KAIST

< Professor Phil-Seung Lee (center), Master’s graduate Jun-han Bae (top left) > The "crease," long considered the biggest weakness of foldable smartphones, has been pointed out as a major obstacle to market expansion, causing screen distortion and reduced durability over repeated use. A research team at KAIST has presented a solution to this problem, marking a turning point for foldables to leap forward as the standard for next-generation smartphones. Furthermore, the technology is expected to establish itself as a core component of the future mobile industry, expanding into various devices such as laptops. KAIST announced on April 20th that a research team led by Professor Phil-Seung Lee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering has developed an original technology capable of fundamentally solving the crease issue that occurs at the folding area of foldable smartphone displays and has registered a patent for it. The team has secured global technological competitiveness by filing patent applications in the United States, China, and the European Union (EU), in addition to South Korea. While global smartphone companies have attempted to solve this issue through massive R&D investments for years, they have yet to achieve the complete removal of the crease. Consequently, the industry has identified the crease problem as the single greatest barrier to the widespread adoption of the foldable smartphone market. The research team began their study to resolve the inconveniences they personally experienced while using mobile foldable phones. After disassembling dozens of used foldable phones and repeating various experiments, they derived a solution by innovatively redesigning the "adhesive area" between the display and the supporting plate. The core of the design is ensuring that deformation is not concentrated in a specific folding area but is instead distributed to the surrounding sections. Through this, they perfectly demonstrated the feasibility of a "crease-free foldable" while maintaining normal smartphone functionality. To verify performance, the team shone a straight-line LED light onto the screen. Unlike commercial products where the light refracts and the straight line appears curved at the fold, the prototype maintained a sharp, straight reflection without any distortion. Notably, no visual distortion appeared even under conditions sensitive enough to detect minute curves with a crease depth of less than 0.1mm. < Display surface reflecting a straight-line LED lamp > This technology presents a new design paradigm that surpasses the limitations faced by the current industry. It not only fundamentally suppresses the formation of creases but also ensures superior durability by minimizing deformation even after tens of thousands of folding cycles. Furthermore, because the structure is intuitive and simple, it can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes. It is expected to have high industrial utility, as it can be expanded beyond smartphones to various foldable display devices, including tablets and laptops. < Core idea of the invention: (a) Adhesive and non-adhesive areas of a conventional foldable smartphone, (b) Adhesive and non-adhesive areas in this invention, (c) Stress distribution in a conventional foldable smartphone display, (d) Stress distribution in a foldable smartphone display applying this technology > Industry experts anticipate that the commercialization of this technology will encourage global companies—which have been hesitant to enter the market due to crease issues—to participate. This is projected to significantly improve consumer satisfaction and accelerate the growth of the stagnating foldable market. Professor Phil-Seung Lee stated, "We have solved a challenge that global giants could not resolve, using a relatively simple and clear method. We expect this technology to spread across next-generation displays, including laptops and tablets, further strengthening Korea's technological competitiveness." Meanwhile, this research was conducted with support from the "2022 Daedeok Innopolis Campus Project," and the patent for the related original technology was registered on September 9, 2025.

< (From left) Mujin You (Postdoctoral Researcher), Kab-Jin Kim (Professor), Albert Min Gyu Park (Research Professor) > A new technology has been proposed that could fundamentally solve the issue of smartphones overheating during high-spec gaming or extended video streaming. Researchers at KAIST have discovered the principle of processing signals using the minute vibrations of magnets (spin waves) instead of electrons. This method significantly reduces heat generation and power consumption while enabling instantaneous frequency switching within the several GHz range. This breakthrough is expected to pave the way for smart devices with less heat and longer battery life, as well as ultra-low-power, high-speed computing. A research team led by Professor Kab-Jin Kim from the Department of Physics announced on the 19th that they successfully achieved significant signal speed (frequency) changes at the nanoscale using spin waves—minute vibrations occurring within magnets. These vibrations are explained in units called "magnons." This achievement is being evaluated for presenting a signal control method that can drastically reduce power consumption even at extremely small scales, which was difficult to implement using conventional electron-based methods. The material used by the research team is a Synthetic Antiferromagnet (SAF), created by stacking magnetic materials much thinner than a human hair in multiple layers. Within this structure, the spin waves manifest in two ways: acoustic mode and optic mode. The researchers were the first to identify a "mode hopping" phenomenon, where these movements suddenly switch under specific conditions. Unlike conventional methods where signal states change continuously, this phenomenon involves a sudden shift to a completely different state at a specific moment, causing a sharp jump in frequency. This suggests a new way to control signal frequencies through the state changes of spin waves alone, without the need for complex circuits. The core of this research is the ability to abruptly change the frequency by more than 5 GHz through this mode hopping. This effect is comparable to switching a radio channel completely with the single press of a button. The team generated spin waves inside the magnet by sending electromagnetic signals through tiny antennas. Upon adjusting the strength of the external power and magnetic field, the vibration speed (frequency) did not change linearly but instead "jumped" suddenly. This change occurs during the "three-magnon interaction" process, where the fundamental unit of the spin wave, the magnon, either splits from one into two or merges back into one. Notably, these rapid frequency changes are possible without complex electronic circuitry. By simply adjusting the signal intensity, the frequency can be changed freely, allowing for simpler device structures and significantly reduced power consumption. Furthermore, this phenomenon can be used as a switch to distinguish between "on (1)" and "off (0)," making it applicable to new types of semiconductors and neuromorphic computing technology that mimics the human brain. This research marks a significant step forward in the feasibility of "spin-wave-based information processing technology." It is expected to be utilized in various fields, including ultra-low-power computing, high-speed signal processing, and spintronic devices—a next-generation semiconductor technology that utilizes spin (magnetic properties) instead of electrons. < Figure 1. (a) Schematic of the Synthetic Antiferromagnet (SAF) structure and the device for spin-wave propagation. Spin waves are generated and detected via a microwave antenna (CPW). (b) Optical image of the fabricated nano-device. (c) Optic magnon and (d) acoustic magnon generation and spin rotation schematics. > < Figure 2. (a,b) Linear response showing identical spectra during magnetic field increase and decrease at low power. (c,d) Mode hopping at high power with hysteresis observed. (e–h) Quantitative results showing changes in hysteresis width according to external power. > Professor Kab-Jin Kim stated, "This study is a case that proves we can implement and control the nonlinear dynamics of magnons—the principle of information processing using magnetic vibrations—in actual nano-devices, which had previously only been proposed in theory. It will serve as an important foundation for the development of a new information processing paradigm using spin waves instead of electrons." Mujin You led the study as the first author, and Albert Min Gyu Park participated as the co-corresponding author. The research was published in the international academic journal Nature Communications on March 12, representing a major advancement in the field of magnon-based nonlinear dynamics. Paper Title: Mode hopping via nonlinear magnon-magnon coupling in a synthetic antiferromagnet DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-70298-2 Authors: Mujin You, Moojune Song, Jun Seok Seo, Donghyeon Lee, Seungha Yoon, Daiju Hayashi, Yoichi Shiota, Teruo Ono, Sanghoon Kim, Se Kwon Kim, Albert Min Gyu Park & Kab-Jin Kim

<(Bottom row, from left) Dr. Jae-Seung Kim (Seoul National University), Prof. Dong-Hwa Seo (KAIST), Researcher Heeju Park (KAIST), Researcher Jiwon Seo, Researcher Jinyeong Choe. (Top row, from left) Researcher Hae-Yong Kim (Dongguk University), Prof. Eunryeol Lee (Chungbuk National University), Prof. Kyung-Wan Nam (Dongguk University), Prof. Yoon Seok Jung (Yonsei University)> Expectations are rising for all-solid-state batteries—the "dream battery" with low fire risk—not only for electric vehicles but also for various fields such as robotics and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). A research team at our university has presented a new design principle that simultaneously overcomes the limitations of solid electrolytes, which were previously vulnerable to air exposure and suffered from low performance. This technology is gaining significant attention as it can enhance both battery safety and charging speeds, demonstrating the feasibility of commercializing next-generation all-solid-state batteries. KAIST announced on April 16th that a research team led by Professor Dong-Hwa Seo from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, through joint research with teams from Dongguk University (President Jae-Woong Yoon), Yonsei University (President Dong-Sup Yoon), and Chungbuk National University (Acting President Yu-Sik Park), has developed a design technology for solid electrolytes used in all-solid-state batteries. This technology maintains structural stability even when exposed to air while dramatically increasing ionic conductivity. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that use liquid electrolytes, all-solid-state batteries are spotlighted as next-generation batteries due to their low fire risk. Among these, halide-based solid electrolytes—which contain halogen elements such as chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br)—are advantageous in terms of performance due to their high ionic conductivity. However, they are known to be difficult materials to manufacture and handle because they are highly vulnerable to moisture in the air, which easily degrades their performance. To solve this problem, the research team introduced a new structure called "Oxygen Anchoring." This method involves stably bonding oxygen inside the electrolyte to strengthen its structural intergrity, a process in which the element Tungsten plays a key role. < Research image on tungsten-based oxygen fixation strategy > As a result, it was confirmed that the electrolyte maintains a stable structure without collapsing, even in air-exposed environments. Furthermore, the research team improved battery performance in addition to stability. The changes in the internal structure of the electrolyte widened the pathways for lithium ions, allowing them to move more smoothly and increasing the ion migration speed. It was confirmed that the oxygen-incorporated material exhibited an ionic conductivity approximately 2.7 times higher than that of conventional zirconium (Zr)-based halide solid electrolytes. Another feature of this technology is that it is not limited to a specific material. The research team applied the same strategy to various halide solid electrolytes, including those based on zirconium (Zr), indium (In), yttrium (Y), and erbium (Er), and confirmed similar effects. This demonstrates that it is a "universal design principle" applicable to a wide range of battery materials. < Research image (AI-generated image) > The research team expects this technology to contribute to the development of solid electrolytes that possess both air stability and high performance. Professor Dong-Hwa Seo stated, "This study presents a new material design principle that optimizes multiple performances through a structural design strategy that simultaneously improves air stability and ionic conductivity. It will serve as a key indicator for future all-solid-state battery research and process development." This study involved Jae-Seung Kim (formerly KAIST, now SNU), Heeju Park, and Hae-Yong Kim as joint first authors. The research included contributions from Eunryeol Lee, Heewon Kim, Soeul Lee, Jinyeong Choe, Jiwon Seo, Hyeon-Jong Lee, Hojoon Kim, Jemin Yeon, and Yoon Seok Jung. The findings were published on March 6, 2026, in the international academic journal Advanced Energy Materials. Paper Title: Universal Oxychlorination Strategy in Halide Solid Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Batteries DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202506744 This research was conducted with support from the Samsung Electronics Future Technology Promotion Center and the Nano and Materials Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea. Computational studies were performed using the resources of the National Supercomputing Center.  

< (From left) Undergraduate researcher Taewon Kim and Professor Sangsik Kim > A new technology has been developed that allows light to be "designed" into desired forms, potentially making Artificial Intelligence (AI) and communication technologies faster and more accurate. A KAIST research team has developed an "integrated photonic resonator"—a core component of next-generation optical integrated circuits that process data using light. The research is particularly significant as it was led by an undergraduate student. This technology is expected to serve as a key foundation for next-generation security technologies such as high-speed data processing and quantum communication. KAIST announced on the 15th that a research team led by Professor Sangsik Kim from the School of Electrical Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Jae Woong Yoon’s team from the Department of Physics at Hanyang University (President Kigeong Lee), has developed a new integrated photonic resonator structure capable of freely controlling optical signals by utilizing light interference (the phenomenon where two light waves meet and influence each other). Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) process data at ultra-high speeds and with low power consumption using light. They are garnering significant attention as a fundamental platform technology for next-generation fields such as AI, data centers, and quantum information processing. The core of this technology lies in the precision with which light can be controlled. Specifically, the ability to freely adjust the spectrum (color or wavelength distribution) and phase response (timing or wave position) of optical signals is essential for implementing high-performance optical communication and computing. However, conventional methods have faced fundamental limitations. The integrated photonic resonator (optical resonator) focused on by the research team is a key optical device that traps light in a specific space to amplify it or select specific colors (wavelengths), similar to how the body of a musical instrument amplifies sound. However, existing single-bus resonators have had limitations in precisely adjusting the phase and spectrum of optical signals. To overcome these challenges, the research team introduced a "dual-bus" structure. This design allows light that has passed through the resonator to recombine with light that has not, enabling precise control over interference. This allows for the free design of optical signals into desired forms, making it possible to control various types of light signals that were previously difficult to implement. By applying this technology, the research team secured new characteristics for more precise control of wavelength properties and presented new possibilities for non-linear frequency conversion research (changing the color of light). Utilizing this technology enables faster and more accurate data processing, which is expected to provide the groundwork for performance enhancements in future high-speed data centers, AI accelerators, and quantum communication systems. This research is especially meaningful as it was led by an undergraduate student. Taewon Kim, an undergraduate student who conducted the study through the KAIST Undergraduate Research Program (URP), stated, "I was able to develop the resonator principles I learned in the Introduction to Integrated Optics class into actual device designs and a published paper." < Research Image of the Dual-bus Resonator > Professor Sangsik Kim remarked, "This study goes beyond proposing a new device; it demonstrates that by precisely analyzing previously overlooked optical characteristics, physical limitations can be overcome. We expect this to contribute broadly to the development of optics-based AI accelerators and optical communication technologies." KAIST undergraduate student Taewon Kim participated as the lead author of this study, and the results were published on March 6th in the international optics journal, Laser & Photonics Reviews. Paper Title: Dual-bus resonator for multi-port spectral engineering DOI: 10.1002/lpor.202502935 Authors: Taewon Kim, Mehedi Hasan, Yu Sung Choi, Jae Woong Yoon, and Sangsik Kim This research was supported by the KAIST URP Program, the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), the U.S. Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AOARD), and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF).

<Ph.D candidate Soyeon Kim, (From Left)Jindong Wang (Microsoft; currently at the College of William & Mary), Xing Xie (Microsoft), and Steven Euijong Whang (Professor at KAIST)> What if ChatGPT answered with the name of a minister from a year ago when asked, "Who was the minister inaugurated last month?" This is a prime example of the limitations of AI that fails to properly reflect the latest information. Our university’s research team has developed a new evaluation technology that automatically reflects changing real-world information while catching "temporal errors" that may appear correct on the surface. This is expected to drastically improve AI reliability. KAIST announced on April14th that a research team led by Professor Steven Euijong Whang from the School of Electrical Engineering, in joint research with Microsoft Research, has developed a system that automatically evaluates and diagnoses the temporal reasoning capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs) using temporal database technology. For AI to earn user trust, the ability to accurately understand real-world information that changes moment by moment is essential. However, existing evaluation methods only checked whether the answer matched or failed to sufficiently reflect complex temporal relationships, making it difficult to properly evaluate various question scenarios occurring in actual environments. To solve this, the research team introduced "Temporal Database" design theory—which has been verified over the past 40 years—into AI evaluation for the first time. By utilizing the temporal flow and relational structure of data, the core of this technology is the automatic generation of 13 types of complex time-based problems from the database itself, without the need for humans to manually write evaluation questions. <Schematic Diagram of the Evaluation Framework Proposed in This Study> In particular, this technology is evaluated as a major innovation because it shifts from the traditional method where humans manually created problems to a method where evaluation questions are automatically generated based on data. Furthermore, by automating the entire process from problem generation to answer derivation and verification based on the database, the burden of maintenance can be drastically reduced without the need to manually modify questions as was previously required. When real-world information changes, the evaluation questions, answers, and verification criteria are automatically updated simply by updating the corresponding content in the database. While the input of the latest information itself is handled by external data or administrators, this technology is structured to perform the overall evaluation automatically after such data is updated. Additionally, moving beyond the existing method of simply judging whether the final answer is correct or incorrect, the research team introduced a new metric that verifies the logical validity of dates or periods presented during the answering process. Through this, they achieved a performance improvement in detecting "Temporal Hallucination" phenomena—where an answer appears correct but has the wrong temporal basis—by an average of 21.7% more accurately than before. Applying this technology can significantly reduce evaluation maintenance costs since only the database needs to be updated when information changes, and it showed an effect of reducing the amount of input data by an average of 51% compared to previous methods. <Future AI Evaluation System (AI-Generated Image)> Professor Steven Euijong Whang stated, "This research is an example showing that classical database design theory can play a crucial role in solving the reliability issues of the latest AI. By converting vast amounts of professional data into evaluation resources, we expect this to become a practical foundation for verifying AI performance in various fields such as medicine and law in the future." Soyeon Kim, a PhD student at KAIST, participated as the lead author of this study, and Jindong Wang (Microsoft Research, currently at William & Mary) and Xing Xie (Microsoft Research) participated as co-authors. The research results will be presented this April at ICLR 2026, the most prestigious academic conference in the field of artificial intelligence. Paper Title: Harnessing Temporal Databases for Systematic Evaluation of Factual Time-Sensitive Question-Answering in Large Language Models Paper Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.02045 Meanwhile, this research was conducted with support from Microsoft Research, the National Research Foundation of Korea, and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) Global AI Frontier Lab projects (RS-2024-00469482, RS-2024-00509258).

< Professor Yiyun Kang (Photo Credit: Ryan Lash / TED) > KAIST announced on April 17th that Professor Yiyun Kang of the Department of Industrial Design has been selected as a speaker for the Main Stage at TED 2026, the world-renowned knowledge conference. Founded in 1984 under the motto "Ideas Worth Spreading," TED is an American non-profit knowledge platform where scholars, innovators, and artists from around the globe gather annually to lead global discourse. Previous Korean speakers on the Main Stage include novelist Young-ha Kim (2012) and violinist Ji-hae Park (2013). In 2011, roboticist Professor Dennis Hong stood on the main conference stage as the first Korean-American speaker. < TED Lecture Photo (Photo Credit: Ryan Lash / TED) > Professor Kang’s selection is particularly significant as it marks the first time since TED moved its venue to Vancouver, Canada, in 2014 that a Korean national—an artist and scholar actively based in South Korea, rather than an overseas resident or defector—has been invited to the Main Stage. Furthermore, it marks the return of a Korean speaker to the main stage after a 12-year hiatus, serving as a symbolic milestone. The TED 2026 annual conference is being held from April 13 to 17 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Canada, under the theme "ALL OF US." Professor Kang took the Main Stage on April 15, the third day of the conference, to present visual insights and philosophical solutions for a future where Artificial Intelligence (AI), humans, and nature must coexist. The lecture video will be edited and released globally via the official TED website and YouTube channel this coming July. In this talk, Professor Kang defines AI and the climate crisis as "problems we understand intellectually but fail to feel physically," noting that data- and information-centric communication methods often lower our sense of reality. She proposes the potential of art as a means to bridge this gap. Specifically, Professor Kang will demonstrate on stage how to transform complex challenges into visual and sensory experiences through cases from her own projects. Notably, this presentation transcends traditional lecture formats, structured as an "Immersive Talk" that transforms the entire stage into an artistic space. Rather than just listening, the audience participates by experiencing the content with their entire bodies. Professor Yiyun Kang is a world-class media artist and researcher who crosses the boundaries between sensation and technology, and materiality (physical forms) and immateriality (elements like light, video, and data). She leads the Experience Design Lab (XD Lab) at KAIST and has consistently explored the convergence of technology and art through collaborations with NASA, Google Arts & Culture, and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). "Humanity is currently at a critical turning point that will determine the coexistence of technology and nature," Professor Kang stated. "Through this TED stage, I aim to ensure that AI and the climate crisis are perceived not just as mere information, but as realities of our lives. I hope to create a practical opportunity to expand fragmented individual perceptions into collective human solidarity through the creative energy of art." < TED 2026 Professor Yiyun Kang (Source: TED Website) >  

<(From left) Photos of the KAIST Science Festival exhibition hall and booths from the previous year>  KAIST announced on April 10th that KAIST will participate in the ‘2026 Korea Science and Technology Festival,’ the largest science festival in the country, to mark Science Month in April. KAIST will operate ‘KAIST Play World,’ an interactive exhibition hall showcasing the pinnacle of AI and robotics. This year’s festival will be held in two parts: ‘2026 Korea Science Festival in Daejeon (April 17–19)’ and ‘2026 Korea Science Festival in Gyeonggi (April 24–26).’ KAIST will host consecutive exhibitions at the Daejeon DCC (Second Exhibition Hall) and KINTEX in Ilsan. Under the ‘Play World’ concept, KAIST plans to offer differentiated interactive content tailored to various generations. In particular, on-site events and souvenirs featuring the KAIST character ‘Nupjuk-i’ will be provided to enhance visitor engagement. □ [Daejeon] From Humanoid Robots to Space Rovers and AI Semiconductor Friend ‘BROCA’ The exhibition at Daejeon DCC from April 17 to 19 will feature ‘Future Tech Experience Content’ centered on advanced robotics, space technology, and AI semiconductor technology, allowing visitors to experience KAIST's core research achievements firsthand. First, a humanoid robot equipped with control technology developed by Eurobotics Co., Ltd., a startup from Professor Myung Hyun’s research team in the School of Electrical Engineering, will be unveiled on the 17th. This robot is gaining attention as a next-generation platform capable of natural walking in both industrial and urban environments. Additionally, on the 19th, a humanoid robot from Professor Park Hae-won’s team in the Department of Mechanical Engineering will demonstrate high-difficulty human movements such as the duck walk and moonwalk, showcasing its potential for practical industrial use. Professor Lee Dae-young’s team in the Department of Aerospace Engineering will present the world’s first deployable lunar rover wheel based on origami technology. Visitors can touch the transformable wheel model and observe space rover demonstrations and displays by the co-developer, Unmanned Exploration Laboratory (UEL). Educational sessions for folding various space systems using origami will also be available. Along with this, visitors can experience advanced human-machine interaction through ‘BROCA,’ a mobile social AI agent that builds relationships with users beyond simple Q&A, and the voice-capable guide robot ‘On-Newro,’ developed by Professor Yoo Hoi-jun’s team at the AI Semiconductor Graduate School. The student startup ‘Liar Games’ will operate a trial zone for ‘Dual Focus,’ an abstract strategy board game where players compete 1:1 against AI. Similar to the deep strategic play of chess or Go, the rules are intuitive enough to learn in 5 minutes, which is expected to stimulate the challenge-seeking spirit of visitors. < (Top row from left) Professor Park Hae-won’s humanoid robot, Professor Yoo Hoi-jun’s BROCA, (Bottom row from left) Eurobotics’ humanoid walking technology capable of overcoming any terrain based on a mobile kit, Professor Lee Dae-young’s storable and deployable rover for lunar exploration > □ [Gyeonggi] ‘Raibo’ the Rough-Terrain Robot and AI-Based Future Experiences The Gyeonggi exhibition at KINTEX from April 24 to 26 will focus on ‘Life-Oriented Experience Content’ centered on AI and everyday technology. ‘Raibo,’ a quadrupedal robot developed by Professor Hwangbo Jemin’s team in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, is capable of high-speed movement on complex terrains such as sand, stairs, and debris, and is expected to be utilized for disaster relief and search missions. Visitors can experience Raibo’s driving technology directly at the site. The ‘Future Memories Studio’ from Professor Nam Tek-jin’s team in the Department of Industrial Design will provide a new experience where visitors can meet and talk to their future selves 10 years later, recreated using AI-generated visuals and voices. Participants will receive a four-cut photo capturing a moment that is the future for their current self but a memory for their future self. Professor Yun Yun-jin’s team at the KAIST Urban AI Research Center will present technology that analyzes the impact of climate change on small business sales through ‘AI-based Sight and Sound for Heatwave Consumption Index.’ They will showcase time-series AI-based sales prediction technology and generative AI technology that expresses this visually and audibly. Furthermore, Professor Yun’s lecture, “City Walk of Artificial Intelligence: Urban AI and the Future of Cities,” will be held on April 24 (Fri) at 15:00 in KINTEX Meeting Room 206. In addition, Professor Yoo Hoi-jun’s team from the AI Semiconductor Graduate School will continue from the Daejeon exhibition to operate an experience zone for various mobile AI agents based on AI semiconductors. Also, the student startup Rabbithole Company will introduce a new type of game where AI NPCs (Non-Player Characters) converse and cooperate to solve given problems. Visitors can participate by observing the process where AI characters create their own stories by being presented with situations or goals instead of being directly controlled. < (Top row from left) Professor Hwangbo Jemin’s Raibo, Professor Nam Tek-jin’s team: Met My Future Self 10 Years Later, (Bottom row from left) Professor Yun Yun-jin’s Seeing and Hearing Heatwave Consumption Index through AI, Game image from CEO Kim Na-hoon’s Rabbithole Company > Through the exhibitions in both regions, KAIST plans to operate various participatory programs to make science and technology easy and fun to approach, vividly conveying how technology from the laboratory transforms our lives. KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung remarked, “This year’s science festival is a large-scale event connecting Daejeon and Gyeonggi, allowing more citizens to experience KAIST’s innovative research achievements firsthand.” He added, “I hope this will be a precious time for people to experience the future created by robots and AI, fostering their dreams and curiosity about science.”

<Photo: KAIST Undergraduate Club MR2 Team Members> Undergraduate students from KAIST are set to take on the world stage with an exploration rover—a robotic vehicle designed to explore in place of humans—that they built themselves. The team has secured a spot in the finals of the world’s largest Mars rover competition, marking a first-ever achievement for KAIST. KAIST announced on the 3rd that 'MR2' (Advised by Professor Yong-Hwa Park, Department of Mechanical Engineering), a rover team from the undergraduate robotics club MR (Microrobot Research), has earned a seed in the finals of the '2026 University Rover Challenge (URC)', the premier international Mars rover competition for university students. The URC is organized by The Mars Society and takes place at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, USA, an environment that closely mimics the Martian surface. Participating teams compete in four key missions using rovers they developed: ▲Science Mission, ▲Delivery Mission, ▲Equipment Servicing Mission, and ▲Autonomous Navigation Mission. This year’s competition saw 116 university teams from 18 countries engage in a fierce preliminary round. Team MR2 secured its place in the top 38 finalists by scoring 95.38 out of 100. This milestone is particularly significant as it is the first time a KAIST team has ever reached the URC finals, proving the excellence of KAIST undergraduates in robot design and control on a global scale. The next-generation exploration rover 'GAP-1000', independently developed by MR2, is a modular rover designed for stable operation in extreme environments. It features a 6-DOF (Degrees of Freedom) robotic arm capable of precisely controlling objects over 5kg, allowing it to perform complex equipment manipulation tasks. <Photo: Operation of GAP-1000's Manipulator and Science Module Integration> The rover also boasts strong autonomous driving capabilities. By combining RTK-GNSS (precision satellite positioning), IMU (Inertial Measurement Units) for motion sensing, and odometry based on wheel rotation, it can autonomously navigate optimal paths through complex terrain. Additionally, a drone relay system has been integrated to ensure stable exploration even in areas with communication dead zones. For the science mission, the rover can collect soil from 10cm underground, remove impurities via centrifugation, and analyze traces of life using protein detection reagents such as Biuret and Bradford. This is paired with spectroscopic analysis technology that identifies material composition by analyzing light wavelengths, creating an integrated system for real-time life detection. "We experienced a lot of trial and error while managing everything from design to production ourselves, but I am thrilled that we achieved KAIST’s first-ever advancement to the finals," said Myung-woo Jung (Department of Mechanical Engineering), the team leader of MR2. "We will prepare thoroughly in the remaining time to achieve a great result on-site." <Photo: Scenery of MDRS in Utah, USA, where the competition will be held (Photo Credit: The Mars Society)> Advising Professor Yong-Hwa Park noted, "It is impressive that the students independently implemented a rover for extreme environments. This competition will serve as an opportunity to showcase KAIST’s technological prowess to the world." KAIST President Kwang-Hyung Lee added, "It is a very meaningful achievement for our undergraduates to reach the finals of the world’s largest competition with a rover they designed and built themselves. I hope this experience serves as a catalyst for our students to challenge themselves and grow on the global stage." Team MR2 consists of 13 undergraduate students from various majors, including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Industrial Design. Having completed long-distance operation tests in outdoor environments, they are currently conducting final checks for the finals. The main competition will be held from May 27th to 30th at the MDRS in Utah, USA. ※ Related Links MR2 Official Website: https://urc-kaist.github.io/ MR2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urc_mr2/ MR2 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MR2KAISTRoverTeam

< 4th Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award hosted by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK)> At the 4th Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award hosted by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK), KAIST Ph.D candidate Yehhyun Jo from the Department of Electrical Engineering(Advisor: Professor Hyunjoo J. Lee) and Ph.D candidate Seokjoo Cho from the Department of Mechanical Engineering(Advisor: Prof. Inkyu Park) received Excellence Awards.   Yehhyun Jo was selected in recognition of the development of a system that enables the precise modulation and observation of brain functions by integrating ultrasound neuromodulation technology, MEMS, and biosignal measurement technology. As a leading researcher in ultrasound brain stimulation in Korea, Yehhyun has contributed to the advancement of next-generation neuroengineering research by publishing six SCI(E)-indexed first-author papers. In acceptance speech, Yehhyun Jo remakred, “It is a great honor to receive the Excellence Award at the Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award hosted by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea. I believe this award represents not only my personal achievements, but also the collective efforts of my advisor, fellow researchers, and my parents and brother, who have supported my research behind the scenes. Going forward, I will continue to develop and validate technologies grounded firmly in fundamental principles so that engineering innovation can reach real clinical and industrial settings, and I will strive to become a great researcher who contributes to society through responsible research.” <(From Left) Ph.D candidate Yehhyun Jo, Ph.D candidate Seokjoo Cho>   Seokjoo Cho was selected for developing a wireless multi-modal sensing system based on nano- and micro-fabrication processes for the management of chronic wounds and metabolic diseases. Through this related work, Seokjoo has published 25 SCI(E)-indexed papers and is leading technological innovation in next-generation healthcare sensor platforms. He accepted the award, saying, “I am sincerely grateful to receive the great honor of the Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award. Winning an award that I have long dreamed of as a researcher during my graduate studies brings me both deep fulfillment and a strong sense of responsibility. Taking this award as an opportunity, I will continue striving to grow as a researcher who does not lose sight of my original motivation and who can create meaningful value for society.”   The Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award is presented to undergraduate and graduate students in engineering-related fields in Korea to recognize creative and ambitious future engineers in the materials, components, and equipment sectors and support their growth into engineers who contribute to solving social problems.   The award ceremony was held on the afternoon of March 10 at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul Hotel in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.  

<A ten-metre scroll doctoral thesis reinterpreting the 15th-century Joseon landscape painting scroll tradition, Empty Garden, exhibited at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford, founded in the 15th century. 2020> -          Media artist and KAIST professor Jinjoon Lee's doctoral thesis 'Empty Garden' officially acquired by the Ashmolean Museum, UK, for permanent collection -          Korean artistic and academic achievement recognized as public cultural heritage at a museum predating the Louvre by 110 years — the 'heart of Western intellectual history' -          Blending Eastern aesthetics of 'wandering' (거닐기) and 'emptiness' with data technology in the AI era — awarded Oxford's unanimous 'No Corrections' in just 2.5 years in 2020 -          First work by a contemporary Korean artist to enter the Ashmolean's permanent collection — officially confirmed by the museum's curator -          Korean artistic and academic achievement officially recognised as intellectual cultural heritage — permanently preserved, researched, and exhibited within the Western public knowledge system A doctoral thesis is often imagined as a dense, bound volume. Yet a 10-meter-long hanji scroll- traditional Korean mulberry paper prized for its durability across centuries- is now drawing global attention from the art world and academia alike.   KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 26th that Empty Garden – A Liminoid Journey to Nowhere in Somewhere (2020), a doctoral thesis by media artist and KAIST Graduate School of Culture Technology Professor Jinjoon Lee, has been officially acquired by the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, for its permanent collection and exhibition — through formal purchase, not donation. Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum is the world's first university museum, operated by the University of Oxford with over 340 years of history. It predates the Louvre (1793) by 110 years and the British Museum (1759) by 76 years, and is regarded as the starting point of European Enlightenment scholarship. Its collections include masterworks by Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Turner, alongside ancient artefacts and East Asian ceramics and paintings — over one million objects in total. The Ashmolean is not simply an exhibition venue but an academic institution integrating collection, research, and education. Unlike Tate Modern, which engages with the contemporary art market, or the British Museum, which displays national heritage, the Ashmolean's core mission is scholarly preservation and research. The acquisition of Professor Lee's doctoral thesis here signifies that Korean aesthetics and philosophical thought have entered the public record of European intellectual history. Professor Lee's PhD thesis Empty Garden reinterprets the concept of uiwon (意園) — an imaginary garden cultivated in the mind by Joseon-era scholars — through contemporary data and media language, proposing 'data gardening' as a methodology for tending to the philosophy of emptiness. It is a work that continues to ask fundamental questions about human sensation, memory, and existence, even within an environment dominated by AI and data. The 10-meter hanji scroll format is itself a central feature of the thesis. As readers engage with the text, they are naturally led to move through space — physically enacting the East Asian garden tradition of 'wandering' (거닐기). The work is designed not merely to be read but to be experienced through movement and contemplation. The thesis was produced as nine hanji scrolls in total; one of these has been acquired by the Ashmolean for its permanent collection. This thesis received unanimous 'No Corrections' approval at its DPhil in Fine Art examination at the University of Oxford in 2020, recognising its academic rigour and originality — an achievement completed in just two and a half years, where the process typically takes over four. It is an extremely rare distinction even within Oxford's 900-year history, and drew significant attention at the time. Oxford doctoral theses are typically archived at the Bodleian Library as academic records. This acquisition is entirely separate from that process: the museum conducted an independent five-year review following the award of the degree, assessed the work on its artistic and scholarly merits, and made a formal purchase. The inclusion of a living artist's doctoral thesis in the permanent collection of the world's oldest university museum through purchase — not donation — is exceptionally rare. Professor Shelagh Vainker, Alice King Curator of Chinese and Korean Art at the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, stated: "I am delighted that the Ashmolean Museum has been able to acquire Dr Jinjoon Lee's Empty Garden for our permanent collection. The long, contemplative scroll breaks new ground in so many ways: in the materials and techniques employed, in the breadth and depth of cultural and intellectual knowledge embedded in it, and in the complexity of the presentation of different spaces — all providing the viewer with multiple perspectives and experiences. Empty Garden is the first piece by a contemporary Korean artist to enter the collection; when not on display it will be available for viewing by appointment." — Shelagh Vainker, Alice King Curator of Chinese and Korean Art, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford <Dr Shelagh Vainker, Professor at the University of Oxford and Alice King Curator of Chinese and Korean Art at the Ashmolean Museum, reviewing the doctoral thesis Empty Garden in the Eastern Art Study Room, Ashmolean Museum. 2026> Professor Lee noted that during his doctoral research at Oxford, a serious leg injury left him using a wheelchair for an extended period, during which he reflected deeply on the relationship between movement, stillness, and thought. He stated: "In the age of AI, art cannot remain confined to immaterial images on screens. Data and images can only acquire depth through material forms capable of enduring time and preservation." He further expressed his hope that Empty Garden, now housed within the public collection of Western intellectual history, would "serve as a continuing reference point connecting East Asian thought — including that of Korea — with new sensory frameworks for the age of artificial intelligence." The first practicing artist to be appointed as a tenure-track professor at KAIST, Professor Lee currently holds concurrent positions as Visiting Fellow at Exeter College, University of Oxford, Visiting Senior Researcher at Tokyo University of the Arts, and Adjunct Professor at New York University, continuing interdisciplinary research across art, technology, and the humanities. Most recently, his work has drawn international attention from arts community, including Good Morning, Mr. G-Dragon, a space art project based on the iris data of K-pop artist G-Dragon, and Cine Forest: Awakening Bloom, an AI-based media symphony at Bundang Central Park in S. Korea. <Jinjoon Lee, artist's studio, Seoul. 2025> This acquisition is an exceptionally rare case of a doctoral thesis entering the permanent collection of the world's oldest university museum through formal purchase, and a historic event in which a work by a contemporary Korean artist has entered the Ashmolean's collection for the first time. Korean research that poses new questions about the role of art and the humanities in the post-AI era has now found a permanent place within the public record of Western intellectual history. 

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