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Professor Hyun Myung Selected for Research Grand Prize at ‘2026 Research Day’
< KAIST Research Day Group Photo >
KAIST held the ‘2026 KAIST Research Day’ at the Chung Kunmo Conference Hall in the Academic Cultural Complex at the main Daejeon campus on the morning of the 28th starting at 10:00 AM.
‘Research Day’ is an annual festival for campus researchers that has been held since 2016. It serves as a platform to reward and encourage excellent researchers for their hard work and to exchange R&D information by introducing selected outstanding research achievements.
Notably, this year’s award scale was expanded to further encourage researchers and foster an environment conducive to research immersion. The number of Research Award recipients increased from two to four, and Special Research Award recipients from one to two.
During the event, Professor Hyun Myung (School of Electrical Engineering), who was selected as the recipient of the Research Grand Prize—the highest research honor—delivered a commemorative lecture titled “Spatial AI-based Autonomous Robot Navigation.”
< Professor Hyun Myung Delivering His Lecture >
Professor Hyun Myung developed proprietary autonomous robot navigation technology based on spatial AI and applied it to various robot platforms. Recently, he has also been pursuing commercialization through a startup venture. Since joining KAIST in 2008, he has been dedicated to researching autonomous mobile robot technology, applying it to various platforms such as wheeled robots, walking robots, and drones. Furthermore, he has proven his technical prowess by winning numerous international competitions.
“By focusing on spatial AI and autonomous navigation technology—the core fields of robotics—for the past 17 years, I have been able to contribute to the localization and independence of mobile robot technology in Korea through industry-academic cooperation and startups,” Professor Myung stated in his acceptance speech. “I am grateful and pleased to have had the opportunity to nurture such excellent research talent.”
< Professor Hyun Myung Receiving His Award >
In addition, Professor Jae-Hung Han (Department of Aerospace Engineering), Professor Byung-Kwan Cho (Graduate School of Engineering Biology), Professor Joseph Searing (School of Computing), and Professor Hyun-Joo Lee (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) were selected as recipients of the Research Award.
The Special Research Award was presented to Professor Sun-Chang Kim (Graduate School of Engineering Biology) and Professor Woo-Young Cho (School of Electrical Engineering), while Professor Jae Kyoung Kim (Department of Mathematical Sciences) was selected as the recipient of the Innovation Award.
Furthermore, Professor Himchan Cho (Department of Materials Science and Engineering) and Professor Jung-Yong Lee (School of Electrical Engineering) received the Convergence Research Award as a team. Professor Ji-Joon Song (Department of Biological Sciences) was selected for the International Collaborative Research Award, and Professor Bongjin Kim (School of Electrical Engineering) for the QAIST Creative Challenge Research Award.
The ceremony also included awards for the ‘2025 Top 10 KAIST Research Achievements’ and the ‘KAIST 14 Future Leading Technologies,’ recognizing outstanding accomplishments in national strategic technology sectors with significant academic, social, and economic impact.
President Kwong Hyoung Lee remarked, “Today’s Research Day is a meaningful occasion to share challenging and innovative ideas and to celebrate the achievements of our outstanding researchers. KAIST, which aims for the world’s first and best research, will continue to contribute to the development of the nation and human society through research and leap forward as a leading global institution in science and technology.”
< 2026 Research Day Poster >
2026.04.30 View 65 -
11 KAIST Professors, Including Professor Meeyoung Cha, Receive Government Awards on Science and ICT Day
<(Top row from left) Professors Meeyoung Cha, Won Do Heo, Byungha Shin, Kyung Min Kim, Sue Moon, and Juyoung Kim (Bottom row from left) Professors Jinwoo Shin, Young Jae Jang, Song Chong, Inkyu Park, and Taek-Soo Kim>
To mark Science and ICT Day, 11 faculty members from KAIST received government awards at the "2026 Science and ICT Day Ceremony" hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Professor Meeyoung Cha (School of Computing) was awarded the Order of Science and Technological Merit (Innovation Medal/Hyeoksin-jang), Professor Won Do Heo (Department of Biological Sciences) received the Order of Science and Technological Merit (Ungbi Medal), and Professor Byungha Shin (Department of Materials Science and Engineering) was honored with the Order of Science and Technological Merit (Doyak Medal). Professors Jinwoo Shin (Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI), Young Jae Jang (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering), and Song Chong (Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI) were awarded the Order of Service Merit (Red Stripes/Hongjo Geunjeong Medal) for their contributions to Information and Communications.
In addition, Professor Kyung Min Kim (Department of Materials Science and Engineering) and Professor Sue Moon (School of Computing) received the Science and Technology Medal. Professor Juyoung Kim (School of Electrical Engineering), serving as the CEO of HyperAccel, was awarded the Industrial Service Medal for Information and Communications Merit. Professor Inkyu Park (Department of Mechanical Engineering) received the Presidential Citation, and Professor Taek-Soo Kim (Department of Mechanical Engineering) received the Prime Minister's Citation.
In the category of Science and Technology Promotion, Professor Meeyoung Cha received the Order of Science and Technological Merit, Innovation Medal (2nd Class). Professor Cha has led research on solving social issues such as poverty detection based on big data. She was recognized for her contributions to creating academic and social value as the first Korean director at the Max Planck Institute.
In the National R&D Performance Evaluation category, Professor Won Do Heo, who has led world-class research in biological sciences, received the Ungbi Medal. Professor Heo pioneered the field of molecular optogenetics in Korea and has contributed to the development of treatment technologies for brain diseases such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and depression. Professor Byungha Shin received the Doyak Medal for his achievements accumulated over 20 years in the field of solar cells and optoelectronic materials/devices, specifically for developing high-efficiency devices.
Professor Jinwoo Shin received the Red Stripes Order of Service Merit for his world-class research in AI and computer science, as well as his contributions to revitalizing the domestic physical AI industry through collaboration with robotics companies. Professor Young Jae Jang was also awarded the Red Stripes Order of Service Merit for establishing a manufacturing physical AI verification system based on cooperation between regions, universities, and research institutes, and for developing "KAIROS," the world's first robot operating platform, which contributed to manufacturing innovation and balanced regional development. Professor Song Chong received the Red Stripes Order of Service Merit for his role as the founding dean of Korea’s first Graduate School of AI, contributing to the cultivation of high-level AI talent and the establishment of an academic foundation.
Furthermore, Professor Kyung Min Kim received the Science and Technology Medal for developing the world’s first high-dimensional brain-inspired computing technology that utilizes both heat and electricity, securing original technology for next-generation semiconductors. Professor Sue Moon received the Science and Technology Medal for her outstanding research in computer network performance measurement, online social network analysis, and ultra-high-performance network systems, as well as her efforts in promoting gender equality. Professor Juyoung Kim, as the CEO of the startup HyperAccel, received the Industrial Service Medal for developing "LPU," an AI semiconductor specialized for LLM inference, overcoming the limitations of GPU-centric AI infrastructure and contributing to high-efficiency, low-power AI systems.
Professor Inkyu Park received the Presidential Citation for developing the world's first original technologies for ultra-low-power gas sensors and multi-sensors for smart healthcare. Professor Taek-Soo Kim was honored with the Prime Minister's Citation for leading global techniques in measuring and improving the mechanical properties of advanced thin-film materials, contributing to the development of the semiconductor and display industries.
The ceremony was held on the 21st at the International Conference Hall of the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies. A total of 164 individuals were recognized for their contributions to Science, Technology, and ICT. Among them, 148 received their awards on-site, with a total scale of 36 Orders of Merit, 22 Medals, 47 Presidential Citations, and 59 Prime Minister's Citations.
2026.04.30 View 60 -
Abandoned Fallen Leaves Transformed into ‘Biodegradable Agricultural Film’
<(From left) (Top to bottom) Professor Jaewook Myung of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dr. Shinhyeong Choe, Ph.D candidate Yongjun Cho, M.S candidate Hoseong Moon, (Center) Ph,D candidate Pham Thanh Trung Ninh>
Fallen leaves, which were discarded every year, have been transformed into a resource that can replace waste plastics, a major nuisance in rural areas. A research team at our university has developed biodegradable agricultural vinyl made from fallen leaves, presenting a new way to solve the problem of conventional plastic vinyl, which has been pointed out as a cause of soil pollution.
KAIST announced on April 30th that a research team led by Professor Jaewook Myung of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering developed an eco-friendly agricultural mulch film (an agricultural vinyl that covers the soil to suppress weeds and maintain moisture) that decomposes in the ground using fallen leaves collected from the campus and near the Gapcheon River in Daejeon. This research is significant in that it converted fallen leaves, which are non-edible biomass (plant resources not used for food) that were discarded as useless, into high-value functional materials.
Mulch films, widely used in agricultural fields, are essential materials for suppressing weed growth and maintaining soil moisture. However, most films currently used are made of polyethylene (PE, a representative petroleum-based plastic), making them difficult to collect after use. Residuals left in the soil turn into microplastics (plastic particles so small they are invisible to the naked eye), causing environmental pollution.
To extract key components from fallen leaves, the research team utilized a Hydrated Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES, a special eco-friendly solvent with low toxicity) that mixes citric acid and choline chloride.
Through this, they extracted nanocellulose (plant-derived nanofibers with high strength and eco-friendliness) obtainable from plant cell walls and combined it with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, a water-soluble and naturally degradable polymer material) to produce a composite film. In particular, the eco-friendliness was further enhanced by performing all manufacturing processes based on water instead of harmful organic solvents.
The "fallen leaf film" developed in this way showed sufficient performance even in actual agricultural environments. As a result of the experiment, it effectively blocked ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB) and exhibited moisturizing performance that suppressed soil moisture loss to a level of about 5% for 14 days. In addition, ryegrass grown using this film showed better growth status than cases where no film was used.
<Figure 1. An eco-friendly strategy that upcycles low-utilization fallen leaves into biodegradable mulching film for natural soil, along with the concept of applying sustainable plasticulture.>
<Figure 2. A schematic diagram of the fabrication process and self-assembly mechanism by which a mulching film is formed through complex hydrogen-bonding interactions>
Biodegradation performance was also confirmed. As a result of testing under soil conditions, the developed film decomposed by 34.4% in about 115 days, showing a faster decomposition rate than conventional biodegradable films. Furthermore, it was confirmed that plant toxicity (harmful effects on plant germination or growth) did not occur during the decomposition process, thus not affecting the germination and early growth of ryegrass and bok choy.
Professor Jaewook Myung said, “This research is meaningful in that it went beyond simply processing fallen leaves and converted them into functional materials that can protect the agricultural environment. Through the use of fallen leaves that do not compete with food resources and water-based processes, it can be utilized as a sustainable alternative technology for agricultural plastics.”
This research was participated in by Pham Thanh Trung Ninh, a PhD student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, as the first author. The research results were published on February 6, 2026, in ‘Green Chemistry,’ an international academic journal in the fields of chemistry and environment, and were selected as the journal’s inside front cover.
※ Paper Title: All-water-based fabrication of biodegradable mulch films from dead leaves via complex hydrogen-bonded networks, DOI: 10.1039/d5gc06616f (Author Information: Pham Thanh Trung Ninh (KAIST, First Author), Shinhyeong Choe (KAIST), Yongjun Cho (KAIST), Hoseong Moon (KAIST), Jaewook Myung (KAIST, Corresponding Author) total of 5 persons)
<Figure 3. The inside front cover page of the latest issue of the Green Chemistry journal>
Meanwhile, this research was conducted with the support of the Excellent Young Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea under the Ministry of Science and ICT and the KAIST Grand Challenge 30 project funds.
2026.04.30 View 92 -
KAIST Identifies Multiple Viruses and Variants Simultaneously by Controlling the “Speed” of CRISPR Gene Scissors
<Professor Sungmin Son, (From Upper Left) Professor Dan Fletcher, Professor Melaine Ott>
As the spread of infectious diseases accelerates, technologies that can accurately distinguish multiple viruses in a single test are becoming increasingly important. KAIST and an international research team have developed a new diagnostic technology that simultaneously identifies various viruses and variants by controlling the “speed” of gene scissors. This technology is expected to transform responses to emerging infectious diseases, as it can detect multiple infections at once while reducing the complexity of testing procedures.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 26th of April that a research team led by Professor Sungmin Son from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, in collaboration with researchers from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and the Gladstone Institutes, has developed a new ribonucleic acid (RNA) diagnostic technology that can distinguish multiple viruses and variants simultaneously by utilizing the reaction speed of gene scissors.
The tool used by the research team is a CRISPR-based protein called Cas13. Gene scissors are proteins that locate and cut specific genetic material, becoming activated when they recognize their target. Cas13 specifically targets RNA. When it finds its target, it becomes activated and cuts surrounding RNA, generating a fluorescent signal.
Existing technologies require the use of different gene scissors or various fluorescent colors to detect multiple viruses simultaneously, making the system complex and difficult to apply in real-world settings.
The research team took a different approach. They focused on the fact that when gene scissors bind to their target, the speed of “cutting” varies depending on the type of virus. By observing at the single-molecule level within tiny droplets, they confirmed that unique reaction speed patterns emerge depending on the combination of guide RNA and target RNA. Guide RNA is an RNA molecule that provides “positional information,” guiding the gene scissors to their target.
< Conceptual diagram of kinetic barcoding using the reaction rate of the CRISPR Cas13 enzyme. The dashed area on the right represents the guide RNA region modified to control the reaction rate. >
Based on this, the research team developed a “kinetic barcoding” technology that uses differences in reaction speed like a barcode. This method interprets reaction speeds as signal patterns to distinguish different viruses. Through this technology, it became possible to simultaneously identify multiple viruses and variants using only a single type of gene scissors.
< Multiplex virus detection using microdroplet-based kinetic barcoding >
In addition, by adjusting the design of guide RNA, the cutting speed of gene scissors can be tuned, enabling scalable and simultaneous detection of a wide range of viruses.
The testing process has also been greatly simplified. In conventional methods, detecting RNA viruses requires a “reverse transcription” process that converts RNA into DNA, but this technology enables direct detection of RNA as it is. Reverse transcription is a step that increases testing time and complicates procedures.
When tested on actual clinical samples, the technology successfully distinguished various respiratory viruses and SARS-CoV-2 variants in a single reaction.
Professor Sungmin Son stated, “This study goes beyond simply determining whether a virus is present, and is the first case to use the reaction speed of gene scissors as a new form of diagnostic information,” adding, “It will become a next-generation platform capable of diagnosing various infectious diseases at once in the field.”
This study was led by Professor Sungmin Son of KAIST as the first author and co-corresponding author, and was published on March 31, 2026, in the world-renowned journal in bioengineering, Nature Biomedical Engineering.
※ Paper title: “Programmable kinetic barcoding for multiplexed RNA detection with Cas13a,” DOI: 10.1038/s41551-026-01642-6
This research was supported by KAIST’s New Faculty Settlement Research Fund and by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIAID).
2026.04.30 View 59 -
AI Computation Enables Clearer Views of the Deep Brain, Bypassing the Need for Expensive Equipment
< Professor Iksung Kang, KAIST >
Observing the depths of a living brain with clarity has traditionally required expensive, high-end equipment. However, a KAIST research team has advanced neuroscience research by developing a physics-based AI computational algorithm that restores blurred images into sharp ones without the need for additional optical measurement hardware.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on April 21st that Professor Iksung Kang (School of Electrical Engineering), in collaboration with Professor Na Ji's research team at UC Berkeley, has developed a technology that accurately corrects image aberrations in microscopes used for live biological imaging. Notably, the experimental design and algorithm development – the core components of this technology – were led by Professor Kang during his postdoctoral fellowship in Professor Na Ji’s group. This breakthrough was achieved using Neural Fields — a neural network-based technology that continuously represents 3D spatial structures to simultaneously reconstruct clear images and volumetric forms.
The research team utilized Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy, a core technology for observing deep within living biological tissues by using two low-energy photons simultaneously to selectively illuminate specific points. However, as light passes through thick tissue, it bends and scatters, causing the image to become blurred — much like how objects appear distorted underwater. This phenomenon is known as optical aberration.
Previously, correcting these distortions required adding complex and costly hardware, such as wavefront sensors, which measure exactly how much the light path has deviated.
< Framework for Integrated Distortion Correction in Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy >
In contrast, the research team developed an algorithm that inversely calculates how light was distorted using only the captured image data and corrects it. In other words, it is a method of restoring image clarity by analyzing blurred photos, without relying on any additional equipment.
The core of this technology is a machine learning algorithm based on the Neural Fields model. This algorithm tracks the distortion process that occurs as light travels, implementing an integrated technology that compensates not only for optical aberrations caused by biological tissue but also for microscopic movements of the living specimen and alignment errors of the microscope itself.
As a result, the team successfully and reliably obtained high-resolution, high-contrast images from deep within biological tissues, without any separate aberration measurement or correction devices.
This research is particularly significant because it overcomes the conventional limitation that “better images require more expensive equipment” by solving the problem through a software-based approach. This is expected to lower the burden of research equipment costs and allow more researchers to perform precise brain observations.
< Comparison of images using a framework that integrates correction for optical aberrations, sample motion, and microscope errors (AI-generated image) >
Professor Iksung Kang stated, “This research opens the way to see more accurately inside living organisms by combining optics and artificial intelligence technology. Moving forward, we plan to develop this into an intelligent optical imaging system where the microscope itself finds the optimal image.”
This study was published on April 13th in Nature Methods, a leading methodology journal in the field of life sciences.
Paper Title: Adaptive optical correction for in vivo two-photon fluorescence microscopy with neural fields
DOI: 10.1038/s41592-026-03053-6
Authors: Iksung Kang (KAIST, Co-corresponding & First Author), Hyeonggeon Kim, Ryan Natan, Qinrong Zhang, Stella X. Yu, & Na Ji (UC Berkeley, Co-corresponding Author)
2026.04.29 View 120 -
3D Stem Cell Culture Technology to Shift the Paradigm of Regenerative Medicine
< (From left) KAIST Dr. Changjin Seo, Professor Sangyong Jon >
A breakthrough technology has been developed to overcome the limitation where stem cells fail to survive for long periods in the body, even when administered in large quantities. Stem cells are vital for regenerating damaged tissues or recovering injured areas. A KAIST research team has successfully enhanced both the survival rate and therapeutic efficacy of these cells by developing a 3D culture technology that precisely designs the cellular microenvironment. This achievement is expected to transcend the current limits of stem cell therapy and reshape the landscape of regenerative medicine.
On April 29th, the research team—led by Professor Sangyong Jon from the Department of Biological Sciences and featuring researchers Changjin Seo, Dohyeon Kim, Junhyuk Song, Sun-Young Kim, Youngju Son, and Afia Tasnim Rahman—announced the development of a novel culture technology to grow healthier stem cells. The team implemented a 3D platform by applying a polymer matrix (an artificial structure coating the culture substrate) to an "artificial floor" that mimics the natural in vivo environment. On this platform, they cultured human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) in three dimensions, confirming a dramatic improvement in cellular function and therapeutic impact.
Human adipose-derived stem cells have been favored for clinical use due to their ease of harvest, high proliferation, and low immune rejection. However, traditional 2D (planar) culture methods cause cells to age and lose function over time. Previous 3D methods, such as forming cell aggregates (spheroids), also faced hurdles in maintaining long-term survival and functionality within the body.
To solve this, the research team developed a densely cross-linked synthetic polymer material composed of siloxane (a biocompatible polymer of silicon and oxygen), named "poly-Z."
This material modifies the physicochemical properties of the culture substrate to promote the adsorption of albumin proteins found in the culture medium. As a result, cells do not adhere to the floor but instead self-assemble into 3D spheroid structures. These spheroids showed increased production of the extracellular matrix (ECM), creating an environment highly similar to the human body and demonstrating performance far superior to conventional methods.
Experimental results showed that stem cells cultured on the poly-Z platform exhibited enhanced differentiation potential and immunomodulatory functions, with a significantly increased survival time inside the body.
< Schematic of hADSC Spheroid Formation on the Synthetic Polymer Matrix, Poly-Z >
Notably, in animal models of acute colitis and acute liver injury, this method showed significantly higher therapeutic efficacy than conventional methods. This suggests that even with the same dosage, the cells live longer and act more vigorously. The team confirmed that the activation of integrin and FAK signaling pathways—the mechanisms through which cells sense and respond to their environment—strengthened the stem cells' functions, allowing them to better perceive their surroundings and perform more effectively after transplantation.
Professor Sangyong Jon stated, "This research proves that a precisely engineered synthetic polymer-based 3D environment can simultaneously enhance the function and therapeutic efficacy of stem cells. We expect this to be widely utilized in developing next-generation cell therapies for various incurable diseases, including inflammatory conditions."
The study, with Dr. Changjin Seo from the KAIST InnoCORE AI-Drug Discovery Center as the lead author, was published online on March 31 in the international journal Advanced Science (Impact Factor: 14.1).
Paper Title: Polymer Matrix-Based 3D Culture Significantly Enhances the Differentiation and Immunomodulatory Functions of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202518704
This research was supported by the Korea Multi-Ministry Regenerative Medicine Project, the KAIST InnoCORE Program, and the Leader Research Grant of the National Research Foundation of Korea.
2026.04.29 View 67 -
Implementation of a DNA Molecular Computer Smaller Than 2nm Semiconductors… High Expectations for Bio-computing Applications
< (From left) KAIST Professor Yeongjae Choi, GIST MS/PhD Student Woojin Kim, KAIST Researcher Taehoon Kim, Researcher Sangeun Jeong, Researcher Sion Kim, GIST Master's Student Junho Sim >
Until now, molecular-level DNA circuits have mainly been used for simple tasks, such as detecting the presence of cancer-related substances. However, these systems have faced a key limitation: once a reaction occurs, the circuits cannot be reused. Overcoming this challenge, the research team has developed a DNA-based molecular computer that operates at a much smaller scale than conventional semiconductor devices, enabling both computation and memory within the same system. This advancement opens up new possibilities for future computing technologies in bio and medical applications, including disease diagnosis.
KAIST announced on April 22 that a research team led by Professor Yeongjae Choi from the Graduate School of Engineering Biology has developed a DNA-based bio-transistor—a molecular analogue of a key semiconductor component that receives signals and performs computations—and used it to implement a new molecular circuit capable of both information processing and storage.
As semiconductor technology approaches the 2-nanometer (nm) scale, widely considered to be nearing its physical limits, researchers are increasingly exploring alternative computing paradigms that operate beyond traditional silicon-based systems. DNA has emerged as a promising candidate due to its unique properties. By leveraging complementary base pairing, DNA can be precisely programmed to respond to specific inputs. Moreover, the distance between adjacent bases is only 0.34 nanometers, making DNA an attractive material for ultra-high-density information processing.
Despite this potential, conventional DNA circuits have been limited by their “one-time use” nature. Once a reaction occurs, the system is consumed, making it difficult to perform continuous or complex information processing.
To address this issue, the research team designed DNA molecules that change their binding configurations in response to input signals while maintaining those configurations over time. In this system, the resulting molecular configuration effectively stores information and influences subsequent operations. In other words, the researchers implemented a reset-free circuit capable of real-time information processing without requiring an external initialization step, while preserving previously processed information.
< Illustration of a DNA-based nanoscale bio-memory circuit capable of low-power operation >
This study is significant in that it demonstrates transistor-like functionality—the fundamental building block of semiconductor devices—at the level of DNA molecules. It provides a foundation for programmable molecular systems in which molecules can both process and store information, moving beyond simple chemical reactions.
Professor Yeongjae Choi stated, “This research advances the feasibility of implementing molecular computers using DNA,” adding, “It has the potential to open new directions in both bio-computing and medical technologies.”In this study, Professor Sung Sun Yim, Researcher Taehoon Kim, Researcher Sangeun Jeong, and Researcher Sion Kim from the KAIST Graduate School of Engineering Biology, and MS/PhD integrated student Woojin Kim and Master's student Junho Sim from GIST participated as co-authors, and Professor Yeongjae Choi served as the corresponding author.
Professor Sung Sun Yim, Researcher Taehoon Kim, Researcher Sangeun Jeong, and Researcher Sion Kim from the KAIST Graduate School of Engineering Biology, and MS/PhD integrated student Woojin Kim and Master's student Junho Sim from GIST participated as co-authors, and Professor Yeongjae Choi served as the corresponding author. The research results were published in the international academic journal ‘Science Advances’ on April 1, 2026.
※ Paper Title: Reset-free DNA logic circuits for real-time input processing and memory. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aeb1699
This research was conducted with support from the Future Promising Convergence Technology Pioneer Program supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Basic Research Program supported by the Ministry of Education, and the KAIST Quantum+X Convergence R&D Project.
2026.04.26 View 318 -
Discovery of the Two-Faced Protein in Leukemia Treatment: A Clue to Overcoming Drug Resistance
<(From left) Professor Dong-Wook Kim of Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital Hematologic Malignancy Center, Professor Hongtae Kim of UNIST, Professor Chunghun Lim of KAIST, and Dr. Jumin Park of KAIST>
The real reason why anticancer drugs kill cancer cells has been revealed. KAIST research team has identified that targeted anticancer therapies do not simply block cancer proteins, but rather shut down the "protein factories" inside the cells, forcing them to undergo self-destruction. Consequently, the "two-faced protein" that plays a key role in this process is gaining attention as a breakthrough for treating patients with drug resistance.
KAIST announced on April 23rd that a joint research team—consisting of Professor Chunghun Lim from the Department of Biological Sciences at KAIST, Professor Dong-Wook Kim from the Hematologic Malignancy Center at Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital, and Professor Hongtae Kim from UNIST —has identified a new molecular mechanism that regulates the response to anticancer drugs for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia occurs when genetic abnormalities in hematopoietic stem cells produce an abnormal protein. This protein is known to be the primary cause of cancer cell proliferation by sending continuous growth signals to the cells. While targeted anticancer drugs that inhibit this protein are currently used as the standard treatment, there have been limitations, such as drug resistance or low treatment response in some patients.
The research team focused on the impact of anticancer drugs on the protein production process within the cell. As a result, they confirmed that when anticancer drugs are administered, the flow of ribosomes—the machines that create proteins—becomes tangled, leading to "ribosome collisions." This process induces intense stress inside the cell, ultimately leading the cancer cell to its death.
In particular, the research team identified the ZAK protein as the key sensor that detects these ribosome collisions and discovered that ZAK possesses "two faces" depending on the situation. Under normal conditions, it acts as an assistant, binding with AKT signals* to help cancer cells grow. However, once targeted anticancer treatment begins, it transforms into a sentinel that monitors ribosome collisions and triggers the death of the cancer cell. This marks the world's first proof that the same protein can perform diametrically opposite roles during cancer progression versus cancer treatment. *A key intracellular signaling pathway that regulates cell survival, growth, proliferation, metabolism, and migration.
<Clinical correlation between disease stage and ZAK expression in a Chronic Myeloid Leukemia patient cohort>
The research team verified this mechanism by analyzing cancer cells derived from actual leukemia patients. When drugs that increase ribosome collisions were used in combination, the anticancer effect improved significantly. Conversely, when ZAK function was impaired, the responsiveness to the anticancer drug decreased.
<Mechanism of ribosome collision and ZAK-dependent cancer cell death induced by Targeted Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia>
In other words, according to this study, drug-resistant patients are predicted to have decreased ZAK function or an insufficient ribosome stress response. This suggests that it is possible to predict treatment responses based on an individual patient's ZAK activation status and design customized combination therapy strategies.
This study is a significant achievement that presents the importance of the ribosome stress signaling pathway in the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. It is expected to lead to the development of new combination therapies and enhance the effectiveness of targeted anticancer drugs. In particular, it offers new possibilities for patients struggling with drug resistance.
<Research Image (AI-generated)>
Professor Chunghun Lim stated, "This study shows how critical the process of the cell detecting abnormal protein synthesis and converting it into a death signal is for treatment." Dr. Jumin Park, the lead author, noted, "As we have confirmed that ribosome collision is a key switch determining cancer cell death, we plan to expand this research to various other types of cancer."
The results of this study, featuring Jumin Park of KAIST as the first author, were published online on March 30th in Leukemia, one of the most prestigious academic journals in the field of hematology.
Paper Title: BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors induce ribosome collisions to activate ZAK-dependent ribotoxic stress and apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Jumin Park, Soo-Hyun Kim, Jongmin Park, Heeju Park, Hongtae Kim, Dong-Wook Kim & Chunghun Lim
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41375-026-02916-3
This research was conducted with support from the Suh Kyungbae Foundation, the Mid-career Researcher Support Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Basic Research Lab Support Program, and the KAIST Settlement Project.
2026.04.23 View 269 -
Zero-Crease Foldable Technology to Shift the Paradigm of Next-Generation Displays
< Professor Phil-Seung Lee (center), Master’s graduate Jun-han Bae (top left) >
The "crease," long considered the biggest weakness of foldable smartphones, has been pointed out as a major obstacle to market expansion, causing screen distortion and reduced durability over repeated use. A research team at KAIST has presented a solution to this problem, marking a turning point for foldables to leap forward as the standard for next-generation smartphones. Furthermore, the technology is expected to establish itself as a core component of the future mobile industry, expanding into various devices such as laptops.
KAIST announced on April 20th that a research team led by Professor Phil-Seung Lee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering has developed an original technology capable of fundamentally solving the crease issue that occurs at the folding area of foldable smartphone displays and has registered a patent for it. The team has secured global technological competitiveness by filing patent applications in the United States, China, and the European Union (EU), in addition to South Korea.
While global smartphone companies have attempted to solve this issue through massive R&D investments for years, they have yet to achieve the complete removal of the crease. Consequently, the industry has identified the crease problem as the single greatest barrier to the widespread adoption of the foldable smartphone market.
The research team began their study to resolve the inconveniences they personally experienced while using mobile foldable phones. After disassembling dozens of used foldable phones and repeating various experiments, they derived a solution by innovatively redesigning the "adhesive area" between the display and the supporting plate. The core of the design is ensuring that deformation is not concentrated in a specific folding area but is instead distributed to the surrounding sections. Through this, they perfectly demonstrated the feasibility of a "crease-free foldable" while maintaining normal smartphone functionality.
To verify performance, the team shone a straight-line LED light onto the screen. Unlike commercial products where the light refracts and the straight line appears curved at the fold, the prototype maintained a sharp, straight reflection without any distortion. Notably, no visual distortion appeared even under conditions sensitive enough to detect minute curves with a crease depth of less than 0.1mm.
< Display surface reflecting a straight-line LED lamp >
This technology presents a new design paradigm that surpasses the limitations faced by the current industry. It not only fundamentally suppresses the formation of creases but also ensures superior durability by minimizing deformation even after tens of thousands of folding cycles.
Furthermore, because the structure is intuitive and simple, it can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes. It is expected to have high industrial utility, as it can be expanded beyond smartphones to various foldable display devices, including tablets and laptops.
< Core idea of the invention: (a) Adhesive and non-adhesive areas of a conventional foldable smartphone, (b) Adhesive and non-adhesive areas in this invention, (c) Stress distribution in a conventional foldable smartphone display, (d) Stress distribution in a foldable smartphone display applying this technology >
Industry experts anticipate that the commercialization of this technology will encourage global companies—which have been hesitant to enter the market due to crease issues—to participate. This is projected to significantly improve consumer satisfaction and accelerate the growth of the stagnating foldable market.
Professor Phil-Seung Lee stated, "We have solved a challenge that global giants could not resolve, using a relatively simple and clear method. We expect this technology to spread across next-generation displays, including laptops and tablets, further strengthening Korea's technological competitiveness."
Meanwhile, this research was conducted with support from the "2022 Daedeok Innopolis Campus Project," and the patent for the related original technology was registered on September 9, 2025.
2026.04.21 View 551 -
Frequency Instant Jump via Magnetic Vibration... Reduces Heat Even During Gaming"
< (From left) Mujin You (Postdoctoral Researcher), Kab-Jin Kim (Professor), Albert Min Gyu Park (Research Professor) >
A new technology has been proposed that could fundamentally solve the issue of smartphones overheating during high-spec gaming or extended video streaming. Researchers at KAIST have discovered the principle of processing signals using the minute vibrations of magnets (spin waves) instead of electrons. This method significantly reduces heat generation and power consumption while enabling instantaneous frequency switching within the several GHz range. This breakthrough is expected to pave the way for smart devices with less heat and longer battery life, as well as ultra-low-power, high-speed computing.
A research team led by Professor Kab-Jin Kim from the Department of Physics announced on the 19th that they successfully achieved significant signal speed (frequency) changes at the nanoscale using spin waves—minute vibrations occurring within magnets. These vibrations are explained in units called "magnons." This achievement is being evaluated for presenting a signal control method that can drastically reduce power consumption even at extremely small scales, which was difficult to implement using conventional electron-based methods.
The material used by the research team is a Synthetic Antiferromagnet (SAF), created by stacking magnetic materials much thinner than a human hair in multiple layers. Within this structure, the spin waves manifest in two ways: acoustic mode and optic mode. The researchers were the first to identify a "mode hopping" phenomenon, where these movements suddenly switch under specific conditions.
Unlike conventional methods where signal states change continuously, this phenomenon involves a sudden shift to a completely different state at a specific moment, causing a sharp jump in frequency. This suggests a new way to control signal frequencies through the state changes of spin waves alone, without the need for complex circuits.
The core of this research is the ability to abruptly change the frequency by more than 5 GHz through this mode hopping. This effect is comparable to switching a radio channel completely with the single press of a button.
The team generated spin waves inside the magnet by sending electromagnetic signals through tiny antennas. Upon adjusting the strength of the external power and magnetic field, the vibration speed (frequency) did not change linearly but instead "jumped" suddenly. This change occurs during the "three-magnon interaction" process, where the fundamental unit of the spin wave, the magnon, either splits from one into two or merges back into one.
Notably, these rapid frequency changes are possible without complex electronic circuitry. By simply adjusting the signal intensity, the frequency can be changed freely, allowing for simpler device structures and significantly reduced power consumption.
Furthermore, this phenomenon can be used as a switch to distinguish between "on (1)" and "off (0)," making it applicable to new types of semiconductors and neuromorphic computing technology that mimics the human brain.
This research marks a significant step forward in the feasibility of "spin-wave-based information processing technology." It is expected to be utilized in various fields, including ultra-low-power computing, high-speed signal processing, and spintronic devices—a next-generation semiconductor technology that utilizes spin (magnetic properties) instead of electrons.
< Figure 1. (a) Schematic of the Synthetic Antiferromagnet (SAF) structure and the device for spin-wave propagation. Spin waves are generated and detected via a microwave antenna (CPW). (b) Optical image of the fabricated nano-device. (c) Optic magnon and (d) acoustic magnon generation and spin rotation schematics. >
< Figure 2. (a,b) Linear response showing identical spectra during magnetic field increase and decrease at low power. (c,d) Mode hopping at high power with hysteresis observed. (e–h) Quantitative results showing changes in hysteresis width according to external power. >
Professor Kab-Jin Kim stated, "This study is a case that proves we can implement and control the nonlinear dynamics of magnons—the principle of information processing using magnetic vibrations—in actual nano-devices, which had previously only been proposed in theory. It will serve as an important foundation for the development of a new information processing paradigm using spin waves instead of electrons."
Mujin You led the study as the first author, and Albert Min Gyu Park participated as the co-corresponding author. The research was published in the international academic journal Nature Communications on March 12, representing a major advancement in the field of magnon-based nonlinear dynamics.
Paper Title: Mode hopping via nonlinear magnon-magnon coupling in a synthetic antiferromagnet DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-70298-2 Authors: Mujin You, Moojune Song, Jun Seok Seo, Donghyeon Lee, Seungha Yoon, Daiju Hayashi, Yoichi Shiota, Teruo Ono, Sanghoon Kim, Se Kwon Kim, Albert Min Gyu Park & Kab-Jin Kim
2026.04.20 View 283 -
Professor Yiyun Kang Selected as TED 2026 Main Stage Speaker
< Professor Yiyun Kang (Photo Credit: Ryan Lash / TED) >
KAIST announced on April 17th that Professor Yiyun Kang of the Department of Industrial Design has been selected as a speaker for the Main Stage at TED 2026, the world-renowned knowledge conference.
Founded in 1984 under the motto "Ideas Worth Spreading," TED is an American non-profit knowledge platform where scholars, innovators, and artists from around the globe gather annually to lead global discourse. Previous Korean speakers on the Main Stage include novelist Young-ha Kim (2012) and violinist Ji-hae Park (2013). In 2011, roboticist Professor Dennis Hong stood on the main conference stage as the first Korean-American speaker.
< TED Lecture Photo (Photo Credit: Ryan Lash / TED) >
Professor Kang’s selection is particularly significant as it marks the first time since TED moved its venue to Vancouver, Canada, in 2014 that a Korean national—an artist and scholar actively based in South Korea, rather than an overseas resident or defector—has been invited to the Main Stage. Furthermore, it marks the return of a Korean speaker to the main stage after a 12-year hiatus, serving as a symbolic milestone.
The TED 2026 annual conference is being held from April 13 to 17 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Canada, under the theme "ALL OF US." Professor Kang took the Main Stage on April 15, the third day of the conference, to present visual insights and philosophical solutions for a future where Artificial Intelligence (AI), humans, and nature must coexist. The lecture video will be edited and released globally via the official TED website and YouTube channel this coming July.
In this talk, Professor Kang defines AI and the climate crisis as "problems we understand intellectually but fail to feel physically," noting that data- and information-centric communication methods often lower our sense of reality. She proposes the potential of art as a means to bridge this gap. Specifically, Professor Kang will demonstrate on stage how to transform complex challenges into visual and sensory experiences through cases from her own projects.
Notably, this presentation transcends traditional lecture formats, structured as an "Immersive Talk" that transforms the entire stage into an artistic space. Rather than just listening, the audience participates by experiencing the content with their entire bodies.
Professor Yiyun Kang is a world-class media artist and researcher who crosses the boundaries between sensation and technology, and materiality (physical forms) and immateriality (elements like light, video, and data). She leads the Experience Design Lab (XD Lab) at KAIST and has consistently explored the convergence of technology and art through collaborations with NASA, Google Arts & Culture, and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).
"Humanity is currently at a critical turning point that will determine the coexistence of technology and nature," Professor Kang stated. "Through this TED stage, I aim to ensure that AI and the climate crisis are perceived not just as mere information, but as realities of our lives. I hope to create a practical opportunity to expand fragmented individual perceptions into collective human solidarity through the creative energy of art."
< TED 2026 Professor Yiyun Kang (Source: TED Website) >
2026.04.18 View 606 -
Development of Dream Battery Material: Air-Stable and Fast-Charging All-Solid-State Battery
<(Bottom row, from left) Dr. Jae-Seung Kim (Seoul National University), Prof. Dong-Hwa Seo (KAIST), Researcher Heeju Park (KAIST), Researcher Jiwon Seo, Researcher Jinyeong Choe.
(Top row, from left) Researcher Hae-Yong Kim (Dongguk University), Prof. Eunryeol Lee (Chungbuk National University), Prof. Kyung-Wan Nam (Dongguk University), Prof. Yoon Seok Jung (Yonsei University)>
Expectations are rising for all-solid-state batteries—the "dream battery" with low fire risk—not only for electric vehicles but also for various fields such as robotics and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). A research team at our university has presented a new design principle that simultaneously overcomes the limitations of solid electrolytes, which were previously vulnerable to air exposure and suffered from low performance. This technology is gaining significant attention as it can enhance both battery safety and charging speeds, demonstrating the feasibility of commercializing next-generation all-solid-state batteries.
KAIST announced on April 16th that a research team led by Professor Dong-Hwa Seo from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, through joint research with teams from Dongguk University (President Jae-Woong Yoon), Yonsei University (President Dong-Sup Yoon), and Chungbuk National University (Acting President Yu-Sik Park), has developed a design technology for solid electrolytes used in all-solid-state batteries. This technology maintains structural stability even when exposed to air while dramatically increasing ionic conductivity.
Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that use liquid electrolytes, all-solid-state batteries are spotlighted as next-generation batteries due to their low fire risk. Among these, halide-based solid electrolytes—which contain halogen elements such as chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br)—are advantageous in terms of performance due to their high ionic conductivity. However, they are known to be difficult materials to manufacture and handle because they are highly vulnerable to moisture in the air, which easily degrades their performance.
To solve this problem, the research team introduced a new structure called "Oxygen Anchoring." This method involves stably bonding oxygen inside the electrolyte to strengthen its structural intergrity, a process in which the element Tungsten plays a key role.
< Research image on tungsten-based oxygen fixation strategy >
As a result, it was confirmed that the electrolyte maintains a stable structure without collapsing, even in air-exposed environments.
Furthermore, the research team improved battery performance in addition to stability. The changes in the internal structure of the electrolyte widened the pathways for lithium ions, allowing them to move more smoothly and increasing the ion migration speed. It was confirmed that the oxygen-incorporated material exhibited an ionic conductivity approximately 2.7 times higher than that of conventional zirconium (Zr)-based halide solid electrolytes.
Another feature of this technology is that it is not limited to a specific material. The research team applied the same strategy to various halide solid electrolytes, including those based on zirconium (Zr), indium (In), yttrium (Y), and erbium (Er), and confirmed similar effects. This demonstrates that it is a "universal design principle" applicable to a wide range of battery materials.
< Research image (AI-generated image) >
The research team expects this technology to contribute to the development of solid electrolytes that possess both air stability and high performance.
Professor Dong-Hwa Seo stated, "This study presents a new material design principle that optimizes multiple performances through a structural design strategy that simultaneously improves air stability and ionic conductivity. It will serve as a key indicator for future all-solid-state battery research and process development."
This study involved Jae-Seung Kim (formerly KAIST, now SNU), Heeju Park, and Hae-Yong Kim as joint first authors. The research included contributions from Eunryeol Lee, Heewon Kim, Soeul Lee, Jinyeong Choe, Jiwon Seo, Hyeon-Jong Lee, Hojoon Kim, Jemin Yeon, and Yoon Seok Jung. The findings were published on March 6, 2026, in the international academic journal Advanced Energy Materials.
Paper Title: Universal Oxychlorination Strategy in Halide Solid Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Batteries
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202506744
This research was conducted with support from the Samsung Electronics Future Technology Promotion Center and the Nano and Materials Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea. Computational studies were performed using the resources of the National Supercomputing Center.
2026.04.16 View 456