South Korean researchers develop air-stable solid electrolyte for faster battery charging SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - A joint research team led by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has developed a new design technology for solid-state battery electrolytes that maintains structural stability in air while significantly increasing charging speeds. This advancement addresses the chronic vulnerability of halide-based solid electrolytes to moisture, which has long been a barrier to the mass production of safer energy storage systems. The technology could be app April 16, 2026

LG CNS unveils cold-chain logistics robot at U.S. trade show, eyes North American market SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - LG CNS showcased a new warehouse automation robot capable of operating in sub-zero freezer environments at a major North American logistics trade show, as the South Korean IT services firm pushes to expand its footprint in the United States. The company unveiled its "Mobile Shuttle" system at Modex 2026 on Monday (local time) in Atlanta, where the robot was highlighted for its ability to function continuously at temperatures as low as minus 26 degre April 15, 2026

Startup Upstage becomes South Korea's first AI unicorn after raising more funds SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - Artificial intelligence (AI) startup Upstage has raised about 180 billion Korean won (about US$120 million) in its latest funding round, the company said on Wednesday. With the funding, Upstage, now valued at more than 1 trillion won, became South Korea's first unicorn among generative AI companies. According to Upstage, the fresh fund was raised in a round led by Sage Partners, a Silicon Valley-based global venture capital and early investor that has April 15, 2026

South Korean engineers find better way to use light for AI SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - Researchers in South Korea have created a new component that makes it easier to control light on a microchip, which could significantly boost the performance of artificial intelligence and quantum computers. The team, representing both the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Hanyang University, designed a device that uses light interference to manage signals with much higher accuracy than current methods. The Korea Advanced Institute of Scie April 15, 2026

Kookmin University professor selected for national food yeast research project SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - To address food supply instability caused by climate change, Professor Park Yong-chul was selected for a government-funded core research project to develop precision fermentation technology using food-grade yeast, Kookmin University said Tuesday. The project, titled "Development of a genetic tool kit for the food yeast Candida utilis for precision fermentation and application to food material production," is part of the 2026 Basic Research Program April 14, 2026

KAIST and Microsoft Research develop automated system to fix time-related AI errors SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - To reduce hallucinations, including time-based errors in large language models (LLMs), a joint team of researchers developed an automated diagnostic system that uses classic database theory to ensure AI provides up-to-date information, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said Tuesday. The research addresses a common frustration for users who find that chatbots often provide outdated facts. For example, when asked about a recently appointe April 14, 2026

Early adopters but slow system: Korea's AI gap widens SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - South Koreans are among the world's fastest adopters of artificial intelligence and among the most prolific in patenting the technology, yet government and corporate support remains strikingly behind, a global comparative study found. The 2026 AI Index Report, released Tuesday by Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, is a 423-page annual assessment widely regarded as one of the most authoritative gauges of global April 14, 2026

Yuhan wins FDA orphan drug tag for Gaucher disease candidate SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - South Korean drugmaker Yuhan said its experimental Gaucher disease therapy YH35995 has received orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), unlocking a suite of regulatory and commercial incentives as the company pushes into rare disease treatment. The FDA's orphan drug program is designed to spur development of therapies targeting conditions affecting small patient populations with limited treatment options. Designated drugs April 13, 2026

Sookmyung University highlights human-centered AI research at global conferences SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - The Empathic AI Women's Engineering Talent Training Team at Sookmyung Women's University in South Korea is presenting a series of research papers at major international computer science conferences. As part of the Brain Korea 21 program, the team is developing human-centered artificial intelligence designed to address social isolation and communication barriers. Professor Kim Byung-Gyu leads the multidisciplinary group, which conducts research on em April 13, 2026

S. Korean researchers develop smart OLED patch to accelerate wound healing speed SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - A research team in South Korea has developed a wearable electronic patch that can speed up the skin wound-healing process by about 200 percent using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), compared to conventional wound treatment methods. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said Monday that a joint research group led by Professor Choi Kyung-cheol successfully created the self-regulating platform that uses light to control the relea April 13, 2026