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School of Electrical Engineering We thrive
to be the world’s
top IT powerhouse.
We thrive to be the world’s top IT powerhouse.

Our mission is to lead innovations
in information technology, create lasting impact,
and educate next-generation leaders of the world.

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School of Electrical Engineering We thrive
to be the world’s
top IT powerhouse.
We thrive to be the world’s top IT powerhouse.

Our mission is to lead innovations
in information technology, create lasting impact,
and educate next-generation leaders of the world.

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  • 6
Learn More
School of Electrical Engineering We thrive
to be the world’s
top IT powerhouse.
We thrive to be the world’s top IT powerhouse.

Our mission is to lead innovations
in information technology, create lasting impact,
and educate next-generation leaders of the world.

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  • 6
Learn More
School of Electrical Engineering We thrive
to be the world’s
top IT powerhouse.
We thrive to be the world’s top IT powerhouse.

Our mission is to lead innovations
in information technology, create lasting impact,
and educate next-generation leaders of the world.

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  • 6
Learn More
School of Electrical Engineering We thrive
to be the world’s
top IT powerhouse.
We thrive to be the world’s top IT powerhouse.

Our mission is to lead innovations
in information technology, create lasting impact,
and educate next-generation leaders of the world.

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AI in EE AI and machine learning
are a key thrust
in EE research
AI and machine learning are a key thrust in EE research

AI/machine learning  efforts are already   a big part of   ongoing
research in all 6 divisions - Computer, Communication, Signal,
Wave, Circuit and Device - of KAIST EE 

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Highlights

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Professor Kyeongha Kwon Appointed as Korea Representative of the IEEE ISSCC TPC

 

Inline image 2024 03 25 11.23.06.169

<Professor Kyeongha Kwon>
 
Prof. Kyeongha Kwon has been appointed as the Korea Representative for the Technical Program Committee (TPC) of the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
 
Held annually in February in San Francisco, USA, ISSCC is internationally recognized as the leading authority in the semiconductor field, often referred to as the “Semiconductor Olympics.” Since its inception in 1954, the conference has been a gathering point for over 4,000 semiconductor engineers from around the world, who come together to exchange the latest research findings and discuss the future of the semiconductor industry.
 
The selection of papers for presentation and the organization of lectures and discussion programs at the conference are managed by 12 TPCs, composed of researchers from academia and industry across various countries, all recognized for their academic achievements.
 
Currently, there are a total of 23 TPC members active in Korea, including 8 from Samsung Electronics, 1 from SK Hynix, 4 from KAIST, and one each from DGIST, GIST, UNIST, Korea University, Sogang University, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, and POSTECH, with one member representing Sapeon.
 
Prof. Kwon began her activities as a TPC member in 2023 and has been appointed as the country representative this year.
Prof. Kwon will preside over meetings of the TPC members in Korea, press conferences, etc., and will facilitate interactions with country representatives from other nations, contributing to the advancement of semiconductor technology.

 

3

Seunghyun Lee from Hacking Lab (Advisor: Insu Yun) Wins 1.9 Billion Won Prize at International Hacking Contest ‘Pwn2Own’

 Inline image 2024 03 25 08.45.23.377

<(from left) Professor Insu Yun, Seunghyun Lee student>
 
Seunghyun Lee from Hacking Lab (Advisor: Insu Yun) at KAIST’s EE Department, achieved notable prize at the international hacking contest ‘Pwn2Own,’ held from March 20th to 21st at Toronto, Canada. Seunghyun Lee discovered and successfully exploited two browser vulnerabilities, earning a total prize of $145,000 (approximately 1.9 billion won).
 
During this competition, Seunghyun Lee also achieved a ‘double tap’ by exploiting a vulnerability in both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers simultaneously.
 
‘Pwn2Own’ is a hacking contest in which big global IT companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple participate as partners. It targets actual products that constitute the core of modern computer systems, such as browsers, operating systems, and virtual machines.
This contest not only provides prize money and prestige but also contributes to enhancing user safety/privacy by patching vulnerabilities discovered after the competition.
 
Professor Insu Yun evaluated this award as proof that KAIST’s hacking skill has reached a global level and expressed his expectation for the emergence of many talents who will developinto top researchers and hackers at KAIST in the future.
This achievement, recognized at an international competition, serves as an opportunity to showcase KAIST’s technological prowess and students’ excellence to the world.
 
 
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Professor Lee Kayoung’s research team develops Superior Electron Mobility and Electron Saturation Velocity Characteristics of the New Device Compared to Existing Devices

 

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<(from left) Professor Kayoung Lee, Yongwook Seok ph.d candidate>
 
 
Professor Lee Kayoung’s research team has successfully developed a high-performance 2D semiconductor device that can operate at ultra-high speeds and whose performance improves as the temperature decreases, showing potential for use in high-frequency bands and at extremely low temperatures.

The research team led by Professor Lee Kayoung announced on the 20th that they have developed a high-mobility, ultra-high-speed device based on two-dimensional nano-semiconductor indium selenide (InSe), which surpasses the electron mobility and saturation velocity of silicon by more than two-fold.

*Saturation velocity: Refers to the maximum speed at which electrons or holes can move within a semiconductor material. Saturation velocity is a key indicator for evaluating the electrical properties of a semiconductor, as it determines saturation current and cutoff frequency, among other factors.
**Indium Selenide (InSe): An inorganic compound made of indium and selenium that forms two-dimensional layers with van der Waals bonds.

 
Two-dimensional indium selenide is attracting attention as a next-generation semiconductor material due to its higher electron mobility and current compared to traditional silicon semiconductors and 2D semiconductors. However, indium selenide is vulnerable to oxidation in the air and has lower stability, making the development of high-performance devices challenging.
 
Professor Lee Kayoung’s research team improved the stability and performance of indium selenide by using high-quality two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) as the lower insulating layer and thin indium metal as the upper protective layer to solve this problem.
*Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN): Nitrogen and boron form a hexagonal planar structure and have insulating properties.
 
Additionally, by forming a two-dimensional heterojunction* structure without contaminating the core channel layer of indium selenide, they significantly improved the electron mobility and electron saturation velocity. This is the first time that the electron saturation velocity of indium selenide has been systematically analyzed, and the research team was able to determine the mechanism for electron saturation velocity.

*Heterojunction: The interface between two layers or regions of different crystalline semiconductors

 
 
images 000075 image1.jpg 3
< Figure 1. Superior Electron Mobility and Electron Saturation Velocity Characteristics of the New Device Compared to Existing Devices >

Leading this research, doctoral candidate Seok Yongwook said, “Through the development of high-performance devices, we were able to confirm the high electron mobility and saturation velocity of the two-dimensional semiconductor indium selenide,” and added, “Research on its application is necessary for actual devices that require ultra-low temperature and high-frequency operation.”
 
Professor Lee Kayoung said, “The high-performance electronic device developed this time is capable of ultra-fast operation, making it possible to operate in the 6G frequency band beyond the 5G band,” and “As the temperature decreases, the performance of the device improves significantly, making it suitable for ultra-low temperature high-frequency operation environments like those needed for quantum computer quantum control ICs (Integrated Circuits).”
 
This research, with doctoral student Seok Yongwook from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering as the lead author, was officially published in the international journal of nanoscience, `ACS Nano (Nano),’ on March 19, 2024, and was also featured as the journal cover article. (Paper title: High-Field Electron Transport and High Saturation Velocity in Multilayer Indium Selenide Transistors)

Meanwhile, this research was conducted with the support of the National Research Foundation of Korea’s Young Researchers Program, Basic Research Program, BK21, KAIST’s C2 (Creative & Challenging) Project, LX Semicon-KAIST Future Technology Center, and the Posco Foundation.

 
images 000075 image2.jpg 1
< Figure 2. Cover Image of the ACS Nano Journal >
 
 
 
 
 

 

3

Professor Kwon Kyeongha’s Research Team Develops Smart Healthcare Device for Monitoring Chronic Wounds for Monitoring Chronic Wounds in Diabetes Patients

 

images 000074 photo1

< (Left to right) KAIST Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Kyeongha Kwon, Ph.D. Candidate Youngmin Sim, and Chung-Ang University Professor of Advanced Materials Engineering Hanjun Ryu >

Professor Kwon Kyeongha’s research team has developed a wireless system capable of accurate and direct monitoring of chronic wound healing process by tracking the spatiotemporal temperature changes and thermal transfer characteristics of injuries caused by diabetes. Professor Kwon Kyeongha’s research team announced on the 5th that they have developed the digital healthcare system in collaboration with Professor Hanjun Ryu of Chung-Ang University. 

As the skin serves as a barrier to protect the human body from harmful substances, skin damage in patients under intensive care can lead to serious health risks associated with infection. Chronic wounds are especially common in diabetes patients, who suffer from abnormal blood circulation and deteriorated wound healing processes. Just in the United States alone, billions of dollars in medical expenses are spent annually for the regeneration of such chronic wounds. Although there are various methods to promote wound healing, personalized care specific to each patient is still necessary.

 

images 000074 photo2

< Diagram of the Real-time Wound Monitoring System >

In response, Kwon’s research team utilized the temperature difference between the wound area and the surrounding healthy skin to track the heat response within the wound. They measured thermal transfer characteristics to observe changes in moisture levels, using this to model the process of scar tissue formation. The team conducted experiments on mice with diabetes, observing the delayed wound healing process in pathological conditions. The collected data proved to be accurate in tracking the wound healing process and the formation of scar tissue.

This system was integrated with a biodegradable sensor module that can naturally decompose within the body to minimize potential tissue damage. Once used, the biodegradable module can decompose on its own through degradation within the body, eliminating the need for manual removal and allowing direct monitoring of the wound site.

Professor Kwon Kyeongha stated, “By continuously monitoring the temperature and thermal transfer characteristics of the wound site, we hope that medical professionals will be able to more accurately assess the condition of wounds in diabetes patients and provide appropriate treatment. Using biodegradable sensors means that the device can safely decompose without the need for removal after wound healing is complete, enabling real-time monitoring not only in hospitals but also at home.”

Kwon’s research team plans to further develop this device by integrating it with materials that have antibacterial properties, expanding its use to observe and prevent inflammatory responses, bacterial infections, and other lesions. By detecting infection levels through changes in temperature and thermal transfer characteristics, their goal is to provide a universal, antibacterial wound monitoring platform that can be used in real-time, both in hospitals and the home.

 

 

images 000074 photo3

< Journal Cover – Photo of the Biodegradable Wound Monitoring Sensor >

The results of this research were published in the international academic journal Advanced Healthcare Materials on February 19th and selected as the inside back cover article. (Titled, Materials and Device Designs for Wireless Monitoring of Temperature and Thermal Transport Properties of Wound Beds during Healing)

The research was funded by the Basic Research in Science & Engineering Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Regional Leading Research Center (RLRC), and BK21.

 

IMG 0100
[Professor Rhu Minsoo’s team wins the Best Paper Award’ at the International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture (HPCA)]
 
IMG 0100
<(from left) Certificate of Award, Award Ceremony, PhD candidates Bongjoon Hyun (first author), Taehun Kim, and Dongjae Lee>
 
The research team led by Professor Rhu Minsoo from the school of EE announced that they have won the Best Paper Award at the IEEE International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture (HPCA), one of the premier international conferences on computer architecture. This is the first time a research team from a domestic university has received the Best Paper Award at an international top-tier conference in the field of computer architecture. It is a prestigious honor given to a single top submission out of 410 papers submitted.
 
The research team led by Professor Rhu Minsoo, consisting of PhD candidates Bongjoon Hyun (first author), Taehun Kim, and Dongjae Lee from the Department of Electrical Engineering, won the Best Paper Award with their proposal of a simulation framework named uPIMulator. This framework is based on the commercialized Processing-In-Memory (PIM) technology of UPMEM.
 
Technologies that have been gaining significant attention recently such as Large Language Models like ChatGPT and recommendation systems require a high amount of memory bandwidth (the amount of data that can be moved in and out of memory at one time). Traditional CPU and GPU-based systems face limitations in meeting the increasing demand for memory bandwidth due to physical constraints.
To address the issue of limited memory bandwidth, Processing-In-Memory (PIM) technology, which integrates computing units within the memory itself, has started to gain attention. PIM technology is receiving recognition not only in academia but also in the industry, with the unveiling of PIM prototype products such as Samsung Electronics’ HBM-PIM and SK Hynix’s AiMX, as well as commercialization examples through UPMEM’s UPMEM-PIM product, demonstrating its potential.
 
However, the current state of Processing-In-Memory (PIM) technology is relatively in its early stages compared to the level of development in hardware architectures like CPUs or GPUs, and there is a need for extensive research on a wide range of hardware structures. Simulators that mimic hardware are frequently used in both academia and industry to explore various hardware design spaces, but research on simulators for PIM is comparatively lacking.

IMG 0101

Professor Rhu Minsoo’s research team explored various hardware structures that could improve the performance, robustness, and security of PIM through the development of a simulator based on the commercial PIM technology, UPMEM-PIM, undergoing design and verification processes. The significance of this research lies in the detailed analysis of PIM hardware structures and the exploration of various design directions through a simulator grounded in actual PIM products. The developed simulator is currently available as open-source (https://github.com/VIA-Research/uPIMulator), contributing to the research and development community.
 
This research was conducted with the support of the Korean government (Ministry of Science and ICT), the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Institute for Information & communications Technology Planning & Evaluation, and Samsung Electronics.
 

https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.00846

uPIMulator: https://github.com/VIA-Research/uPIMulator

 

​​​​
 
 
image001

Professor Hyunchul Shim’s joint research team won second place at the 3rd MBZIRE International Robotics Challenge

image001

<Professor Hyunchul Shim’s Joint Research Team Picture>

 

At the recent 3rd MBZIRC hosted at Abu Dhabi, UAE, the joint team by Prof. Hyunchul Shim(EE) and Jinwhan Kim (KAIST ME) won 2nd place in Feb 8, 2024, winning $650K USD. 

This competition requires USV and UAV perform a joint mission to retrieve designated objects from “illegal” boat on actual sea absolutely without GPS. 

For this, Prof. Shim developed vision-based navigation technology and autonomous robot based retrieval system while Prof. Kim’s team developed radar-based autonomous USV.

During the competition, there were numerous difficulties including the ship’s mechanical problems and many unforeseen problems from operating actual high sea, but 20 graduate students in our team were able to overcome these problems, winning 2nd place. 

Prof Shim said, “there were so many problems not only in technical side but also in operational side, we were able to win a real competition, not some small scale competition, and I’d like to thank Prof. Kim and all the students did their best and more”

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Professor Youjip Won has been elected as the 39th president of the Korean Institute of Information Scienctists and Engineers

<Professor Youjip Won>

 

The Korean Institute of Information Scientists and Engineers has announced that Professor Won Youjip from our department has been elected as the 39th president. He took office on January 1, 2024, and will lead the society for the next year.

 

Professor Won Youjip graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computational Statistics from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota in the United States.

He has been a professor in the School of Electrical Engineering at KAIST since 2019, after serving as a professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Hanyang University.

 

He is currently a member of the Korean Academy of Engineering and the director of the KAIST Storage Research Center.

Professor Won Youjip stated, “During my term, I will reestablish the identity of the society and seek qualitative leaps that match its quantitative expansion.

 

First, in the field of education, I will create a forum for discussion and sharing education content, teaching methods, assignments and projects, and the simplification of technical terms into Korean, to achieve world-class information science education.

 

In the research field, I will do my utmost to improve personnel systems, evaluation systems, and reward standards so that the research results of our members are properly evaluated. Furthermore, I will create a space in which members can share and discuss various difficulties they encounter in educational, research, and development settings.”

 

The Korean Institute of Information Scientists and Engineers, founded in 1973, is a leading academic organization in the field of computers and software in Korea. It has more than 3,500 university professors as members, with a total membership exceeding 37,000.

 

 

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