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KAIST Develops Real-Time Diagnostic Smart Dressing Patch to End the Fear of Diabetic Foot Amputation
<(From Left) Professor Inkyu Park, Dr. Seokjoo Cho, (Upper Right, From Left) Professor Ji-Hwan Ha, Researcher Junho Jeong , Professor Wei Gao>
“Diabetic ulcers,” which occur in patients with diabetes, are dangerous complications that can lead to amputation if the treatment window is missed. A joint research team has developed a “smart dressing patch” that can monitor wound conditions in real time.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 14th of May that a research team led by Distinguished Professor Inkyu Park of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, through joint research with Professor Ji-Hwan Ha of Hanbat National University (President Yongjun Oh), researcher Junho Jeong of the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (President Seog-Hyeon Ryu), and Professor Wei Gao of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech; President Thomas F. Rosenbaum) in the United States, has developed a “wireless, battery-free optoelectronic multi-modal sensor patch” for diabetic ulcer management.
The patch developed by the research team combines an optoelectronic sensor, which can simultaneously measure multiple types of biological information, with a functional dressing. It can analyze glucose concentration, acidity (pH, an indicator of hydrogen ion concentration), and temperature changes at the wound site in real time, and patients can check their condition themselves using a smartphone.
The research team fabricated a functional nanofiber dressing using electrospinning, a method that uses an electric field to create fibers much thinner than a human hair. This dressing changes color in response to increased glucose and changes in acidity that appear in diabetic foot wounds. In other words, if the wound condition worsens, the dressing color changes, allowing danger signals to be easily checked with the naked eye. Through this, abnormal signs that could lead to tissue necrosis can be detected and tracked over long periods in a non-invasive manner, meaning without cutting the skin or drawing blood.
The research team combined this with an optoelectronic system to improve diagnostic accuracy. A light-emitting diode (LED, a semiconductor device that converts electricity into light) embedded in the patch and a photodiode, a semiconductor sensor that detects light, measure the color change of the dressing as light reflectance and then convert it into an electrical signal.
This provides more accurate and stable data than ordinary camera-based imaging because it is less affected by changes in surrounding lighting.
In particular, the patch operates without a separate battery by applying a flexible circuit based on near field communication (NFC), a wireless communication technology that exchanges data over short distances. When a smartphone is placed near the sensor, the patch receives power wirelessly and operates, transmitting the measured data in real time. In other words, patients and medical staff can immediately check and respond to wound conditions using only a smartphone app, without separate complex equipment.
< Conceptual Diagram of a Multimodal Colorimetric Dressing and Optoelectronic Sensor for Diagnosing Diabetic Foot and Diabetic Diseases >
The technology developed in this study has high clinical value because it provides both intuitive visual signals and quantitative electronic data while imposing no physical burden on patients. It is also expected to contribute to improving the quality of life of patients with diabetes by enabling continuous wound management without repeated blood sampling.
Distinguished Professor Inkyu Park stated, “Research that began to reduce the pain of diabetic patients who have to prick their fingers with a needle every day has led to a technology for the preemptive diagnosis of complications,” adding, “This technology will become a core platform technology that can be expanded in the future to blood-free diagnostic technologies not only for diabetes but also for various chronic diseases.”
In this study, KAIST Dr. Seokjoo Cho and Professor Ji-Hwan Ha of Hanbat National University participated as co-first authors. The research results were published on March 26, 2026, in the international materials science journal Advanced Functional Materials. The paper was also selected as a Front Cover article of the journal.
※ Paper title: “Wireless, Battery-Free, Optoelectronic, Multi-Modal Sensor Integrated With Colorimetric Dressing for Diabetic Ulcer Management,” DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202532167
< Front Cover Image >
This research was supported by the Mid-Career Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Alchemist Project of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Daejeon RISE Center.
2026.05.14 View 111 -
“Entrepreneurial Mutual Growth Fair 2026” to be Held... KAIST Super Star Companies Gather for AI Solopreneurship, Tech Commercialization, Investment, and Youth Job Fair
KAIST announced that it will host the ‘AI Agent-Based Solopreneurship Program Information Session’ and the ‘Entrepreneurial Mutual Growth Fair 2026’ for two days from May 18th to 19th.
In this event, KAIST’s new AI-based solopreneurship model, which utilizes AI not merely as an operational tool but as a ‘Co-founder,’ will be introduced in depth. The university will hold an information session for the ‘AI Solopreneur Support Project,’ which enables a single individual to carry out the entire entrepreneurial process—including planning, development, marketing, and fundraising—using AI agents prepared by the university.
In this program, 100 prospective entrepreneurs will be selected nationwide, and faculty from the KAIST Institute for Entrepreneurship and the KAIST Graduate School of AI will provide eight weeks of intensive training. Additionally, a network of top-tier domestic and global mentors will be established to support business optimization and linkage with overseas investments.
In particular, outstanding teams will be provided with seed investment of up to 100 million KRW, prototype production support, and infrastructure for GPU and AI services. By fostering world-class AI utilization skills in prospective entrepreneurs with diverse domain knowledge, KAIST plans to accelerate the introduction of AI into various domestic industries while nurturing AI business models with global competitiveness.
This event is organized as a venue to introduce the KAIST-style full-cycle entrepreneurial ecosystem, encompassing artificial intelligence (AI)-based entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, industry-academic cooperation, investment linkage, and youth job creation. In particular, it will showcase the competitiveness of the deep-tech (advanced technology-based) startup ecosystem from multiple perspectives, focusing on the technological prowess and industrial application cases of KAIST startup companies.
Global big tech companies' choice of AI solution providers will also participate to reveal various technologies reflecting the AX (AI Transformation) trend across industries. Actual application cases that supported the digital transformation of major domestic corporations through factory and office automation solutions will also be announced.
In the field of robotics, Lion Robotics will introduce field-application technologies based on quadruped robots and leading R&D cases for humanoid robots. In addition, next-generation AI semiconductor startups such as Panmnesia and HyperAccel will present next-generation chip design technologies for implementing On-Device AI. These companies will showcase technologies and business models that can run Large Language Model (LLM)-based AI services faster while reducing dependence on GPUs (Graphics Processing Units). In the deep-tech bio and healthcare AI field, Barreleye will introduce an innovative solution that complements the limitations of traditional MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)-centered diagnosis through AI-based quantitative ultrasound analysis technology. In the bio and medical robot field, Roen Surgical will present next-generation medical innovation cases based on precision surgical robot technology.
On the first day of the event, May 18th, the ‘Entrepreneurial Mutual Growth Fair’ will be held in the main hall on the 1st floor of the KI Building along with the ‘AI Agent-Based Solopreneurship Program Information Session.’ Representative startup companies that have led KAIST’s technology commercialization success will participate in this session to share successful technology commercialization models that connected R&D achievements to actual market results.
Through this, they plan to present a virtuous cycle for the KAIST startup ecosystem leading from ‘Research → Startup → Investment → Growth.’ Furthermore, KAIST startup companies will operate recruitment sessions alongside technology exhibitions. Participating companies will conduct direct recruitment consultations and talent discovery on-site, providing youth with high-quality, technology-based job opportunities. Through this event, the university plans to support scientific and technological talents so they can advance into startups and industrial fields rather than staying in research, and to lead technology-based entrepreneurship and employment creation. On the second day, May 19th, an ‘Open Innovation Information Session’ will be held to connect KAIST’s research capabilities with industrial demand.
At the event, the ‘1 Lab N Startup’ model, which connects KAIST faculty’s technology with corporate R&D needs to promote joint research and commercialization, will be introduced. Industry-academic cooperation strategies that expand beyond technology transfer to joint entrepreneurship and new business creation will also be announced. Following this, in the ‘KAIST Startup Investment Linkage IR Pitching Session,’ the investment attraction program ‘Tech Plaza’ will be operated, featuring five Korean deep-tech bio companies. Companies selected based on the KAIST Startup Platform (KSTP) will present their business models and technological prowess to investors, and tangible investment results are expected through linkage with venture capital (VC) and accelerators. Bae Hyeon-min, Dean of the KAIST Institute for Entrepreneurship, said, “This Entrepreneurial Mutual Growth Fair is an integrated startup platform that connects the entire process from AI-based individual entrepreneurship to technology commercialization, industry-academic cooperation, investment, and job creation.
We expect it to serve as an opportunity to present a new direction for the domestic deep-tech startup ecosystem through the success stories of KAIST’s representative startups.” This event is open to students, the general public, corporations, and investment institutions interested in entrepreneurship, and is prepared as a place to directly confirm the innovative achievements and expansion possibilities of the KAIST startup ecosystem. Information regarding the KAIST AI Solopreneurship Program information session and participation applications can be found on the website (https://www.kaist-overedge.com/).
By accessing the website, people can watch the information session on YouTube and apply for participation.
2026.05.13 View 205 -
Launch of Center for Science Diplomacy... Building a Science Diplomacy Hub for the AI Era
< Science Diplomacy Forum Poster >
KAIST announced that it has officially launched the ‘KAIST Center for Science Diplomacy (KCSD),’ connecting science and technology with diplomacy, and is holding a global forum on May 13th to commemorate the occasion. Through the Center for Science Diplomacy, our university plans to promote the securing of technological sovereignty and the strengthening of global cooperation, contributing to the resolution of common human challenges such as the climate crisis, aging populations, energy, and digital transformation. This forum was organized to present the strategic direction and execution vision for science diplomacy that South Korea should pursue amidst the intensifying global competition for technological hegemony. In particular, in a situation where the international order is being reshaped around AI and quantum technology, the center will discuss international cooperation and joint response measures with ambassadors from various countries. The forum will begin with an opening address by Bong-kwan Jun, Director of the KAIST Center for Science Diplomacy, and welcoming remarks by President Kwang-hyung Lee. Following this, Jin Park, a visiting professor, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chair of the Center’s Advisory Committee, will deliver a keynote speech on the topic of ‘The Importance of Science Diplomacy and Future Strategies in the AI Era.’ Professor Jin Park will suggest the roles of South Korea and KAIST in building international trust and achieving common prosperity in an era where technological competition and cooperation coexist. In the subsequent roundtable, attending ambassadors and charges d'affaires from various countries will participate in discussions on the themes of ▲‘Science Diplomacy in the AI Era: Strategies for Technological Sovereignty and Global Cooperation’ and ▲‘Scientific Cooperation for a Sustainable Future: Partnerships for Health, Aging, and Coexistence.’ Participants will exchange views on how each country can secure technological competitiveness and security amidst the changes in industrial and social structures brought about by the AI revolution, while also establishing international norms and platforms for cooperation. Furthermore, they will share cases from countries that have experienced aging societies ahead of others and discuss international cooperation models and global standard-setting measures for innovation in health and medical systems and improving the quality of life for the elderly. In addition, Rainer Wessely, Counselor of the EU Delegation to Korea, will introduce cases of the European Union’s education exchange program ‘Erasmus’ and the research and innovation support program ‘Horizon Europe.’ He will also explore cooperation models for science, technology, and higher education with Asian and African countries, along with strategies for the expansion of the ‘K-Science and Technology Education Model.’ Ambassadors from major countries and organizations, including the EU, Singapore, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Philippines, Thailand, Hungary, Mongolia, and Tanzania, have expressed their intent to attend this forum. Deputy ambassadors and officials from the embassies of Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands will also participate, with discussions currently ongoing with additional countries. From our university, experts in AI, aerospace, medical science, and international cooperation will participate as advisory members to engage in in-depth discussions with the ambassadors regarding KAIST's role as a science diplomacy platform for mitigating technological gaps and promoting global cooperation, as well as the policy directions of major nations. KAIST President Kwang-hyung Lee stated, “Science and technology have now moved beyond being simple policy tools to becoming a core engine for building trust between nations and solving the collective problems of humanity.” He added, “We will actively support the KAIST Center for Science Diplomacy so that it can establish itself as a leading platform for global science and technology cooperation.” Meanwhile, this forum is open to anyone free of charge, and registration is available via the online link (https://forms.gle/YCCr8pqkjJr7HahQ7).
2026.05.13 View 105 -
“Even Recognizing Puddles at Night”... KAIST Surpasses the Limits of Autonomous Driving
< (From left) Ph.D. student Hanbin Cho, Postdoctoral Researcher Wenxuan Zhu, Professor Joonki Suh, and MS-PhD integrated student Changhwan Kim >
A technology that surpasses the limitations of existing sensors, which failed to distinguish between water and asphalt on dark roads, has emerged to enhance the accuracy of autonomous driving and medical diagnostics. Our university's research team has developed a next-generation polarization sensor that can read the "direction" of light and change its own response. KAIST announced on May 12th that a research team led by Professor Joonki Suh from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has developed a "self-reconfigurable" polarization sensor array technology that regulates its operation by finding the optimal state using "polarization" information—the property of light vibrating in a specific direction. With the recent explosive increase in data and the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, the need for next-generation vision systems that can efficiently process vast amounts of information with low energy is growing. However, existing image sensors only detect the intensity (brightness) of light, limiting their ability to precisely grasp the orientation or surface structure of objects. To overcome these limitations, the research team developed a polarization-based sensor technology capable of recognizing the vibration direction of light. In particular, by utilizing a "heterostructure" that combines two different materials—tellurium (Te) and rhenium disulfide (ReS₂)—they effectively implemented characteristics where the response to light varies depending on the crystal orientation.
< Conceptual diagram of self-reconfigurable polarization sensor and in-sensor computing based on dual-anisotropy vdW heterostructures >
To precisely stack the two materials so they cross each other, the research team applied "Epitaxial Atomic Layer Deposition," a process that controls crystal structures by stacking materials precisely at the atomic layer level. By ensuring the crystal structures of the two materials interlock accurately, they secured higher reproducibility and stable performance compared to previous methods. In this structure, when light is irradiated, interfacial carrier transfer and trapping (a phenomenon where electrons move or stay at specific locations) occur at the material boundary. As a result, a "bipolar photoresponse"—a light-induced reaction where the current direction flips depending on conditions such as light intensity, wavelength, and direction—appears. A key feature is that the sensor's operating state can be freely adjusted using only light, without external electrical signals. Furthermore, this technology can be applied to "in-sensor computing" structures where the sensor itself processes data, allowing for the efficient processing of multi-dimensional optical information that changes over time without complex calculation processes. In actual experiments, it recorded a high accuracy of over 95% in recognizing moving objects, proving its potential for applications in various fields such as autonomous driving and medical diagnosis.
< Experimental image of a polarization AI sensor platform capable of light-based operational reconfiguration (AI-generated image) >
Professor Joonki Suh stated, "This research presents a new foundation for AI vision technology that can secure richer visual information by utilizing polarization information. It is expected to play an important role in implementing low-power, high-efficiency AI systems in the future." Wenxuan Zhu (Postdoctoral Researcher) and Changhwan Kim (Ph.D. student) participated as first authors in this study, with Professor Joonki Suh participating as the corresponding author. The research results were published on April 14 in the international academic journal Nature Sensors.
Paper Title: Self-reconfigurable polarization perception in dual-anisotropy heterostructures for high-dimensional in-sensor computing
Authors: Wenxuan Zhu, Changhwan Kim, Ruofan Zhang, Mingchun Lu, Namwook Hur, Hanbin Cho, Jihyun Kim, Jiacheng Sun, Joohoon Kang, Junchi Yan, Yuan Cheng & Joonki Suh
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44460-026-00057-9
< Paper portfolio and QR code >
Meanwhile, this research was conducted with the support of the PIM AI Semiconductor Core Technology Development (Device) Project and the Individual Basic Research Project of the National Research Foundation of Korea, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Industrial Innovation Talent Growth Support Project of the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT).
2026.05.12 View 156 -
KAIST demonstrates ultralow-noise microwave and millimeter-wave signal generation using microcomb-based photonic chip
<(From Left) Prof. Jungwon Kim, Dr. Changmin Ahn>
Researchers at KAIST have demonstrated a chip-scale photonic approach for generating ultralow-noise and highly stable microwave and millimeter-wave signals based on optical frequency combs (microcombs), offering a potential pathway toward compact, high-performance frequency sources for next-generation technologies.
High-frequency signals in the tens to hundreds of gigahertz range are essential for emerging applications such as 6G communications, radar, and precision sensing. However, achieving both low noise and high stability at these frequencies remains a fundamental challenge for conventional electronic signal sources.
In the first study, the researchers addressed the long-standing challenge of transferring the stability of an optical reference to a microcomb. Direct stabilization is difficult due to the lack of carrier-envelope offset detection in high-repetition-rate microcombs. To overcome this, they used a mode-locked laser as a transfer oscillator and synchronized it to the microcomb using electro-optic sampling. This approach enabled direct and robust transfer of optical-reference stability to the microcomb repetition rate, achieving fractional frequency stability at the 10-18 level and a phase noise of -125 dBc/Hz at 100 Hz offset from a 22 GHz carrier, representing state-of-the-art performance and more than 80 dB improvement over the free-running microcomb in the low-offset-frequency regime.
In the second study, the team addressed the degradation of noise performance typically observed when scaling microcombs to higher repetition rates. While microcombs with lower repetition rates (large resonators) exhibit better noise characteristics, increasing the repetition rate generally leads to performance degradation. The researchers showed that this limitation can be overcome using perfect soliton crystal (PSC) states, which enable repetition-rate multiplication while preserving the low-noise characteristics of the original comb. As a result, they generated millimeter-wave signals at 44 GHz and 66 GHz with timing jitter on the order of 3 femtoseconds, demonstrating that the low-noise performance of a microwave-rate microcomb can be preserved during scaling to millimeter-wave frequencies.
<Ultra-compact optical resonator chip with noise suppression based on an optical reference signal and increased frequency via fully solitonic waves (AI-generated image)>
Together, these results establish two key capabilities: (1) high-fidelity transfer of optical-reference stability to chip-scale microcombs, and (2) preservation of low-noise performance during frequency scaling to millimeter-wave regimes. This combined capability provides a practical route toward compact photonic signal sources that integrate optical-level stability with high-frequency operation.
The research was led by Dr. Changmin Ahn and Prof. Jungwon Kim at KAIST, in collaboration with Prof. Hansuek Lee. The results were published in Laser & Photonics Reviews and Optica.
· Optical-to-microcomb stability transfer for ultrastable timing and microwave/millimeter-wave generation (DOI: 10.1002/lpor.71135)
· Preserving ultralow timing jitter in microcombs with repetition-rate multiplication via perfect soliton crystal formation (DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.581054)
2026.05.11 View 174 -
First Observation of the Moment Lithium Batteries Breakdown... Key Clue to Extending EV Range
< (From left) Professor Seungbum Hong, Ph.D candidate Seonghyun Kim, Dr. Youngwoo Choi, and Dr. Yoonhan Cho >
A crucial clue to simultaneously increasing electric vehicle (EV) driving range and battery lifespan has been discovered. A research team at our university has observed the exact moment of degradation in lithium metal batteries at the nanoscale (approximately 1/100,000th the thickness of a human hair) and identified the fundamental cause of performance decline. This is evaluated as a significant turning point in accelerating the commercialization of next-generation batteries.
KAIST announced on May 10th that a research team led by Professor Seungbum Hong from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering has identified the degradation mechanism of the lithium metal anode, a core component of next-generation batteries.
Lithium metal is dubbed a "dream battery material" due to its significantly higher energy density compared to conventional batteries. However, the rapid decline in performance after repeated charge and discharge cycles has been the biggest obstacle to commercialization. In particular, when lithium is deposited or stripped irregularly, it can form "dead lithium"—lithium that is electrically disconnected—which leads to performance degradation and poses safety risks.
The research team utilized in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM), which allows for real-time observation of the battery interior, to track the entire process of lithium deposition (plating) and removal (stripping). As a result, they confirmed that the lithium reaction does not occur uniformly across the entire surface but occurs selectively at specific locations.
<Overview of the EC-AFM Measurement Process>
Specifically, in porous regions with rough surfaces, voids were easily formed when lithium was stripped away, leading to the creation of "dead lithium" that becomes electrically isolated. This phenomenon acts as a direct cause of the sudden decline in battery performance.
The significance of this study lies in experimentally identifying where and how lithium metal batteries are damaged. Furthermore, it proved that the "initial morphology," where lithium is first formed, is a key variable that determines the long-term lifespan of the battery.
<Height Maps and Surface Slope Maps During the 1st–3rd Plating/Stripping Processes>
Accordingly, it is expected that if the surface where lithium forms is controlled uniformly and precisely in the future, battery life and stability can be dramatically improved. This suggests a design direction that can simultaneously achieve increased EV driving range and the development of long-life batteries.
Professor Seungbum Hong stated, "This research is highly significant as it directly confirmed the cause of battery performance degradation at the nanoscale. It will serve as an important foundation for developing safer and longer-lasting next-generation batteries."
Seonghyun Kim, a PhD student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, participated as the lead author. The study was published on February 24, 2026, in ACS Energy Letters, a prestigious international academic journal in the fields of materials science, chemistry, and chemical engineering, and was selected as a cover article.
※ Paper Title: Spatially Selective Lithium Plating and Stripping in Lithium Metal Anodes, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.6c00122
< Photo of Selection as ACS Energy Letters Cover Paper >
Meanwhile, this research was conducted with support from LG Energy Solution and the Future Pioneering Convergence Science and Technology Development Program (RS-2023-00247245) of the National Research Foundation of Korea, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
2026.05.11 View 283 -
KAIST Unveils Complexity Paradox: Nanoparticles Grow More Uniform as Components Increase
<(From Left) Ph.D candidate Jeesoo Yoon, Dr. Jinwon Oh, Professor Hee-Tae Jung, Professor Matteo Cargnello>
A KAIST and Stanford University joint research team revealed research results that overturn long-standing beliefs in the field of nanomaterials. Contrary to the conventional perception that mixing more metals complicates the system, this study revealed for the first time that complex compositions actually create more uniform nanoparticles, signaling a new turning point for next-generation energy and catalysis technology.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced that a joint research team led by distinguished professor Hee-Tae Jung from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Professor Matteo Cargnello from Stanford University has identified a paradoxical phenomenon where mixing more metals leads to the formation of more uniform nanoparticles.
Nanoparticles are core materials in various industries such as semiconductors, eco-friendly energy, and biotechnology. However, as the number of constituent elements increases, the different reaction rates of each element cause variations in particle size and shape, which has been considered a major challenge for precision control.
The research team focused on composition-focusing, a phenomenon where the particle components converge in one direction and become more uniform as the number of metal elements increases.
<Figure 1. (Top) Increasing number of possible product metal combinations (Bottom) Composition-focusing behavior>
The research confirmed that during the competitive bonding process of different metal atoms, the atoms that settle first act as a stepping stone, helping subsequent atoms attach more easily. Consequently, instead of mixing randomly, the atoms stack orderly in layers to form a stable structure. This phenomenon is a significant discovery, showing that the complex chemical reaction environment – previously viewed as a hurdle – actually helps atoms achieve an organized structure.
<Figure 2. (Top) Formation mechanism of five-element nanoparticles, (Bottom) comparison of catalytic performance>
To verify this principle, the team produced a multimetallic nanoparticle catalyst containing five different metals. In the reaction of decomposing ammonia to produce hydrogen – which requires high temperatures and high-performance catalysts – the new material showed four-times higher efficiency than the ruthenium catalyst, the current industrial standard.
Distinguished professor Hee-Tae Jung stated: This research is significant in that it discovered an unexpected paradoxical phenomenon and identified its operating principle. By utilizing this principle, we can design metal compositions tailored to desired performance, which is expected to be used in developing high-performance catalysts and eco-friendly energy materials for processes like hydrogen production and carbon dioxide conversion.
<Figure 3. Schematic illustration of multicomponent nanoparticle formation>
Jeesoo Yoon, a PhD candidate at KAIST, and Dr. Jinwon Oh from Stanford University participated as co-first authors of this study. The research was led by Distinguished Professor Hee-Tae Jung of KAIST and Professor Matteo Cargnello of Stanford University as co-corresponding authors. BASF (Badische Anilin- & Soda-Fabrik) and Seoul National University also participated in the joint research. The findings were published in the world-renowned academic journal Science on May 7th.
※ Title: Competitive reactivity drives size- and composition-focusing in multimetallic nanocrystals
※ DOI: 10.1126/science.aea8044
This research was conducted with the support from the National Research Foundation, the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, and BASF.
2026.05.11 View 149 -
KAIST Reads the Inside of Materials in 3D Using Everyday LED Light
<(From Left) Professor YongKeun Park, Professor Seung-Mo Hong, Professor Seokwoo Jeon, Ph.D candidate Juheon Lee>
KAIST announced on the 7th of May that a research team led by Professor YongKeun Park of the Department of Physics, in collaboration with Professor Seung-Mo Hong’s team at Asan Medical Center and Professor Seokwoo Jeon’s team at Korea University, has developed, for the first time in the world, “incoherent Dielectric Tensor Tomography (iDTT)*,” a technology that can read complex three-dimensional “optical fingerprints” inside materials using only everyday LED illumination.
*Incoherent Dielectric Tensor Tomography: an imaging technology that reconstructs, in three dimensions, the directional electrical properties inside a material (dielectric tensor) without relying on light interference (phase information).
<Interferometer-Free Optical System Design and Dielectric Tensor Reconstruction Algorithm>
Some materials possess an inherent property called “optical anisotropy,” in which the refractive index changes depending on the direction in which light passes through. This is a decisive “optical fingerprint” that reveals the internal structure and molecular arrangement of the material. There are two types of optical anisotropy. Uniaxial anisotropy refers to the case where only one direction is special, like a pencil, while biaxial anisotropy is a more general and complex case where all three directions differ, like a brick.
Professor YongKeun Park’s research team previously developed, for the first time in the world, “Dielectric Tensor Tomography (DTT),” a technology capable of measuring this optical fingerprint in three dimensions, opening a path for 3D dielectric tensor measurement that had not previously existed (Shin et al., Nature Materials, 2022). However, conventional DTT required a precise laser interferometer, which caused noise in images, reduced accuracy, and made the system highly sensitive to external vibrations. In particular, there were technical limitations in expanding it to large-area samples such as biological tissues.
The iDTT developed by the research team performs a total of 48 independent measurements by precisely controlling the polarization and angle of light used in hospitals. Through this, it reconstructs in three dimensions the “dielectric tensor,”* which fully describes how a material responds to light in all directions.
*Dielectric tensor: a 3×3 matrix that represents how a material responds to light, including refraction and absorption, in all directions. It mathematically describes the characteristics of materials whose optical properties vary depending on direction.
<Measurement Results of the Three-Dimensional Biaxial Anisotropy Orientation of Each Grain in a Polycrystalline Sample>
The core of iDTT lies in the introduction of an LED light source. By using LED illumination as an incoherent light source, iDTT fundamentally resolves these noise issues and greatly improves measurement stability and practicality. In fact, in a direct comparison using a sample with micrometer-scale periodic molecular alignment structures, the research team confirmed that iDTT clearly reconstructed fine structures that were almost invisible due to noise in conventional laser-based DTT.
The iDTT technology is expected to be applicable across materials science, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, and displays.
The research team succeeded in making visible in three dimensions how molecules are arranged inside liquid crystal particles. They also precisely observed fibrosis, a phenomenon in which tissue hardens, in colon tissue after radiation therapy without any additional staining.
In addition, even when different crystalline materials such as quartz and calcium chloride were mixed together, the system automatically distinguished each material based solely on differences in their response to light (anisotropy), without chemical analysis.
Furthermore, in materials composed of multiple crystals, the technology non-destructively analyzed the orientation of each small crystal and whether the crystals were well aligned with each other (coherence) or misaligned (incoherence). Through this, the team confirmed that iDTT is a new analytical method capable of connecting microscopic internal structures with physical properties such as material strength.
<Research Concept Diagram (AI-Generated Image)>
Professor YongKeun Park stated, “This study suggests the possibility of replacing material anisotropy measurements that previously relied on large-scale facilities or destructive analysis with compact optical microscopy,” adding, “As stable dielectric tensor measurements are now possible using LEDs, this technology will become a new standard for non-destructive precision analysis used across various industrial fields.”
This study, with KAIST integrated master’s–PhD student Juheon Lee as the first author, was published in the world-renowned journal Nature Photonics on April 21, 2026.
※ Paper title: “Incoherent dielectric tensor tomography for quantitative three-dimensional measurement of biaxial anisotropy,” DOI: 10.1038/s41566-026-01897-0
This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea’s Global Leader Research Program, the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology’s International Collaborative R&D Program, and the Samsung Research Funding Center of Samsung Electronics.
2026.05.07 View 301 -
KAIST Solves Computer Problems That Would Take Thousands of Years Using Semiconductors
<(From Left) Professor Yang-Kyu Choi, Ph.D. candidate Seong-Yun Yun, (Upper Right) Professor Sanghyeon Kim, Dr. Joon Pyo Kim>
In the era of big data and artificial intelligence, a new approach has emerged for solving combinatorial optimization problems, which involve finding the most efficient solution among many possible options and can otherwise take thousands of years to compute. A KAIST research team has developed computational hardware that can be implemented entirely using existing silicon processes, enabling deployment on existing fabrication lines without additional facilities. This is expected to enable faster and more accurate decision-making across various industries, including logistics, finance, and semiconductor design.
KAIST (President Kwang-Hyung Lee) announced on the 6th of May that a joint research team led by Professor Yang-Kyu Choi and Professor Sanghyeon Kim from the School of Electrical Engineering has implemented an oscillatory Ising machine (a specialized-purpose computer in which multiple oscillating elements interact to find optimal solutions)—a next-generation specialized optimization hardware—using only conventional silicon semiconductor processes.
The research team focused on oscillators that repeat electrical signals periodically. As multiple oscillators exchange signals and synchronize their rhythms, the system naturally reaches the most stable state, and in this process, it finds the optimal solution.
Conventional oscillatory Ising machines have limitations in solving complex problems because it is difficult to precisely control slight frequency differences among oscillators, and the connectivity between elements is limited.
<An aging machine using a silicon oscillator and coupler>
To overcome this, the research team introduced a new approach in which both the oscillators and the couplers are implemented using single silicon transistors, which are the fundamental switching elements of semiconductors.
Through this approach, they reduced frequency deviations among oscillators, enabling stable synchronization, and by using couplers, they implemented multi-level coupling, allowing more precise reflection of problem weights.
As a result, both the ability to represent complex optimization problems and the performance of solution search were significantly improved. Using this technology, the research team successfully solved the representative combinatorial optimization problem known as the Max-Cut problem, which involves dividing a network into two groups to maximize connections.
This problem can be directly applied to various industrial fields such as logistics route optimization, financial portfolio construction, and semiconductor circuit placement. A key advantage of this approach is that it uses the CMOS* process currently employed in the semiconductor industry without requiring special materials or non-standard processes. Therefore, the technology suitable for mass production and commercialization on existing semiconductor production lines without additional facility investment.
*CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor): the most standard process technology in modern semiconductor manufacturing, characterized by very low power consumption and low heat generation, and used to produce chips that serve as the “brains” of almost all digital devices, including smartphones and computer CPUs
<(AI-generated image) Concept diagram of an AI-based silicon aging machine>
Professor Yang-Kyu Choi stated, “This research presents an oscillatory Ising machine hardware that secures both scalability and precision by implementing both oscillators and couplers with silicon devices,” adding, “It is expected to be applied to various industrial fields requiring large-scale combinatorial optimization, such as semiconductor design automation, communication network optimization, and resource allocation.” He further noted that, as transistor miniaturization approaches its physical limits and increasingly requires atomic-level control, our group has spent the past decade exploring whether the future of transistors should extend beyond scaling toward the discovery of new functions. Futurist Alvin Toffler famously divided the development of society into three stages, describing the modern transition into a knowledge-based society as the “Third Wave.” In a similar way, the history of transistor technology, which now spans more than 80 years, may also be viewed in three waves. In 1935, Oskar Heil proposed the concept of controlling semiconductor current with an electric field in a British patent. In 1946, William Shockley developed the first solid-state transistor, an achievement that later led to the Nobel Prize. In 1961, Dawon Kahng invented the modern metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor, or MOSFET, which remains the foundation of today’s mass-produced semiconductor devices. From this perspective, the first wave of transistor technology can be defined as the “switch,” and the second wave as the “amplifier.” Our laboratory proposes a newly identified third wave: the transistor as an “oscillator.” For decades, semiconductor progress has largely been driven by improving the switching and amplification performance of transistors through miniaturization. However, as device fabrication now demands atomic-scale precision, the physical limits of scaling are becoming increasingly apparent. Future transistors therefore require a fundamental paradigm shift—from further miniaturization toward the realization of new functions. The greatest technological significance of this work lies in demonstrating the oscillator as a third fundamental function of the transistor. As a proof of this concept, we experimentally realized a physical Ising machine operating at room temperature.
This research was led by KAIST Ph.D. candidate Seong-Yun Yun and Dr. Joon Pyo Kim as co-first authors, and was published in Science Advances, one of the world’s most prestigious scientific journals, on March 27.
※ Paper title: “Scalable Ising machine composed entirely of Si transistors,” DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adz2384
This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea through the Next-Generation Intelligent Semiconductor Technology Development Program, the National Semiconductor Research Laboratory Core Technology Development Program, and the PIM Artificial Intelligence Semiconductor Core Technology Development Program.
2026.05.06 View 362 -
KAIST Develops New Concept Hologram Technology Where “Light Becomes the Key”… Enabling Hard-to-Copy Security
<(From Left)Dr. Joonkyo Jung. Professor Jonghwa Shin>
A new type of hologram technology has been developed that uses the motion of light as a “key,” revealing information only under specific conditions. This is gaining attention as a novel approach that can simultaneously overcome the limitations of existing optical communication and security technologies.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 4th of May that a research team led by Professor Jonghwa Shin from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering has developed a next-generation vectorial hologram metasurface that uses the “total angular momentum (TAM)*” of light as a key for information selection, enabling the realization of different vectorial images depending on the state of the incident light.
*Total Angular Momentum (TAM): a physical quantity that represents both the vibration direction (polarization) and rotational (twisting) properties of light, enabling the creation of precise vectorial images whose intensity and polarization distribution vary depending on the state of light
Previously, research utilizing either the vibration direction of light, known as “polarization,” or the property of light twisting in a helical form, known as “orbital angular momentum (OAM),” had been actively pursued. However, independently controlling these two properties within a single device had long been considered an unsolved challenge in the field of optics.
To address this, the research team precisely designed nanoscale structures much smaller than the thickness of a human hair and implemented a “bi-layer metasurface” by stacking them in two layers. A metasurface is an optical device based on ultra-fine artificial structures designed to freely control the direction and properties of light.
This device uses the “total angular momentum (TAM),” which combines the polarization and degree of twist of light, like a complex encryption key. In other words, the device responds and reconstructs hidden information only when light with a specific vibration pattern and a specific number of twists is incident. With this technology, even if light appears identical externally, the information cannot be read without the designated “light key,” ensuring high security.
<Conceptual Diagram of the Study>
In addition, the twisting state of light (OAM) can theoretically take on a very wide range of values, significantly increasing the amount of information that can be carried by a single light beam. This also enables expansion into ultra-high-capacity optical communication technologies capable of transmitting far more data simultaneously than before.
In particular, this study is meaningful in that it goes beyond simple intensity-only image implementation and achieves a “vectorial hologram” that precisely controls the vibration direction (polarization) of light at each point in the image. A vectorial hologram is a high-dimensional holographic technology that represents not only the intensity of light but also its vibration direction information.
<Vector hologram that generates independent intensity and polarization images depending on the conditions of the incident light>
This achievement is the first demonstration that two key properties of light—polarization and twist—which had been difficult to separate physically, can be independently controlled within a single device. This is expected to enable applications not only in next-generation display technologies such as immersive holograms, smart glasses, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) devices, but also in various fields including anti-counterfeiting security labels and ultra-high-speed optical communication.
Professor Jonghwa Shin stated, “This study demonstrates that polarization and twist, which are fundamental properties of light, can be combined into a single independent information key and freely utilized,” adding, “It will evolve into a key platform for security systems that are difficult to replicate and for ultra-high-speed, ultra-high-capacity optical communication technologies.”
This study, with Dr. Joonkyo Jung as the first author, was published online on March 12 in the international journal Advanced Materials.
※ Paper title: “Arbitrary Total Angular Momentum Vectorial Holography Using Bi-Layer Metasurfaces,” DOI: 10.1002/adma.202519106
This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT through the “Nano Materials Technology Development Program” and the “Group Research Support Program,” as well as by the Ministry of Trade.
2026.05.06 View 246 -
KAIST Uncovers the “Core Secret” of Energy Reactions—from Phone Charging to Hydrogen Production
<(From Left) Professor Hyungjun Kim, Ph.D candidate Dong Hyun Kim, Ph.D candidate Minho M. Kim, Ph.D candidate Junsic Cho, Professor Chang Hyuck Choi, Professor Seung-Jae Shin>
From smartphone charging to hydrogen production, the fundamental principles of energy technology have been revealed. Korean researchers have, for the first time, identified how molecular structures change within the ultra-small space called the “electric double layer” (a thin interface where the electrode and electrolyte meet; the electrode is a material through which electricity flows, and the electrolyte is a liquid through which ions move), where electrochemical reactions occur. This study opens a new path to simultaneously improve efficiency and performance in battery, hydrogen, and carbon-neutral technologies by reducing energy loss and selectively inducing desired reactions.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 3rd of May that a research team led by Professor Hyungjun Kim from the Department of Chemistry, in collaboration with Professor Chang Hyuck Choi from POSTECH (President Sung Keun Kim) and Professor Seung-Jae Shin from UNIST (President Jong Rae Park), has identified structural “phase transitions” (phenomena in which the state or arrangement of matter changes) occurring within the electric double layer. In particular, they revealed at the molecular level the cause of the phenomenon in which the pattern of electrical storage capacity (capacitance) changes from a “camel shape” to a “bell shape” depending on electrolyte concentration.
Electrochemical reactions occur within the ultra-small space called the “electric double layer,” where the electrode and electrolyte meet. In the field of electrochemistry, it has long been known that as electrolyte concentration increases, the capacitance curve changes from a “camel shape” with two peaks to a “bell shape” with a single peak, but the underlying cause had remained unexplained at the molecular level.
Through atomically precise simulations and experiments, the research team discovered that two key changes occur depending on the voltage applied to the electrode.
At the cathode, water molecules collectively realign in a uniform direction, while at the anode, anions (negatively charged particles) accumulate densely on the surface, forming a two-dimensional structure in a phenomenon known as “condensation.” These two processes each create peaks in the capacitance curve, and as electrolyte concentration increases, they merge into one, causing the curve to transition from a “camel” to a “bell” shape.
In simple terms, on one side, water molecules line up in an orderly fashion, while on the other side, ions gather densely. As the concentration increases, these two phenomena merge into one, and the graph changes from two peaks to a single peak.
In particular, the research team presented, for the first time in the world, a “phase diagram” that shows at a glance how the structure of the electric double layer changes depending on electrode potential (the voltage applied to the electrode) and electrolyte concentration. They also experimentally validated these theoretical predictions in real time using infrared spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS, an experimental technique that observes molecular movements in real time).
<Transition from a ‘camel-shaped’ to a ‘bell-shaped’ curve caused by changes in the electric double-layer structure>
In simple terms, they created a map that shows how structures change under different conditions and verified through experiments that the map is accurate.
Professor Hyungjun Kim stated, “This study is meaningful in that it provides the first understanding of the otherwise invisible, microscopic electrochemical reaction environment and opens the way to design it,” adding, “If we can precisely control phase transitions in the electric double layer, we will be able to accurately enhance the performance of energy technologies, such as increasing battery charging speed or maximizing hydrogen production efficiency.”
This study, with Minho Kim, a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry at KAIST, and Dong Hyun Kim and Junsic Cho, doctoral students from the Department of Chemistry at POSTECH, as co-first authors, was published on March 7 in the international journal Nature Communications.
※ Paper title: “Electric double layer structure in concentrated aqueous solution,”
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-70322-5
This research was supported by the Samsung Future Technology Development Program, the InnoCore program of UNIST Hydro*Studio, and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) through the Top-Tier Research Institution Collaboration Platform and Joint Research Support Program, as well as the Nano and Materials Technology Development Program.
2026.05.04 View 253 -
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 433