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  Government-initiated task force launched to develop 50-qubit quantum computer by 2026 SEOUL -- South Korean research bodies and private companies joined hands to form a government-initiated task force for the development of a 50-qubit quantum computer by the end of 2026 with the aim of catching up with the United States and China, which have been far ahead in quantum computing. Binary digital electronic computers are based on transistors and capacitors with data encoded into binary digits (bits). Quantum computing uses quantum bits or qubits, based on the principles 2022-06-09
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  SK hynix to supply world's best-performing microchip HBM3 to Nvidia SEOUL -- SK hynix, a major memory chip producer in South Korea, is ready for the mass production of what claims to be the world's best-performing chip for super-fast artificial intelligence-based semiconductors. The new chip called high bandwidth memory 3 (HBM3) will be supplied to Nvidia, an American tech company that designs graphics processing units. HBM is a high-speed memory interface used in conjunction with high-performance graphics accelerators and network devices. In Oc 2022-06-09
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  Thousands of AI CCTV cameras to guard railway stations against candid shooting and other crimes SEOUL -- To stem candid shooting and other illegal activities, some 5,000 artificial intelligence-based closed-circuit television cameras will be installed at railway stations in South Korea by 2024. A smart video information analysis system will increase the safety and privacy of passengers in a faster and more efficient way than existing methods. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport aims to detect crimes using AI-based CCTVs and immediately notify railroad police. B 2022-06-08
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  Pilot project launched to demonstrate wireless charging for self-driving electric buses in Seoul SEOUL -- A pilot project was launched to apply wireless charging technology to self-driving electric city buses circling a 4.8-kilometer (2.98 miles) route in the downtown area of Seoul. Buses equipped with wireless charging receivers will be charged using wireless charging transmitters installed at bus stops or on roads. A trial run is to begin in 2023 after Seoul established wireless charging infrastructure for two self-driving buses at a bus stop installed with wireless chargers 2022-06-08
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  SK broadband applies quantum cryptography communication to national convergence network SEOUL -- SK broadband, a broadband internet service operator in South Korea, has applied quantum cryptography communication technology to a newly established national convergence network as a perfect firewall against eavesdropping or hacking attacks to steal national confidentiality and information. The application of quantum cryptography communication technology in a network covering a distance of some 800 kilometers (497 miles) would be completed by the end of June. SK broadband 2022-06-08
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  Busan's traditional seafood market to adopt digital twin-based safety management system SEOUL -- A digital twin-based safety management system will be adopted at a traditional seafood market in South Korea's southern port city of Busan to provide a safe evacuation route in case of fire. Fire can lead to enormous damage in jammed traditional markets with outdated electronic facilities. A digital twin is a virtual clone of an object or an infrastructure. Digital twins are frequently used as testing grounds for new technologies or other elements to find out the resul 2022-06-07
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  Drones used in coastal city to prevent safety accidents on tidal flat SEOUL -- Drones equipped with various equipment such as cameras, radars and thermal imaging sensors will be used to prevent safety accidents on a tidal flat where many visitors collect seafood. They will work together with human rescuers and notify related agencies in case of an emergency. Drones carry out structural safety checks on hard-to-reach places or help rescuers save shipwrecked victims. In 2017, three people died while collecting shellfish on a tidal flat in the southweste 2022-05-30
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  S. Korea's first private satellite settles in orbit for integrated image analysis service SEOUL -- South Korea's first private satellite for earth observation has safely reached its target orbit for a one-month test operation at an altitude of 500 kilometers (310 miles) to provide integrated image analysis services in high demand for satellite data in Asia and the Middle East. A SpaceX rocket blasted off on May 25 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and placed the low-orbit satellite named Sejong 1, developed by Hancom Inspace, a subsidiary of South Korea' 2022-05-27
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  Seoul's AI chatbot service for public inquiries gains popularity SEOUL -- "Seoul Talk," an artificial intelligence-based administrative service that takes care of public inquiries such as COVID-19 vaccination, has gained popularity. The chatbot deals with inquiries for 24 hours so that human assistants can focus on complicated inquiries. Chatbots communicate with customers through text conversations. Customers can choose to speak directly with human assistants if chatbots cannot provide a solution. The number of Seoul Talk users rose f 2022-05-26
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  SK Telecom aims to expand application of advanced quantum security solution to defense and public sectors SEOUL -- SK Telecom, a leading mobile carrier in South Korea, will expand the application of its advanced quantum security solution to defense and public sectors that require very high levels of security by developing products such as network equipment with enhanced security in cooperation with three domestic tech firms. Quantum cryptography has emerged as an essential solution for safeguarding critical information because it is impossible to copy data encoded in a quantum state. SK 2022-05-25
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  S. Korea to build R&D center to develop biodegradable cellulose nanofiber material SEOUL -- South Korea's southern province was selected to carry out a 10 billion won ($7.9 million) state project to build a research and development center for cellulose nanofiber, a nanoscale fiber material made from plant materials. Cellulose nanofiber materials can replace plastic materials thanks to their high strength and biodegradable features. Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is produced by micro-refining cellulose, an important structural component of the primary cell wall of 2022-05-24
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  Researchers develop additive to increase lifespan of large-capacity battery electrodes SEOUL -- A joint team of researchers has developed an additive that can be applied to the electrolyte of large-capacity batteries and increase the lifespan of electrodes -- cathodes and anodes -- by preventing degradation by heat. The additive can become useful in the development and commercialization of log-life batteries for electric vehicles. Large-capacity batteries normally use cathodes with high nickel content and anodes made of carbon materials for better conductivity and o 2022-05-23
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  Hanhwa Group installs smart solar panel beehive to help preserve honeybees SEOUL -- In an effort to raise awareness about a rapid decrease in the population of honeybees worldwide, South Korea's Hanwha Group unveiled a smart beehive that protects the living environment of honeybees using solar power. The beehive capable of monitoring the temperature and humidity of bees' habitat will be used by researchers to increase the population of honeybees. Data released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) showed that more th 2022-05-19
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  Hancom to launch S. Korea's first private satellite for integrated image analysis service SEOUL -- South Korea's first private satellite for earth observation will be launched aboard a SpaceX rocket with the aim of providing video services in high demand for satellite data in Asia and the Middle East. The ultra-small satellite weighing 10.8 kilograms would collect image data after a one-month test operation at an altitude of 500 kilometers (310 miles). The low-orbit satellite named Sejong 1, developed by Hancom Inspace, a subsidiary of South Korea's Hancom Group 2022-05-18
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  Researchers succeed in dissociation of amyloid-beta proteins involved in development of Alzheimer's disease SEOUL -- South Korean researchers have discovered a technique to safely dissociate beta-amyloid peptides, which are toxic proteins that form amyloid plaques in the brain to cause Alzheimer's disease. The technique uses low-frequency magnetoelectric-reactive nanoparticles that do not generate heat during operation. Beta-amyloid peptides are misfolded proteins that accumulate and form plaques in the brain. The misfolding of proteins occurs throughout the lifetime of a cell caused 2022-05-16
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  Researchers develop technique to visualize floral scent in real-time SEOUL -- Using a laser-based gas detection system, South Korean researchers have developed a technique for the visualization of flower fragrance patterns in real-time. The technique can be upgraded to be applied to gas detectors to monitor how volatile chemical compounds that can be easily vaporized are spread across indoor and outdoor spaces. Flowers emit sweet and fruity, or sometimes putrid scents to attract insects for pollination or ward off herbivores for protection. Scents i 2022-05-11
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  Researchers develop ultra-thin, highly efficient piezoelectric device SEOUL -- Researchers developed an ultra-thin and highly-efficient piezoelectric power generator that can generate electricity from the slightest movements of body parts. Conventional devices were bulky and they were unable to generate energy from small movements. The flexible device can adhere to the skin or other curved surfaces. Piezoelectric generators convert mechanical energy such as friction, vibration, and physical pressure into electricity. Along with photovoltaic generato 2022-05-10
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  State research institute upgrades open-source R&D platform to accelerate research collaboration SEOUL -- A state research institute in South Korea has upgraded its open-source research and development platform to allow anyone to make changes to computer programming codes or participate in various R&D projects. Open-source applications and platforms are based on the participation of people and their collective intelligence. The free-to-use programming applications have become a new paradigm in the fields of R&D. Various R&D projects can be branched out from a sin 2022-05-10
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  Researchers develop spider-inspired frequency damper for biosignal sensors SEOUL -- South Korean researchers have developed a frequency damper that is capable of neutralizing vibration noise so that a bioelectric module can accurately read and monitor biosignals. The damper was inspired by cuticular pad spiders. A cuticular pad is an organ located at the final segment of a spider's leg. The special soft pad is used for filtering unwanted vibrations from a spider web or from the ground when a spider is stalking its prey. The cuticular pad absorbs low-f 2022-05-09
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  Kakao Brain develops new face-swapping technology with simplified architecture SEOUL -- Kakao Brain, the AI research unit of South Korea's web service company Kakao, has developed a new technology that would expand the capabilities of smooth and fast face-swapping through enhanced identity embedding and simplified architecture. The company predicts its new technology is expected to develop various kinds of digital humans. Face swapping refers to the task of swapping faces between images or in a video, while maintaining the rest of the body and environment 2022-05-09