%72%65%73%70%6f%6e%73%69%62%69%6c%69%74%79
-
Vieworks CEO Hu-sik Kim Appointed as 28th KAIST Alumni Association President
< Hu-sik Kim, 28th President of KAIST Alumni Association (CEO of Vieworks) >
KAIST announced on December 23rd that Hu-sik Kim, CEO of Vieworks—a company specializing in medical and industrial imaging solutions—has been appointed as the 28th President of the KAIST Alumni Association.
President-elect Hu-sik Kim, an alumnus with a Master’s degree in Physics (Class of ’95) from KAIST, is a technology-driven leader who has dedicated 26 years to the field of imaging solutions. He is recognized as a "field-oriented innovator" who has pioneered global niche markets with world-first technologies and driven long-term growth by prioritizing people and organizational culture as core competencies.
While working professionally, he enrolled in the KAIST Master’s program to strengthen his theoretical and practical expertise in optics. Later, he played a leading role in co-founding a venture company with fellow alumni, successfully growing Vieworks into a prominent global mid-sized enterprise.
In his inauguration remarks, President Kim stated, “I feel a profound sense of responsibility to give back to the nation and the community for the benefits I have received. I will do my best to ensure that the values of innovation and entrepreneurship are realized through our alumni network, and that the alumni association and our alma mater can prosper together.”
President Kim’s term will span two years starting from January 2026. The inauguration ceremony will be held during the "2026 New Year’s Greeting Ceremony" on January 16, 2026, at the El Tower in Seoul.
2025.12.23 View 1807 -
KAIST Develops Ultrafast Photothermal Process Achieving 3,000 °C in 0.02 Seconds, Boosting Hydrogen Production Efficiency Sixfold
< (from left) Ph.D. candidate Seohak Park, Dr. Jaewan Ahn, Ph.D. candidate Dogyeong Jeon, Prof. Sung-Yool Choi, Prof. Il-Doo Kim, Dr. Chungseong Park, Ph.D. candidate Euichul Shin (top left) Dr. Hamin Shin, Dr. Jun-Hwe Cha i>
The rapid and energy-efficient synthesis of high-performance catalysts is a critical hurdle in advancing clean energy technologies like hydrogen production. Addressing this challenge, a research team at KAIST has now developed a novel platform technology that utilizes a 0.02-second flash of light to generate an ultrahigh temperature of 3,000 °C, enabling the highly efficient synthesis of catalysts. This breakthrough process reduces energy consumption by more than a thousandfold compared to conventional methods while increasing hydrogen production efficiency by up to six times, marking a significant step toward the commercialization of clean energy.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on October 20 that a joint research team, co-led by Professor Il-Doo Kim from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor Sung-Yool Choi from the School of Electrical Engineering, has developed a “direct-contact photothermal annealing” platform. This technique synthesizes high-performance nanomaterials through brief exposure to intense light, generating a transient temperature of 3,000 °C in just 0.02 seconds.
Using this intense photothermal energy, the researchers successfully converted chemically inert nanodiamond (ND) precursors into highly conductive and catalytically active carbon nanoonions (CNOs).
More impressively, the method simultaneously functionalizes the surface of the newly formed CNOs with single atoms. This integrated, one-step process restructures the support material and embeds catalytic functionality in a single light pulse, representing a significant innovation in catalyst synthesis.
CNOs, composed of concentric graphitic shells, are ideal catalyst supports due to their high conductivity, large specific surface area, and chemical stability. However, traditional CNO synthesis has been hindered by complex, multi-step post-processing required to load metal catalysts and by reliance on energy-intensive, time-consuming thermal treatments that limit scalability.
< Schematic Illustration of the Limitations of Conventional Thermal-Radiation Synthesis and the Carbon Nano-Onion Conversion via Direct-Contact Photothermal Treatment >
To overcome these limitations, the KAIST team leveraged the photothermal effect. They devised a method of mixing ND precursors with light-absorbing carbon black (CB) and applying an intense pulse from a xenon lamp. This approach triggers the transformation of NDs into CNOs in just 0.02 seconds, a phenomenon validated by molecular dynamics simulations.
A key innovation of this platform is the simultaneous synthesis of CNOs and functionalization of single-atom catalysts (SACs). When metal precursors, such as platinum (Pt), are included in the mixture, they decompose and anchor onto the surface of the nascent CNOs as individual atoms. The subsequent rapid cooling prevents atomic aggregation, resulting in a perfectly integrated one-step process for both synthesis and functionalization. The team has successfully synthesized eight different high-density SACs, including platinum (Pt), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni). The resulting Pt-CNO demonstrated a sixfold enhancement in hydrogen evolution efficiency compared to conventional catalysts, achieving high performance with significantly smaller quantities of precious metals. This highlights the technology's potential for scalable and sustainable hydrogen production.
“We have developed, for the first time, a direct-contact photothermal annealing process that reaches 3,000°C in under 0.02 seconds,” said Professor Il-Doo Kim. “This ultrafast synthesis and single-atom functionalization platform reduces energy consumption by more than a thousandfold compared to traditional methods. We expect it to accelerate the commercialization of technologies in hydrogen energy, gas sensing, and environmental catalysis.”
The study’s first authors are Dogyeong Jeon (Ph.D. candidate, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST), Dr. Hamin Shin (an alumnus of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and a current postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zurich), and Dr. Jun-Hwe Cha (an alumnus of the School of Electrical Engineering, now at SK hynix). Professors Sung-Yool Choi and Il-Doo Kim are the corresponding authors.\
< Inside Cover Image of the September Issue of ACS >
The research was published as a Supplementary Cover Article in the September issue of ACS Nano, a leading international journal of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
※ Paper title: “Photothermal Annealing-Enabled Millisecond Synthesis of Carbon Nanoonions and Simultaneous Single-Atom Functionalization,” DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5c11229
This research was supported by the Global R&D Infrastructure Program and the Leading Research Center Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Nano Convergence Technology Center’s Semiconductor–Battery Interfacing Platform Development Project.
2025.10.21 View 2942 -
KAIST Launches Student Led ESG Research Platform with Brand Revenue
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 19th of October that it is launching a new action-oriented ESG program, 'PDSP (Problem Definition to Solution Program),' which returns brand revenue to students to support research aimed at solving social problems. Brand revenue refers to profits from the sale of branded products, such as 'Nubjuk-i,' and the brand shop that KAIST operates near the campus's duck pond.
This initiative is the first model to concretize KAIST's brand value and social responsibility through a student-centric approach, serving as an innovative starting point that connects 'research–startup–social contribution.'
The project is funded by dividends from Brand KAIST, a subsidiary of KAIST Holdings (CEO Hyunmin Bae), led by co-CEOs Hyun Jung Suk and Byeongjun Bok (CEO of KAI Patent Law Firm, and KAIST Industrial Design alumni).
By reinvesting brand revenue into student research activities, KAIST aims to implement a KAIST-style virtuous cycle ESG structure: 'Brand->Revenue->Student->Social Contribution.'
PDSP is a research program where KAIST undergraduate students voluntarily form teams to explore social and technological problems and propose solutions. The program name, 'Problem Definition to Solution Program,' signifies that students directly define the problem and design the solution, aiming to become a practical research platform that connects learned knowledge to solving social issues.
Through the PDSP, KAIST is expanding the concept of ESG beyond Environment, Society, and Governance to 'Practicing Social Responsibility through Education and Science.'
The process of students proactively defining social problems and proposing solutions is itself a form of ESG value realization, and KAIST seeks to build a science and technology-based, action-oriented ESG model through this.
The PDSP operates with two research tracks: Deep Tech and ESG. The 'Deep Tech Track' supports fundamental technology research that will lead future industries, leveraging KAIST's advanced science and technology capabilities in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, robotics, biotechnology, new materials, and energy. The 'ESG Track' focuses on research on social issues such as climate change, carbon neutrality, and aging, concentrating on realizing a sustainable society through science and technology.
<KAIST PDSP (Problem Definition to Solution Program) Poster>
This program is regarded not merely as an idea contest but as a 'student-led Deep Tech incubation program' that promotes substantial technological innovation originating from research labs.
Participation is open to approximately 20 teams, each composed of three to five undergraduate students. Each team can choose to apply for either the Deep Tech Track or the ESG Track. A maximum of 1.5 million KRW in research activity expenses will be provided per team for three months, with the funding executed according to KAIST's internal research project standards. Applications are accepted through the KAIST portal site from September 29 until midnight on November 5. Selected teams, after being reviewed by an evaluation committee, will go through stages including orientation, interim check, and performance presentation.
Hyeonmin Bae, CEO of KAIST Holdings (Professor of Electrical Engineering), stated, "The PDSP will be the starting point for KAIST-style autonomous research culture where students define problems and design solutions themselves," adding, "We plan to actively consider providing initial investments and commercialization support for outstanding research teams to develop their ideas into startups."
Hyeong-Jeong Suk, CEO of Brand KAIST (Professor of Industrial Design), said, "This program, where Brand KAIST's revenue is reinvested into student research, shows that the KAIST brand is evolving beyond a mere symbol to a platform for creating social value. I believe the true power of the KAIST brand lies in students creating new change that bridges technology and society through creative research."
A student who submitted an application for the program commented, "I wanted to explore social topics like environmental issues or technological inequality through research, and I am excited that this program offers such an opportunity," adding, "I feel a sense of pride as a KAIST student to be able to give back the knowledge I've gained to society."
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee emphasized, "Creating a co-prosperity innovation model that returns the value generated by the KAIST brand to our students is also KAIST's strength," and "I hope that the problems defined by the students themselves will contribute to the progress of humanity, and that creative research will become the driving force for social change."
Since its establishment in 1971, leading South Korea's scientific and technological development and industrial innovation, KAIST is realizing the 'virtuous cycle of brand value' through its PDSP, presenting a new ESG paradigm that combines student-led social contribution and technological innovation.
2025.10.20 View 2147 -
NYU-KAIST Global AI & Digital Governance Conference Held
< Photo 1. Opening of NYU-KAIST Global AI & Digital Governance Conference >
In attendance of the Minister of Science and ICT Jong-ho Lee, NYU President Linda G. Mills, and KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee, KAIST co-hosted the NYU-KAIST Global AI & Digital Governance Conference at the Paulson Center of New York University (NYU) in New York City, USA on September 21st, 9:30 pm.
At the conference, KAIST and NYU discussed the direction and policies for ‘global AI and digital governance’ with participants of upto 300 people which includes scholars, professors, and students involved in the academic field of AI and digitalization from both Korea and the United States and other international backgrounds. This conference was a forum of an international discussion that sought new directions for AI and digital technology take in the future and gathered consensus on regulations.
Following a welcoming address by KAIST President, Kwang Hyung Lee and a congratulatory message from the Minister of Science and ICT, Jong-ho Lee, a panel discussion was held, moderated by Professor Matthew Liao, a graduate of Princeton and Oxford University, currently serving as a professor at NYU and the director at the Center for Bioethics of the NYU School of Global Public Health.
Six prominent scholars took part in the panel discussion. Prof. Kyung-hyun Cho of NYU Applied Mathematics and Data Science Center, a KAIST graduate who has joined the ranks of the world-class in AI language models and Professor Jong Chul Ye, the Director of Promotion Council for Digital Health at KAIST, who is leading innovative research in the field of medical AI working in collaboration with major hospitals at home and abroad was on the panel. Additionally, Professor Luciano Floridi, a founding member of the Yale University Center for Digital Ethics, Professor Shannon Vallor, the Baillie Gifford Professor in the Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Edinburgh of the UK, Professor Stefaan Verhulst, a Co-Founder and the DIrector of GovLab‘s Data Program at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, and Professor Urs Gasser, who is in charge of public policy, governance and innovative technology at the Technical University of Munich, also participated.
Professor Matthew Liao from NYU led the discussion on various topics such as the ways to to regulate AI and digital technologies; the concerns about how deep learning technology being developed in medicinal purposes could be used in warfare; the scope of responsibilities Al scientists' responsibility should carry in ensuring the usage of AI are limited to benign purposes only; the effects of external regulation on the AI model developers and the research they pursue; and on the lessons that can be learned from the regulations in other fields.
During the panel discussion, there was an exchange of ideas about a system of standards that could harmonize digital development and regulatory and social ethics in today’s situation in which digital transformation accelerates technological development at a global level, there is a looming concern that while such advancements are bringing economic vitality it may create digital divides and probles like manipulation of public opinion. Professor Jong-cheol Ye of KAIST (Director of the Promotion Council for Digital Health), in particular, emphasized that it is important to find a point of balance that does not hinder the advancements rather than opting to enforcing strict regulations.
< Photo 2. Panel Discussion in Session at NYU-KAIST Global AI & Digital Governance Conference >
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee explained, “At the Digital Governance Forum we had last October, we focused on exploring new governance to solve digital challenges in the time of global digital transition, and this year’s main focus was on regulations.”
“This conference served as an opportunity of immense value as we came to understand that appropriate regulations can be a motivation to spur further developments rather than a hurdle when it comes to technological advancements, and that it is important for us to clearly understand artificial intelligence and consider what should and can be regulated when we are to set regulations on artificial intelligence,” he continued.
Earlier, KAIST signed a cooperation agreement with NYU to build a joint campus, June last year and held a plaque presentation ceremony for the KAIST NYU Joint Campus last September to promote joint research between the two universities. KAIST is currently conducting joint research with NYU in nine fields, including AI and digital research. The KAIST-NYU Joint Campus was conceived with the goal of building an innovative sandbox campus centering aroung science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) combining NYU's excellent humanities and arts as well as basic science and convergence research capabilities with KAIST's science and technology.
KAIST has contributed to the development of Korea's industry and economy through technological innovation aiding in the nation’s transformation into an innovative nation with scientific and technological prowess. KAIST will now pursue an anchor/base strategy to raise KAIST's awareness in New York through the NYU Joint Campus by establishing a KAIST campus within the campus of NYU, the heart of New York.
2023.09.22 View 20507 -
KAIST Intensive Science Camp for Middle-High School Students
The KAIST Global Institute of Talented Education (Director: Dong-Soo Kwon) invited around 90 middle and high school students for an advanced science intensive camp from January 22 to 24.
This camp targeted middle and high school students in community centers or child-care institutions. It aims to increase students’ interest in science and engineering, and assist them with their career paths through programs such as special lectures on science, advanced science projects, and career mentoring.
Participating students were divided into groups of seven or eight with a KAIST student as a mentor to conduct advanced science projects such as VR controller production and robot arm programming. The camp included exploring future career options and science and engineering college admission counselling.
Jiyoung Ryu, Research Professor for the KAIST Global Institute of Talented Education, said, “KAIST started the science and engineering career experience program in 2016 with the Ministry of Education and Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET). So far, 6000 middle and high school students from around the country have participated. The camp is more meaningful since it educates students in social responsibility, in addition to the fields of science and engineering, both of which are missions and goals that KAIST strives for.” She continued to say, “We plan to continue to expand the program in the future.”
The KAIST Global Institute of Talented Education is actively conducting research and projects on national education for talented youth such as policy research concerning gifted education, science and engineering career education, advanced science camps, training for gifted education teachers, and cyber gifted education programs.
2017.02.01 View 13356