Research
-
Research
Professor Jinseok Lee Honored with Presidential Commendation for Leading Medical AI Innovation
Professor Jinseok Lee of the Department of Biomedical Engineering received the Presidential Citation on Science and ICT Day in recognition of his contributions to building research infrastructure and fostering talent in medical AI. Developing core multimodal AI technology, leading global research collaboration "Aiming to secure international credibility for Korea's AI research outcomes" Professor Jinseok Lee of the Department of Biomedical Engineering received the Presidential Citation on Science and ICT Day in recognition of his achievements in establishing research infrastructure and nurturing outstanding talents in the field of medical artificial intelligence. Professor Lee is leading innovations in emergency medicine by driving the development of core multimodal artificial intelligence technologies. Establishing a Korea-Led Global AI Research Platform Professor Lee is leading research into core multimodal AI technology, which integrates and analyzes diverse data sources including biosignals, medical imaging, and clinical text. Unlike traditional systems that rely on a single format, this AI simultaneously interprets multiple data types. As a result, Professor Lee serves as the principal investigator for several major national strategic AI initiatives. Through the Information Technology Research Center (ITRC) program—funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and managed by the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP)—he oversees the architecture for a end-to-end AI system spanning data collection, transmission, analysis, and clinical decision-making. He is also driving the development of core algorithms and data-processing technologies tailored for real-world medical use. "In emergency situations, medical teams are flooded with different physiological datasets all at once," Professor Lee explained. "An AI capable of synthesizing this data to make rapid, accurate decisions will be a true game-changer for emergency medicine." Professor Lee is also driving international research collaboration in medical AI far beyond Korea. As principal investigator of the 'Global AI Frontier Lab,' he is establishing a global AI research hub in partnership with New York University (NYU)—a structure led by Korean researchers and joined by leading international institutions. This collaboration is already yielding tangible results. The research team established a multinational network involving eight regional trauma centers in Korea (including Ajou University Hospital and Chonnam National University Hospital), the NYU Langone Trauma Center in the US, and the Westmead Trauma Center in Australia. Together, they developed an AI model that predicts a trauma patient's mortality risk in real time during pre-hospital transport, validating its performance using multi-center datasets from Korea and abroad. "This is a prime example of AI technology developed in Korea being directly validated and reproduced in international clinical settings," Professor Lee emphasized. "It plays a major role in elevating the global credibility and competitiveness of Korean AI research." Fostering AI Talent and Expanding Educational Horizons Breakthroughs at Professor Lee’s laboratory are rapidly making their way into industry. Over the past five years, his work has yielded 16 domestic patent applications, four registrations, and seven international patent applications. Beyond intellectual property, his team's research is actively driving real-world commercialization through tech transfer initiatives. In addition to building cutting-edge research infrastructure, Professor Lee is deeply committed to training the next generation of AI specialists. Through the Global AI Frontier Lab, he dispatches young researchers to top international institutions, including NYU. He also serves as Deputy Director of the 'Medical AI Convergence Talent Support Project,' sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. This strategic national program bridges healthcare and artificial intelligence to foster global competitiveness. To make an immediate impact, Professor Lee designed a cross-disciplinary curriculum that enables engineering students to grasp clinical realities and healthcare needs, empowering them to build and deploy medical AI solutions directly.
2026.07.22 -
Research
The International Center for Quantum Matter Bridges Research and Industry at Quantum Materials Frontier 2026
The International Center for Quantum Matter, French neutral atom-based quantum computer company Pasqal, and the Kyung Hee Brain Pool Project Group host the “Quantum Materials Frontier 2026: Bridging Research and Industry” symposium. “Quantum Materials Frontier 2026: Bridging Research and Industry” symposium features academic symposiums, panel discussions, and academic seminars under the theme of “Research-to-Industry Bridge” The International Center for Quantum Matter (ICQM) hosted the “Quantum Materials Frontier 2026: Bridging Research and Industry” symposium. The center co-organized the event with Pasqal, a French neutral atom-based quantum computing company, and the Kyung Hee Brain Pool Project Group. The symposium brought together world-class researchers and industry experts in quantum materials and quantum technology to discuss the future of quantum science and technology and strategies for its commercialization. Leading Korean and International Quantum Researchers Share Insights The symposium drew prominent researchers from the global quantum science and technology community, including Konstantin Novoselov, Eminent Scholar (ES), Director of the International Center for Quantum Matter (ICQM) and winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics; Philip Kim, ES, Harvard University professor and recipient of the 2023 Benjamin Franklin Medal; Dr. Alexandre Dauphin of Pasqal; Director Kihwan Kim of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS); Director Sang-Wook Han of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST); President Donghun Lee of the Korean Quantum Information Society; and Professor Seok-Kyun Son of the Department of Physics. Centered on the theme "Research-to-Industry Bridge," the event featured an academic symposium, a panel discussion, and academic seminars. Attendees shared the latest research trends in quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum materials, quantum simulation, and hybrid quantum systems. They also discussed strategies and collaborative methods to bridge the gap between basic research and commercial applications. The event drew a wide audience, including representatives from domestic quantum tech firms, research institutes, university scholars, and students, fostering active communication across academia, industry, and research sectors. In the panel discussion, speakers emphasized the necessity of industry-academia-research cooperation, professional talent cultivation, and sustainable cooperation platforms to commercialize quantum technology and build a robust ecosystem. Following the discussion, the organizers presented the "Future Science Talent Award" to honor three undergraduate and three graduate students representing the next generation of quantum science and technology leaders. During the academic seminars, experts from global industry, academia, and research institutes—including Pasqal, KISTI, KIST, KRISS, UNIST, POSTECH, LG Electronics, and KQC—presented their latest findings and technological trends in quantum computing, devices, simulation, hybrid systems, and sensing. The sessions sparked lively discussions on real-world industrial applications and opportunities for future joint research. Prior to the symposium, the International Center for Quantum Matter signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pasqal. The International Center for Quantum Matter and Pasqal Sign MOU On the morning of the symposium, the International Center for Quantum Matter and Pasqal signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand international cooperation in quantum science and technology. Under the agreement, they will leverage Pasqal's neutral atom-based quantum computing platform alongside Kyung Hee's research expertise in quantum materials to identify applications for next-generation materials, simulations, and computing. The partnership will also drive applied research to generate industrial impact. Additionally, both parties committed to building a global quantum research ecosystem through joint international projects, talent exchange, and collaborative workshops. Director Novoselov noted: "For quantum technology to deliver tangible benefits to industry and society, we must build close cooperation between fundamental science and the industrial sector. This symposium served as a vital forum for researchers and industry representatives to align on the future and practical applications of quantum technology." Professor Seok-Kyun Son, Associate Director of the center and the event's chief organizer, remarked: "We plan to identify new use cases combining quantum computing and materials research, while establishing a collaborative platform that helps domestic researchers and industry engage with the global quantum ecosystem. By expanding international joint research, talent development, and industry-academia-research partnerships, we will establish Kyung Hee as a key hub for global quantum cooperation."
2026.07.20 -
Research
Extending Battery Lifespan Through Next-Generation Aqueous Zinc Batteries
Professor Jae Su Yu’s research team at the School of Electronic Engineering, in collaboration with a research team from Yangzhou University, developed a dual-additive electrolyte engineering strategy to overcome the critical limitations of aqueous zinc metal batteries. Professor Jae Su Yu’s research team at the School of Electronic Engineering develops a dual-additive electrolyte engineering strategy The battery retains 93% of its initial capacity even after 800 charge-discharge cycles Professor Jae Su Yu’s research team at the School of Electronic Engineering, in collaboration with Yangzhou University in China, has developed a dual-additive electrolyte engineering strategy to overcome the core limitations of aqueous zinc metal batteries. The team published their findings in the prestigious international journal Nature Communications (IF: 15.7). Overcoming the LIfespan Flaw in Fire-Safe Next-Gen Batteries Lithium-ion batteries, which power most smartphones and electric vehicles, pose fire risks due to their flammable organic electrolytes. In contrast, water-based aqueous zinc metal batteries offer a much safer and cost-effective alternative, making them a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage. However, repeated charge-discharge cycles trigger undesirable chemical side reactions and cause sharp zinc crystals (dendrites) to grow on the zinc anode. This rapidly degrades battery life, presenting a major hurdle for commercialization. Professor Yu’s team resolved this challenge by introducing a combination of two additives to the electrolyte: L-cysteine, a natural amino acid commonly used in food and cosmetics, and methyl propionate (MP), an organic compound. MP reconstructs the hydrogen-bonding network in the electrolyte, weakening the interaction between zinc ions and water molecules to facilitate smoother ion desolvation at the electrode surface. Concurrently, L-cysteine adsorbs preferentially onto the zinc anode, forming a protective layer rich in inorganic compounds–such as zinc nitride, zinc sulfide, and zinc oxide–that effectively suppresses side reactions and dendrite growth. a. Screening of organic molecules based on binding energies with H2O, Zn2+, and ΔESP. b. Screening of amino acids based on adsorption energies, LUMO levels, and Zn2+ binding energies. c. ZSLM electrolyte model in MD simulations. d. RDF results. e. Snapshots of AIMD simulations. f. Galvanostatic cycling of Zn||Zn cells. g. Charge-discharge curves of Zn||I2 pouch cells. h. Cycling performance and Coulombic efficiency (CE). Dual Additive Boosts Battery Life, Paving the Way for Commercialization The results were impressive. The zinc symmetric cells operated stably for over 3,000 hours, and the zinc-iodine pouch cell maintained 93.1% of its initial capacity even after 800 charge-discharge cycles. Moreover, the battery continued to operate normally even under severe physical abuse—including bending, cutting, and needle-punching—proving its potential for wearable electronics and other demanding applications. Professor Yu stated, "We expect our additive screening methodology to serve as a versatile tool for developing various aqueous batteries. This work brings us one step closer to commercializing safe, long-lasting energy storage systems." The team conducted this research with support from the Ministry of Education’s Key Research Institutes Program for Science Engineering. Professor Jae Su Yu highlights the significance of this research, stating that the team has moved a step closer to commercializing safe, long-lasting batteries.
2026.07.20 -
Research
Kyung Hee University Advances Research Ecosystem for Science and Engineering Graduate Students
Kyung Hee University has received the highest "S-grade" in the annual evaluation of the "2026 Science and Engineering Research Fellowship Support Project." Receives highest "S-grade" rating in the annual evaluation of the "Science and Engineering Research Fellowship Support Project" Achieves zero students falling below the minimum funding threshold, securing recognition for its outstanding support Acclaimed for systematic management systems, including the launch of a dedicated administrative unit and a 5-step Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Kyung Hee University has received the highest "S-grade" rating in the annual evaluation of the "2026 Science and Engineering Research Fellowship Support Project" conducted by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). Through this evaluation, Kyung Hee has demonstrated its status as a leading institution in cultivating future core talents in the science and engineering fields. The "Science and Engineering Research Fellowship Support Project" aims to create an environment where science and engineering graduate students can concentrate on their research without financial burdens and support the stable growth of next-generation researchers. During the evaluation of the first-year (2025) operating performance, Kyung Hee University's Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation (IACF) received the highest “S-grade” rating with praise for its outstanding execution capabilities and innovative management framework. Active Administration Driving Global Research Achievements A standout achievement is the complete elimination of funding shortfalls for graduate students. Through active university-wide efforts and increased research grants, Kyung Hee successfully closed the gap for all students who previously received less than the minimum stipend. The university now fully meets the minimum monthly support standards: 800,000 KRW for master's students and 1.1 million KRW for doctoral students. This provides a solid foundation for full-time science and engineering graduate students, allowing them to focus on their research and consistently deliver outstanding results without financial worry The IACF secured institutional and administrative stability by advancing the project's foundations. Following the enactment of operating regulations in September 2025, the IACF refined the regulations through professional consulting provided by the NRF. Furthermore, it independently developed and implemented a "5-Step Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)" that systematizes the entire stipend payment process, achieving a record of zero payment errors and 100% participant confirmation. The university also made significant strides in building an efficient governance structure through organizational restructuring. The IACF launched a dedicated "Student Labor Cost Management Section" under the Research Support Team and formed a separate steering committee to boost operational expertise. Furthermore, it introduced a multi-layered oversight system where the dedicated unit and related departments work in tandem to cross-check data, effectively eliminating administrative errors and compliance blind spots. Another key success factor was the active participation of the university community, which helped foster a strong culture of giving to secure funding. To ensure that student researchers can focus fully on their work in a stable environment, the IACF launched the "K-Stipend Companion Campaign." Within just six months, the campaign raised 110 million KRW in pledges and 108 million KRW in actual donations. Moving forward, the IACF plans to implement concrete initiatives to continually improve support for full-time science and engineering graduate students. It will continue to encourage voluntary contributions from departments, colleges, and principal investigators while expanding the "Companionship Campaign" to diversify its funding sources. To ensure proactive and systematic oversight, the IACF will also upgrade its administration software systems. Furthermore, it will establish regular working-level consultative meetings among related departments to completely eliminate administrative blind spots, update operational manuals, and host regular briefing sessions to ensure the program meets the specific needs of its participants. “Earning the top ‘S-grade’ rating in this annual evaluation is the fruitful result of our entire university community working together to improve the research environment for our graduate students,” said Een-Kee Hong, Head of the IACF. “We remain deeply committed to supporting these outstanding next-generation scholars who will lead our future society, ensuring they can focus on generating world-class research achievements without financial barriers.”
2026.07.13 -
Research
Maternal Influenza Infection Linked to Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
From left: Professor Dong Keon Yon of the College of Medicine, student Yujin Choi, researcher Hyunjee Kim, and senior researcher Jaeyu Park Professor Dong Keon Yon’s research team leverages large-scale medical big data to achieve a world-first validation Published in the online edition of GUT (Impact Factor: 26.2), the world’s premier journal in gastroenterology A research team led by Professor Dong Keon Yon of the College of Medicine (including researchers Hyunjee Kim and Jaeyu Park, and student Yujin Choi) has utilized large-scale Korean medical big data to prove for the first time globally that maternal influenza (flu) infection during pregnancy increases the risk of the child developing ulcerative colitis. Their groundbreaking findings were published this May in the online edition of GUT (Impact Factor: 26.2), one of the most prestigious journals in the field of gastroenterology. Tracking 2.56 Million Mother-Child Pairs Reveals a 33% Increased Risk of Ulcerative Colitis The research team conducted a massive, long-term tracking study following 2,562,302 children born between 2010 and 2017 for up to 14 years. They analyzed the correlation between prenatal influenza infection and the risk of children developing inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)—specifically ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease—while adjusting for additional variables including the child's age, the specific trimester of infection, and seasonal factors. The analysis revealed that when a mother was exposed to influenza during pregnancy, the child's risk of developing ulcerative colitis increased by 33%. Remarkably, this trend persisted even after adjusting for familial confounding factors such as genetic background and home environments. This elevated risk tended to persist until the child reached seven years of age. Interestingly, no significant association was found with Crohn's disease, suggesting that prenatal infection compromises the fetal immune system in highly disease-specific ways. The timing of the infection also played a critical role. When the influenza infection occurred during the third trimester, the child's risk of developing ulcerative colitis nearly doubled compared to the uninfected control group. Furthermore, infections contracted during the peak flu seasons of winter or spring saw the child's risk rise by approximately 50%. The underlying mechanism behind this phenomenon suggests that inflammatory cytokines triggered by the maternal flu infection cross the placenta, ultimately disrupting the regulatory system of the child's intestinal mucosal immunity. Senior researcher Jaeyu Park explained, "Crohn's disease is generally considered more severe than ulcerative colitis in terms of complications and clinical progression. However, our study demonstrates that maternal influenza infection shares a distinct, statistically significant link specifically with the development of ulcerative colitis among inflammatory bowel diseases." Professor Yon emphasized the broader implications of the study, noting, "Directly validating the long-term impacts of maternal influenza on a child's gut health through clinical trials is incredibly challenging. Being able to uncover this definitive link using massive medical big data is the core breakthrough of this research." He added, "Proactive flu vaccinations during pregnancy and prompt treatment upon infection could serve as vital clinical strategies to protect a child from future inflammatory bowel disease. Moving forward, we will continue leveraging advanced methodologies to develop practical prevention and management strategies that patients can truly benefit from."
2026.06.15 -
Research
Professor Seok-Kyun Son’s Research Team Joins National ‘Quantum Flagship Project’
A physics research team led by Professor Seok-Kyun Son joins the “Quantum Science and Technology Flagship Project,” a major national initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology planning & Evaluation (IITP). Developing core technologies for quantum MRI and magnetocardiography (MCG) powered by next-gen quantum magnetic field sensors Pioneering next-gen medical quantum sensing technologies through participating in a major national strategic initiative A physics research team led by Professor Seok-kyun Son is officially participating in the "Quantum Science and Technology Flagship Project." This major national initiative, focused on the fields of quantum communication and sensors, is spearheaded by the Ministry of Science and ICT alongside the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), and is led on a national scale by Chief Project Director Professor Dong-hun Lee of Korea University. Professor Son’s team will actively contribute to the project titled "Development of High-Sensitivity, High-Resolution Quantum MRI and Magnetocardiography (MCG) Technology Based on Diamond Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) Centers." The team will research next-generation, scalable quantum sensing platforms featuring diamond NV centers and explore their downstream biomedical and clinical applications. Aimed at overcoming the constraints of current biomedical imaging through quantum-enhanced sensors, this ambitious project seeks to construct a next-generation precision diagnostic platform built on ultra-precise biosignal measurements. Reflecting its immense scientific value and national priority, the research is structured as a long-term project spanning up to eight years. Quantum Sensing as a Core Pillar of Future Industry As a next-generation frontier in quantum technology, quantum sensing harnesses minute changes in quantum states to measure incredibly subtle physical quantities—such as magnetic fields, electric fields, temperature, and pressure. Alongside quantum computing, it has recently emerged as a defining pillar of the future quantum industry, with its scope of application rapidly expanding into fields as diverse as biomedicine, semiconductors, national defense, and advanced materials. In particular, the Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) center—a defect structure embedded within the diamond lattice—can operate stably even at room temperature while simultaneously achieving exceptionally high magnetic sensitivity and spatial resolution. Consequently, it is garnering intense global attention as a next-generation biomedical sensor platform. Current MRI technology demands massive, bulky equipment and cryogenic cooling environments, severely limiting its ability to locally measure the subtle magnetic signals generated within living organisms. To overcome these technical barriers, the research team is challenging the limits of ultra-precise imaging through quantum magnetic field sensors capable of analyzing microscopic magnetic field fluctuations down to the single-cell level. This breakthrough is expected to unlock unprecedented avenues for analyzing biosignals at a cellular scale and expanding into real-time, high-precision diagnostics—milestones that conventional medical imaging technologies have found impossible to reach. Building the Foundation for Next-Generation Scalable Quantum Sensing Platforms Professor Son’s research team has a strong track record in not only established NV-center-based quantum sensing but also next-generation, scalable quantum sensing platforms rooted in novel quantum materials and hybrid structures. Specifically, their research aims to secure new quantum sensor architectures and application platforms that can complement existing solid-state defect-based sensors, while evaluating the feasibility of developing quantum sensor technologies optimized for next-generation biomedical environments. Looking ahead, the researchers are focusing heavily on the scalability of these systems into flexible quantum sensing platforms capable of operating under highly diverse environmental conditions. To address and complement the inherent limitations of conventional solid-state sensor platforms, the team is investigating how these novel quantum sensing architectures can leverage high-sensitivity response characteristics to environmental changes. Based on their biocompatibility, structural flexibility, and the ability to simultaneously measure multiple physical variables, the team plans to evolve these systems into futuristic biomedical quantum sensor platforms. "Quantum sensing technology is expanding rapidly beyond basic physical measurements into the biomedical sphere," Professor Son explained. "By widening our research scope from diamond NV centers to next-generation scalable quantum sensing platforms, we will establish a technological foundation for next-generation quantum sensors that can be utilized in real-world clinical environments." He further emphasized, "It is crucial to develop new quantum sensing technologies capable of precisely analyzing faint, internal biosignals that conventional sensor technologies have struggled to detect." Forging a Real-World Biomedical Industry Ecosystem The research team expects this initiative to transcend basic laboratory science, paving the way for actual industrialization and practical clinical applications. The technologies developed through this project hold immense potential for scalability across a diverse spectrum of fields, including protein structure analysis, single-cell magnetic field measurement, metabolomics, drug discovery, and early disease diagnosis. Furthermore, there are high expectations for their potential to interface with next-generation precision medicine, digital healthcare, and the biomedical imaging industry. "Quantum technology is rapidly evolving into a foundational platform not just for future computing, but for the advanced medical and biotech industries as well," Professor Son noted. "Through the Quantum Flagship Project, we will elevate South Korea’s competitive edge in quantum sensor technology and contribute meaningfully to building a robust ecosystem for the next-generation quantum biomedical industry."
2026.06.15 -
Research
Campus Town Achieves Highest 'A+' Rating in Seoul City Performance Evaluation
The Campus Town Center achieved an A+ rating in the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Campus Town performance evaluation, receiving high marks for its robust operational framework and highly effective startup support initiatives. Securing 29.6 billion KRW in startup revenue to lead across 20 participating universities Leaping forward as a core hub for tech, AI, and global entrepreneurship support The Kyung Hee University Campus Town Center has secured the highest rating of A+ in the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s 2025 Campus Town performance evaluation. Conducted across 20 participating universities in Seoul, the evaluation highly praised Kyung Hee for its robust operational framework and the tangible effectiveness of its startup support initiatives. Notably, the center proved its exceptional execution capabilities by scoring perfect marks in 10 out of 13 core performance indicators, excluding specialized tracks and extra credit items. The Campus Town Center achieved perfect scores in 10 out of 13 core performance indicators. Standout Success in Government Grants: Cultivating AI and Global Market Specialization As of 2025, a total of 76 startups are housed within the Kyung Hee University Campus Town—the highest number of incubated companies among all participating universities in Seoul. The combined revenue of these incubated startups reached an impressive 29.6 billion KRW, outperforming the second-ranked university by an overwhelming 1.5 times. The center also demonstrated outstanding performance in securing government grants, successfully clinching 80 distinct startup support projects to secure approximately 5.38 billion KRW in funding. While investment stood at around 1.7 billion KRW, this reflects the center's strategic focus on revenue generation and its high proportion of early-stage teams. The hallmark of Kyung Hee's program is an incubation framework tailored specifically for the global market and future industries like AI. Through initiatives such as the “Nexus Creatorium Academy,” the center provided generative AI and business strategy training to over 1,600 members of the public and startup employees. Another highly unique initiative is the Nexus GKR program, a startup incubator designed specifically for international students. The program successfully scouted five foreign-led startup teams, three of which have already completed business registration and incorporation in South Korea. At the core of Campus Town’s celebrated incubation environment is its high-touch support structure. By offering tailored mentoring and business matching, the center has fostered a collaborative ecosystem among its startups. Furthermore, it has woven the university's broader educational resources—including the Startup Support Foundation, the University-Industry Cooperation Foundation, the Technology Holdings Company, and the Graduate School—into a unified, full-lifecycle support system. Programs like Nexus Pass, which helps companies refine their business plans and navigate government grants, have received positive feedback from participants. Looking ahead, the Campus Town Center plans to align its efforts with the RISE (Regional Innovation System & Education) project, envisioning an integrated startup platform where local governments, universities, and industries collaborate closely. The center has set a target to increase the share of AI-driven startups to over 50% and discover more than 60 promising companies each year, with the ultimate goal of producing "Baby Unicorn" startups. Seok Hee Ryu, Director of the Campus Town Center, noted, “Our full-lifecycle, high-touch support system—spanning everything from entrepreneurship education to technology development and investment attraction—was the driving force behind securing this A+ rating.” He added, “Leveraging Kyung Hee’s unique, innovative startup ecosystem, we will do our utmost to help tech-driven startups expand aggressively into global markets.”
2026.06.08- SDG 4 - Quality Education
- SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
-
Research
Professor Ki Joo Pahk Selected for the “Hanwoomul-Phagi” Basic Research Program
The Biomedical Ultrasound Engineering Lab, led by Professor Ki Joo Pahk of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has been selected for the prestigious “Hanwoomul-Phagi” Basic Research Program, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea. This long-term initiative provides outstanding early-career researchers with approximately 200 million KRW in annual funding for up to 10 years to conduct deep, uninterrupted research in a single field. Professor Pahk’s team secured the grant for their pioneering project, "Development of Core Proprietary Technologies and Platforms for AI Robot Arm-Based Pressure Modulated Shockwave Histotripsy for Patient- and Disease-Customized Precision Treatment.” University Funding Lays the Groundwork for Research This selection serves as an opportunity to further advance Professor Pahk’s ongoing research in therapeutic ultrasound, focused ultrasound, histotripsy—a non-invasive ultrasound technology used for tumor ablation. It also propels his work in cavitation, a phenomenon where microbubbles induced by ultrasound expand and violently collapse, generating physical force.Professor Pahk explained, “This project establishes a firm foundation for us to advance our world-first pressure-modulated shockwave histotripsy technology beyond the proof-of-concept stage and elevate it to a level ready for actual clinical application.” Concurrently, the laboratory views this long-term grant as an opportunity to steadily cultivate top-tier master’s and doctoral researchers in the field of biomedical ultrasound. Professor Pahk emphasized that seed funding from Kyung Hee University also played a critical role leading up to the full-scale launch of this research project. His research team conducted essential preliminary studies backed by a 60 million KRW grant over two years through the university’s “Future Leading Early-Career Researcher Support Program.” This internal funding allowed the team to design their research with greater flexibility compared to government-funded projects. Leveraging this tactical support, the team successfully conducted the foundational preliminary studies that ultimately secured their selection for the “Hanwoomul-Phagi” Basic Research Program. The Need for Precise and Safe Non-Invasive TreatmentProfessor Pahk’s research team is dedicated to developing a therapeutic technology capable of precisely removing tumors and lesions without the need for surgical incisions. Focused ultrasound delivers intense acoustic energy to a targeted area, non-invasively inducing either thermal or mechanical effects on the tissue. While conventional High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) thermalizes and burns target tissue using extreme heat, histotripsy physically ablates tissue into cellular debris using the mechanical force of microbubbles generated by acoustic cavitation. Histotripsy is garnering traction as a next-generation, non-invasive ultrasound surgical modality. Following U.S. FDA approval for certain histotripsy devices in 2023, clinical applications are already underway for liver cancer patients. However, conventional histotripsy presents a distinct trade-off. While it excels at debulking large lesions, the acoustic scattering effect of shockwaves can inadvertently impact surrounding healthy tissue near the focal zone. This limitation makes it challenging to safely treat areas directly adjacent to major blood vessels, bile ducts, or critical nerves. Professor Pahk focused his efforts on overcoming these precise boundaries. He explained, “Conventional histotripsy is a highly innovative technology, but we recognized a critical limitation: its insufficient precision can cause collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissues.” To overcome this barrier, the research team devised a novel, proprietary core technology that first nucleates a vapor bubble at the ultrasound focal point and then sequentially modulates acoustic pressure to control the bubble dynamics with much greater accuracy. Professor Pahk’s team conducting advanced research on next-generation non-invasive therapeutic ultrasound technologies. Achieving Precision Treatment Through Pressure-Modulated Shockwave HistotripsyProfessor Pahk’s research team has been developing “Pressure-Modulated Shockwave Histotripsy (PSH),” a technique that precisely regulates acoustic pressure fields. This innovative technology allows clinicians to finely tune the treatment zone according to the exact size and location of a lesion, thereby minimizing collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This technology is projected to be particularly transformative for high-stakes, sophisticated clinical scenarios, such as treating tumors directly adjacent to major blood vessels, vital organs, or critical nerve pathways. Professor Pahk explained, “Clinicians will be able to deploy this method with significantly higher safety margins, even when they need to ablate only a specific part of a lesion. Furthermore, by dynamically adjusting the timing of pressure modulation, they can precisely define the exact boundaries of the treatment zone.” Going a step further, the research team is integrating AI and robot arm technologies into this platform. The AI engine will learn data regarding pressure modulation timing and lesion sizes to predict the treatment parameters desired by the practitioner. It will also analyze the patient’s anatomical information alongside acoustic simulation results to locate the ultrasound focal point with higher accuracy. Meanwhile, the robot arm will precisely deliver the ultrasound energy from optimal angles, drastically boosting treatment accuracy and procedural efficiency. Professor Pahk stated, “Our ultimate goal in this study is to implement a fully non-invasive precision treatment platform tailored to individual patients and specific disease characteristics by combining our core ultrasound technology with AI predictive models and robot arm-based precision control.” A 10-Year Vision for Expanding Precision TreatmentThis research initiative will unfold in phases over the next decade. During the first five years, the team will focus on perfecting the core proprietary PSH technology, alongside developing AI-driven predictive and monitoring models and high-precision robot arm control systems. In the subsequent five years, the team will integrate these components into a unified, cohesive platform and thoroughly verify its clinical viability through animal testing and performance validation. Ultimately, the research team aims to implement a universal medical device platform capable of patient-customized, non-invasive precision treatment, which will eventually pave the way for technology transfer and commercialization. Professor Pahk anticipated, “Once we fully mature this technology, physicians will be able to precisely target and eradicate lesions without making a single incision. This will drastically minimize patient trauma and the complications often associated with conventional surgical procedures, while simultaneously maximizing treatment safety and efficiency.” The clinical utility of this technology extends beyond oncology. Looking ahead, the research team sees strong potential for expansion into the field of cosmetic and regenerative medicine. Furthermore, they expect this system to serve as a foundational technology for biological tissue decellularization research, which is essential for cell transplantation therapies.
2026.05.26 -
Research
Establishing a Researcher-Centered Administrative Ecosystem
Metrics for industry-academic cooperation and technology transfer in 2025 continue to show steady growth, as Kyung Hee’s academic achievements are effectively translated into industrial innovation. Innovating research administration through one-stop support for large-scale research projects, Kyung Hee achieves a record 194.8 billion KRW in external R&D funding for 2025 Kyung Hee University has solidified its standing as a premier research-intensive institution, maintaining a consistent upward trajectory across all industry-academic cooperation and technology transfer metrics for 2025. According to the “K-DX” Big Data Analysis System, the university secured a record 194.8 billion KRW in external R&D funding and achieved a significant milestone by ranking second in the country for technology transfer licensing fees. Building Foundations for Innovative Growth The most distinctive highlight of this year’s performance is the exponential growth in external R&D funding. In 2025, total external funding reached 194.8 billion KRW (across 1,383 projects)—a substantial leap of over 50 billion KRW compared to the 144.8 billion KRW recorded in 2020. This surge was driven by securing a series of major national projects, including G-LAMP, Glocal Lab, and HK3.0. Notably, the university saw a rise in advanced industrial technology research within science and engineering, alongside an accelerated convergence of basic science and clinical research in the medical sector. By establishing a robust institutional foundation to restructure its funding toward large-scale initiatives, Kyung Hee translated its strengthened research competitiveness into a steady expansion of industry-academic revenue, which reached 36.39 billion KRW (a 4.2 billion KRW increase from the previous year), ranking the university 9th nationwide. In the field of technology transfer, licensing fees reached 9.7 billion KRW based on 2025 performance indicators–a staggering 140% increase from the 4.05 billion KRW reported in 2024. This achievement reflects a qualitative leap in the value of Kyung Hee’s commercialized technologies. While the average fee per technology transfer contract hovered around 50 million KRW between 2021 and 2024, that figure surged to 127.7 million KRW in 2025. This surge demonstrates that Kyung Hee’s cutting edge technologies are effectively meeting industry demands, driving a sharp upward trajectory in all performance metrics. Trends in external research funding and structural shift toward large-scale projects (2022-2025): Kyung Hee’s research funding hit a record 194.8 billion KRW in 2025 (+16.6%). This growth reflects a strategic shift toward high-impact research, with large-scale projects (>1 billion KRW) now making up 14% of the portfolio, up from 11% in 2024. One-Stop Services: Navigating the Shift Toward Large-Scale National R&D National R&D projects have recently been restructured to prioritize large-scale, collective initiatives. To secure these major grants, universities must provide formal commitments of institutional support, including matching funds, dedicated research space, and reduced teaching loads for participating faculty. Previously, researchers bore the burden of coordinating these requirements across multiple administrative departments on their own. This administrative weight often led to researcher fatigue and hindered the university’s capacity to conduct systematic institutional reviews. To address these challenges, Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation introduced the “One-Stop Service for Large-Scale Research Project Commitments.” The introduction of this service serves as a prime example of the paradigm shift toward “researcher-centered” administration. Under this new framework, a research researcher simply submits a project overview and a list of required support items through a single window. From there, the R&D Planning Team acts as a control tower, overseeing the entire process—from practical consultations with relevant campus departments and preliminary reviews to final institutional approval. The process, which was once manual and complex, has been streamlined using inter-departmental digital checklists. This has resulted in exceptional administrative efficiency; even urgent requests are processed within three to five days on average and are typically finalized one to two days ahead of project deadlines. Administrative Excellence Driving Record Performance Metrics Dismantling administrative barriers has directly translated into measurable growth in external research support. As of October 2025, the number of institutional support commitments processed through the One-Stop Service reached 756 cases—a 136% increase from the 324 cases in 2024. The number of specific grant applications supported also rose by 102% reaching 97 projects. These administrative improvements led to tangible success in securing high-value grants. Supported by an integrated system focused on large-scale initiatives, the number of projects valued at over 1 billion KRW increased by 38.5%, from 13 cases in 2024 to 18 in 2025. The total funding from these large-scale projects grew by 38.9%, reaching 25.7 billion KRW. Driven by this structural shift toward major R&D, the university’s total external research funding—which had previously plateaued around 167 million KRW—surged to approximately 194.8 billion KRW by the end of 2025. The One-Stop Service serves as the launching pad for future growth. Leveraging its current qualitative strengths—including a No. 1 ranking in patent registration and top-tier technology transfer fees—Kyung Hee has deployed a preemptive response system for 2026 government R&D projects. To secure massive national initiatives, such as National Research Labs and Leading Research Centers, the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation is spearheading pre-planning task forces (TFs). These initiatives include comprehensive package support for research planning groups, specialized funding for large-scale project development, and innovative financial incentive programs. Institutional growth stems from the synergy between faculty excellence and the systems built to empower them. The Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation remains committed to removing bureaucratic hurdles and acting as a stepping stone for researchers at the forefront of their fields. The One-Stop Service is a clear testament to the university’s dedication to championing its research community.
2026.05.18 -
Research
Beyond GPUs: Proving the Potential of Next-Generation AI Semiconductor Technology
A research team led by Professor Hong-Sub Lee of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering has developed a next-generation AI inference accelerator. Professor Hong-Sub Lee’s research team implements high-efficiency memristor array for AI inference Findings expected to “become key foundational technology for high-efficiency AI inference hardware” With the recent rapid growth of AI leading to a surge in data processing volumes, there is an increasing demand for high-efficiency hardware that can surpass the capabilities of existing GPUs or NPUs. Consequently, “In-memory Computing”—a technology that performs data storage and computation simultaneously within the memory itself—is gaining significant attention as a next-generation alternative for AI semiconductors. A research team led by Professor Hong-Sub Lee from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (First author: Jeong-hyun Son) has successfully developed a next-generation AI inference accelerator. Their research findings were published in the renowned international journal Nano Energy (Impact Factor: 17.1) this past March. Implementation of Precise-Control Memristor Arrays with Stable Current Limitation A memristor (a portmanteau of “memory” and “resistor”) is a next-generation electronic component that changes its resistance in response to electrical stimuli and “remembers” that state. It is considered a leading candidate for AI computing hardware. By arranging memristors in a crossbar structure, the movement of data between computing units and memory can be drastically reduced, enabling the creation of AI accelerators optimized for low-power, high-speed operations. However, technical hurdles have previously limited the use of this technology. Passive crossbar arrays often suffer from “sneak current,” where electricity flows through unintended paths of unselected devices. Additionally, the stochastic (probabilistic) behavior of ions within memristor materials can lead to decreased reliability during the learning process. To overcome these physical limitations, Professor Lee’s research team utilized an Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) process to develop lithium-ion based self-rectifying memristor devices. This allowed them to implement a memristor array capable of precise control while effectively and stably limiting sneak currents. The team demonstrated the potential of specialized hardware for AI inference by performing the initial learning on an external server and then accurately mapping the trained weight values onto the array within an edge device. By applying an algorithm to map target weights, the team achieved a high yield of over 99%. Professor Lee emphasized the significance of the study, stating, “This result demonstrates the potential for accurate AI inference operations using large-scale crossbar arrays.” The research team now plans to verify the potential for enhanced energy efficiency compared to existing AI acceleration hardware. Professor Lee’s research team plans to verify the potential for enhanced energy efficiency compared to existing AI acceleration hardware.
2026.05.11