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Clear Display Technology Under Sunlight Developed
The late Professor Seung-Man Yang
The last paper of the late Professor Seung-Man Yang, who was a past master of colloids and fluid mechanics
Practical patterning technology of the next generation optical materials, photonic crystals
The mineral opal does not possess any pigments, but it appears colorful to our eyes. This is because only a particular wavelength is reflected due to the regular nano-structure of its surface. The material that causes selective reflection of the light is called photonic crystals.
The deceased Professor Seung-Man Yang and his research team from KAIST’s Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department ha ve developed micro-pattern technology using photolithographic process. This can accelerate the commercialization of photonic crystals, which is hailed as the next generation optics material.
The research results were published in the April 16th edition of Advanced Materials, known as the most prestigious world-renowned journal in the field of materials science.
The newly developed photonic crystal micro-pattern could be used as a core material for the next generation reflective display that is clearly visible even under sunlight. Since it does not require a separate light source, a single charge is enough to last for several days.
Until now, many scientists have endeavored to make photonic crystals artificially, however, most were produced in a lump and therefore lacked efficiency. Also, the low mechanical stability of the formed structure prevented from commercialization.
In order to solve these problems, the research team has copied the nano-structure of opals.
Glass beads were arranged in the same nano-structure as the opal on top of the photoresist material undergoing photocuring by ultraviolet light. The glass beads were installed in the photoresist materials, and UV light was selectively exposed on micro regions. The remaining region was developed by photolithographic process to successfully produce photonic crystals in micro-patterns.
The co-author of the research, KAIST Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department’s Professor Sin-Hyeon Kim, said, “Combining the semiconductor process technology with photonic crystal pattern technology can secure the practical applications for photonic crystals.”He also predicted “This technology can be used as the key optical material that configures the next generation reflective color display device with very low power consumption.”
The late Professor Seung-Man Yang was a world-renowned expert in the field of colloids and fluid mechanics. Professor Yang published over 193 papers in international journals and continued his research until his passing in last September.
He received Du Pont Science and Technology Award in 2007, KAIST Person of the Year 2008, Gyeong-Am Academy Award in 2009, as well as the President’s Award of the Republic of Korea in March 2014. The researchers devoted the achievement of this year’s research to Professor Yang in his honor.
Research was conducted by KAIST Photonic-fluidic Integrated Devices Research Team, as a part of the Creative Research Program funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, Republic of Korea.
Figure 1. Opal [left] and the nano glass bead arrangement structure within the opal [right]
Figure 2. Process chart of the photonic crystal micro-pattern formation based on photolithography
Figure 3. Opal structure [left] and inverted structure of the opal [right]
Figure 4. Photonic crystal micro-pattern in solid colors
Figure 5. Photonic crystal micro-pattern that reflects two different crystals (Red, Green) [left] and pixelated pattern of photonic crystal in three primary colors (Red, Green, Blue) [right] that is applicable to reflective displays
2014.05.14 View 13595 -
Yong-Joon Park, doctoral student, receives the Korea Dow Chemical Award 2014
Yong-Joon Park, a Ph.D. candidate of Materials Science and Engineering at KAIST, received the Korea Dow Chemical Award 2014, a prestigious recognition of the year’s best paper produced by students in the field of chemistry and materials science.
The award ceremony took place on April 18, 2014 at Ilsan Kintex, Republic of Korea.
The Korea Dow Chemical Award is annually given by Korea Dow Chemical and the Korean Chemical Society to outstanding papers produced by graduate and postdoc students. This year, a total of nine papers were selected out of 148 papers submitted.
The title of Park’s paper is “The Development of 3D Nano-structure-based New Concept Super-elastic Materials.” This material could be used in flexible electronic devices such as displays and wearable computers.
2014.05.03 View 9619 -
Binding Regulatory Mechanism of Protein Biomolecules Revealed
Professor Hak-Sung Kim
A research team led by Professor Hak-Sung Kim of Biological Sciences, KAIST, and Dr. Mun-Hyeong Seo, KAIST, has revealed a regulatory mechanism that controls the binding affinity of protein’s biomolecules, which is crucial for the protein to recognize molecules and carry out functions within the body.
The research results were published in the April 24th online edition of Nature Communications.
The protein, represented by enzyme, antibody, or hormones, specifically recognizes a variety of biomolecules in all organisms and implements signaling or immune response to precisely adjust and maintain important biological processes. The protein binding affinity of biomolecules plays a crucial role in determining the duration of the bond between two molecules, and hence to determine and control the in-vivo function of proteins.
The researchers have noted that, during the process of proteins’ recognizing biomolecules, the protein binding affinity of biomolecules is closely linked not only to the size of non-covalent interaction between two molecules, but also to the unique kinetic properties of proteins.
To identify the basic mechanism that determines the protein binding affinity of biomolecules, Professor Kim and his research team have made mutation in the allosteric site of protein to create a variety of mutant proteins with the same chemical binding surface, but with the binding affinity vastly differing from 10 to 100 times. The allosteric site of the protein refers to a region which does not directly bind with biomolecules, but crucially influences the biomolecule recognition site.
Using real-time analysis at the single-molecule level of unique kinetic properties of the produced mutant proteins, the researchers were able to identify that the protein binding affinity of biomolecules is directly associated with the protein’s specific kinetic characteristics, its structure opening rate.
Also, by proving that unique characteristics of the protein can be changed at the allosteric site, instead of protein’s direct binding site with biomolecules, the researchers have demonstrated a new methodology of regulating the in-vivo function of proteins.
The researchers expect that these results will contribute greatly to a deeper understanding of protein’s nature that governs various life phenomena and help evaluate the proof of interpreting protein binding affinity of biomolecules from the perspective of protein kinetics.
Professor Kim said, “Until now, the protein binding affinity of biomolecules was determined by a direct interaction between two molecules. Our research has identified an important fact that the structure opening rate of proteins also plays a crucial role in determining their binding affinity.”
[Picture]
A correlation graph of opening rate (kopening) and binding affinity (kd) between protein’s stable, open state and its unstable, partially closed state.
2014.05.02 View 10658 -
KAIST and Hancom Inc. Join Hands for Software Development Projects
KAIST
(Steve Kang) and Hancom Inc. (Sang-Chul Kim) made an agreement on the 8th
of April for a partnership to jointly develop software industry. After the
ceremony, a TFT (Task Force Team) for industry-university collaboration was
established and a seminar to discuss cooperative projects ensued.
KAIST and
Hancom Inc. agreed to cooperate in three main areas at the seminar. They
included enhancing manpower in the Korean software industry, the technical
development of software applications, and creating a business model for the
expansion of the Korean software market globally.
KAIST
president Steve Kang said, "Noteworthy research achievements will result
from this great partnership with Hancom Inc. I believe this alliance will play an
important role in the development of Korean software industry."
“The
combination of KAIST's excellent talents and Hancom's software know-hows will produce market-winning results. We hope that mutual developments from the
two organizations through this practical industry-university collaboration will inspire many software companies to follow suit,” said Sang-Chul Kim, the president of Hancom
Inc.
2014.04.11 View 8236 -
The 2014 World Wide Web Conference on April 7-11, 2014 in Seoul
Organized by KAIST, the global academic conference is open to the public, a great opportunity to meet the leaders of web science and information technology industry.
For registrations, please go to http://www2014.kr/registration.
The International World Wide Web Conference (WWW), the largest and the most prestigious annual gathering of experts in web science and engineering, is held from April 7-11, 2014 at COEX in Seoul, for the first time in Korea. This year marks the 23rd of the conference since its foundation in 1994.
Approximately 1,000 distinguished scholars, researchers, engineers, and senior representatives from the web industry and around the world joined the conference. Among them was Tim Berners-Lee, the founder of the World Wide Web, who came to Seoul as a keynote speaker.
The Department of Computer Science and the Division of Web Science and Technology at KAIST have organized the WWW 2014.
For the details about the conference, please see the article below:
Korea Joongang Daily
April 8, 2014
World Wide Web Conference Makes Seoul Debut
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2987569
2014.04.08 View 7684 -
Strawberries Delivered by A Miniature Drone at KAIST Spring Festival
The "HAPPY KAIST 2014 Spring Festival" held at KAIST from 4th April
The Cherry Blossoms Festival under the theme of "Cherry Blossoms: Light and Fantasy" held on 4th April
The Strawberry Party with strawberries exclusively delivered by a miniature drone on 11th April
KAIST is holding a spring festival from April 4th through 11th.
As a part of the "HAPPY KAIST 2014" event, cherry blossoms festival and strawberry party will be held at KAIST campus starting on April 4th.
This event has been organized with the purpose of creating a new culture and tradition for members of KAIST to unite. Faculty members, staff, and students have all contributed to making the festival a success.
The cherry blossoms festival, held under the theme of "Cherry Blossoms: Light and Fantasy," takes place at the road in front of the KAIST north dormitory, which provides a spectacular view of cherry blossom trees. It begins on the night of April 4th and continues until the 8th of April.
Around the cherry blossom tree road displays an art exhibition by the Design Rangers, a student club of graduate and doctorate students from the Department of Industrial Design at KAIST. The exhibition includes the "Fantasy Cherry Blossoms" and "Let’s Walk Together."
Following on the 11th will be the "Strawberry Party" to take place throughout the campus. The strawberry party began in 1995 in order to help the local strawberry farmers. Now, it has become KAIST’s own unique tradition attended by faculty, student clubs, and laboratory members.
This year, the fruit party becomes a unique event in that there will be a demonstration of strawberry delivery by an unmanned vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (a miniature drone).
When a customer orders strawberries via a smart phone application, the user's current location is sent to the central system of an unmanned vehicle. Either the unmanned vehicle (UV) transports strawberries or for places
inaccessible
by the UV such as on a lawn, the drone delivers the fruit to the customer
.
This demonstration has been organized by Professor Hyunchul Shim from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at KAIST. Professor Shim said, “If the unmanned logistics system, such as the one being demonstrated at the Strawberry Party, is commercialized, both cost and time
in the logistics industry
can be significantly reduced.”
The HAPPY KAIST 2014,
organized
by the College of Engineering, is an annual event, consisting of a total of five programs, with the purpose to make the campus happier and
healthier.
2014.04.07 View 10255 -
The KAIST Graduate Program for Future Strategy Holds Symposium on Futurology
The KAIST Graduate Program for Future Strategy held the 2014 Futurology Symposium entitled "Limits to Growth and Quantum Jumps"
at the Korea Press Center on April 3rd. The symposium was organized in efforts to
overcome the limits of Korean society’s growth potential and find a new growth momentum.
Three types of sessions took place: special lectures, field-specific subject presentations, and comprehensive debates.
As keynote speakers, Jim Dator, a professor at the University of Hawaii, lectured on Korea’s limits and possibilities, and David E. Van Zandt, the president of the New School in New York City on future social changes and our choice.
The seven field-specific subject presentations included: "The re-framing of social conflicts and frames" by Young-Jin Kang of Sungkyunkwan University, "The limits of technology and three-dimensional tech-knowledge solutions" by Chun-Taek Rim of KAIST, and "The limits of capitalism and the present financial system" by
Su-Chan Chae of KAIST
.
In addition, Yong-Suk Seo of the Korea Institute of Public Administration made a presentation on the "Population structure change and three future strategy options," Se-Yeon Kim, Congressman of the Saenuri party, on "The limits of politics and future strategy organization," and Seung-Bin Park, Dean of the KAIST College of Engineering, on the "Energy exhaustion and environmental problems."
The debate topic at the third session,
chaired by Kyu-Yeon Lee, a member of the editorial board of
Joongang Ilbo,
a Korean
daily newspaper, was "The limits of growth and another leap proposed by opinion leaders of Korea."
The seven
fields
stand for society, technology, economy, population, politics, environment, and resource, the major elements that bring
changes
in future society.
Jim Dator (left) and
David E. Van Zandt (right)
2014.04.04 View 7712 -
When Technology Meets Spring: A Drone Delivering Strawberries Greets the Change of Seasons in KAIST
KAIST celebrates the arrival of spring by hosting a variety of cultural events for university members as well as the surrounding community members.
The "Happy KAIST 2014" will be held from April 4 to April 11th, which includes the “Cherry Blossoms Festival” and “Strawberry Party.” The event is free and open to the public.
As part of the strawberry party, visitors to the campus can order the fruit to be delivered to the place where they sit via a drone developed by Professor Hyunchul Shim of Aerospace Engineering at KAIST.
The strawberry delivery by a drone starts on April 11. Throughout the campus, the drone will deliver up to 100 containers of strawberries to customers.
Pictures:
A drone delivers a small container of strawberries ordered by students.
2014.04.04 View 8860 -
An Electron Cloud Distribution Observed by the Scanning Seebeck Microscope
All matters are made of small particles, namely atoms. An atom is composed of a heavy nucleus and cloud-like, extremely light electrons.
Korean researchers developed an electron microscopy technique that enables the accurate observation of an electron cloud distribution at room-temperature. The achievement is comparable to the invention of the quantum tunneling microscopy technique developed 33 years ago.
Professor Yong-Hyun Kim of the Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology at KAIST and Dr. Ho-Gi Yeo of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) developed the Scanning Seebeck Microscope (SSM). The SSM renders clear images of atoms, as well as an electron cloud distribution. This was achieved by creating a voltage difference via a temperature gradient.
The development was introduced in the online edition of Physical Review Letters (April 2014), a prestigious journal published by the American Institute of Physics.
The SSM is expected to be economically competitive as it gives high resolution images at an atomic scale even for graphene and semiconductors, both at room temperature. In addition, if the SSM is applied to thermoelectric material research, it will contribute to the development of high-efficiency thermoelectric materials.
Through numerous hypotheses and experiments, scientists now believe that there exists an electron cloud surrounding a nucleus. IBM's Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) was the first to observe the electron cloud and has remained as the only technique to this day. The developers of IBM microscope, Dr. Gerd Binnig and Dr. Heinrich Rohrer, were awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physics.
There still remains a downside to the STM technique, however: it required high precision and extreme low temperature and vibration. The application of voltage also affects the electron cloud, resulting in a distorted image.
The KAIST research team adopted a different approach by using the Seebeck effect which refers to the voltage generation due to a temperature gradient between two materials.
The team placed an observation sample (graphene) at room temperature (37~57℃) and detected its voltage generation. This technique made it possible to observe an electron cloud at room temperature.
Furthermore, the research team investigated the theoretical quantum mechanics behind the electron cloud using the observation gained through the Seebeck effect and also obtained by simulation capability to analyze the experimental results.
The research was a joint research project between KAIST Professor Yong-Hyun Kim and KRISS researcher Dr. Ho-Gi Yeo. Eui-Seop Lee, a Ph.D. candidate of KAIST, and KRISS researcher Dr. Sang-Hui Cho also participated. The Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning, the Global Frontier Initiative, and the Disruptive Convergent Technology Development Initiative funded the project in Korea.
Picture 1: Schematic Diagram of the Scanning Seebeck Microscope (SSM)
Picture 2: Electron cloud distribution observed by SSM at room temperature
Picture 3: Professor Yong-Hyun Kim
2014.04.04 View 15858 -
Book Announcement: The Transformative Power of Service Innovation
Professor
Tae-Sung Yoon of the Technology Management Graduate School at KAIST has
recently published a book entitled
The
Transformative Power of Service Innovation
(available only in Korean).
In the
book, Professor Yoon presents many examples of successful service innovations
and explores the topic of how excellence in innovation can be achieved through the
convergence of diverse fields and industries.
2014.04.01 View 8257 -
KAIST Holds 'Wearable Computer Contest'
Application for ‘2014 Wearable Computer Contest’ until May 23rd
KAIST is holding the 2014 Wearable Computer Contest (WCC) sponsored by Samsung Electronics in November and is currently receiving applications until May 23rd.
Wearable Computer is a device that can be worn on body or clothing, which allows users to be connected while on the move. It is currently receiving attention as the next generation of computer industry that will replace smart phones.
The Wearable Computer Contest will be held under the topic “Smart Fashion to Simple Life” and will be divided into a designated topic contest and an idea contest.
In the “designated topic contest,” each group will compete with their prototypes based on their own ideas about a wearable computer that combines IT and fashion. A total of 15 teams that enter the finals after a document review will be provided with USD 1,400 for a prototype production, Samsung's smart IT devices, and a systematic training program.
For the “idea contest,” competitors will present their ideas for a wearable computer in a poster format. The teams qualified to continue onto the finals will be given an opportunity to create and exhibit a life-sized model.
Chairman of the Wearable Computer Contest (WCC), Professor Hoejun Yoo from the KAIST Department of Electrical Engineering said, “Wearable Computer is the major future growth industry that will lead IT industry after smart phones. I hope WCC will help nurture the future professionals in the field of wearable computer industry.”
The applications for the Wearable Computer Contest can be found on the main website (http://www.ufcom.org) until May 23rd. Both undergraduate and graduate students can participate as a team for the “designated topic contest,” and there are no qualifications required for those who enter the “idea contest.”
Last year, a total of 104 teams from universities all around Korea has participated in the Wearable Computer Contest. The finalist, team 'Jump' from Chungnam University, received the Award of the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning, Republic of Korea.
2014.03.28 View 11348 -
Extreme Tech: Nanowire "impossible to replicate" fingerprints could eliminate fraud, counterfeit goods
Research done by Professor Hyun-Joon Song of Chemistry at KAIST on
anti-counterfeit, nanoscale fingerprints generated by randomly distributed
nanowires was introduced by Extreme Tech, an online global science and technology
news.
For the articles, please go to:
Extreme Tech, March 25, 2014Nanowire ‘impossible to replicate’ fingerprints could eliminate fraud, counterfeit goods
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/179131-nanowire-impossible-to-replicate-fingerprints-could-eliminate-fraud-counterfeit-goods
2014.03.26 View 9389