tens of thousands of operation cycles.
Notably, even under the highly demanding PLC operation—where 32 distinct voltage levels must be precisely controlled—the researchers achieved more than threefold improvement in controlling data distribution across devices.
< Schematic diagram of the asymmetric energy barrier structure and operating principle of the BON tunneling layer >
This achievement is considered by both academia and industry to be beyond a purely experimental result, reaching a level immediately applicable to real semiconductor manufacturing processes.
Professor Byung Jin Cho stated, “This research presents a novel technology that can be directly applied to the production of next-generation ultra-high-capacity memory,” adding, “It will significantly contribute to maintaining Korea’s technological leadership in the semiconductor industry.”
This study was implemented by Dae Hyun Kang, an integrated master’s–PhD student in Electrical Engineering, as the first author. The research was presented at the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) on December 9, one of the most prestigious conferences in the semiconductor field, attracting global attention.
The work also received the Grand Prize (first place overall in the university category) at the 32nd Samsung Human Tech Paper Awards, marking a notable achievement as a traditional semiconductor device study in a competition typically dominated by AI-related research.
※ Paper title: “Bandgap-Engineered Boron Oxynitride Tunneling Layer for Reliable PLC Operation of 3D V-NAND Flash Memory Devices,” DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/IEDM50572.2025.11353681
This research was supported by the National Semiconductor Research Lab Core Technology Development Program funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
2026.03.23 View 404 -
European Academy of Microbiology welcomes 95 new Fellows
<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.
2026.03.20 View 536 -
KAIST Reveals the Formation Mechanism of Skyrmions Inside Magnets… A Clue to Solving AI Power Consumption
<(From Left) Prof.Se Kwon Kim, Dr. Gyungchoon Go>
“Skyrmions,” in which electron spins inside a magnet are arranged like vortices, are a key structure in next-generation spintronics technology. KAIST researchers have shown that skyrmions can form using only the fundamental physical interactions within magnets, without requiring special physical conditions. This finding expands the possibility of realizing skyrmions in a wide range of magnetic materials and suggests new potential for developing next-generation ultra-low-power information devices with data storage densities tens to hundreds of times higher than current technologies.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 19th of March that a research team led by Professor Se Kwon Kim from the Department of Physics has proposed a new theoretical framework showing that vortex-like magnetic structures can naturally emerge solely through magnetoelastic coupling—the interaction between magnetism and lattice structure.
The team demonstrated that the interaction between spins (the intrinsic magnetic property of electrons) and lattice deformation (the slight distortion of atomic arrangements) alone can lead to the spontaneous formation of vortex-like magnetic structures.
In particular, skyrmions—vortex-like spin structures found inside magnetic materials—are extremely small and highly stable, making them promising candidates for ultra-high-density, low-power information devices. However, until now, forming such structures was believed to require specific physical conditions such as crystal asymmetry or strong spin–orbit coupling.
The researchers theoretically showed that even without such special conditions, magnetoelastic coupling, which naturally occurs in most magnetic materials, is sufficient to generate a structure in which skyrmions and antiskyrmions are alternately arranged.
Magnetoelastic coupling refers to the phenomenon in which magnetism (spin) and lattice deformation influence each other, and it is a fundamental physical property present in nearly all magnetic materials. The team showed that when this coupling becomes sufficiently strong, the original ground state—where magnetization is uniformly aligned—becomes unstable and transitions into a new vortex-like ordered state.
In this process, they proposed a new mechanism in which spin tilting and lattice distortion occur simultaneously, forming a chiral spin texture composed of alternating skyrmions and antiskyrmions.
Professor Se Kwon Kim explained, “This study demonstrates that skyrmion-like magnetic structures can form even without specific or exotic interactions. It is particularly meaningful in that it suggests the possibility of realizing such structures in two-dimensional magnetic materials, where research is currently very active.”
This study was led by Gyungchoon Go, who participated as the first author. The research was published on February 11 in the internationally renowned journal Physical Review Letters, recognizing its significance in the field of physics.
※ Paper title: “Magnetoelastic Coupling-Driven Chiral Spin Textures: A Skyrmion-Antiskyrmion-like Array,” DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/5csz-pw7x
※ Main Authors: Gyungchoon Go (first author), Se Kwon Kim (corresponding author)
This research was supported by the Samsung Science and Technology Foundation, the Brain Pool Plus Program by the National Research Foundation of Korea, and the Sejong Science Fellowship.
2026.03.19 View 630 -
Longevity mediated by suppressing age-associated circRNA
< (Back row from left) Prof. Yoon Ki Kim, Prof. Seung-Jae V. Lee, and Gwangrog Lee; (Front row from left) Dr. Sung Ho Boo, Sieun S. Kim, Seokjin Ham, and (top) Donghun Lee >
Cells in our bodies produce RNA based on genetic information stored in DNA, and RNA serves as a blueprint for making proteins. Researchers at our university have discovered a new phenomenon: removing 'circular RNA' that accumulates in cells as we age can slow down aging and extend lifespan. This study provides crucial clues for uncovering the principles of aging and developing treatment strategies for related diseases.
Professor Seung-Jae V. Lee’s research team (RNA-Mediated Healthspan and Longevity Research Center) from the Department of Biological Sciences, in collaboration with research teams led by Professors Yoon Ki Kim and Gwangrog Lee, announced on the 18th that they discovered the RNASEK protein—an enzyme that degrades circular RNA—plays a vital role in slowing aging and extending lifespan.
Until now, circular RNA has been regarded mainly as an aging marker because of its stability, which allows it to accumulate over time. However, the molecular mechanism for removing this RNA and its direct link to aging had not been clearly identified. The research team conducted this study to determine how the accumulation of circular RNA affects aging and whether an intracellular management system exists to regulate it.
Using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a short-lived roundworm widely used in aging research, the team first confirmed that the circular RNA-degrading enzyme RNASEK is essential for longevity. They also discovered that as aging progresses, the amount of RNASEK decreases, resulting in an abnormal accumulation of circular RNA within cells.
Conversely, artificially increasing the levels of RNASEK (overexpression) extended the lifespan and allowed the organisms to survive longer in a healthy state. This implies that the process of appropriately removing cellular circular RNA is critical for maintaining health and longevity.
The research team also found that RNASEK prevents the toxic aggregation of circular RNAs in aged organisms. . When RNASEK is deficient and circular RNA accumulates, "stress granules" form abnormally inside the cell, which can impair cellular functions and accelerate aging.
RNASEK works alongside the chaperone protein HSP90 (which helps proteins avoid misfolding or clumping) to inhibit the formation of these stress granules and help cells maintain a normal state. Notably, this phenomenon was observed not only in C. elegans but also in human cells. In mammals, RNASEK also functions to directly degrade circular RNA; a deficiency of RNASEK in human cells and mouse models led to premature aging.
< Diagram showing progress toward longevity or aging depending on circular RNA and the removal enzyme RNASEK >
The researchers explained that this study is significant as it identifies a mechanism for regulating aging at the RNA level. They suggested that research using RNASEK to control circular RNA could lead to the development of treatment strategies for human aging and degenerative diseases.
Professor Seung-Jae V. Lee of KAIST, who led the study, explained, "Until now, circular RNA was merely regarded as a marker of aging that accumulates over time due to its stability. This study proves that circular RNA accumulated during aging actually induces aging, and that RNASEK, which removes it, is a key regulator that slows aging and induces healthy longevity."
< (AI-generated image) Longevity induced by the circular RNA-removing enzyme RNASEK >
Drs. Sieun S. Kim, Seokjin Ham, Sung Ho Boo, and Donghun Lee from the KAIST Department of Biological Sciences participated as joint first authors. The research results were published on February 24 in the world-renowned scientific journal Molecular Cell.
Paper Title: Ribonuclease $\kappa$ promotes longevity by preventing age-associated accumulation of circular RNA in stress granules
DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2026.01.031
This research was conducted with support from the Leader Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea.
2026.03.18 View 1087 -
World’s First SoulMate AI Semiconductor: A Personalized Digital Soulmate Developed
< (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).
2026.03.17 View 929 -
KAIST Reveals the Orbital Principle of Electron Motion for Realizing Memory of Dreams
<(From Left) Dr. Geun-Hee Lee, Professor Kyung-Jin Lee, Professor Kyoung-Whan Kim>
Research is actively underway to develop a “dream memory” that can reduce heat generation in smartphones and laptops while delivering faster performance and lower power consumption. Korean researchers have now proposed a new possibility for controlling magnetism using the exchange interaction of electron orbitals—the motion of electrons orbiting around an atomic nucleus—rather than relying on the conventional exchange interaction of electron spin, the rotational property of electrons inside semiconductors.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 16th of March that a joint research team led by Professor Kyung-Jin Lee of the Department of Physics at KAIST and Professor Kyoung-Whan Kim of the Department of Physics at Yonsei University (President Dong-Sup Yoon) has established, for the first time in the world, a new theoretical framework enabling magnetism to be freely controlled through orbital exchange interaction*, surpassing the limitations of conventional technologies that control magnetism using electric currents.*Orbital exchange interaction: a phenomenon in which the orbitals formed by electrons moving around an atomic nucleus interact with one another, thereby influencing the direction or properties of magnetism.
Until now, next-generation memory research has mainly focused on the spin of electrons. Spin refers to the property of electrons that rotate on their own axis like tiny spinning tops, and information can be stored by using the direction of this rotation. However, electrons simultaneously move around the atomic nucleus along paths known as orbitals. In this study, the research team theoretically demonstrated that when electric current flows, the orbital energy of electrons interacts directly with the orbitals of magnetic materials, enabling the transmission of information. Through this mechanism, they confirmed that the properties of magnets can be altered much more efficiently than with conventional spin-based approaches.
The most significant outcome of this research is the discovery that electric current does not merely change the direction of a magnet but can also modify the intrinsic properties of the magnet itself, such as the magnetic anisotropy (a magnet’s preferred direction) and rotational characteristics.
In particular, calculations by the research team showed that orbital-based control effects could be significantly stronger than existing spin-based methods. This finding suggests the possibility of a future era of orbital-based electronic devices, in which orbitals rather than spin play the central role in semiconductor components. The researchers also proposed practical experimental methods to measure these effects, which is expected to increase the potential for industrial applications.
The principle may also apply to altermagnetic materials, which have recently attracted significant attention in academia. Altermagnetism refers to a new form of magnetic material in which electron spins within atoms are arranged in alternating directions in an ordered pattern. Although these materials do not appear magnetic externally, they strongly influence electron motion. Because of this property, they allow precise control of electron states and are considered promising for high-speed, low-power semiconductor devices and next-generation memory technologies. The study therefore provides a strong theoretical foundation for developing future logic and memory devices.
Dr. Geun-Hee Lee stated, “This study demonstrates that controlling magnetism with electric current does not necessarily have to rely solely on spin. A new perspective—understanding and controlling magnetism using the orbital motion of electrons—will become an important milestone for the development of next-generation ultra-fast, low-power memory.”
In this research, Dr. Geun-Hee Lee (KAIST) participated as the first author, while Professor Kyoung-Whan Kim (Yonsei University) and Professor Kyung-Jin Lee (KAIST) served as co-corresponding authors. The results were published on February 2 in the internationally renowned journal Nature Communications, recognizing the academic significance of the work.
※ Paper title: “Orbital exchange-mediated current control of magnetism,” DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-68846-x
This research was supported by the Frontier Challenge R&D Project, the Mid-Career Researcher Program, the Science Research Center (SRC) program, the Early Career Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea, and Samsung Electronics.
2026.03.16 View 663 -
KAIST Develops Liquid Powder That Enables Electronics to Work Just by Drawing a Line
<(From left) Dr. Osman Gul, Distinguished Professor Inkyu Park, Dr. Hye Jin Kim>
What if electronic circuits could be created simply by drawing lines with a pencil on paper or leaves—and then immediately applied to soft robots or skin-attached health monitoring devices? Korean researchers have developed an electronic materials technology that forms electrically conductive liquid metal in a fine powder form, allowing circuits to be drawn directly on a wide variety of surfaces. This technology presents new possibilities for next-generation flexible electronics, including applications on paper and plastic as well as in soft robotic systems and wearable devices.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 15th of March that a research team led by Distinguished Professor Inkyu Park from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, in collaboration with Dr. Hye Jin Kim’s team at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI, President Seungchan Bang), has developed a liquid metal powder–based electronic material technology that allows electronic circuits to be directly drawn on desired surfaces.
The material the researchers focused on is liquid metal, which flows like a liquid yet conducts electricity like a metal. However, conventional liquid metals have very high surface tension and poor wettability on most surfaces, making it difficult to create precise circuits at desired locations. They tend to spread or clump easily, requiring additional surface treatments or processing steps that limit practical applications.
To overcome these limitations, the research team developed a new approach that converts liquid metal into fine powder particles. Each particle consists of liquid metal encapsulated by a thin oxide shell. Under normal conditions, the powder does not conduct electricity. The oxide layer forms naturally when the metal reacts with oxygen in the air, creating a very thin protective film. However, when light mechanical stimulation—such as brushing with a paintbrush or pressing with a finger—is applied, the oxide shell breaks and the metal particles connect with one another, enabling electrical conductivity.
<Demonstration Video>
In other words, the powder can be applied to a surface and only the required areas can be pressed to “activate” the electronic circuit, overcoming the spreading and patterning difficulties associated with conventional liquid metal circuits.
One of the most notable features of this technology is its versatility across locations and materials. Without requiring any thermal processing, circuits can be created instantly on surfaces such as paper, glass, plastic, textiles, and even living plant leaves. The method significantly reduces issues such as spreading, sedimentation, and pattern distortion that were common in conventional liquid metal circuits, enabling stable circuit fabrication on diverse surfaces.
Using this technology, the research team demonstrated practical applications including skin-mounted wireless health monitoring devices and flexible circuits for soft robots that can freely change shape. Because precise circuits can be fabricated on many surfaces without complex equipment, the technology is expected to find applications in next-generation electronic systems such as wearable healthcare devices, soft robotics, and flexible electronics.
The technology also offers advantages in terms of environmental sustainability. After use, the circuits can be dissolved in water and chemically treated (for example with sodium hydroxide, NaOH) to recover the liquid metal. The recovered metal can then be converted back into powder form and reused. This capability makes the technology an environmentally friendly approach that can help reduce electronic waste.
The powder also demonstrates stable performance. According to the research team, the developed powder maintains its functionality even after being stored at room temperature for more than a year and remains electrically intact after tens of thousands of bending or twisting cycles. These characteristics make it suitable for temporary electronic circuits that disappear after use as well as for customizable electronic devices.
<Research Image(AI-generated image)>
Distinguished Professor Inkyu Park stated, “This research enables electronic circuits to be fabricated as intuitively as drawing a picture, while also allowing recycling of the materials,” adding, “We expect it to be applied across various fields, including wearable computers and adaptive IoT systems that can change shape.”
This research was led by Osman Gul, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST, as the first author. The study was published online on December 9, 2025, in the international journal Advanced Functional Materials. The work was also selected as the Back Cover article of the journal in recognition of its significance.
※ Paper title: “Mechanochemically Activatable Liquid Metal Powders for Sustainable, Reconfigurable, and Versatile Electronics”, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202527396
This research was supported by the Mid-Career Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, as well as by a project supported by the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT).
2026.03.16 View 532 -
Professor Jihyeon Yeom Selected as Early Career Advisory Board Member for Top Chemistry and Materials Journal
< Professor Jihyeon Yeom >
KAIST announced on the 13th that Professor Jihyeon Yeom from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering has been selected as a member of the Early Career Advisory Board (ECAB) for Chemical Reviews, widely considered the world's most prestigious academic journal in the field of chemistry.
Published by the American Chemical Society (ACS), Chemical Reviews is a flagship review journal that comprehensively organizes and surveys the most influential research achievements across all areas of chemistry and materials science. It is evaluated as a top-tier international journal in the field.
The journal boasts an Impact Factor (IF) of 56, ranking it among the highest of all scientific journals worldwide. Its authority is particularly significant because it is a review journal that analyzes global research trends to suggest future academic directions, rather than simply publishing individual experimental data.
The ECAB, which began its term in January 2026, consists of 10 researchers selected from among rising global science leaders. Candidates are evaluated based on academic originality, research impact, and contributions to the scientific community. Members provide advisory roles for the journal's academic direction and strategic planning, contributing to the discovery of next-generation research trends and the expansion of global research networks.
This selection highlights that Professor Yeom’s research achievements are receiving high international acclaim.
Professor Yeom is conducting research on applying "chirality"—a property where objects, like DNA or proteins, are mirror images of each other but cannot be perfectly superimposed—to nanomaterials. Her core work involves precisely controlling atomic arrangements to realize artificial materials that can interact naturally with biological signals.
In particular, she is gaining attention for developing next-generation smart healthcare technology that combines light-responsive chiral materials with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect and analyze minute changes in the human body in real time. Professor Yeom explained that these chiral characteristics offer new possibilities for expanding information transmission and processing capabilities beyond simple structural properties.
Building on this foundation, she plans to expand her research into various fields, including precision medical diagnostic technology, next-generation optoelectronic devices utilizing circularly polarized light, and AI-based platforms.
Professor Yeom has established herself as a global leader in chiral materials research, recently publishing results in world-renowned journals such as Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, ACS Nano, and Accounts of Chemical Research.
"Chirality is not just a structural characteristic, but a new degree of freedom that expands the functional and information-processing capabilities of matter," said Professor Yeom. "I plan to expand my research into chiral-based electronic and optical devices, bio-diagnostic technologies, and AI-based spectroscopic platforms in the future."
This ECAB selection once again demonstrates the research competitiveness and international standing of the KAIST Department of Materials Science and Engineering. It is expected to further strengthen KAIST's role as a global research hub in the field of next-generation materials research.
2026.03.13 View 909 -
Development of Braille Translation Engine K-Braille for the Visually Impaired... 100% Accuracy Confirmed
< KAIST Professor Hyun Wook Ka >
KAIST announced on the 13th that a research team led by Professor Hyun Wook Ka of the Assistive AI Lab within the Department of Transdisciplinary Studies has developed ‘K-Braille,’ a next-generation Braille translation engine that advances the technology of ‘Braille translation’—converting standard text (mukja) into Braille that the visually impaired can read—and has completed large-scale performance verification. Braille translation is the process of converting information written in standard text, such as books, documents, and web pages, into the appropriate Braille system, and it is an essential technology for the information accessibility of the visually impaired. However, Korean Braille regulations include various exception rules for spacing, symbols, and foreign language notations, making accurate automatic Braille translation difficult. Current Braille programs used by the visually impaired employ a method of converting characters or symbols based on simple rules, which often leads to errors in complex regulation processing, such as mixed expressions of multilingual (English, etc.) and Korean, compound unit symbols, or spacing within parentheses. Since an error in a single Braille cell can lead beyond a simple typo to information distortion for the visually impaired, the importance of accurate Braille translation technology has been consistently raised. The most significant feature of the K-Braille engine developed by the research team is that it is a ‘system that understands sentences.’ While existing Braille programs use a substitution method that simply changes characters or symbols, K-Braille is a technology that analyzes the structure and context of a sentence through morphological analysis and Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) analysis to understand the meaning before converting it into Braille. Through this, it can more accurately handle various exceptional situations in the revised Braille regulations, such as sentences with mixed foreign languages and Korean, complex symbol combinations, and unit notations. To verify the accuracy of the technology, the research team utilized the ‘NLPAK (Standard Text-Braille Parallel Corpus),’ the largest Braille dataset in Korea established by the National Institute of Korean Language. This data contains pairs of standard text and Braille sentences, and the research team extracted 17,943 sentences from it to conduct a full evaluation of how closely the K-Braille translation results matched the actual Braille. The results showed that the ‘True Adjusted Accuracy,’ which indicates how accurately the Braille regulations are actually followed, was 100.0%, and the morphological structure similarity of Braille sentences, showing how similar the structure is to the correct answer, recorded an average of 99.81%, confirming high translation accuracy. Furthermore, in a comparative verification using the same sentence set with the National Institute of Korean Language’s official Braille program, ‘Jumsarang 6.3.5.8,’ K-Braille showed a higher translation matching rate, confirming its technical competitiveness.
< Semantic Braille Translation Architecture Diagram Based on the AST Structure of the K-Braille Engine >
Professor Hyun Wook Ka (KAIST), a researcher with congenital severe visual impairment who led this study and is the advisor to Inseo Chung (28), a student in the Department of Transdisciplinary Studies and CEO of the startup MPAG who donated 1 billion KRW to KAIST on the 10th to foster ‘Inclusive AI’ talent, stated, “Braille is not just a symbol for the visually impaired, but a language for reading the world.” He added, “Based on this achievement, we plan to develop the technology into a next-generation Braille system that can handle mathematical formulas, scientific symbols, and even musical scores in the future.” He continued, “I hope this technology will further enhance the information accessibility of the visually impaired and serve as an opportunity to present a new technical standard in the field of Korean Braille translation artificial intelligence.” The research team plans to go beyond the limitations of the existing Braille file format (.brf) to create a new Braille file format and build an ecosystem for the next-generation electronic Braille file format ‘.brfx (Braille File eXtended),’ along with developing the software and device environments for writing, reading, and sharing these files. In particular, the research team plans to return the K-Braille engine to society entirely free of charge as an ‘Inclusive AI’ technology. However, to prevent technological fragmentation and maintain a sustainable ecosystem, rather than indiscriminate software open-sourcing, they plan to establish official technology transfer and partnership networks with ‘responsible technology utilization entities’ such as public institutions, offices of education, Braille libraries, and assistive device manufacturers. By promoting this within the year, they aim to enable institutions currently building or operating Braille environments and new Braille display companies to immediately integrate the most perfect 2024-standard latest Braille translation module (API and system kernel) without any additional software license costs. Ultimately, the core value is to provide the highest level of barrier-free information accessibility to the final stage of visually impaired users without passing on any costs.
2026.03.13 View 475