South Korea

Expectations for Global Advancement through Distinguished Professorship Program

- A total of 5,010 applicants for 215 slots, marking a 17.4% increase from the previous year, resulting in a competition rate of 23.3 to 1 - Achieved a high competition rate despite challenges such as an increased admission quota for medical schools, a declining school-age population, and being located outside the Seoul Capital Area

- Professor Jongmin Choi's team from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at DGIST adopts a new ligand to enhance the efficiency and stability of perovskite quantum dot solar cells - Solar cell efficiency increases to 15.3% by correcting distortions on the surface of quantum dots

• Professor Oh Sehoon becomes the third Korean to be appointed to the Managing Committee of IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics. • Senior Researcher Kim Sangdong is named an IEEE Senior Member, a distinction awarded to only 10% of all IEEE members. • This achievement holds great significance for both domestic academia and industry and is expected to enhance DGIST’s international profile.

- DGIST hosts the “University Innovation Forum: Out of the Box” to redefine the future role of universities and discuss the direction of university innovation. - Innovation leaders from top global universities, including the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Innovation from Oxford University and President of Minerva University, get together.

- Founded in 2004 as a national research institute, DGIST has grown into a research-focused university with 1,800 enrolled students and 800 faculty and staff members as of 2024 - DGIST's 5th President, Kunwoo Lee, firmly commits to leading the university towards becoming a prestigious global institution under the motto, "Shaping the Future Together, Global DGIST."

- The strategic alliance with 'JOIn,' Elsevier's open-access journal, is expected to promote academic activities and expand global exchange and collaboration.

Songok Cultural Scholarship Foundation pledges 100 million won in development funds to DGIST

A new fuel cell catalyst made from platinum and magnesium delivers exceptional efficiency and durability, potentially transforming clean energy technology.

- DGIST Professor Seo Byeong-Chan’s research team is the first in the world to discover how PAC channels work. - Their research has revealed a method to prevent cell edema and tissue damage, which may help treat cancer and brain diseases.

- 42 high school students in Dalseong-gun joined a coding camp on DGIST’s campus for two days - Students organized themselves into groups, planned topics, and experienced an actual development environment

—grants degrees to 30 PhD, 53 Master’s, and 51 Bachelor’s students, fostering a total of 134 talented individuals in the field of science and technology

- DGIST to open a new science school for the gifted in March 2028

- A joint research team from DGIST, UNIST, and IBS has developed a double-layer dry transfer printing technology that simultaneously transfers light-emitting and electron-transferring layers onto a substrate, enhancing AR/VR immersion. - Research results have been published in Nature Photonics.

- Professor Kyung-in Jang at DGIST has been selected to lead a research project under the “STEAM Research Program (Global Convergence Research Support).” - The project is expected to advance early diagnosis and effective treatment by developing brain engineering technology for “brain diseases.”

- Showcase best practices in interdisciplinary research with the selection of the research group evenly consisting of three departments within DGIST - Receive a total research fund of KRW 1.5 billion for the selected projects over the next three years

- DGIST was selected as the lead research and development organization for two projects in the Korea-EU Semiconductor Joint Research. - As an institute of science and technology, DGIST seeks to obtain original technologies through global joint research in semiconductors and contribute to stronger national competitiveness based on the technologies.

- DGIST-Sungkyunkwan University research team successfully develops a next-generation bioelectronic suture that can monitor inflammation around wounds in real time - Maintains the functionality of traditional surgical sutures while monitoring inflammation... Expected to contribute to advances in wound care and related medical fields

- The responsibility and expectations of those responsible for research are heightened, reflecting the assessment of the open evaluation panel - It will be implemented once again in the second half of this year, expanding the composition of the open evaluation panel to include members of the general public

- Developed green energy solutions using high-performance triboelectric generator - Developed an ionic polyurethane with self-healing, biodegradable, and high triboelectric properties and published the paper in "Nano Energy"

- DGIST Prof. Lee Hongkyung, LG ENERGY SOLUTION, and Yonsei Univ. Prof. Lee Yong-min collaboratively develop a protective film for lithium metal cathodes to improve the lifespan of Li-S batteries - Unlike conventional methods, the film prevents the initial protective layer from peeling off, which is expected to lengthen the operation time of Li-S batteries

- DGIST Prof. Lee Kwang and team propose new neural law of dopamine that differs from existing theory - Developed original technology that simultaneously monitors electrical and chemical brain signals, redefining the correlation between changes in dopamine signaling within physiological range and neural signal processing in the brain - Findings are published in Nature Neuroscience

- Achieved "Outstanding" Rating in the 2024 Research Project Evaluation for Research Institutions Directly Under the MSIT!

- DGIST Professor Ko Jaewon and team identify a single family of synaptic membrane proteins that inhibit excitatory and synaptic properties - The findings may provide key clues to the development of therapeutics for related brain disorders targeting different synaptic protein complexes inhibited by MDGA proteins * MDGA: a synaptic adhesion protein that plays an essential role in how nerve cells connect with each other to transmit neural signals.

- Insert electrodes inside the luminescent layer to luminate stably even in harsh environments - Strong brightness and durability even in variations... Expected to be used across many different applications, such as outdoor displays and luminous banners

- Professor Jin-ho Chang’s team at DGIST developed high-performance ultrasound-assisted photothermal therapy (ULTRA-PTT) technology using proprietary ultrasound-induced optical clearing technology. - The team developed a handpiece based on ULTRA-PTT technology, demonstrating exceptional therapeutic effects in animal experiments. - The related research is published in the prestigious international journal “Advanced Optical Materials.”

DGIST Professor Sang-yun Han Received Young Scientist Award at the PIERS 2024

- Diverse experts in biomedical and future mobility from Purdue University to convene at DGIST - Facilitate discussions on research achievements, collaborative research, and student exchanges in related fields

- Students from the joint research team of Professors Jae-Seok Yoo and Jeong-Ho Hyeon won the YIA Gold Award at an international congress of medical ultrasound societies for developing an innovative data reduction technique for ultra-fast brain ultrasound imaging - Solved the problem of large data transmission required by conventional ultrasound technology

- Professor Kyung-In Jang’s team from DGIST, in collaboration with Professor Taeho Park’s team from POSTECH, has developed a stretchable electronic device based on hybrid polymers. - The device maintains high mechanical stability even when it is severely bent or impacted, making it applicable in various industries such as displays, healthcare, and wearables. - Research results published in ACS Nano, the prestigious nanoscience journal.