Highlights
Professor Minkyu Je from our department was recognized for his contributions to the advancement of the AI semiconductor industry through the development of innovative neural network computation circuits and system technologies based on embedded Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (eMRAM) Process-In-Memory (PIM) technology. He was awarded a commendation from the Ministry of Science and ICT at the Future Technology Conference on AI Semiconductors held on December 20.
Since April 1, 2022, Professor Je’s research team at the Integrated Memory & Processor Architecture for Compact Systems (IMPACT) Lab has been working on the “Development of Core Technologies for High-Efficiency AI Semiconductors Utilizing eMRAM-based PIM Technology” project, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and supervised by the Institute for Information & communication Technology Planning & evaluation. Through this project, the team has achieved remarkable results. These include the development of neural network computation circuit technology that consumes low power, allows for adjustable computational precision, and improves memory utilization efficiency by more than twofold compared to existing technologies. They also developed a weight representation method and supporting circuit architecture that reduce computational errors caused by analog variations during in-memory analog computation, while simultaneously reducing power consumption. Furthermore, they introduced an efficient analog neural network accelerator technology capable of processing the entire neural network computation within a PIM-based System-on-Chip (SoC). This technology is robust against computational errors due to analog variations and can be applied to large-scale neural network models without retraining.
Professor Euijong Whang from our department has been elected as a member of the Young Korean Academy of Science and Technology (Y-KAST) of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) for 2025.
Launched in February 2017, Y-KAST is the only young academy in Korea, consisting of outstanding young scientists under the age of 45 who engage in policy activities and international exchanges.
Y-KAST members are selected from young scientists under the age of 43 who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements. In particular, the selection process focuses on achievements made as independent researchers in Korea after obtaining a Ph.D., ultimately choosing next-generation science and technology leaders with the potential to contribute significantly to the advancement of science and technology in Korea.
Professor Euijong Whang has been recognized as a young scientist conducting pioneering research in the fields of big data and artificial intelligence (AI). He has led efforts in the area of data-driven responsible AI research, collaborated with global IT companies, and became the first in Asia to receive the Google AI Award. His outstanding achievements on the global stage led to his selection as a Y-KAST member in the engineering division.
With this, our department now proudly counts a total of five current Y-KAST members, including Professors Euijong Whang, Hyunjoo Lee, Junil Choi, Minsoo Rhu, and Min Seok Jang. Additionally, two alumni, Professors Joonwoo Bae and Changho Suh, have previously served as Y-KAST members.
Master’s candidate Taesoo Kim from Professor Jeongho Kim’s lab achieved remarkable success by winning the Best Paper Award at the ‘IEEE Electrical Design of Advanced Packaging and Systems (EDAPS) 2024‘, held on December 17-19 at the Taj Yeshwantpur, in Bangalore, India.
The ‘IEEE EDAPS’ is the largest and most influential conference on semiconductor packaging technology in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2002, it has been annually organized and hosted by the IEEE Electronic Packaging Society.
The award-winning paper, titled “Design and Analysis of Twin Tower High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) Architecture for Large Memory Capacity and High Bandwidth System,” was authored by mater’s student Taesoo Kim as the first author.
This paper received high acclaim for its creativity, completeness and future scalability. In particular, the innovative concept of implementing the “Twin Tower” structure to effectively address the limitations of traditional memory designs, and the ability to present a new direction in memory architecture for supporting ultra-large AI models, were recognized and led to the prestigious Best Paper Award.
The research achievements of Professors Kyung Cheol Choi and Jun Kyun Choi from our department have been selected for the ‘2024 National R&D Excellence 100,’ organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
The National R&D Excellence 100 is a program established to enhance public understanding and interest in the role of science and technology in driving national development and to instill pride among scientists and engineers. Since 2006, outstanding national R&D achievements have been selected across ministries.
This year, a total of 869 achievements recommended by ministries, agencies, and offices were nominated. Following evaluations by a selection committee consisting of 100 industry-academic-research experts and public verification, the final 100 outstanding achievements were chosen.
In the field of Information/Electronics, Professor Kyung Cheol Choi’s achievement, ‘Development of the World’s Longest-Lifespan Fiber-Based OLED for Wearable Displays,’ was recognized. This technology was designed to maximize user comfort and convenience by creating fiber-type displays.
The fiber organic light-emitting diode (OLED) developed by Professor Kyung Cheol Choi is designed to operate on a single cylindrical thread. It can be produced using existing thermal deposition equipment employed in current industries, enhancing its industrial applicability and compatibility.
Notably, the fiber OLED operates stably for up to 720 hours, which is nine times longer than the previously reported maximum lifespan of 80 hours. This achievement is recognized as the highest-performing technology globally.
The light-emitting device implemented on a single thread, along with the wearable display that will be developed based on it, contributes not only to the fiberization of light-emitting devices but also sensors, batteries, and various electronic components. This core technology is expected to drive the development of diverse wearable electronic textiles. It is anticipated to spark innovation in medical and safety industries through wearable clothing-type displays and to create ripple effects across various scientific and industrial fields.
Another outstanding achievement in the Information/Electronics category is Professor Jun Kyun Choi’s ‘Development of IoT Trust Enabler Technology and Leadership in International Standards.’ This technology was developed to establish a reliable and secure intelligent IoT ecosystem.
The trust modeling algorithm developed by Professor Jun Kyun Choi for building IoT ecosystems secured approval for three international standards (Y.3057, Y.3058, Y.3060) related to IoT data trust frameworks and trust-based service delivery structures at ITU-T, the top international organization in the field of information and communication technology.
Of the 49 international standard contributions submitted, 38 were adopted, demonstrating a high adoption rate and highlighting his leadership in global standardization.
To support these standardization efforts, the trust analysis and IoT device operation technologies developed were published in 17 papers, including more than 10 in top-tier SCI international journals. Additionally, nine domestic and international patents were filed/registered, showcasing the innovation and practicality of the technology.
Professor Hye Won Chung has been selected as a Distinguished Lecturer by the IEEE Information Theory Society (ITSOC).
The IEEE Information Theory Society is the largest and most prestigious organization in the field of information theory. Each year, it selects 5 leading researchers as Distinguished Lecturers, offering them the opportunity to deliver invited lectures across approximately 50 chapters worldwide for two years. This program allows society members to learn about the latest research trends and outstanding achievements while engaging directly with the Distinguished Lecturers.
Professor Hye Won Chung was recognized for her exceptional contributions to the fields of data science theory and data-efficient machine learning. She will serve as a Distinguished Lecturer from 2025 to 2026.
Furthermore, she has been invited to deliver a tutorial lecture titled “Graph Matching: Fundamental Limits and Efficient Algorithms” at the IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT) 2024, the premier conference in information theory.
Professor Sanghun Jeon from the Department of Electrical Engineering has been selected as the top recipient in the academic category of the 2024 Haedong Outstanding Paper Award, hosted by The Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers (IEIE) (President Chungyong Lee, Yonsei University) and sponsored by the Haedong Science Foundation.
The award ceremony took place on November 25 at 6 PM in the Grand Ballroom of the Convention Tower at the High1 Resort. The Haedong Awards by The Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers consist of three categories: Academic Award, Technology Award, and Young Engineer Award. The JSTS Academic Award specifically recognizes the best paper published in the JSTS journal over the past three years.
Professor Sanghun Jeon was recognized for his paper, “Ferroelectricity in Al2O3/Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 Bilayer Stack: Role of Dielectric Layer Thickness and Annealing Temperature,” which proposes dielectric stacking structures and design guidelines to enhance the thermal stability, performance, and reliability of hafnia ferroelectrics – a material gaining attention as a next-generation memory and storage device.
Once again, congratulations to Professor Sanghun Jeon for elevating the reputation of the Department of Electrical Engineering
Alumna Su-In Lee (Class of ’97), Paul G. Allen Professor at the Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, was selected in April 2024 as the recipient of the ‘Samsung Ho-Am Prize’ in Engineering. This marks a significant milestone as Professor Lee is the first female recipient in the Engineering category since the establishment of the prize in 1990.
Professor Lee was recognized for her contributions to the field of “Explainable AI,” particularly for developing the “SHAP” methodology, which advances understanding and trust in AI predictions and decisions.
Professor Lee remarked, “Through explainable AI, I aim to unlock the keys to solving critical biological problems and addressing rare diseases using vast big data.”
At the award ceremony on May 31, she expressed her aspirations: “I sincerely hope that many will be inspired by my receipt of the Ho-Am Prize and my research in AI to pursue careers in engineering, tackle challenging problems through bold research, and contribute to making the world a better place by addressing critical issues faced by science, medicine, society, and humanity.”
We are delighted to share the great news about our alumnus with the members of our department, albeit belatedly. Below is the full text of Professor Su-In Lee’s acceptance speech, which serves as an inspiring message of great challenge for future generations. Please find her full speech below.
And the video featuring an introduction to Professor Su-In Lee’s research achievements and the award ceremony can be viewed at the link below.
: https://youtu.be/yRhDcrj_Z14?t=2255
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< Acceptance speech from Professor Su-In Lee > First and foremost, it is a tremendous honor for someone as young as I am, with many goals still to achieve, to receive the Samsung Ho-Am Prize in Engineering.
I sincerely thank everyone who has supported me on this journey. I wish to express my gratitude to my late father, who could not be here due to a disease that exceeded the limits of modern medicine, my beloved mother, and all my cherished family members. I am also deeply grateful to my mentors, friends, colleagues, and all the students who have joined me on this research journey.
I believe that awards are always given to one among many deserving individuals. Therefore, I feel that the chosen recipient bears a responsibility greater than the privilege of the award itself. To me, the true meaning of this award lies not in the honor of the prize but in the messages, I convey and the impact I create by standing here today.
With that in mind, I would like to share some thoughts with you. As a professor and scientist, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is inspiring younger generations and influencing their lives. I genuinely hope that many will be inspired by my receipt of the Ho-Am Prize and my research in explainable AI to pursue careers in engineering, conduct bold research, and contribute to solving critical problems in science, medicine, society, and humanity.
We are witnessing how AI is dramatically transforming humanity and the world. In this rapidly changing era, there is no such thing as a “comfortable” or “secure” job. Instead, find work and a career path that makes your heart race until retirement and beyond.
If you choose science or engineering as your career path, I encourage you not to limit yourself to books and papers but to gain a wide range of experiences. Modern science is a team effort. Securing research funding, recruiting excellent team members, and effectively promoting your research results are all crucial skills.
Thus, a great scientist must also be a good “politician,” making diverse life experiences essential. And always remember the essence of research. The goal of research is not to publish papers in prestigious journals, obtain a Ph.D., or secure a job offer.
The ultimate purpose of science and engineering is to expand the boundaries of human knowledge and capability and, ultimately, to create a better world for humanity. Focus on the future and intrinsic value rather than immediate achievements. Concentrate only on the ideas, methodologies, and data that most effectively expand the limits of human knowledge and ability.
Success follows when you pursue these goals. With such fundamental principles, you can genuinely celebrate the achievements of others, set your own standards for evaluating research, and navigate the challenges of research and life. When you encounter difficulties, focus only on what you can control and do not waste time on things beyond your reach. Also, if there is something inevitable, learn to embrace and enjoy it.
At this moment, I think of all the young girls and boys who might be inspired by me to become scientists or engineers. To them, I say: Never lose your curiosity, never fear challenges, and always strive toward the right goals. You can overcome any obstacle and achieve your dreams. Thank you.
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