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Launch of the IBS Center for Extreme Properties of Quantum Matter

The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is launching the Center for Quantum Materials at Extreme Conditions at the POSTECH campus, with the goal of realizing next-generation quantum materials with properties and functionalities beyond those achievable in conventional materials. Led by Professor Jun Sung Kim of the Department of Physics at POSTECH, the new center aims to uncover the fundamental principles of quantum geometric effects and many-body phenomena in solids and translate this understanding into new strategies for materials design and device applications. To achieve this goal, the center will precisely probe and control topological electronic structures and electron-electron interactions under multiple extreme conditions, including high magnetic fields, high pressures, and ultralow temperatures, while exploring new quantum states and transport phenomena.

“Big Successes Are Built on Small Failures… Scientists Need to Have Confidence”

POSTECH’s “40th Anniversary Lecture Series” celebrates its third lecture with world-renowned author Bernard Werber "For humanity to build a better future, the role of scientists is essential." World-renowned bestselling author Bernard Werber took the stage for POSTECH's special lecture series commemorating its 40th anniversary, the "POSTECH 40th Anniversary Lecture Series." Held under the theme "How a Writer Answers the Questions Science Has Not Yet Answered," the lecture shed light on Werber's creative journey, in which he has crossed genres by drawing on both scientific knowledge and imagination throughout his body of work. POSTECH, a university specializing in science and engineering, had a distinct rationale for inviting the novelist to speak. Believing that both science and literature ultimately pose the essential questions that humanity must ask, POSTECH has long nurtured scientific imagination through initiatives such as its annual "SF Day" and Korea's only science fiction writing contest for undergraduate and graduate students in science and engineering. In his lecture, Bernard Werber explored how, as a writer, he has approached uncharted territories that science has yet to fully explain — such as death and the afterlife, free will, and the brain and consciousness — through a spirituality-based lens. Speaking to the series' overarching theme of "Pathfinder," Werber shared how the many failures and hardships he faced in life ultimately enabled his success as a writer, and encouraged the audience not to fear challenges but to chart their own paths in life. He also addressed the crises currently facing the international community, urging future scientists to join forces in building a better world. Prior to the lecture, a book talk session was held to celebrate the release of his new novel, The Waltz of Souls (La Valse des âmes). The panel featured Choyeop Kim, a leading Korean science fiction author and Department Honors Professor of the Division of Humanities & Social Sciences at POSTECH, along with Dong-Seon Chang, a neuroscientist and CEO of the Future Exploration Community. Professor Jung-ah Woo, Head of the Division of Humanities & Social Sciences at POSTECH, moderated the discussion, offering an in-depth look into Werber’s literary world. Afterward, a signing session was held at the Tae-Joon Park Digital Library, offering the citizens of Pohang a meaningful opportunity to engage closely with the world-renowned author. Jung-ah Woo, Head of the Division of Humanities & Social Sciences at POSTECH, who moderated the lecture, said, "POSTECH, a research-focused university, invited a science fiction author because we believe that science and literature are, in the end, directed at the same questions." She added, "I hope this lecture, book talk, and signing session became a meaningful occasion for connection and dialogue, not only among our university community but also with the Pohang community."

Redefining the Role of a "Supporting Material": POSTECH's Professor Kyu-Young Park Becomes First Korean to Win ECS Young

Research uncovers new functions of carbon nanomaterials... Recipient of the ECS Nanocarbons Division SES Research Young Investigator Award Carbon, long regarded as a "supporting" material that simply helps electricity flow smoothly inside batteries, is now emerging as a "core material" that determines battery performance and safety. Professor Kyu-Young Park of the Graduate Institute of Ferrous & Eco Materials Technology at POSTECH has recently received the "ECS Nanocarbons Division SES Research Young Investigator Award" from the Electrochemical Society (ECS). Since the award was established in 2007, this marks the first time a Korean researcher has received it. ECS is a leading international academic society in the fields of electrochemistry and solid-state science, sharing the latest research achievements in energy, materials, and the environment through its spring and fall meetings each year. The Nanocarbons Division SES Research Young Investigator Award is presented to researchers aged 38 or under who have achieved outstanding results in the field of carbon nanomaterials, and is a prestigious award given to only one researcher every two years. Professor Park demonstrated that carbon nanomaterials can do far more than simply enhance conductivity — they can also control the structural changes in electrodes and the unstable chemical reactions that occur during battery charge and discharge cycles, thereby improving battery lifespan and safety. ECS commended Professor Park not only for identifying these new functions of carbon nanomaterials, but also for translating the findings into practical battery manufacturing technology, contributing to the advancement of next-generation rechargeable battery electrode technology. In particular, this research presented a new direction for electrode design that views carbon not as a simple additive, but as a core material capable of simultaneously improving a battery's energy storage capacity, output performance, lifespan, and safety. Building on these findings, Professor Park's research team continues to develop high-capacity electrodes that can store more energy, highly durable electrodes that maintain performance over extended periods, and next-generation battery technologies with improved thermal stability. "This award is thanks to the efforts of the students and fellow researchers I have worked with," Professor Park said. "I will continue to uncover new functions of carbon materials and translate them into practical battery manufacturing technology, advancing research that improves the performance and safety of next-generation rechargeable batteries." Meanwhile, the award ceremony was held on May 26 at the 249th ECS Meeting in Seattle, USA, where Professor Park, as the recipient of the Young Investigator Award, delivered an award lecture titled "Redefining the Function of Carbon for Next-Generation Rechargeable Electrode Design."

POSTECH's Professor Jung Hoon Kim Receives ACA Temasek Young Educator Award

[Awarded to researchers aged 40 or younger across Asia and Oceania for contributions to control engineering education and next-generation talent development] Professor Jung Hoon Kim of the Department of Electrical Engineering at POSTECH has received the "ACA Temasek Young Educator Award" from the Asian Control Association (ACA). The award ceremony was held on June 19 at the Asian Control Conference (ASCC). The ACA Temasek Young Educator Award is presented to outstanding young educators aged 40 or under from the Asia-Oceania region who have made exceptional contributions to education in control theory and its applications. Given biennially at the ASCC, the award is presented to no more than two recipients each time. Professor Kim was recognized for his outstanding research achievements in the field of control engineering, as well as for successfully mentoring Ph.D. students and producing accomplished researchers within a short period of time. He was also commended for advancing both education and research in control engineering by publishing numerous high-quality papers together with his students. This award is particularly meaningful in that it recognizes not only research achievements but also contributions to nurturing future scholars and educational impact. The ACA selects its award recipients through a comprehensive evaluation of factors including a candidate's record of advising Ph.D. students, the academic accomplishments of their graduates, and their overall contributions to control engineering education. Professor Kim said, "I will continue to dedicate myself to education and research so that I can nurture outstanding talent in the field of control engineering and produce world-class research achievements." Meanwhile, ASCC is a leading international conference in the field of control engineering, serving as a forum for international academic exchange where the latest research achievements in control theory, systems engineering, and various application fields are shared.

"Where the World Does Math" POSTECH Sends 35 Students to ICM 2026

[27 undergraduates and 8 graduate students join the "Olympics of Mathematics" in Philadelphia] ICM 2026 (International Congress of Mathematicians), the largest gathering in the mathematical world and held once every four years, took place July 23–30 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. POSTECH sent 35 students to the congress, placing them where the currents of global mathematics are shaped. Organized by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), the ICM is often called the "Olympics of Mathematics" and carries more than a century of history. This year's congress featured 185 invited speakers across 20 mathematical sections, and the opening ceremony included the presentation of the Fields Medal, the discipline's highest honor. The 2026 Fields Medals went to Yu Deng (University of Chicago), Hong Wang (NYU Courant Institute), John Pardon (Stony Brook University), and Jacob Tsimerman (University of Toronto), for resolving problems that had stood open for anywhere from 40 to 126 years. Wang became only the third woman in history to receive the medal. The delegation of 27 undergraduate and 8 graduate students was led by Professor Jin Woo Jang of the Department of Mathematics, who served as Leader Faculty and oversaw the program from the preparation stage through the on-site schedule. POSTECH covered registration fees, round-trip airfare, and insurance — up to 2.5 million KRW (approximately US$1,800) per student — along with accommodation for the duration of the official program, so that students could stand alongside the world's leading mathematicians without financial barriers. Because undergraduates and graduate students traveled together, the program also made room for the two groups to meet. At an on-site discussion session, the graduate students spoke about their own fields and their experience of academic conferences and answered questions from the undergraduates. For those still deciding what to specialize in, it was a chance to see how research actually unfolds. Beom-seok Kim, a graduate student in the Department of Mathematics, reflected on the talks: "Hearing world-class researchers — including the Fields Medalists — explain their work in terms of the questions driving it and the long view behind it will shape how I frame my own research topics and present my findings." Professor Minsung Kim of the Department of Mathematics, who accompanied the students, identified AI as the defining current of this year's congress. "The question of how to use AI effectively in our own research came up constantly — in lecture halls, in hallways, over meals," he said. He pointed to Terence Tao's lecture "Mathematics in the Age of AI" as the clearest illustration of the boundary between traditional mathematical practice and an emerging paradigm: "Its message was that what matters is no longer who solves a problem first, but whether it has been precisely understood and resolved." Professor Jang, who led the delegation, saw the change over the week. "Students who struggled to follow the lectures at first gradually taught themselves how to hold on to the big picture and the essential questions," he said. He singled out the talks given by Korean-born mathematicians working at the forefront of the field: "Those sessions will have helped the students picture their own futures in concrete terms." He added, "At the next ICM, I hope one of them will be there not as a member of the audience, but as a speaker." Through a range of academic travel grants, POSTECH has supported student participation in scholarly gatherings at home and abroad. The University plans to continue expanding these opportunities, connecting students as researchers to a wider world.

Prof. Chulhong Kim Wins IPPA James Smith Prize

Awarded on July 2 at the 23rd International Conference on Photoacoustic and Photothermal Phenomena (ICPPP 2026) in Brazil How far has the technology of looking inside the human body with light to detect disease advanced? A researcher who has spent more than two decades steadily answering that question has now been recognized on the world stage. Professor Chulhong Kim of POSTECH's Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology has received the IPPA James Smith Prize, one of the most prestigious international awards in the fields of photoacoustics and photothermal science. This marks the first time a Korean researcher has received this award. The IPPA James Smith Prize is a biennial award given by the International Photoacoustic and Photothermal Association (IPPA), selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of a researcher's long-term academic contributions and international impact. Rather than recognizing a single achievement, it is the field's highest honor, awarded to researchers who have led the advancement of the discipline as a whole. Professor Kim has pioneered "multimodal photoacoustic-ultrasound imaging technology," which combines photoacoustic imaging with ultrasound imaging. Through this work, he has expanded the technology's range of applications to numerous medical fields, including skin disease, vascular disease, and cancer diagnosis. He was especially recognized for leading the entire process of translating laboratory-developed technology into actual patient diagnostics and medical devices. In his award lecture, titled "Multimodal Photoacoustic Ultrasound Imaging: From Bench To Bedside and Products," Professor Kim presented the journey of how technology that began as basic research evolved into real-world clinical use and commercial medical devices. In his acceptance remarks, Professor Kim said, "I am grateful to the research team members, students, and collaborators who have worked together to bring photoacoustic imaging technology beyond the laboratory and into actual clinical use for patient diagnosis and treatment." He added, "Going forward, I will continue developing next-generation technologies that combine artificial intelligence with medical imaging to provide tangible benefits to patients." This award is regarded as further proof of Korean researchers' international leadership in the global field of photoacoustic research. It is also expected to elevate the international standing of Korea's medical imaging research and biophotonics field. The award ceremony took place at the 23rd International Conference on Photoacoustic and Photothermal Phenomena (ICPPP 2026), held in Bonito, Brazil, through July 3 local time. First launched in 1979, the conference is recognized as the leading international gathering in the field of photoacoustics and photothermal science, where researchers share their latest achievements.

Ph.D. Candidate Dongseop Lee Receives ‘2026 IEEE AP-S C. J. Reddy Travel Grant’

[International recognition for antenna technology based on actual automotive headlights] Dongseop Lee, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Electrical Engineering at POSTECH, advised by Prof. Wonbin Hong, has been selected as a recipient of the ‘2026 IEEE AP-S C. J. Reddy Travel Grant’, awarded by the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (IEEE AP-S). Lee is the only recipient from Korea this year, marking the fourth time that Prof. Hong's research team has produced a winner of this prestigious award. The ‘IEEE AP-S C. J. Reddy Travel Grant’ is a global research support program that evaluates candidates based on papers submitted to the IEEE AP-S International Symposium, assessing research excellence and academic contribution. Up to ten recipients are selected annually through a rigorous review process. Dongseop Lee garnered attention for his proposed antenna architecture, "Antenna-on-Headlight (AoH) for Integrated Sensing and Illumination (ISAI) Systems," which integrates communication, sensing, and illumination functions into automotive headlights. The research was highly regarded for overcoming the installation constraints of conventional antenna systems by integrating antenna functionality into the external structure of a vehicle, while accounting for real-world environments and achieving a unified design. Lee was also named an ‘IEEE AP-S Industry Paper Competition Top 10 Finalist’, further affirming the commercial potential of his work. To date, Lee has published a total of 60 papers in SCI journals and domestic and international conferences, including 22 as first author, and has been recognized for his research achievements through 5 patents and 19 awards. Dongseop Lee said that "it is deeply meaningful to have the potential of this new system architecture — one that converges communication, sensing, and illumination — recognized on an international stage," and expressed his commitment to contributing to the advancement of future wireless communication technologies through practically applicable antenna system research. His advisor, Prof. Wonbin Hong, remarked that the selection was "a testament to the technical completeness and application potential of Dongseop's research, recognized by the international community." Meanwhile, Prof. Hong's laboratory has previously produced three recipients of the same award: Dr. Junho Park (2020), Dr. Youngno Yoon (2023), and Dr. Beomhyun Kim (2025). Information on this year's recipient will be featured on the official IEEE AP-S website and in the IEEE Antennas & Propagation Magazine.

Prof. Young Myoung Ko Recognized for International Academic Leadership as Chair of INFORMS Telecommunications and Networ

Prof. Young Myoung Ko of the Department of Industrial and Management Engineering at POSTECH is currently serving as Chair of the Telecommunications and Network Analytics Section of INFORMS. His term runs from April 15, 2026, to April 14, 2028. INFORMS is an international academic organization representing the fields of industrial engineering, management science, and data analytics. Its Telecommunications and Network Analytics Section is an academic community bringing together researchers in related fields. The section leads research exchange and international collaboration through organizing conferences and sessions and building researcher networks. Prof. Ko has conducted research centered on queueing theory, stochastic systems, network optimization, and data-driven systems operations, and has steadily built up academic achievements in the field of telecommunications and network analytics as well. In 2012, his research capabilities were recognized when he received the dissertation award from the INFORMS Telecommunications Section (as it was then named). Since then, he has contributed to academic exchange and community operations within the section by serving in a range of key roles, including Council member, Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice Chair/Chair-elect. His appointment as Chair reflects recognition of both his research achievements and his contributions to international academic activities. Prof. Young Myoung Ko remarked that he considers it deeply meaningful to serve as Chair of the INFORMS Telecommunications and Network Analytics Section, adding that he intends to continue expanding collaboration with researchers around the world and contribute to academic exchange and research advancement in the field of telecommunications and network analytics. The Department of Industrial and Management Engineering at POSTECH noted that this appointment reflects recognition of both Prof. Ko's research capabilities and his international academic leadership. The department noted that his appointment as Chair of a section within a globally recognized academic organization such as INFORMS demonstrates the department’s research competitiveness and international standing. It also reaffirmed its commitment to actively supporting world-class research and international academic activities.

The Starting Point for Global Deep-Tech Startups is POSTECH" — Amogy CEO Seonghoon Woo Takes the Stage for His Alma Mate

[Earned his Ph.D. from MIT before founding a company that pioneered the world's first commercialization of ammonia fuel cells] "The scientific thinking and problem-solving skills I learned at POSTECH built what 'Amogy' is today.“ On May 28, the 'POSTECH 40th Anniversary Lecture Series,' held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of POSTECH's founding, welcomed another notable figure to the stage. The guest of honor was Seonghoon Woo, CEO of Amogy, a global clean energy deep-tech company. CEO Woo is an alumnus of the university's Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Class of 2007. After completing his Ph.D. at MIT, he co-founded Amogy in 2021 together with a team of Korean researchers from MIT. The company develops carbon-free energy solutions powered by liquid ammonia and has drawn the attention of the global energy industry by becoming the first in the world to apply ammonia fuel cells to drones, tractors, trucks, and ships. Amogy has raised a cumulative total of approximately 400 billion KRW from major global companies including Amazon, Saudi Aramco, and SK, and is recognized as a company leading the Net Zero transition in hard-to-decarbonize industries such as heavy industry, logistics, and shipping. The lecture served both to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the university's founding and as an opportunity for Woo to share his journey as a researcher and entrepreneur with current students. Speaking on the topic "Amogy's Global Energy Deep-Tech Journey: What I Gained from POSTECH," Woo candidly described how the foundational skills he built at the university became the basis for his entrepreneurial career and ability to compete globally. He spoke in detail about the realities of raising hundreds of billions of KRW in investment, the trial and error inherent to deep-tech entrepreneurship, and the strategic perspective Korean startups need in the global energy transition market. The lecture was followed by a Q&A session and an "Ask Us Anything" panel talk with alumni panelists, and the event concluded amid an enthusiastic atmosphere. The event was also attended by Professor Heechul Ahn of POSTECH's Department of Industrial and Management Engineering and student Joong Woo Park (CEO of DeepLeHR) from the department of Industrial and Management Engineering, showcasing the full breadth of POSTECH's startup ecosystem connecting research, entrepreneurship, and industrial innovation. Professor Byoungwoo Kang, Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, who moderated the event, said, "As department head, it was deeply meaningful to hear firsthand from an alumnus who has grown so remarkably," adding, "It was a valuable opportunity that showed our students the possibilities of both research and entrepreneurship at once.“ POSTECH plans to continue actively supporting the commercialization of research outcomes and startups founded by alumni and students, further strengthening its role as a cradle for nurturing global deep-tech entrepreneurs. To this end, the university intends to upgrade its full-cycle startup support system — encompassing entrepreneurship education, early-stage investment, support for global expansion, and alumni network connections — and further solidify its standing not just as a ‘research-focused university’ but as a ‘startup-friendly university.’ Meanwhile, POSTECH has been rapidly establishing itself as a startup-friendly university beyond its identity as a research-focused institution, including winning the Grand Prize at the 'Korea's Best University for Startups' awards for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025. POSTECH Holdings, the university's technology holding company, has to date invested 55.5 billion KRW in 171 companies and helped attract a total of 648.4 billion KRW in follow-on investment.

POSTECH Professor Sei Kwang Hahn, Korea's First Fellow of the Controlled Release Society

[International Recognition for Convergence Research in Biomaterials, Nanomedicine, and Photomedicine - Expected to Elevate Korea's Standing in Bio-Pharmaceutical Research] Professor Sei Kwang Hahn in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology at POSTECH has been named a Fellow of the Controlled Release Society (CRS) - the first researcher based in Korea to receive this distinction. The CRS Fellowship is the highest academic honor conferred by the society, awarded to researchers who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the advancement of drug delivery science and technology. The CRS played a leading role in the development of COVID-19 vaccines by pioneering nucleic acid (mRNA) delivery systems during the pandemic. With membership spanning multinational pharmaceutical companies and drug delivery researchers from more than 50 countries, the Fellowship remains an exceptionally selective honor: only approximately 185 individuals worldwide have ever been inducted, including Professor Robert Langer at MIT, who led the development of the Moderna vaccine. Each year, roughly 10 new Fellows are elected globally. Professor Hahn's selection was made upon the recommendation by Professor Yu-Kyoung Oh at the Seoul National University College of Pharmacy (Minister of Food and Drug Safety) and Professor Maria Alonso, the former CRS President from Spain. Professor Hahn has built a world-class body of work through convergence research applying multifunctional biomaterials to drug delivery, nanomedicine, and photomedicine. He serves as Executive Editor of Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, a leading journal in the field of drug delivery; Associate Editor of Biomaterials, a premier journal in the biomaterials field; and Editor-in-Chief of Biomaterials Research - contributing to the advancement of both academia and industry in these disciplines. Expressing his reaction to the honor, Professor Hahn said, "I am deeply honored to have been selected as a CRS Fellow. I will continue to do my utmost to contribute to the academic advancement and translational research in the field of drug delivery, and to strengthen the global standing of Korea's bio-pharmaceutical and drug delivery research." Professor Hahn will be officially inducted as a Fellow at the CRS Annual Meeting, to be held July 6–9. Following his induction, he will be entitled to use the designation FCRS (Fellow of the Controlled Release Society) and will take part in key academic activities within the society.