11/16/2023

Two UNIST R&D Outcomes Selected for National Top 100 R&D Performances

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Research breakthroughs by Professors Yoon-Kyoung Cho and Dong Suk Kim, selected for 2023 National Top R&D Performances.

Every year, the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) selects and announces the nation’s top 100 outstanding research performances to inspire an interest of the general public in science and technology.

Three R&D breakthroughs by Professor Yoon-Kyoung Cho (Department of Biomedical Engineering) and Professor Dong Suk Kim (Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality) have been selected for the prestigious 2023 National Top 100 R&D Performance.

Professor Yoon-Kyoung Cho, from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has been recognized for her groundbreaking technology in cancer diagnosis using a simple blood test. By utilizing a ‘porous gold nanoelectrode-based biosensor,’ this technology can detect cancer markers in blood samples with high sensitivity, eliminating the need for complex separation and purification procedures. Professor Cho’s research achievement was selected as one of the most outstanding performances by MSIT, based on its exceptional performance and significant impact on the public. In previous years, Professor Cho had also been recognized for her work in developing artificial cell organelles and exosomes, which play a crucial role in intercellular communication.

Professor Dong Suk Kim, from the Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality, has been acknowledged for his advancements in large-area technology for perovskite batteries, a promising next-generation solar cell technology. His research has successfully addressed the efficiency challenges of these batteries in converting sunlight into electricity, while also scaling up the size to a commercializable level. By developing a new material for the electron transport layer and achieving world-leading efficiency in perovskite solar cells, Professor Kim’s work has been published in the prestigious academic journal, Science.

The National Top 100 R&D Performance, organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), aims to enhance public understanding and interest in the significant contributions of science and technology to national development, as well as to promote the achievements of scientific personnel. This year, out of a total of 854 candidate achievements selected and recommended by various departments and agencies, the final 100 excellence results were chosen through evaluation by a selection committee comprising industry experts, academia, and research professionals.

These recognitions reinforce UNIST’s commitment to cutting-edge research and innovation, further establishing its position as a leading institution in the field of science and technology. The groundbreaking work of Professor Cho and Professor Kim showcases the university’s dedication to advancing knowledge and addressing critical challenges in the areas of life and marine sciences, as well as energy and the environment.