Daehyun Kang, an MS/PhD Integrated Student in Professor Byung Jin Cho’s research group within our school, has been awarded the Grand Prize (University Division) at the 32nd Samsung Humantech Paper Award.
Daehyun Kang was recognized for presenting new possibilities in next-generation semiconductor technology through his research titled, “Bandgap Engineering of Boron Oxynitride (BON) Applied within the Tunneling Layer of Flash Memory.”
Conventional NAND flash memory faces a chronic issue where unwanted charge leakage occurs during data erasure, leading to diminished storage stability. To address this, Daehyun Kang adopted an innovative approach by replacing the traditional SiON material with BON (Boron Oxynitride), which possesses asymmetric energy barrier characteristics.
As this research involved a completely unprecedented material, Daehyun Kang faced significant challenges, including establishing the entire process from deposition design to post-treatment conditions. His dedication, however, led to a breakthrough that significantly alleviates the long-standing trade-off between data I/O speed and reliability.
This achievement is particularly meaningful as Daehyun Kang had faced an initial setback last year, failing to pass the abstract screening for a similar topic. Using that experience as a catalyst, he spent the following year rigorously refining his research design, ultimately securing the Grand Prize. In recognition of this excellence, his advisor, Professor Byung Jin Cho, was honored with the Special Mentor Award.
“This experience has convinced me that the courage to challenge oneself is what ultimately drives growth,” Daehyun Kang stated in his acceptance speech. He added, “I hope my research doesn’t just remain on paper but contributes meaningfully to actual memory semiconductor processes and mass production environments.”
Established in 1994, the Samsung Humantech Paper Award is South Korea’s most prestigious paper competition. This year, it saw intense competition with a total of 3,172 abstracts submitted. While the Grand Prize has historically leaned toward basic science disciplines over the past 30 years, this win is considered highly exceptional and significant as it emerged from the field of traditional semiconductor device research. This success once again proves the department’s outstanding research capabilities and its commitment to fostering talent that will lead the future semiconductor industry.
