- Developed an important process to secure source technology for advanced alloy material development - Developed an advanced metal hydride material in the metastable phase, suggested a growth mechanism, and published the results in Nature Similar to the widespread interest in “graphite” and “diamond,” there is growing interest in metastable phases, which have different physical properties than those of stable phases. However, processes to fabricate metastable-phase materials are highly limited. Novel findings have been published about the development of a new metastable-phase synthesis method, which can drastically improve the physical properties of various materials. A research team led by Dr. Chun, Dong Won at the Clean Energy Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST; President: Yoon, Seok Jin), announced that they successfully developed a new advanced metastable-phase palladium hydride (PdHx) material. Furthermore, they identified its growth mechanism and published it in the latest issue of Nature (IF 49.962), one of the world’s most authoritative journals in science and technology. A metastable-phase material has more thermodynamic energy than that in the stable phase but requires substantial energy to attain the stable phase, unlike most other materials, which exist in the stable phase with low thermodynamic energy. The research team directly synthesized a metal hydride by growing a material that can store hydrogen under a suitable hydrogen atmosphere, without dispersing hydrogen within a metal. Notably, they successfully developed a metastable-phase metal hydride with a new crystal structure. Further, they confirmed that the developed metastable-phase material had good thermal stability and twice the hydrogen storage capacity of a stable-phase material. To elucidate the theoretical basis and scientific evidence for these findings, the research team used atomic electron tomography, which reconstitutes 3D images from 2D electron microscope images for nanometer-sized crystals in a metal hydrate, for analysis. As a result, they demonstrated that the metastable phase was thermodynamically stable, identified the 3D structure of metastable-phase crystals, and suggested a new nanoparticle growth mechanism called “multi-stage crystallization.” This study holds significance as it reveals a new paradigm in metastable-phase-based material development when most research is focused on developing stable-phase materials. Dr. Chun emphasized that “These study findings provide an important process to obtain source technology in the development of advanced alloy materials containing lightweight atoms. An additional study is expected to reveal a new paradigm in the development of metastable-phase-based eco-friendly energy materials that can store hydrogen and lithium. Similar to the Czochralski (CZ) method, which is used to produce single-crystal silicon, a key material in today’s semiconductor industry, it will be a source technology with great potential that will contribute to advanced material development.” Image The percentage of metastable-phase palladium hydrides (HCP) generated depended on the palladium concentration in the palladium aqueous solution and the electron beam intensity and content of hydrogen within the metastable phase. The percentage of metastable-phase palladium hydrides (HCP) generated depended on the palladium concentration in the palladium aqueous solution and the electron beam intensity and content of hydrogen within the metastable phase Real-time analysis of the growth process of metastable palladium hydride nanoparticles within a liquid phase by transmission electron microscopy 3D atomic structure of metastable palladium hydride nanoparticles as identified by atomic electron tomography and a schematic of the metastable-phase nanoparticle growth process

- 3T-OTS device to simulate the efficient information processing method of the human brain - A green light for the development of sensor-AI combined next-generation artificial intelligence “to be used in life and safety fields” Currently, AI services spread rapidly in daily life and in all industries. These services are enabled by connecting AI centers and terminals such as mobile devices, PCs, etc. This method, however, increases the burden on the environment by consuming a lot of power not only to drive the AI ？？system but also to transmit data. In times of war or disasters, it may become useless due to the power collapse and network failures, the consequences of which may be even more serious if it is an AI service in the life and safety field. As a next-generation artificial intelligence technology that can overcome these weaknesses, low-power and high-efficiency 'in-sensor computing' technology that mimics the information processing mechanism of the human nervous system is drawing attention. The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, President Seok-Jin Yoon) announced that its team led by Dr. Suyoun Lee (Center for Neuromorphic Engineering) has succeeded in developing ‘artificial sensory neurons’ that will be the key to the practical use of in-sensor computing. Neurons refine vast external stimuli (received by sensory organs such as eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and skin) into information in the form of spikes; and therefore, play an important role in enabling the brain to quickly integrate and perform complex tasks such as cognition, learning, reasoning, prediction, and judgment with little energy. The Ovonic threshold switch (OTS) is a two-terminal switching device that maintains a high resistance state (10-100 MΩ) below the switching voltage, and exhibits a sharp decrease in resistance above the switching voltage. In a precedent study, the team developed an artificial neuron device that mimics the action of neurons (integrate-and-fire) that generates a spike signal when the input signal exceeds a specific intensity. This study, furthermore, introduces a 3-terminal Ovonic Threshold Switch (3T-OTS) device that can control the switching voltage in order to simulate the behavior of neurons and quickly find and abstract patterns among vast amounts of data input to sensory organs. By connecting a sensor to the third electrode of the 3T-OTS device, which converts external stimuli into voltage, it was possible to realize a sensory neuron device that changes the spike patterns according to the external stimuli. The research team succeeded in realizing an artificial visual neuron device that mimics the information processing method of human sensory organs, by combining a 3T-OTS and a photodiode. In addition, by connecting an artificial visual neuron device with an artificial neural network that mimics the visual center of the brain, the team could distinguish COVID-19 infections from viral pneumonia with an accuracy of about 86.5% through image learning of chest X-rays. Dr Suyoun Lee, Director of the KIST Center for Neuromorphic Engineering, said, “This artificial sensory neuron device is a platform technology that can implement various sensory neuron devices such as sight and touch, by connecting with existing sensors. It is a crucial building block for in-sensor computing technology.” He also explained the significance of the research that “will make a great contribution to solving various social problems related to life and safety, such as, developing a medical imaging diagnostic system that can diagnose simultaneously with examinations, predicting acute heart disease through time-series pattern analysis of pulse and blood pressure, and realizing extrasensory ability to detect vibrations outside the audible frequency to prevent building collapse accidents, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.”. Image Distinguishing COVID-19 infection through image learning of chest X-rays The 3T-OTS device provides a platform for developing artificial sensory neurons, which generate spikes responding to external stimuli.

- Prospects to leverage overcoming the limitations of 'zinc-air batteries', promising next-generation batteries - Developed bifunctional electrocatalyst with staggered p-n heterojunction applying solar cell/semiconductor interface characteristics Zinc-air batteries, which produce electricity through a chemical reaction between oxygen in the atmosphere and zinc, are considered to be next-generation candidates to meet the explosive demand for electric vehicles instead of lithium-ion batteries. They theoretically meet all required characteristics for next-generation secondary batteries, such as; high energy density, low risk of explosion, eco-friendliness that does not emit pollutants, and low cost of materials (zinc and air, which can be easily obtained from nature). The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, President Seok-Jin Yoon) announced that its research team led by Dr. Joong Kee Lee (Energy Storage Research Center) developed a technology to improve the electrochemical performance of zinc-air batteries by utilizing solar energy, which is emerging as a new research and development area in the secondary battery field. The battery developed by the research team utilizes a photoactive bifunctional air-electrocatalyst with a semiconductor structure with alternating energy levels, which significantly improves the rates of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) that generate electricity. The photoactive bifunctional catalyst is a compound that accelerates chemical reactions by absorbing light energy and has a improved light absorption ability than conventional zinc-air battery catalysts. In a zinc-air battery that uses metal and air as the anode and cathode of the battery, OER and ORR must be alternately performed for electrical energy conversion of oxygen as the cathode active material. Therefore, the catalytic activity of the positive electrode current collector, made of carbon material, is an important factor in determining the energy density and overall cell efficiency of zinc-air batteries. Accordingly, the KIST research team focused on the p-n heterojunction, the basic structural unit of solar cells and semiconductors, as a measure to improve the slow catalytic activity of zinc-air batteries. The goal was to accelerate the oxygen production-reduction process by using the interface characteristics of semiconductors in which electron movement occurs. To this end, a cathode material with a heterojunction bandgap structure was synthesized, with a n-type semiconductor (graphitic carbon nitride, g-C3N4)andap-typesemiconductor(copper-doppedZIF-67(ZeoliticImidazolateFramework-67),CuZIF-67). In addition, an experiment was conducted under real-world conditions without light in order to confirm the commercial potential of the photoactive bifunctional catalyst with a p-n heterojunction structure with alternating energy levels. The prototype battery showed an energy density of 731.9 mAh gZn-1, similar to the best performance of the existing zinc-air battery. In the presence of sunlight, the energy density increased by about 7% up to 781.7 mAh gZn-1and excellent cycle performance (334 hours, 1,000 cycles), exhibiting the best performance among known catalysts. Dr. Lee said, “Utilization of solar energy is an important part not only in improving the electrochemical performance of secondary batteries but also in realizing a sustainable society. We hope that this technology will become a catalyst that stimulates the development of new convergence technologies in semiconductor physics and electrochemistry, in addition to solving the difficulties of metal-air batteries that are emerging as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.” Image Preparation and basic characteristics of CZ. Schematic preparation and TEM images with elemental distributions in the red rectangle marked area for CZ. Durability study of photo-enhanced Zn-air batteries. Long-term galvanostatic charge-discharge profile with zoomed dark, dark-light shifting, and light regions of the CZ-based zincair battery at a current density of 2 mA cm？ 2 for up to 1000 cycles. LED screen powered by two CZ-based RZBs in series.

- Adaptation to weak stimuli and feeling pain from dangerous stimuli - Mimicking human sensations to expedite humanoid development Human skin adapts easily to a weak and prolonged stimulus, but continuous pain is induced when a strong, noxious stimulus is applied to avoid tissue damage. This feature helps our body to adapt easily to an external environment, and protects the skin from dangerous situations. The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, Institute Director: Seok-Jin Yoon) announced that the research team led by Dr. Jung Ho Yoon at the Electronic Materials Research Center and Dr. Chong-Yun Kang, the Director of the Advanced Material Technology Research Headquarters, has developed semiconductor electronic devices that easily adapt to weak stimuli and induce pain from dangerous stimuli in a manner similar to that triggered by the human skin. The KIST research team developed electronic devices capable of adjusting the strength of a bio signal transferred to the brain according to the intensity of external stimuli by adjusting the amount of silver (Ag) particles. Ag particles are easily transported by electrical stimuli. If a small amount of Ag particles is included in a material, weak conducting filaments with nano-sized line shapes are formed, and the electric circuit formed by the filaments is disconnected by heat generation like the filament of an incandescent lamp. Based on this property, a repeated externally applied, weak stimulus can be prevented from generating additional signals by reducing the amount of flowing current over time. Conversely, if a large amount of Ag particles is included in the material, an electric circuit is formed by thick, strong filaments, and is not easily disconnected even if heat is generated. Using this principle, signals are generated to induce pain continuously when a strong stimulus is applied. KIST Director Chong-Yun Kang stated that the significance of this study lies in the fact that beyond the capacity of the electronic devices to imitate pain, they can easily adapt to weak stimuli―which are harmless to the human body―to prevent pain, and induce pain when strong stimuli harmful to the human body are applied. Dr. Jung Ho Yoon expects that the developed technology will contribute considerably to the advancement of artificial skin, organs, and humanoid robots. ### This study was supported by the Next-generation Intelligent Semiconductor Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea and the KIST Institutional Program funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister: Dr. Hyesuk Im). The research results were published in the international journal of Advanced Science (inside back cover, Adv. Sci., 9, 2103484, 2022; IF: 16.806, top 5.24% based on the Journal Citation Reports). Image

- Realization of stretchable, adhesive, and mechanically deformable batteries that effectively transfer ions - Every component was designed to be stretchable to enable printing on clothing and use in wearable devices A Korean research team has developed a soft, mechanically deformable, and stretchable lithium battery which can be used in the development of wearable devices, and examined the battery’s feasibility by printing them on clothing surfaces. The research team, led by Dr. Jeong Gon Son from the Soft Hybrid Materials Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST; President: Seok-Jin Yoon), announced that they had developed a lithium battery wherein all of the materials, including the anode, cathode, current collector, electrolytes, and encapsulant, are stretchable and printable. The lithium battery developed by the team possesses high capacity and free-form characteristics suitable for mechanical deformation. Owing to the rapidly increasing demand for high-performance wearable devices such as smart bands, implantable electronic devices such as pace-makers, and soft wearable devices for use in the realistic metaverse, the development of a battery that is soft and stretchable like the human skin and organs has been attracting interest. The hard inorganic electrode of a conventional battery comprises the majority of the battery’s volume, making it difficult to stretch. Other components, such as the separator and the current collector for drawing and transferring charges, must also be stretchable, and the liquid electrolyte leakage issue must also be resolved. To enhance stretchability, the research team avoided using materials as had been done in other studies which were unnecessary for energy storage, such as rubber. Then, a new soft and stretchable organic gel material was developed and applied based on the existing binder material. This material firmly holds the active electrode materials in place and facilitates the transfer of ions. In addition, a conductive ink was fabricated using a material with excellent stretchability and gas barrier properties to serve as as a current collector material that transfers electrons and an encapsulant which can function stably even at a high voltage and in various deformed states without swelling due to electrolyte absorption. The battery developed by the team is also able to incorporate existing lithium-ion battery materials, as they exhibit excellent energy storage density (~2.8 mWh/cm2) of a level similar to that of commercially available hard lithium-ion batteries at a driving voltage of 3.3 V or higher. All of the constituent components of the team's stretchable lithium-ion battery possess the mechanical stability to maintain their performance even after repeated pulling of the battery 1,000 or more times, a high stretchability of 50% or above, and long-term stability in air. Moreover, the research team directly printed the electrode and current collector materials which they had developed on either side of an arm warmer made of spandex and applied a stretchable encapsulant to the material, demonstrating the ability to print a stretchable high-voltage organic battery directly on clothing. Using the resulting battery, the research team was able to continuously power a smart watch even when it was being put on, taken off, or stretched. Dr. Son at KIST stated that his team has developed a stretchable lithium-ion battery technology which provides both structural freedom as a result of the battery’s free-form configuration allowing for it to be printed on materials such as fabrics, and material freedom due to being able to use existing lithium-ion battery materials, in addition to stretch stability which allows for high energy density and mechanical deformation. He also stated that the stretchable energy storage system developed by his team is expected to be applicable to the development of various wearable or body-attachable devices. This study was supported by the Mid-Career Research Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea, and the KIST Institutional Program and K-Lab Program funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister: Hye-Sook Lim). The research results were published in ACS Nano (IF: 15.881). [1] Graphic image of the research [2] Schematic illustration of the assembled cell of the fully stretchable lithium-ion battery based on PCOG/active materials, SCCs, stretchable PCOG separator, and stretchable encapsulant printed on stretch fabric. [3] (a) Schematic illustration of the stretchable battery printed on stretch fabric consisting of printable stretchable electrodes, SCCs, encapsulant, and fabric as a stretchable separator. (b) Scanning electron microscope cross-sectional image of the stretchable battery printed on the stretch fabric. (c) Capacity change as a function of strain. (d) Change in the voltage and current of stretchable battery printed on the stretch arm sleeve under various angled deformations at the elbow. (e) Photographic images of a continuously operated smart watch connected with the stretchable lithium-ion battery printed our institute name on the stretch fabric before and after wearing and stretching

- Solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity comparable to that of liquid electrolytes have been developed - Exhibits a 70% reduction in toxic hydrogen sulfide gas generation compared to other sulfide-based electrolytes when exposed to air Owing to the rapid growth of the electric vehicle and energy storage system (ESS) markets, the demand for lithium-ion batteries has been swiftly increasing. Conventional lithium-ion batteries use flammable liquid electrolytes and there have been continuous reports recently about such electrolytes causing accidents such as fires and explosions, raising concerns about their safety. Consequently, all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries using non-flammable solid electrolytes have been receiving significant attention as a next-generation secondary battery which can resolve these safety concerns. However, solid electrolytes have generally exhibited a low ionic conductivity in comparison to liquid electrolytes. The research team, led by Dr. Seungho Yu from the Energy Storage Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, President: Seok Jin Yoon), recently developed a solid electrolyte with a high ionic conductivity, comparable to that of liquid electrolytes, by optimizing the material properties and synthesis process for sulfide solid electrolytes. Various candidate materials for solid electrolytes with a high ionic conductivity have been reported successively, and sulfide solid electrolytes exhibit a relatively high ionic conductivity, leading researchers to attempt to improve the material properties and synthesis process for sulfide electrolytes. However, sulfide solid electrolytes react with moisture when exposed to air, generating toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, which is a major concern. Therefore, further studies to resolve this issue were necessary. Dr. Yu’s team successfully developed a solid electrolyte with a high ionic conductivity of 16.1 mS/cm, by introducing antimony and germanium and inserting additional lithium into the argyrodite sulfide solid electrolytes. The ionic conductivity of these solid electrolytes is comparable to that of commercial liquid electrolytes (~10 mS/cm) and exceeds the maximum-level ionic conductivity of the previously developed argyrodite sulfide solid electrolytes (14.8 mS/cm). The research team then assembled a solid-state battery using the argyrodite sulfide solid electrolytes and obtained a similar initial discharge capacity to that of a liquid electrolyte Li-ion battery. These results are promising for the subsequent development of all-solid-state lithium batteries with a high energy capacity and long lifecycle through optimization of the fabrication process. While existing sulfide solid electrolytes react with moisture when exposed to air, leading to the evolution of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, this study resulted in the successful reduction of hydrogen sulfide gas evolution by more than 70% through the introduction of antimony to minimize the reaction with moisture. Dr. Yu at KIST stated that “the solid electrolytes developed in this study exhibit a high ionic conductivity comparable to that of liquid electrolytes, and significantly improved air-stability, which is expected to accelerate the commercialization of all-solid-state lithium batteries.” This study was supported by the KIST Institutional Program and the Technology Development Program to Solve Climate Change of the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea (Minister: Hye-Sook Lim); by the Lithium-based Next-Generation Secondary Battery Performance Advancement and Manufacturing Technology Development Program, and the Automobile Industry Core Technology Development Program funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea (Minister: Sung Wook Moon). The research findings were published in the latest issue of the international journal ACS Energy Letters (IF: 23.101, top 3.302% in the JCR field). [1] Solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity Schematic illustration of the synthesis process, Li-ion migration path, and Li-ion conductivity of Li6.5Sb0.5Ge0.5S5I. [2] Solid electrolytes with high air-stability Images of P and Sb/Ge based sulfides after exposure to air and their amount of H2S generation. [3]Corresponding Author(Dr. Yu, Seungho)

Technology developed to remove and overcome toxic hydrogen sulfide from the production process. Great help expected for domestic chemical companies to achieve carbon neutrality The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, President Dr. Yoon, Seok-Jin) announced that a research team led by Dr. Jeong-Myeong Ha of the Clean Energy Research Center developed a process technology and catalyst for removing hydrogen sulfide, a toxic substance, during the process of ethylene production from methane in biogas. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">Biogas, which is produced by microorganisms present in food waste, livestock manure, and sewage sludge, consists mainly of methane that can be used for low-cost energy including power generation, heating, and addition to town gas. Methane can acquire a large added value if converted into ethylene, a basic raw material for industries, through chemical reactions. Ethylene is a typical non-petroleum product that can reduce greenhouse gases. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">The research team developed a process technology in 2021 that produces ethylene from biogas with the help of catalysts. In addition to methane, which is fairly useful in general, biogas contains a significant amount of toxic hydrogen sulfide, which is difficult to remove and interferes with the catalytic reaction in ethylene production. The developed technology facilitates ethylene production by oxidizing and removing hydrogen sulfide during the production process. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">The researchers then developed a catalyst to improve reaction activity of ethylene production from biogas and methane. This catalyst is highly resistant to hydrogen sulfide, thus not requiring hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas, while the energy consumption can be reduced by lowering the operating temperature from 800oC to 700oC due to improved reaction activity. Through such reaction, it is possible to directly produce ethylene from biogas that contains hydrogen sulfide. Dr. Jeong-Myeong Ha stated, "Biogas is already produced in large quantities in Korea, and if biogas is used as a raw material for the chemical industry rather than just for heating, biogas producers who struggle to achieve carbon neutrality will have a larger market and be able to provide new raw materials without greenhouse gas emissions." He also mentioned, "This technology will draw attention from related companies as it can utilize not only biogas but also methane generated from various wastes such as plastics." <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;"=""> Image <img src="/Data/editor/2022030814410843_0.png" title="2022030814410843_0.png" alt="" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;"=""> <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;"=""> <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;"="">

Development of metal nanoparticle synthesis methods for eco-friendly mass production using sputtering application, a metal deposition technology. Applicable to high-performance hydrogen fuel cell catalysts A research team in Korea has synthesized metal nanoparticles that can drastically improve the performance of hydrogen fuel cell catalysts by using the semiconductor manufacturing technology. The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, President Seok Jin Yoon) announced that the research team led by Dr. Sung Jong Yoo of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research Center has succeeded in synthesizing nanoparticles by a physical method rather than the existing chemical reactions by using the sputtering technology, which is a thin metal film deposition technology used in semiconductor manufacturing. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">Metal nanoparticles have been studied in various fields over the past few decades. Recently, metal nanoparticles have been attracting attention as a critical catalyst for hydrogen fuel cells and water electrolysis systems to produce hydrogen. Metal nanoparticles are mainly prepared through complex chemical reactions. In addition, they are prepared using organic substances harmful to the environment and humans. Therefore, additional costs are inevitably incurred for their treatment, and the synthesis conditions are challenging. Therefore, a new nanoparticle synthesis method that can overcome the shortcomings of the existing chemical synthesis is required to establish the hydrogen energy regime. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">The sputtering process applied by the KIST research team is a technology that coats a thin metal film during the semiconductor manufacturing process. In this process, plasma is used to cut large metals into nanoparticles, which are then deposited on a substrate to form a thin film. The research team prepared nanoparticles using 'glucose', a special substrate that prevented the transformation of the metal nanoparticles to a thin film by using plasma during the process. The synthesis method used the principle of physical vapor deposition using plasma rather than chemical reactions. Therefore, metal nanoparticles could be synthesized using this simple method, overcoming the limitations of the existing chemical synthesis methods. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">The development of new catalysts has been hindered because the existing chemical synthesis methods limited the types of metals that could be used as nanoparticles. In addition, the synthesis conditions must be changed depending on the type of metal. However, it has become possible to synthesize nanoparticles of more diverse metals through the developed synthesis method. In addition, if this technology is simultaneously applied to two or more metals, alloy nanoparticles of various compositions can be synthesized. This would lead to the development of high-performance nanoparticle catalysts based on alloys of various compositions. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">The KIST research team synthesized a platinum-cobalt-vanadium alloy nanoparticle catalyst using this technology and applied for the oxygen reduction reaction in hydrogen fuel cell electrodes. As a result, the catalyst activity was 7 and 3 times higher than those of platinum and platinum-cobalt alloy catalysts that are commercially used as catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells, respectively. Furthermore, the researchers investigated the effect of the newly added vanadium on other metals in the nanoparticles. They found that vanadium improved the catalyst performance by optimizing the platinum？oxygen bonding energy through computer simulation. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> Dr. Sung Jong Yoo of KIST commented, “Through this research, we have developed a synthesis method based on a novel concept, which can be applied to research focused on metal nanoparticles toward the development of water electrolysis systems, solar cells, petrochemicals.”. He added, “We will strive to establish a complete hydrogen economy and develop carbon-neutral technology by applying alloy nanoparticles with new structures, which has been difficult to implement, to development eco-friendly energy technologies including hydrogen fuel cells.” <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;"=""> Image <img src="/Data/editor/2022030814320838_0.jpg" title="2022030814320838_0.jpg" alt="" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;"=""> <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;"=""> ILLUSTRATION OF THE STEP-BY-STEP SYNTHESIS PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF TERNARY NANOPARTICLE CATALYSTS AND ELECTRON STRUCTURE REARRANGEMENT BY ELECTRON TRANSFER BETWEEN METAL ATOMS.

7 times increased durability compared to conventional commercial catalysts. Empirical research conducted at an industrial field to check commercialization (Kumho Petrochemical Cogeneration Power Plant) <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 나눔고딕코딩, NanumGothicCoding, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;" open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;"="">Recently, there has been growing demand for DeNOx catalysts that can treat nitrogen oxides (NOx) at low temperatures, to increase energy efficiency when processing flue gas in industrial combustion facilities. NOx are emitted during the combustion of fossil fuels and are the leading cause of ultrafine particles (UFPs) formed via chemical reactions in the atmosphere. <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 나눔고딕코딩, NanumGothicCoding, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;" open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">However, existing catalysts have a problem of reduced durability due to the poisoning of the catalyst’s active sites because of the formation of ammonium sulfate, when sulfur in flue gas reacts with reducing agent ammonia at a low temperature (<250°C). To address this, studies have attempted to weaken the oxidation ability of sulfur oxide on the catalyst surface or delay the poisoning by limiting the reactivity of sulfur compounds; however, these solutions cannot increase the durability against sulfur. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">At the Extreme Materials Research Center, part of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology(KIST), a research team of Dr. Kwon, Dong Wook and Dr. Ha, Heon Phil announced the development of a high-durability low-temperature catalyst material for selective catalytic reduction (SCR); it can reduce NOx into water and nitrogen, which are harmless to the environment and the human body. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">The team successfully developed a composite vanadium oxide-based catalyst material that significantly limited the formation of poisonous ammonium sulfate by suppressing the adsorption reaction between the active sites and sulfur dioxide. A catalyst interface engineering technique was used in which molybdenum and antimony oxide were added to the vanadium-based catalyst. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">The developed vanadium oxide-based composite catalyst material has significantly increased catalytic life when exposed to sulfur dioxide at 220°C, with the time to reach 85% of the initial performance delayed by about seven times compared to that in the conventional catalyst. The developed catalyst is also energetically efficient due to increased low-temperature activity, which significantly lowers the burden of NOx treatment without reheating the exhaust gas. As a result, it is possible to reduce air pollutant treatment costs if the developed catalyst is applied to industrial sites in the future. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">After completing the laboratory-scale reactor experiment, the team installed a pilot demonstration facility at the Kumho Petrochemical’s Yeosu 2nd Energy Cogeneration Power Plant to test using actual flue gas. The KIST-Kumho Petrochemical team aims to establish plant facilities by 2022 after deriving an optimal operation plan by evaluating and verifying the driving variables of the demonstration facility for about ten months. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">Ko, Young Hoon, the head of R&BD center of Kumho Petrochemical (Vice-President), mentioned, “Reducing NOx, which accounts for most of the harmful substances in the exhaust gas of our Cogeneration Power Plant, is a critical issue for Kumho Petrochemical’s ESG management.” Then, he added, “We are successfully conducting empirical research by installing pilot equipment for power plants to secure preemptive reduction technology above the level of advanced countries, and we plan to conduct scale-up test of the technology in order to transform it to a high-durability low-temperature SCR catalytic commercial technology.” <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="">Image <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-align: center;" open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"=""> <p style="text-align: center; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);"="" align="center">SCR PILOT DENOX REACTOR THROUGH ON-SITE EXHAUST GAS INJECTION.

Realized 3D digital holograms by developing a polarization image sensor with no additional polarization filters. Miniaturization of the entire holographic camera sensor module is possible with follow-up research 3D holograms, previously seen only in science fiction movies, may soon make their way into our daily lives. Until now, 3D holograms based on phase shifting holography method could be captured using a large, specialized camera with a polarizing filter. However, a Korean research group has just developed technology that can acquire holograms on mobile devices, such as smartphones. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);="" line-height:="" 1.5;"="">The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, Director Seok-jin Yoon) recently announced that a research team led by Dr. Min-Chul Park and Dr. Do Kyung Hwang of the Center for Opto-Electronic Materials and Devices, in collaboration with a research team led by Prof. Seongil Im of the Department of Physics at Yonsei University, was successful in developing a photodiode that detects the polarization of light in the near-infrared region without additional polarization filters and thus, the realization of a miniaturized holographic image sensor for 3D digital holograms, using the 2D semiconductor materials: rhenium diselenide and tungsten diselenide. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);="" line-height:="" 1.5;"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);="" line-height:="" 1.5;"="">Photodiodes, which convert light into current signals, are essential components within the pixels of image sensors in digital and smartphone cameras. Introducing the ability to sense the polarization of light to the image sensor of an ordinary camera provides a variety of new information, enabling the storage of 3D holograms. Previous polarization-sensing cameras have an additional polarization filter, several hundred micrometers in size, attached to an ultra-small optical diode image sensor, less than a micrometer in size. Thus, they could not be implemented into portable electronic devices because of their inability to be integrated and miniaturized. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);="" line-height:="" 1.5;"=""> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);="" line-height:="" 1.5;"="">The research group developed a photodiode by stacking an n-type semiconductor, rhenium diselenide, which exhibits a difference in light absorption dependent on the linear polarization angle of light in the near-infrared (980 nm) region, and a p-type semiconductor, tungsten diselenide, which exhibits no difference in photo-response dependent on polarization, but enables superior performance. The device is excellent in the photodetection of various wavelengths from ultraviolet to near-infrared, even capable of selectively detecting the polarization characteristics of light in the near-infrared region. The research group utilized the device to create a digital holographic image sensor that records polarization characteristics to successfully capture holograms. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: " open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" helvetica,="" arial,="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;="" background-color:="" rgb(255,="" 255,="" 255);="" line-height:="" 1.5;"=""> Dr. Hwang of KIST said, "Research on the downsizing and integration of individual elements is required to ultimately miniaturize holographic systems. The results of our research will lay the foundation for the future development of miniaturized holographic camera sensor modules." In addition, Dr. Park remarked, "The new sensor can further detect near-infrared light, as well as previously undetectable visible light, opening up new opportunities in various fields such as 3D night vision, self-driving, biotechnology, and near-infrared data acquisition for analyzing and restoring cultural assets." Image HOLOGRAM IMPLEMENTED WITH TWO-DIMENSIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR WSE2/RESE2, WHICH IS A POLARIZATION-SENSING PHOTODIODE, RESE2 ON THE FRONT AND WSE2 ON THE BACK ARE IMAGED IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACE