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Quantum Mechanical Calculation Theory Developed
An Electron Density Functional Calculation Theory, based on the widely used quantum mechanical principles and yet accurate and with shortened calculation period, was developed by Korean research team.
*Electron Density Functional Calculation Theory: Theory that proves that it is possible to calculate energy and properties with only simple wave equations and electron densities.
The research was conducted by Professor Jeong Yoo Sung (Graduate School of EEWS) and Professor William Goddard with support from WCU Foster Project initiated by Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Korea Research Foundation. The result was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Journal.
The research team corrected the error when performing quantum calculations that arises from the length of calculation time and incorrect assumptions and developed a theory and algorithm that is more accurate and faster. The use of wave equations in quantum mechanical calculations results in high accuracy but there is a rapid increase in calculation time and is therefore difficult to implement in large molecules with hundreds, or thousands of atoms. By implementing a low electron density variable with relatively less calculation work, the size of calculable molecule increases but the accuracy decreases.
The team focused on the interaction between electrons with different spins to improve upon the speed of calculation in the conventional accurate calculation. The team used the fact that the interaction between electrons with different spins increases as it comes closer together in accordance with the Pauli’s Exclusion Principle.
In addition the interaction between electrons are local and therefore can ignore the interactions between far away electrons and still get the total energy value. The team also took advantage of this fact and developed the algorithm that decreased calculation time hundredth fold.
Professor Jeong commented that, “So far most of the domestic achievements were made by focusing on integrative researches by calculation science and material design communities but these involved short time frames. In areas that required lengthy time frames like fundamentals and software development, there was no competitive advantage. However this research is significant in that a superior solution was developed domestically”.
2012.01.31 View 11725 -
Professor Jang Soon Heung Appointed International Consultant of the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Task Force
The Japanese government appointed Professor Jang Soon Heung (department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering) as the International Consultant to the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Task Force.
Professor Hatamura Yotaro of the Tokyo University is the head of the task force and is tasked with finding out the cause and extent of damage of the disaster and minimize social cost and expansion of damage along with prevent a similar disaster from occurring.
The International Consultants will independently advise and look over the findings of the task force.
The members include: Professor Jang Soon Heung (Professor of KAIST), Richard A. Meserve (Carnegie Research Center Director/Former Chairman of Nuclear Regulatory Commission), Andre-Claude Lacoste (Chairman of French Nuclear Safety Regulatory Commission), and Lars-Eirk Holm (Secretary General of Sweden Health and Welfare).
2012.01.31 View 8756
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'Scientist-Engineer of the Month' for December: Professor Choi Joon Ho
Professor Choi Joon Ho (department of Biological Sciences) was made ‘Scientist-Engineer of December’ for his discovery of new gene (twenty-four) that helps biorhythm and proving that this gene helps control biorhythm.
Professor Choi published 100 dissertations over the past 25 years and made significant advancements in the field of molecular virus and neurobiology.
In 1995 Professor Choi uncovered the fact that the NS3 protein in C type hepatitis function as RNA helicase thereby opening the path to developing a cure for C type hepatitis; this is an international patent with Chiron corporation. The result was published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Journal and was the most domestically referred to dissertation in biological sciences in 1999.
In addition Professor Choi published in Nature magazine in 1999, a dissertation that uncovered the fact that the DNA of papillomar virus has another protein (hSNF5) that direct it apart from ordinary proteins.
In 2000~2005 Professor Choi published many dissertations in journals like Immunity, Cancer Research, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Oncogene, Journal of Virology, and etc.
Professor Choi screened over 10,000 species of pomace fly mutations and discovered the twenty-four gene that affects the biorhythm of pomace flies. He analyzed this gene further and found a new function that was different from known biorhythm mechanisms.
This research allowed a better understanding of biological clock of pomace flies and therefore was another step towards better understanding the control mechanism of human biological clock.
2012.01.31 View 9829
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2011 IT Convergence International Workshop
KAIST held the 2011 IT Convergence International Workshop on Future Mobile Service & Service Technology.
The workshop was attended by Kim Byoung Il (Chairman of National Science and Technology Commission), Koichi Asatani (Professor at Kogakuin University), Jay H. Eum (representative of TransLink Capital), among 15 other experts from government, scholar, industry, and IT defense.
The keynote speaker, Chairman Kim Byoung Il, gave a speech on Industry Development Strategy for Software. Professor Koichi Asatani gave a presentation on information communication technology and future trend of future network and service. And Jay H. Eum will be giving a presentation on the technological venture firm strategy that was so successful in Silicon Valley.
There will be presentations and debate on mobile services, IT security and defense, IT convergence technology, software technology and other future IT convergence technologies.
2012.01.31 View 7576
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Closer to the Dream: Graphene
A technique that allows easy and larger observation area of graphene’s crystal face was developed by Korean Research Team.
The research team, led by Professor Jeong Hui Tae (KAIST), consists of Doctorate candidate Kim Dae Woo, Dr. Kim Yoon Ho (primary author), Doctorate candidate Jeong Hyun Soo. The research is supported by WCU (World Class Research University) Development Plan, Mid-Aged Researcher Support Business and was published in the online edition of Nature Nanotechnology.
(Dissertation: Direct visualization of large0area graphene domains and boundaries by optical birefringency)
Professor Jeong’s team used the optical property of the liquid display used in LCD to visualize the size and shape of the single crystals along a flat surface. The visualization of the single crystal allowed the measurement of a near theoretical value of electrical conductivity of graphene.
Graphene has great electrical conductivity, transparent, mechanically stable, flexible, and is therefore regarded as the next generation electrical material. However the polycrystalinity of graphene meant that the actual electrical, mechanical properties were lower than the theoretical values. The reason was thought to be because of the size of the crystal faces and boundary structures.
Therefore, in order to create graphene that has good properties, observing the domain and boundary of graphene crystal faces is essential.
The new technique developed by the research team is another step towards commercializing transparent electrodes, flexible display, and electric materials like solar cells.
2012.01.31 View 10956
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MOU: KAIST-Korea Internet & Security Agency
KAIST signed a MOU with the Korea Internet & Security Agency for the development of IT and International Security.
As a result of the MOU interaction in ▲Exchange of personnel and materials for cooperative research for information protection ▲Information protection policy and technology ▲Education and training for developing information protection personnel, will be increased.
Director of Cyber Security Research Center Joo Dae Joon commented, “Cyber-attack on national infrastructure like DDOS attacks can threaten the nation’s system” and that “the two institutes will establish a response system against cyber-attacks and train experts in information protection”.
2012.01.31 View 7659
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Bio Pharmaceutical Business Center: Now Open
The Signboard Hanging Ceremony for the Bio Pharmaceutical Business Center for the Integrated Research for the field of Bio Pharmaceutics. 150 representatives from various bio pharmaceutics related businesses and institutes were present for this ceremony.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology placed the Molecular Process research team, Personalized Drug Delivery Medium research team, and the newly formed Cancer Cell Detection using Blood research team at the Bio Pharmaceutical Business Center at KAIST.
2012.01.31 View 9196
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KAIST to Support R&D Plans of Mid-Small Sized Enterprises
KAIST signed a MOU for the ‘Support for R&D Plans for Mid-Small Sized Firms’ with the Small and Medium Business Conference and Korea South-East Power Co. Ltd.
KAIST and Korea South-East Power Co. Ltd. will now be improving their cooperation on supporting R&D plans to help the technology development and commercialization for Small and Medium Businesses.
Korea South-East Power Co. Ltd. will now select 20 best qualified firms out of its 300 cooperating firms and suggest them as candidates to KAIST Business membership System.
The suggested firms will be given: ▲Strategy R&D Planning ▲Consult Difficult Technology ▲Provide Information on Research Labs and Researchers among other various programs.
The firms participating in the KAIST Business membership System will be able to minimize risk and increase its possibility for success on Development Technology.
KAIST Business membership System is a program provided to firms for a membership fee, in order to create technological innovation and strengthen cooperation between university and industry.
2012.01.31 View 9270
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A Step Closer to Ultra Slim Mobile Phone
Professor Baek Kyung Wook (department of Material Science and Engineering) succeeded in developing an ultra-thin conjugation technique that can perfectly replace the modular contact in electronic devices.
The research team developed a compound material using ultra-fine solder-adhesive film and developed the vertical ultrasonic conjugation process thereby making a reliable utra-thin conjugation.
The developed technique allowed for very thin and reliable conjugation and will be able to replace the socket type connector and is expected to revolutionize the electronic device industry.
In mobile electronic devices like the smartphone, the trend is to incorporate various functional modules like camera, display, touchscreens, etc. in addition to striving for miniaturization of the device.
Recently the problem was the fact that the number of modules within the device was increasing due to the incorporation of various functions, and consequently the volume that these modules took up increased as well, which made miniaturization almost impossible.
Professor Baek‘s team succeeded in improving upon this problem by creating a compound material that has ultra-fine solder particles that can melt to form alloy fusion with the electrode and thermosetting adhesive film that can wrap around the electrode and provide mechanical protection.
The use of this material made it possible to reduce the thickness of the connector by hundredth fold which improved electrical, mechanical properties and highly reliable.
From a processing standpoint the conventional conjugation process involved heating the mechanical block and was therefore hard to manage its production and also consumed 1000W and took up to 15 seconds.
By contrast, Professor Baek’s team’s new process uses only ultrasound to locally heat and melt the conjugation point itself thereby reducing power consumption to 100W and conjugation time to 1~5 seconds.
The technique developed by Professor Baek and Lee Ki Won Doctorate student was awarded Excellent Dissertation Award by world famous journals like the Electronic Components and Technology Conference and is being recognized worldwide.
2012.01.31 View 10035
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Kaist expresses appreciation to a Swedish nurse served in the Korean War and donated a scholarship.
Public release date: 19-Dec-2011
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Contact: Lan Yoon
hlyoon@kaist.ac.kr
82-423-502-295
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Kaist expresses appreciation to a Swedish nurse served in the Korean War and donated a scholarship
The largest private donation ever given to KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, will include a scholarship for KAIST students to study there
The largest private donation ever given to KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, will include a scholarship for KAIST students to study there.
"I"ve never forgotten the tragedy of the Korean War that I witnessed as a nurse, even today, more than 60 years later. I"m glad to contribute to a wider cooperation in science and technology between Sweden and Korea," said the donor.
Daejeon, Republic of Korea, December 19, 2011— On Monday, December 19th, 2011 at 4:00 pm (Central European Time), at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) presented a plaque of appreciation to a Swedish couple, Rune and Kerstin Jonasson, whose generous donation will establish a scholarship fund for KAIST students.
In late June of 2011, the Jonassons donated 70 million Krona ($10 million USD) to KTH, the largest lump sum donation ever given to the university by an individual, and the couple requested that a portion of the money be used to promote academic interaction and collaboration with Korean universities. KTH had various student exchange programs with KAIST, and with the financial support from the Jonassons, the two universities have decided to invite KAIST students to study at KTH.
Enjoying a long tradition of excellence in higher education in Asia and Northern Europe, KAIST and KTH have continued to lead the development of science and technology through top-notch educational programs, dynamic research experiences, technological innovation, and highly skilled and motivated manpower. The two global research universities expect that the scholarship program will add another dimension to already expanding exchanges.
Kerstin Jonasson, 88 years old, came to Korea in 1951 when she was 28, and served a six-month tour of duty as a nurse in the Korean War. Recalling her past, Mrs. Jonasson said, "The calamity of the war remains deeply engraved in my mind." Ever since returning from the battlefield, she has been seeking ways to help Korea, and has thus been regularly involved in volunteer activities to strengthen bilateral relations between Korea and Sweden.
Chang-Dong Yoo, Associate Vice President of Special Projects & Institutional Relations at KAIST, thanked the couple while presenting them with the award on behalf of KAIST family including President Nam-Pyo Suh.
"We feel greatly indebted to the Jonassons, most particularly to Kerstin Jonasson, who came to Korea during the toughest time in our modern history and rendered generous humanitarian assistance to Koreans. Not only that, Mrs. Jonasson has continued to play an important role, up to today, as a "Goodwill Ambassador for Korea" in bringing the two countries closer than ever. This scholarship will provide our students with excellent opportunities to study in Sweden, the home of many great scientists, as well as to experience the robust and vibrant Nordic culture."
In response, Kerstin Jonasson said:
"I"m grateful to the Korean people who, over the past 60 years, have consistently expressed their appreciation for my work during the Korean War, and I"m really proud of the fact that they"ve made Korea a great country, reemerging from the destitution of the war as an important power of democracy and economy in the world. My husband and I hope that our donation will further enhance the strong ties forged between Sweden and Korea, and that KTH and KAIST will become the centerpiece of a mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries through the advancement of science and technology."
The details of the scholarship have yet to be finalized, but the fund is expected to be approximately 10 to 15 million Krona ($1.4~$2.1 million USD) to be spread out over five years. KAIST aims to begin sending students to KTH in the fall of 2012, and will select 10~12 graduate students for the exchange program. Since 1990, 38 KAIST students have studied at KTH, and 50 KTH students have studied at KAIST.
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2011.12.23 View 9532 -
Honorary Doctorate Presented to President of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
KAIST presented to Dr. Svante Lindqvist, President of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and Marshal of the Realm to the Swedish Royal Court, an honorary doctorate in science and technology on the 21st of November at Fusion Hall, KI Building.
Dr. Lindqvist, a pioneer in the field of history of science and technology, showed how science and technology have affected the development of human civilization. His work in explaining the relationship between science and history made it easier to the public to understand the importance of science in our society, upon which he was conferred the honorary doctorate.
Director Lindqvist obtained a doctorate from the Uppsala University of Sweden in 1984 with the dissertation, “Introduction of Steam Locomotive in 18th century Sweden.” This single dissertation won him three awards, which has been regarded even today as an introductory reading text to readers in the field of science history.
Dr. Lindqvist established the Department of History of Science and Technology in Sweden Royal Institute of Technology in 1989 and was the department chair for nine years until 1997. He then became the founding director of the Nobel Museum from 1998 to 2009 and developed the museum from a mere display venue of Nobel’s legacy to a multifunctional research oriented institute that supports and holds various outreach activities such as seminars and public lectures.
From the visit of Dr. Lindqvist to KAIST, students had a wonderful opportunity to engage with an internationally renowned scholar and, once more, to remind the university"s vision and mission, whereby they make contributions to the development of science, and ultimately, to the advancement of humanity.
2011.12.13 View 10627 -
Interview with the president of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The president of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Dr. Tony Chan, who is also a member of KAIST’s President Advisory Council (PAC), had an interview with the Korea Times, November 16, 2011 and shared his thoughts on some fundamental essentials that make a good science and technology university. He visited KAIST Campus on November 10th and had a meeting with students as part of the university’s mentor program between PAC members and the students. For the interview, please visit the link below: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2011/11/181_98928.html
2011.11.18 View 11147