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Seeing Black Holes More Clearly with Laser Light
<(From Left) Researcher Junyong Choi, Researcher Woosong Jeong, Professor Jungwon Kim, Researcher Jihoon Baek >
Radio telescopes are instruments that capture faint radio signals from space and convert them into images of celestial bodies. To observe distant black holes clearly, multiple radio telescopes must capture cosmic signals at exactly the same time, acting as a single unit. Research teams at KAIST have developedr a new reference signal technology that uses laser light to precisely synchronize the observation timing and phase of these telescopes.
KAIST announced on January 15th that a research team led by Professor Jungwon Kim from the Department of Mechanical Engineering—in collaboration with the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR) in Germany—has implemented a technology that directly applies optical frequency comb lasers to radio telescope receivers.
While a typical laser emits only one color (frequency), an optical frequency comb laser emits tens of thousands of extremely accurate colors arranged at regular intervals. This appearance resembles the teeth of a comb, hence the name "frequency comb." Since the frequency of each individual "tooth" is known exactly and the intervals can be precision-tuned to the level of an atomic clock, scientists refer to it as an "ultra-precision ruler made of light."
The core of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), a technique where multiple radio telescopes observe simultaneously, is aligning the phases of the radio signals received by each telescope as if aligning them to a single precise ruler. However, existing electronic reference signal methods faced limitations; as observation frequencies increased, precise phase calibration is becoming more difficult.
In response, the KAIST research team developed a method to deliver the optical frequency comb laser directly into the radio telescope, based on the idea of "improving the fundamental precision of phase alignment by utilizing light (lasers) from the signal generation stage." Through this, they successfully solved the problems of reference signal generation and phase calibration simultaneously within a single optical system.
If the conventional method was like using a "ruler that makes phase alignment difficult" at higher frequencies, this new technology can be compared to setting a standard with an "ultra-precision ruler that fixes the phase with extremely stable light." As a result, they have laid the foundation for distant radio telescopes to interoperate as elaborately as one giant telescope.
This technology was verified through test observations at the Korea VLBI Network (KVN) Yonsei Radio Telescope. The research team succeeded in detecting stable interference patterns (fringes) between radio telescopes and proved through actual observation that precise phase calibration is possible. Recently, this system was also installed at the KVN SNU Pyeongchang Radio Telescope, leading to expanded experiments using multiple observation sites simultaneously.
The team expects that this will not only allow for clearer imaging of black holes but also drastically reduce phase delay errors between instruments—a long-standing issue in VLBI observations.
The applications of this technology are not limited to astronomical observations. The team anticipates that it can be expanded to various advanced fields requiring precise space-time measurements, such as▲ Intercontinental ultra-precision clock comparison ▲Space geodesy ▲Deep-space probe tracking
< Illustration of the system principle (Image generated by AI) >
Professor Jungwon Kim of KAIST stated, "This research is a case where the limits of existing electronic signal generation technology were overcome by directly applying optical frequency comb lasers to radio telescopes. It will significantly contribute to improving the precision of next-generation black hole observations and advancing the fields of frequency metrology and time standards."
Dr. Minji Hyun (currently at KRISS) and Dr. Changmin Ahn from KAIST participated as co-first authors. The research findings were published on January 4th in the international academic journal Light: Science & Applications.
Paper Title: Optical frequency comb integration in radio telescopes: advancing signal generation and phase calibration
DOI: 10.1038/s41377-025-02056-w
Lead Authors: Dr. Minji Hyun (KAIST, currently KRISS), Dr. Changmin Ahn (KAIST), Jungwon Kim (KAIST)
This research was conducted with support from the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST) Creative Alliance Project(CAP), the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP).
2026.01.15 View 1566 -
Breaking the 1% Barrier, KAIST Boosts Brightness of Eco-Friendly Ultra-Small Semiconductors by 18-Fold
<(Front rwo, from left) KAIST co-first author Changhyun Joo, co-first author Seongbeom Yeon, (Back row, from left) Jaeyoung Ha, Professor Himchan Cho, Jaedong Jang>
Light-emitting semiconductors are used throughout everyday life in TVs, smartphones, and lighting. However, many technical barriers remain in developing environmentally friendly semiconductor materials. In particular, nanoscale semiconductors that are tens of thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair (about 100,000 nanometers) are theoretically capable of emitting bright light, yet in practice have suffered from extremely weak emission. KAIST researchers have now developed a new surface-control technology that overcomes this limitation.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 14th of January that a research team led by Professor Himchan Cho of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering has developed a fundamental technology to control, at the atomic level, the surface of indium phosphide (InP)* magic-sized clusters (MSCs)—nanoscale semiconductor particles regarded as next-generation eco-friendly semiconductor materials.* Indium phosphide (InP): a compound semiconductor made of indium (In) and phosphorus (P), considered an environmentally friendly alternative that does not use hazardous elements such as cadmium
The material studied by the team is known as a magic-sized cluster, an ultrasmall semiconductor particle composed of only several tens of atoms. Because all particles have identical size and structure, these materials are theoretically capable of emitting extremely sharp and pure light. However, due to their extremely small size of just 1–2 nanometers, even minute surface defects cause most of the emitted light to be lost. As a result, luminescence efficiency has remained below 1% to date.
Previously, this issue was addressed by etching the surface with strong chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid (HF). However, the overly aggressive reactions often damaged the semiconductor itself.
Professor Cho’s team adopted a different approach. Instead of removing the surface all at once, they devised a precision etching strategy that allows chemical reactions to proceed in a highly controlled, incremental manner. This enabled selective removal of only the defect sites that hindered light emission, while preserving the overall structure of the semiconductor. During this defect-removal process, fluorine generated by the reaction combined with zinc species in the solution to form zinc chloride, which in turn stabilized and passivated the exposed nanocrystal surface.
< Schematic illustration of overcoming emission efficiency limits via atomic-scale precision control >
As a result, the research team increased the luminescence efficiency of the semiconductor from below 1% to 18.1%. This represents the highest reported performance to date among indium phosphide–based ultrasmall nanosemiconductors, corresponding to an 18-fold increase in brightness.
This study is particularly significant in that it demonstrates, for the first time, that the surfaces of ultrasmall semiconductors—previously considered nearly impossible to control—can be precisely engineered at the atomic level. The technology is expected to find applications not only in next-generation displays, but also in advanced fields such as quantum communication and infrared sensing.
< Eco-friendly Ultra-compact Semiconductor Chemical Reaction (AI-generated image) >
Professor Himchan Cho explained, “This work is not simply about making brighter semiconductors, but about demonstrating how critical atomic-level surface control is for achieving desired performance.”
This research was carried out with Changhyun Joo, a doctoral student, and Seongbeom Yeon, a combined master’s-doctoral student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at KAIST, serving as co–first authors. Professor Himchan Cho and Professor Ivan Infante of the Basque Center for Materials, Applications, and Nanostructures (BCMaterials, Spain) participated as co-corresponding authors. The study was published online on December 16 in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), one of the most prestigious journals in chemistry.
※ Paper title: “Overcoming the Luminescence Efficiency Limitations of InP Magic-Sized Clusters,” DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c13963
This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea through the Nano Materials Technology Development Program, the Next-Generation Intelligent Semiconductor Technology Development Program, the Quantum Information Science Human Infrastructure Program, and by the Korea Basic Science Institute through its Infrastructure Support Program for Early-Career Researchers.
2026.01.14 View 1151 -
KAIST–Daekyo, Opening of the Cognitive Enhancement Research Center Lounge
< Group photo of officials at the opening ceremony of the KAIST–Daekyo Cognitive Enhancement Research Center Lounge >
KAIST held the opening ceremony for the ‘KAIST–Daekyo Cognitive Enhancement Research Center Lounge,’ jointly established with Daekyo, at the Meta-Convergence Hall on the Daejeon main campus last Saturday, the 10th.
This lounge was established through an in-kind donation by Daekyo for space creation as part of research cooperation. It was designed as a base space to more systematically operate brain development and cognitive function enhancement research that KAIST and Daekyo have been jointly promoting, and to share research results with society. Through this event, KAIST introduced the achievements of its research cooperation to date and provided a forum to explore the future directions of education and brain science.
Key KAIST officials, including Kyun Min Lee, Vice President for Provost and Academic Affairs, and Dae-Soo Kim, Dean of the College of Life Science and Bioengineering, as well as officials from both organizations, including Ho-joon Kang, CEO of Daekyo, attended the event to celebrate the opening of the lounge.
Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for industry-academic research cooperation with Daekyo in 2023, our university has been jointly conducting research on cognitive function enhancement and mental health across the entire life cycle—from infants to adults and seniors—based on brain and cognitive science. The cooperation continues to expand these research results into educational content and solutions.
An official from Daekyo stated, "The Cognitive Enhancement Research Center Lounge is a symbolic space for the research cooperation accumulated by both organizations, and it is highly meaningful to be able to communicate directly with customers and share research results here. Moving forward, Daekyo will continue to expand its cooperation with KAIST to prove the value of scientific and systematic education."
Kyun Min Lee, Vice President for Provost and Academic Affairs, said, "The opening of this lounge is significant in that a space for industry-academic cooperation research was created through Daekyo’s donation. Based on this space, KAIST will strive to share the achievements of brain and cognitive science research with society and contribute to the field of education."
2026.01.12 View 532 -
KAIST detects ‘hidden defects’ that degrade semiconductor performance with 1,000× higher sensitivity
<(From Left) Professor Byungha Shin, Ph.D candidate Chaeyoun Kim, Dr. Oki Gunawan>
Semiconductors are used in devices such as memory chips and solar cells, and within them may exist invisible defects that interfere with electrical flow. A joint research team has developed a new analysis method that can detect these “hidden defects” (electronic traps) with approximately 1,000 times higher sensitivity than existing techniques. The technology is expected to improve semiconductor performance and lifetime, while significantly reducing development time and costs by enabling precise identification of defect sources.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on January 8th that a joint research team led by Professor Byungha Shin of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at KAIST and Dr. Oki Gunawan of the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center has developed a new measurement technique that can simultaneously analyze defects that hinder electrical transport (electronic traps) and charge carrier transport properties inside semiconductors.
Within semiconductors, electronic traps can exist that capture electrons and hinder their movement. When electrons are trapped, electrical current cannot flow smoothly, leading to leakage currents and degraded device performance. Therefore, accurately evaluating semiconductor performance requires determining how many electronic traps are present and how strongly they capture electrons.
The research team focused on Hall measurements, a technique that has long been used in semiconductor analysis. Hall measurements analyze electron motion using electric and magnetic fields. By adding controlled light illumination and temperature variation to this method, the team succeeded in extracting information that was difficult to obtain using conventional approaches.
Under weak illumination, newly generated electrons are first captured by electronic traps. As the light intensity is gradually increased, the traps become filled, and subsequently generated electrons begin to move freely. By analyzing this transition process, the researchers were able to precisely calculate the density and characteristics of electronic traps.
The greatest advantage of this method is that multiple types of information can be obtained simultaneously from a single measurement. It allows not only the evaluation of how fast electrons move, how long they survive, and how far they travel, but also the properties of traps that interfere with electron transport.
The team first validated the accuracy of the technique using silicon semiconductors and then applied it to perovskites, which are attracting attention as next-generation solar cell materials. As a result, they successfully detected extremely small quantities of electronic traps that were difficult to identify using existing methods—demonstrating a sensitivity approximately 1,000 times higher than that of conventional techniques.
< Conceptual Diagram of the Evolution of Hall Characterization (Analysis) Techniques >
Professor Byungha Shin stated, “This study presents a new method that enables simultaneous analysis of electrical transport and the factors that hinder it within semiconductors using a single measurement,” adding that “it will serve as an important tool for improving the performance and reliability of various semiconductor devices, including memory semiconductors and solar cells.”
The results of this research were published on January 1 in Science Advances, an international academic journal, with Chaeyoun Kim, a doctoral student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, as the first author.
※ Paper title: “Electronic trap detection with carrier-resolved photo-Hall effect,” DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adz0460
This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
< Conceptual Diagram of Charge Transport and Trap Characterization Using Photo-Hall Measurements (AI-generated image) >
2026.01.08 View 1199 -
KAIST Solves Key Commercialization Challenges of Next-Generation Anode-Free Lithium Batteries
<(From Left) Ph.D candidate Juhyun Lee, Postdoctoral Researcher Jinuk Kim, (Upper Right) Professor Jinwoo Lee>
Anode-free lithium metal batteries, which have attracted attention as candidates for electric vehicles, drones, and next-generation high-performance batteries, offer much higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, their short lifespan has made commercialization difficult. KAIST researchers have now moved beyond conventional approaches that required repeatedly changing electrolytes and have succeeded in dramatically extending battery life through electrode surface design alone.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 4th of January that a research team led by Professors Jinwoo Lee and Sung Gap Im of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering fundamentally resolved the issue of interfacial instability—the greatest weakness of anode-free lithium metal batteries—by introducing an ultrathin artificial polymer layer with a thickness of 15 nanometers (nm) on the electrode surface.
Anode-free lithium metal batteries have a simple structure that uses only a copper current collector instead of graphite or lithium metal at the anode. This design offers advantages such as 30–50% higher energy density compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, lower manufacturing costs, and simplified processes. However, during the initial charging process, lithium deposits directly onto the copper surface, rapidly consuming the electrolyte and forming an unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which leads to a sharp reduction in battery lifespan.
Rather than changing the electrolyte composition, the research team chose a strategy of redesigning the electrode surface where the problem originates. By forming a uniform ultrathin polymer layer on the copper current collector using an iCVD (initiated chemical vapor deposition) process, they found that this layer regulates interactions with the electrolyte, precisely controlling lithium-ion transport and electrolyte decomposition pathways.
<Figure 1. Schematic of an ultrathin artificial polymer layer (15 nm thick) introduced onto the electrode surface>
In conventional batteries, electrolyte solvents decompose to form soft and unstable organic SEI layers, causing non-uniform lithium deposition and promoting the growth of sharp, needle-like dendrites. In contrast, the polymer layer developed in this study does not readily mix with the electrolyte solvent, inducing the decomposition of salt components rather than solvents. As a result, a rigid and stable inorganic SEI is formed, simultaneously suppressing electrolyte consumption and excessive SEI growth.
Using operando Raman spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the researchers identified the mechanism by which an anion-rich environment forms at the electrode surface during battery operation, leading to the formation of a stable inorganic SEI.
This technology requires only the addition of a thin surface layer without altering electrolyte composition, offering high compatibility with existing manufacturing processes and minimal cost burden. In particular, the iCVD process enables large-area, continuous roll-to-roll production, making it suitable for industrial-scale mass production beyond the laboratory.
<Figure 2. Design rationale of the current collector-modifying artificial polymer layer and the SEI formation mechanism>
Professor Jinwoo Lee stated, “Beyond developing new materials, this study is significant in that it presents a design principle showing how electrolyte reactions and interfacial stability can be controlled through electrode surface engineering,” adding, “This technology can accelerate the commercialization of anode-free lithium metal batteries in next-generation high-energy battery markets such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS).”
This research was conducted with Ph.D candidate Juhyun Lee, and postdoctoral Jinuk Kim, a postdoctoral researcher from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at KAIST, serving as co–first authors. The results were published on December 10, 2025, in Joule, one of the most prestigious journals in the field of energy.
※ Paper title: “A Strategic Tuning of Interfacial Li⁺ Solvation with Ultrathin Polymer Layers for Anode-Free Lithium Metal Batteries,” Authors: Juhyun Lee (KAIST, co–first author), Jinuk Kim (KAIST, co–first author), Jinwoo Lee (KAIST, corresponding author), Sung Gap Im (KAIST, corresponding author), among a total of 18 authors, DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2025.102226
This research was conducted at the Frontier Research Laboratory, jointly established by KAIST and LG Energy Solution, and was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Mid-Career Research Program, the Korea Forest Service (Korea Forestry Promotion Institute) Advanced Technology Development Program for High Value-Added Wood Resources, and the KAIST Jang Young Sil Fellowship Program.
2026.01.05 View 1137 -
KAIST to Showcase K-Tech Competitiveness at KAIST Pavilion during CES 2026
< Figure 1. Bird's-eye view of the KAIST Pavilion at CES 2026 >
KAIST announced on January 2nd that it will participate in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026), held from January 6 to 9, 2026, at Eureka Park in the Venetian Expo, Las Vegas. KAIST will operate a dedicated 111㎡ "KAIST Pavilion" to showcase its innovative technologies to global corporations and investors.
A total of 12 startups will participate in the KAIST Pavilion at CES 2026. Notably, eight of these companies are built on core AI technologies, highlighting KAIST's artificial intelligence research capabilities and its achievements in technology commercialization.
The participating companies will unveil solutions targeting the global market across various high-tech sectors centered on AI, including robotics, bio-health, hardware devices, and content technology.
One of the standout participants is Hypergram, a faculty-led startup. Hypergram will introduce 'HG VNIR Pro,' the world’s first commercialized compressive hyperspectral imaging technology. This product is an end-to-end solution that integrates industrial-grade precision hardware with AI analysis software, capable of detecting minute chemical properties invisible to the human eye in real-time. During the exhibition, the company plans to demonstrate high-precision AI image analysis using its high-speed hyperspectral machine vision camera.
< Figure 2. Hypergram >
MOSS, a winner of the CES 2026 Innovation Award, will exhibit an AI-based, all-in-one mobile music production platform. This platform allows the general public and indie musicians to create high-quality music without a heavy financial burden. Visitors can experience the intuitiveness and innovation of the technology at an AI experience zone, where they can create music by linking the MOSS app with the dedicated hardware, 'MOSS Pocket Studio.'
< Figure 3. MOSS (Innovation Award Winning Product) >
BareulEye is developing a medical AI diagnostic solution that detects high-resolution changes in internal organ microstructures based on AI-powered quantitative ultrasound analysis technology. At CES 2026, they will unveil a 3D volume reconstruction technology that utilizes smart mirror-based self-ultrasound imaging.
Leveraging this technological prowess, BareulEye recently secured approximately $10 million (14 billion KRW) in a strategic Series A investment from a leading global healthcare company. Led by Professor Hyeon-min Bae, the Director of the KAIST Institute for Startup & Entrepreneurship and CEO of BareulEye, the company plans to accelerate joint technology development and overseas market expansion.
< Figure 4. BareulEye >
In addition to these, various KAIST startups leading innovation in AI, bio, and hardware devices will participate to solidify their foundations for entering the global market.
The KAIST Pavilion is designed with an open layout and large-scale LED displays to attract attention, featuring independent spaces for each company to facilitate in-depth technical presentations and investment consultations.
"Through CES 2026, we aim to imprint the AI-driven innovative technologies of KAIST startups on the global stage and establish a practical bridgehead for their international expansion," said Keon Jae Lee, Vice President of the KAIST Institute for Technology Value Creation.
2026.01.02 View 2318 -
Presenting a Brain-Like Next-Generation AI Semiconductor that Sees and Judges Instantly
< (From left) Professor Sanghun Jeon, Ph.D candidate Seungyeob Kim, Postdoctoral researcher Hongrae Cho, Ph.D candidates Sang-ho Lee and Taeseung Jung, and M.S candidate Seonjae Park >
With the advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the importance of ultra-low-power semiconductor technology that integrates sensing, computation, and memory into a single unit is growing. However, conventional structures face challenges such as power loss due to data movement, latency, and limitations in memory reliability. A Korean research team has drawn international academic attention by presenting core technologies for an integrated ‘Sensor–Compute–Store’ AI semiconductor to solve these issues.
KAIST announced on December 31st that Professor Sanghun Jeon’s research team from the School of Electrical Engineering presented a total of six papers at the ‘International Electron Devices Meeting (IEEE IEDM 2025)’—the world’s most prestigious semiconductor conference—held in San Francisco from December 8 to 10. Among these, the papers were simultaneously selected as a Highlight Paper and a Top Ranked Student Paper.
Highlight Paper: Monolithically Integrated Photodiode–Spiking Circuit for Neuromorphic Vision with In-Sensor Feature Extraction [Link: https://iedm25.mapyourshow.com/8_0/sessions/session-details.cfm?scheduleid=255]
Top Ranked Student Paper: A Highly Reliable Ferroelectric NAND Cell with Ultra-thin IGZO Charge Trap Layer; Trap Profile Engineering for Endurance and Retention Improvement [Link: https://iedm25.mapyourshow.com/8_0/sessions/session-details.cfm?scheduleid=124]
The research on the M3D integrated neuromorphic vision sensor, selected as a highlight paper, is a semiconductor that stacks the human eye and brain within a single chip. Simply put, the sensors that detect light and the circuits that process signals like a brain are made into very thin layers and stacked vertically in one chip, implementing a structure where the process of 'seeing' and 'judging' occurs simultaneously.
Through this, the research team completed the world's first "In-Sensor Spiking Convolution" platform, where AI computation technology that "sees and judges at the same time" takes place directly within the camera sensor.
< Figure 1. Summary of research on vertically stacked optical signal-to-spike frequency converter for AI >
< Figure 2. Representative diagram of the development of a 2T-2C near-pixel analog computing cell based on oxide thin-film transistors >
Previously, this technology required several stages: capturing an image (sensor), converting it to digital (ADC), storing it in memory (DRAM), and then calculating (CNN). However, this new technology eliminates unnecessary data movement as the calculation happens immediately within the sensor. As a result, it has become possible to implement real-time, ultra-low-power Edge AI with significantly reduced power consumption and dramatically improved response speeds.
Based on this approach, the research team presented six core technologies at the conference covering all layers of AI semiconductors, from input to storage. They simultaneously created neuromorphic semiconductors that operate like the brain using much less electricity while utilizing existing semiconductor processes, along with next-generation memory optimized for AI.
First, on the sensor side, they designed the system so that judgment occurs at the sensor stage rather than having separate components for capturing images and calculating. Consequently, power consumption decreased and response speeds increased compared to the conventional method of taking a photo and sending it to another chip for calculation.
< Figure 3. Schematic diagram of a next-generation biomimetic tactile system using neuromorphic devices >
< Figure 4. Representative diagram of NC-NAND development research based on Ultra-thin-Mo and Sub-3.5 nm HZO >
Furthermore, in the field of memory, they implemented a next-generation NAND flash that uses the same materials but operates at lower voltages, lasts longer, and can store data stably even when the power is turned off. Through this, they presented a foundational technology that satisfies the requirements for high-capacity, high-reliability, and low-power memory necessary for AI.
< Figure 5. Representative diagram of next-generation 3D FeNAND memory development research >
< Figure 6. Representative diagram of research on charge behavior characterization and quantitative analysis methodology for next-generation FeNAND memory >
Professor Sanghun Jeon, who led the research, stated, "This research is significant in that it demonstrates that the entire hierarchy can be integrated into a single material and process system, moving away from the existing AI semiconductor structure where sensing, computation, and storage were designed separately." He added, "Moving forward, we plan to expand this into a next-generation AI semiconductor platform that encompasses everything from ultra-low-power Edge AI to large-scale AI memory."
Meanwhile, this research was conducted with support from basic research projects of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea, as well as the Center for Heterogeneous Integration of Extreme-scale & Property Semiconductors (CH³IPS). It was carried out in collaboration with Samsung Electronics, Kyungpook National University, and Hanyang University.
2025.12.31 View 903 -
Mathematicians Solve Cellular Noise, a Long-standing Challenge in Biology
< (From left) Researcher Dongju Lim, Researcher Seokhwan Moon, Professor Jae Kyoung Kim (KAIST), Professor Jinsu Kim (POSTECH), Professor Byung-Kwan Cho (KAIST) >
Why does cancer sometimes recur even after successful treatment, or why do some bacteria survive despite the use of powerful antibiotics? One of the key culprits identified is "Biological Noise"—random fluctuations occurring inside cells. Even when cells share the same genes, the amount of protein varies in each, creating "outliers" that evade drug treatments and survive. Until now, scientists could only control the average values of cell populations; controlling the irregular variability of individual cells remained a long-standing challenge.
A joint research team—led by Professor Jae Kyoung Kim (Department of Mathematical Sciences, KAIST), Professor Jinsu Kim (Department of Mathematics, POSTECH), and Professor Byung-Kwan Cho (Graduate School of Engineering Biology, KAIST)—has theoretically established a "Noise Control Principle." Through mathematical modeling, they have found a way to eliminate biological noise and precisely govern cellular destiny. This achievement in securing precision control technology at the single-cell level is expected to be a new milestone in solving challenges in cancer treatment and synthetic biology.
While cells in our bodies strive to maintain homeostasis for survival, their internal environments are constantly changing. Existing genetic circuit technologies could regulate the average protein levels of a cell population but often ended up amplifying the "noise"—the variance between individual cells. The research team compared this to a "shower that fluctuates between boiling and freezing." Even if the average water temperature is set to 40°C, a normal shower is impossible if the water alternates between scalding and icy. Similarly, a small number of cells that escape control due to this "trap of the average" become the primary cause of cancer recurrence or antibiotic resistance. To solve this, the team devised a new mathematical model called the "Noise Controller (NC)."
The researchers first investigated whether they could control the variance of outputs—which differs from cell to cell—using a "dimerization reaction," where the final products of a system bind together to form pairs. In the process, they confirmed that the dimerization reaction could act as a sensor to detect fluctuations (noise) in the cellular state. However, initial attempts showed that this method alone had limits in reducing differences between cells. Consequently, they determined that a device was needed to immediately reduce substances if they were overproduced. They combined this with a "degradation-based actuation" principle, which promptly breaks down proteins when they become excessive. As a result, they theoretically implemented "Noise Robust Perfect Adaptation (Noise RPA)," which maintains a constant noise level despite external environmental changes. Through this, they succeeded in suppressing cell-to-cell deviation to a Fano factor of 1—the minimum level achievable by universal biological systems.
< Figure 1. Conceptual Diagram of Noise Controller (NC) Effects: When no control technology is used (top, gray), the average value of the cell population changes due to external stimuli. With existing control technology (middle, blue), the average value is maintained, but the deviation between individual cells (noise) remains large. In contrast, using the Noise Controller (bottom, green) maintains the average while also reducing the noise level of individual cells. >
The research team proved the model's performance by virtually applying it to the DNA repair system of E. coli. In the existing system, the amount of DNA-repairing proteins varied so greatly between cells that approximately 20% of the cells failed to repair and died. However, by applying the Noise Controller (NC) to unify protein levels across all cells, the mortality rate was slashed to 7%. The team significantly boosted cell survival rates through sophisticated mathematical principles alone. This is highly significant as it moves beyond the "average control" paradigm to realize "single-cell control," dealing with each cell with precision.
< Figure 2. Structure of the Noise Controller (NC).In the conventional control scheme (left), the final output (X2) produces one of the controller proteins (Z2), and this protein is degraded together with the other controller protein (Z1) that generates the system input (X1).In contrast, the noise controller (NC) established in this study (right) has a largely similar structure, but is characterized by the production of the controller protein (Z4) through a dimerization reaction of the final output. This protein directly degrades the system input (X1).Through this mechanism, mathematical expressions for the mean of the final output (lower left equation) and its noise (lower right equation) can be derived >
Professor Jae Kyoung Kim, who led the research, stated, "The significance lies in bringing cellular noise—which was previously dismissed as luck or coincidence in biological phenomena—into the realm of controllable factors through mathematical design." He added, "It will play a vital role in fields requiring precise cellular control, such as overcoming cancer treatment resistance and developing high-efficiency smart microorganisms." Co-corresponding author Professor Jinsu Kim of POSTECH emphasized, "This research demonstrates the power of mathematical modeling, starting from theoretical formulas of intracellular noise using reaction network theory and leading to the design of actual biological mechanisms."
< Figure 3. Actual Biological Circuit Structure of the Noise Controller (NC): A representation of the mathematical model established by the research team implemented as a genetic circuit, which is an actual biological system. The existing control technology (left) consists of a reaction where the final product produces an anti-sigma factor (RsiW), which then binds with the sigma factor (SigW) that generates the system’s input value. The Noise Controller (NC) (right) similarly utilizes the binding reaction between an anti-sigma factor (RseA) and a sigma factor (ECF); however, the primary differences are that the anti-sigma factor (RseA) is produced through the dimerization reaction of the final product , and that the anti-sigma factor (RseA) directly degrades the system’s input value >
The results of this study were published on December 24 in the international academic journal Nature Communications (IF=15.7).
2025.12.29 View 1158 -
KAIST Researchers First in the World to Identify Security Threat Exploiting Google Gemini’s "Malicious Expert AI" Structure
<Photo 1. (From left) Ph.D. candidates Mingyoo Song and Jaehan Kim, Professor Sooel Son, (Top right) Professor Seungwon Shin, Lead Researcher Seung Ho Na>
Most major commercial Large Language Models (LLMs), such as Google’s Gemini, utilize a Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) structure. This architecture enhances efficiency by dynamically selecting and using multiple "small AI models (Expert AIs)" depending on input queries . However, KAIST research team has revealed for the first time in the world that this very structure can actually become a new security threat.
A joint research team led by Professor Seungwon Shin (School of Electrical Engineering) and Professor Sooel Son (School of Computing) announced on December 26th that they have identified an attack technique that can seriously compromise the safety of LLMs by exploiting the MoE structure. For this research, they received the Distinguished Paper Award at ACSAC 2025, one of the most prestigious international conferences in the field of information security.
ACSAC (Annual Computer Security Applications Conference) is among the most influential international academic conferences in security. This year, only two papers out of all submissions were selected as Distinguished Papers. It is highly unusual for a domestic Korean research team to achieve such a feat in the field of AI security.
In this study, the team systematically analyzed the fundamental security vulnerabilities of the MoE structure. In particular, they demonstrated that even if an attacker does not have direct access to the internal structure of a commercial LLM, the entire model can be induced to generate dangerous responses if just one maliciously manipulated "Expert Model" is distributed through open-source channels and integrated into the system.
<Figure 1. Conceptual diagram of the attack technology proposed by the research team.>
To put it simply: even if there is only one "malicious expert" mixed among normal AI experts, that specific expert may be repeatedly selected for processing harmful queries, causing the overall safety of the AI to collapse. A particularly dangerous factor highlighted was that this process causes almost no degradation in model performance, making the problem extremely difficult to detect in advance.
Experimental results showed that the attack technique proposed by the research team could increase the harmful response rate from 0% to up to 80%. They confirmed that the safety of the entire model significantly deteriorates even if only one out of many experts is "infected."
This research is highly significant as it presents the first new security threat that can occur in the rapidly expanding global open-source-based LLM development environment. Simultaneously, it suggests that verifying the "source and safety of individual expert models" is now essential—not just performance—during the AI model development process.
Professors Seungwon Shin and Sooel Son stated, "Through this study, we have empirically confirmed that the MoE structure, which is spreading rapidly for the sake of efficiency, can become a new security threat. This award is a meaningful achievement that recognizes the importance of AI security on an international level."
The study involved Ph.D. candidates Jaehan Kim and Mingyoo Song, Dr. Seung Ho Na (currently at Samsung Electronics), Professor Seungwon Shin, and Professor Sooel Son. The results were presented at ACSAC in Hawaii, USA, on December 12, 2025.
<Figure 2. Photo of the Distinguished Paper Award certificate>
Paper Title: MoEvil: Poisoning Experts to Compromise the Safety of Mixture-of-Experts LLMs
Paper File: https://jaehanwork.github.io/files/moevil.pdf
GitHub (Open Source): https://github.com/jaehanwork/MoEvil
This research was supported by the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) under the Ministry of Science and ICT.
2025.12.26 View 1904 -
Finding Solutions to Foreign Disinformation Through Youth Ideas
< Group Photo of the Awards Ceremony >
KAIST has announced that the awards ceremony for the ‘2025 Foreign Disinformation Response Idea Competition for University Students (Counter-Disinformation Challenge),’ organized by the Institute for Security Convergence in collaboration with the National Intelligence Service (NIS), is scheduled to be held on the afternoon of the 23rd at the KAIST Munji Campus.
This competition, held for the second time since its inaugural launch last year, was established to inform the public about the current state of the creation and spread of foreign disinformation and its resulting social and national harms, as well as to seek future response measures. It solicited practical ideas covering both technology and policy from university students and the general public.
Based on the awareness of the issues raised through last year’s competition, our university focused this year on strengthening the link between technology and policy and discovering ideas that can lead to actual research and development (R&D) and institutional improvements. Through this, the university plans to establish the foundation for a mid-to-long-term strategy for responding to foreign disinformation.
The competition was held from November 1st to December 5th in two categories: ▲ Technical ideas to prevent the spread of foreign disinformation, and ▲ Policy proposals and institutional improvement ideas to solve foreign disinformation issues. A total of 144 teams, comprising 259 university and graduate students (including those on leave) from across the country, participated.
Among them, 18 teams were selected as the final winners. This represents an improvement in both the scale of participation and the completeness of the proposals compared to last year, demonstrating the high level of interest among the youth in responding to foreign disinformation.
The awards consist of: ▲ Technical Idea category: 1 Grand Prize, 3 First Prizes, 5 Excellence Prizes; ▲ Policy Proposal and Institutional Improvement category: 1 Grand Prize, 3 First Prizes, 5 Excellence Prizes.
The Grand Prize (KAIST President's Award) in the ‘Technical Idea for Disinformation Response’ category will be awarded to Team ‘Lemming,’ composed of students Lee Jun, Kang Yun-ah, and Ma Seon-young from Jeju National University. Team Lemming proposed a technology that utilizes multi-persona AI agents to virtually simulate the creation, spread, and response processes of disinformation.
Additionally, the Grand Prize (KAIST President's Award) in the ‘Policy Proposal and Institutional Improvement for Disinformation Response’ category will be awarded to Team ‘Kim Anbo Girls,’ composed of student Kim Yeon-jung from Jungwon University and student Kim Hyun-jin from Baekseok Arts University.
Bae Joong-myeon, Director of the KAIST Institute for Security Convergence, stated, “Foreign disinformation is a future-type security threat where technology, policy, and society are complexly intertwined. We plan to link the students’ ideas to future R&D and policy reviews through collaboration with the National Intelligence Service and the Cyber Security Research Center of the KAIST Institute for Security Convergence.”
Meanwhile, the National Intelligence Service, which sponsored this competition, has been accepting reports of foreign disinformation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through the ‘111 Reporting Center’ and its official website since September 2024, and is promoting the strengthening of an integrated response system through cooperation with related organizations.
< Event Poster >
2025.12.23 View 880 -
Jaewook Myung, First Korean Selected as '40 Under 40 Recognition Program' Next Generation Environmental Engineering Leader
< Professor Jaewook Myung of KAIST Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering >
KAIST announced on December 12th that Professor Jaewook Myung of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering was selected as the first Korean recipient of the '40 Under 40 Recognition Program' for Next Generation Environmental Engineering Leaders, organized by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES).
< The '40 Under 40 Recognition Program' is an international award program selecting next-generation leaders in the field of Environmental Engineering and Science >
This award is presented annually by AAEES to select next-generation environmental engineering researchers who demonstrate innovative research achievements, social contribution, and educational leadership. Professor Myung's selection is particularly significant as he is the first Korean to be chosen since the program's inception. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held in Washington D.C. in April 2026.
AAEES is the world's highest-authority professional organization leading the global environmental engineering sector through operating the Professional Environmental Engineer (PEE) certification system, policy consultation, and international academic exchange. This award is highly regarded for greatly enhancing the international standing of domestic environmental engineering and sustainability research.
Amid the deepening problems of plastic waste increase and greenhouse gas emissions, where existing technologies are showing limitations in providing solutions, Professor Jaewook Myung has garnered significant attention from academia and industry by developing technology to convert greenhouse gases such as methane ($CH_4$) and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) into biodegradable plastics. His research is highly praised for presenting a new industrial paradigm that fuses environmental microbiology and materials science to convert greenhouse gases into high-value bio-materials.
Professor Myung's research team secured microbial metabolic control technology to transform greenhouse gases into materials, an accelerated process that simultaneously enhances the synthesis and decomposition efficiency of plastics, and pilot process design and engineering technology applicable in industrial settings. This established a sustainable circular technology model capable of simultaneously addressing greenhouse gas reduction and plastic pollution issues.
Furthermore, the research team expanded these foundational technologies to develop various application products, such as biodegradable coating materials that naturally decompose in the ocean, biocompatible bio-based electronic materials, and industrial 3D printing filaments, realizing full-cycle innovation from basic research to application and industrialization. These achievements are recognized as world-class sustainable technology alternatives that can simultaneously overcome the problems of plastic downcycling and the economic limitations of greenhouse gas utilization technology.
Professor Myung also shows excellent performance in nurturing talent. His advised students are growing into next-generation environmental and sustainability researchers, having won major awards both domestically and internationally, including the American Chemical Society (ACS) Environmental Chemistry Graduate Student Award, the Presidential Science Scholarship, the Merck Innovation Cup Prize, and the Republic of Korea Talent Award. He is also establishing himself as a leading researcher in the commercialization of sustainable technology by expanding his research achievements into the social and industrial ecosystem through technology collaboration with industries, patents, and consultation with public institutions.
The AAEES Selection Committee evaluated Professor Jaewook Myung as "a researcher possessing technical excellence, social responsibility, and educational leadership, and an innovator who has pioneered new areas of environmental engineering." Professor Myung expressed his thoughts, saying, "This award is a result made possible by the students who researched and challenged alongside me and the collaborative research culture of KAIST," and added, "I will contribute to brightening the future of humanity and the planet through sustainable resource circulation technology."
2025.12.12 View 1307 -
KAIST Drives National Competitiveness with a Dual-Impact Model for AI Research and Regional Innovation
<Photo of KAIST Students>
KAIST announced on December 9th that it will accelerate the nurturing of world-class scientific talent and regional balanced development. This follows the government's recent announcement on 'Leaping to a Science and Technology Powerhouse, the Republic of Korea, Where People Dream of Becoming Science and Technology Professionals Again (Nov. 7),' which explicitly named the four major science and technology institutes, including KAIST, as AX (AI Transformation) innovation hubs and key leading institutions for regional innovation.
This move aligns with the policy direction of President Jae-myung Lee. On November 4th, President Jae-myung Lee stated in a Cabinet meeting, "STEM talent is the core of national competitiveness," adding that "the increase in applicants for early admissions to the four major science and technology institutes is a very desirable phenomenon for the nation's future." In particular, the President requested that the government "actively seek concrete policies, such as expanding the allowance for transfers between STEM fields, increasing budget support, securing excellent faculty, and upgrading research and education infrastructure, because science and technology institutes can also significantly contribute to regional balanced development."
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee stated, "Strengthening AI research capabilities and regional balanced development is a Dual-Impact Model for AI Research and Regional Innovation that boosts national competitiveness." He confirmed that through the government's policy direction, the innovation philosophy KAIST has pursued—that 'the region is national competitiveness'—has been established as a core national direction.
In reality, KAIST continues to firmly play a central role in nurturing the talent that sustains South Korea's science and technology sector, even amid the deepening phenomenon of students flocking to medical schools. The increase in early admission applicants to the four science and technology institutes proves the successful establishment of education and research foundations where students can choose the dream of becoming science and technology professionals instead of doctors. To accelerate this trend, KAIST is focusing on establishing a National AI Research Lab and pioneering the next-generation AI research paradigm with the goal of becoming one of the top three AI powerhouses (G3) globally.
Our university was selected not only to lead the development of the next-generation bio-AI model 'K-Fold'—which surpasses Google DeepMind—and as a key participating institution in the Lunit consortium, but also as a core research team in the national AI flagship project, the 'Generative AI Leading Talent Cultivation Program.' Through discovering research topics that reflect diverse technological demands from industries, nurturing advanced AI talent, and demonstrating research outcomes in industrial settings, KAIST is being reborn as a field-ready leader guiding the AI Transformation (AX) across all of South Korea's industries.
KAIST's AI research competitiveness has also been officially recognized overseas. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang personally introduced KAIST as an "Amazing University" during his keynote speech at the 2025 APEC CEO Summit (Oct. 31), highly evaluating KAIST's world-class research capabilities and global collaboration potential.
Regional innovation is also gaining momentum. Our university is expanding physical AI-based research infrastructure in regions like Jeonbuk and Gyeongnam, centered around its main campus in Daejeon. Through the AI and robot-based 'Robot Valley Project' and the 'Global Innovation Startup Growth Hub Project,' in cooperation with Daejeon City, KAIST is supporting the advancement of local industries and the growth and global expansion of startups.
<ANGEL SUIT, a gait-training robot>
In particular, Sovagen—a bio-company founded on the technology of Professor Jeong Ho Lee of the KAIST Graduate School of Medical Science—recently succeeded in an overseas technology transfer of an RNA new drug for epilepsy valued at 750 billion KRW, proving a virtuous cycle model of innovation where university research translates into actual industry success.
Furthermore, the foundation for future talent development is being strengthened through efforts like promoting a culture of challenging research via the 'Failure Lab,' and early nurturing of outstanding talent through the 'Junior KAIST' and '3+4 TUBE Programs.' While setting the direction for regional university innovation through the specialized and performance-centric 'KAIST Model,' the university is also taking the lead in popularizing science and fulfilling its social responsibilities.
President Kwang Hyung Lee emphasized, "We will continue to pursue the expansion of the AI research budget and the establishment of international joint research infrastructure through close cooperation with the government." He concluded, "We will cultivate young talents who have chosen the future to be the main players in South Korean science and technology, fulfilling our central role in the 'AI Powerhouse Republic of Korea,' where the nation and the regions grow together."
2025.12.09 View 1906