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The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)


KAIST: Late-summer rain belt has moved about 200 km north, raising the risk of concurrent heavy rain and heat in Korea

A joint research team from KAIST and the APEC Climate Center found that the East Asian summer front has migrated north over the past half century, increasing the risk of heavy rain and heat stress in Korea. The study suggests that summer disaster planning should address flood prevention and heat-illness management together.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·DateOct 22, 2026

KAIST predicts the lifetime of blue OLEDs by measuring how their light responds to a magnetic field

A KAIST research team developed a technique to predict OLED lifetime by analyzing small changes in brightness caused by a magnetic field. The method is expected to reduce development time and cost by identifying the most likely to last longer, supporting the development of high-efficiency, long-lifetime OLEDs.

KAIST proposes a common framework for understanding the “Anthropocene,” the Earth altered by humans

A research team led by KAIST proposes a definition of the Anthropocene, using 1952 as a starting point, to better understand human impact on the environment. The proposed framework aims to establish a consistent understanding of the Anthropocene across disciplines.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·DateOct 15, 2026

KAIST reads “stress” from smartphone chatting, searching, and payment habits

Researchers at KAIST created a technology that analyzes daily stress by identifying recurring smartphone behaviors, such as messaging and financial transactions. The system achieved an accuracy of over 95% in classifying behaviors across different apps, and its long-term data showed a more stable structure than conventional approaches.

KAIST develops transistor-based encryption that controls when information can be read

Researchers at KAIST have developed a dual-state programmable oxide transistor that can implement both long-term and short-term memory independently. This technology uses physical changes within the semiconductor to control when information can be read, offering a secure way to protect sensitive data.

KAIST controls where 2D semiconductor crystals begin to grow, addressing a key challenge in stacking AI chips

A KAIST research team developed a technology to precisely control the location of nucleation in 2D semiconductor crystals, allowing for deterministic growth at desired positions. This approach enables high-quality semiconductors directly at the required positions on a chip, reducing grain boundaries and improving semiconductor quality.

KAIST develops a beetle-inspired soft robot that operates with artificial muscles and sensory feedback

Researchers created a small soft robot called BeetleBot that combines artificial muscles, a camera, and tactile sensors to perform tasks like gripping objects and avoiding obstacles. The robot uses bidirectional feedback to connect user control with sensory information, enabling practical tasks to be carried out.

KAIST identifies a “hidden amplification switch” in lymphangiogenic signaling, with implications for lymphedema and cancer metastasis

Researchers at KAIST have discovered that VEGF-C brings two VEGFR-3 receptors together, leading to clustering and amplification of lymphangiogenic signaling. This process may provide new strategies for treating related diseases such as lymphedema and cancer metastasis.

KAIST develops a Venus flytrap-inspired ‘robot hand’ material that senses objects and grasps them under light

KAIST researchers created a single soft material that combines sensing and actuation, holding its deformed shape for over 10 minutes after light is turned off. The material detects charged objects and is actuated by UV light, with potential for reducing components and wiring in soft robots.

KAIST develops a genetic switch that works in both bacteria and yeast

A KAIST research team has developed a genetic switch that works in both bacteria and yeast, allowing for controlled production of a green pigment in both microbes. The hybrid promoter system can be used to select the microbe best suited for producing a target compound, reducing the need for redesigning control elements.

“It’s okay to disagree”: KAIST suggests that a secure sense of attachment can help groups make better decisions

A secure sense of attachment within a group enables members to express dissenting opinions more effectively, leading to better decision-making. This approach can help organizations tap into the knowledge and insights of their most critical employees, who often remain silent due to fear of backlash.

KAIST finds a way to redirect cell fate with just a single stimulus

A Korean research team has developed NUDGE, a foundational technology that redirects cell fate in a desired direction through a minimal, temporary intervention. The approach harnesses the gene regulatory dynamics already present within cells, allowing for a single temporary stimulus to guide a cell to a desired state. NUDGE's technolog...

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 2026

KAIST extends lifespan of graphite-free anode-free batteries that could make EV batteries smaller and lighter

Researchers at KAIST have developed a technology to extend the lifespan of anode-free batteries by applying nanofabrication techniques to create uniform sites for lithium deposition and a robust protective layer. This technology enables smaller and lighter EV batteries with improved energy density.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateSep 21, 2026

KAIST develops a strategy to balance radical generation and catalyst regeneration, enabling challenging chemical reactions

A KAIST research team developed a strategy to balance radical generation and catalyst regeneration, broadening the possibility of synthesizing complex molecules. The team used a ligand to regulate the copper catalyst's redox behavior, enabling efficient radical generation and catalyst regeneration.

KAIST technology behind toothbrushes and sportswear advances into high-performance graphene fiber research

Recent advances in high-performance graphene fibers based on graphene oxide liquid crystals have improved strength and thermal conductivity. Researchers at KAIST and worldwide have developed technologies to overcome limitations, leading to applications in consumer products and emerging fields.

Single material enables efficient charge injection into two types of ultrathin semiconductors, paving the way for smaller, more energy-efficient AI chips

Researchers developed a single-material 'universal charge injector' that injects charge into two types of ultrathin semiconductors using tin diselenide (SnSe2). This technology addresses a major obstacle in atomically thin semiconductors, enabling efficient charge injection and paving the way for smaller, more energy-efficient AI chips.

KAIST and KIOM develop a wearable microneedle electroceutical for personalized pain management

Researchers developed a wearable electroceutical platform with microneedle electrodes that deliver stable electrical stimulation while reducing the influence of sweat or dead skin cells. The device can be remotely controlled via smartphone and automatically detaches when skin overheats for enhanced safety.

Vitamin A metabolite preserves T cells’ function as KAIST points to a new strategy for treating intractable brain tumors

A KAIST research team found that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) preserves T cells' function and enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy for intractable brain tumors. ATRA suppresses 'terminal exhaustion' in cancer-attacking CD8⁺ T cells, allowing them to maintain their ability to kill brain tumor cells.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·DateSep 7, 2026

KAIST tames a semiconductor greenhouse gas 6,000 times more potent than CO₂ with the ‘power of disorder’

KAIST researchers have developed a new catalyst that can remove tetrafluoromethane (CF₄), a greenhouse gas 6,000 times more potent than CO₂, with high efficiency. The catalyst, called entropy-stabilized aluminate (ESA), harnesses the power of disorder to stabilize its structure and maintain performance over extended periods.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 2, 2026

KAIST skin-conformable micro-LED mask boosts skin rejuvenation, brightening, and synergistic benefits with polynucleotide (PN) injections

A KAIST-developed micro-LED mask boosts skin rejuvenation and brightening through close skin contact, while PN injections provide synergistic benefits for skin regeneration and recovery. The mask achieves 340% greater improvement in deep skin elasticity than conventional LED masks.

KAIST opens the era of industrial-scale microbial foods, proposing growth strategies for the next-generation protein market

KAIST researchers analyzed key challenges in microbial food industry and proposed growth strategies for next-generation protein market. The study emphasizes the importance of manufacturing readiness, market entry strategies, and regulatory compliance in commercializing microbial foods.

Neural implant in Korea remotely controlled from the United States, bringing brain research into the IoT era

A team of Korean researchers has created a miniaturized wireless brain implant that can deliver drugs and light to precisely modulate targeted neurons remotely. The device overcomes distance and location constraints, enabling long-term studies of brain disorders and therapeutic devices.

KAIST uses surface ‘defects’ to enhance droplet formation and removal, achieving up to 5.5 times the heat transfer performance of conventional surfaces

Researchers created a technology that controls the thickness and structure of a polymer coating, allowing more water droplets to form and detach quickly. This enhances heat transfer performance during condensation, improving energy efficiency in power plants and industrial applications.

KAIST develops core technology to reverse biological changes once thought irreversible, opening new possibilities for aging and cancer research

A KAIST research team has identified the molecular lock that keeps cells trapped in an altered state, opening a new path toward releasing that lock and reversing a cell's fate. The team developed a fundamental control technology called ROOT that can regulate these circuits and restore biological states to their original condition.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 21, 2026

KAIST solves 3D memory reliability problem with "oxygen tunnel" structure, boosting AI chip performance and reducing power consumption

KAIST researchers develop a new 'oxygen tunnel' structure to stabilize oxygen vacancies in oxide semiconductors, achieving world-class current density and data retention time. The technology is expected to improve next-generation compute-in-memory systems and accelerate AI era advancements.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateAug 19, 2026

KAIST turns once-troublesome protons into an energy storage resource for batteries

A KAIST research team has developed a new electrode material that sequentially stores zinc ions and protons, enabling high storage capacity and fast charging/discharging performance. The material achieved 368.7 mAh g⁻¹ storage capacity and retained 46.9% of its capacity even at 16-fold increased charging/discharging rates.

Patient-specific "blood–brain tumor barrier chip" predicts how glioblastoma patients will respond to treatment

A Korean research team developed a patient-specific blood-brain tumor barrier-on-a-chip model to predict individual responses to glioblastoma therapies. The chip recreates a patient's own tumor cells together with the surrounding peritumoral vascular environment, allowing for precise predictions of treatment responses.

KAIST controls the rotation direction of light without complex new materials

Researchers at KAIST create microscale chiral pinwheel arrays through self-assembly of achiral liquid-crystal molecules, enabling circularly polarized light with a desired rotation direction. This breakthrough simplifies the production of chiral optical materials, paving the way for next-generation displays and optical communications.

KAIST develops high-efficiency, eco-friendly hydrogen separation membrane that filters hydrogen through a molecular “network”

The KAIST research team has successfully developed a new, eco-friendly hydrogen separation membrane that filters hydrogen through a molecular network. The membrane achieved a high bridge connectivity degree of 73% and showed significant improvements in hydrogen permeability and selectivity.

KAIST shapes a "templates a ‘gas lattice’ in porous materials”: the moment gas forms a crystal-like lattice

A KAIST research team has demonstrated for the first time that a porous material can arrange disordered gas molecules into a crystal-like structure. Using xenon as a model system, they identified a specific cobalt-based material that stabilizes xenon in a regular lattice, showcasing a breakthrough in gas crystallization.