Twenty Years of Innovation: SAINT Paving the Way for Nanotechnology and Breaking New Ground Through Convergence of Next-Generation Technologies

Abstract

Since its founding in 2005, the SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT) has been a driving force in nanotechnology research, fostering interdisciplinary innovation and securing global recognition of Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU). By uniting experts across disciplines, SAINT has led breakthroughs in areas, namely, two-dimensional nanomaterials, and graphene, playing a key role in advancing the status of SKKU to a world-class institution. Having achieved its initial goals, SAINT now serves as a “Pioneering Fields Test Bed,” guiding future-oriented research of SKKU. As artificial intelligence and quantum information transform scientific inquiry beyond the Fourth Industrial Revolution, SAINT remains committed to fostering interdisciplinary talent and driving technological progress. Guided by its distinctive philosophy of unifying research and education, SAINT has remained at the forefront of nanoscience and technology while cultivating creative, self-motivated experts who have advanced the field across academia, national research institutions, and industry. Positioned at the forefront of emerging fields, it continues to shape the future of nanotechnology and global innovation.

Marking its 20th anniversary, SAINT underscores its sustained prominence in nanoscience and technology through the presentation of a curated collection comprising 13 cutting-edge research articles and 4 comprehensive review articles, as summarized in Table 1. Noteworthy among the research contributions, Prof. Lee and colleagues report on a pioneering true random number generator (TRNG) leveraging low-power stochastic polarization switching in CuInP₂S₆-based ferroelectric capacitors, significantly enhancing cryptographic robustness for edge computing applications (adma.202406850). Profs. Bae et al. (adma.202312250) have investigated heterovalent epitaxial processes within zero-dimensional semiconductor architectures, producing bright, stable quantum emitters. Their multifaceted approach integrates chemical synthesis, advanced structural and optical characterization techniques, and sophisticated computational modeling, elucidating detailed mechanisms behind the growth of II–VI semiconductor epilayers on III–V nanocrystals, thereby enabling precise tunability of photophysical properties. Prof. Song et al. (adma.202402373) examined curvature-induced modifications in electronic structures of monolayer MoS₂ through an adapted geometric potential model. They identified ring-shaped bound states in structurally deformed MoS₂ akin to the effective potential around rotating charged black holes, providing novel theoretical insights and opening potential applications in valleytronics, spintronics, and strain-induced electronics. Prof. Kim et al. (adma.202408034) developed complementary field-effect transistors (CFETs) based on an IGZO/Te heterostructure with symmetric ambipolar behavior, significantly enhancing pixel-driving circuitry precision. This advancement optimizes emission timing and luminance, critically advancing the development of next-generation microLED displays. In parallel research by Prof. Kim et al. (adma.202411211), internal polarization fields at the WS₂/graphene heterointerface were exploited via ion bombardment synthesis using H₂S plasma. This interaction facilitated directed electron transfer, inducing controlled in-situ sulfur vacancy generation and markedly enhancing catalytic efficiency in hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). Prof. Lee et al. (adma.202413020) introduced crystalline organohalide thin films characterized by exceptionally high thermal conductivity and minimal electrical conductivity. These attributes dramatically improved the durability, operational stability, and switching characteristics of resistive memory devices, enabling low-voltage (millivolt-level) operation. Prof. Kang and colleagues (adma.202402361) pioneered a novel one-shot integration electropolymerization method, known as OSIEP consolidating complex photolithographic sequences into a single-step fabrication. Specially engineered dual bipolar electrodes facilitated the targeted deposition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) on multi-channel arrays, enabling the successful development of multi-gate synaptic circuits mimicking operant conditioning. Prof. Lee and Dr. Choi (adma.202406970) introduced a novel spiking neural network (SNN) architecture exclusively comprising two-dimensional (2D) devices. Incorporating WSe₂-based impact ionization field-effect transistors (I²FET) as energy-efficient neurons alongside 2D ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFET) as synapses, this low-voltage system achieved an 87.5% accuracy rate in unsupervised facial recognition tasks with ultralow power consumption (approximately 2 pJ per spike). Prof. Shin and collaborators demonstrated how crystallographic engineering combined with electrochemical surface treatments significantly optimize semiconductor-based energy conversion materials (adma.202403164). Their rapid flame-treatment method for In₂S₃ photoanodes facilitated the formation of crystalline In₂O₃ surfaces containing strategically induced sulfur vacancies, achieving a remarkable photocurrent density of 8.5 mA cm⁻² at 1.23 V versus RHE, substantially advancing solar-fuel conversion efficiency. Prof. An and team (adma.202407719) developed innovative percolative metal microweb electrodes via electrohydrodynamic processing, substantially enhancing energy density, lithium-ion diffusion kinetics, and charge transport efficiency in flexible lithium-ion batteries, thus markedly improving their applicability for advanced energy storage solutions. Utilizing sophisticated spectroscopic methodologies, Prof. Lee and colleagues (adma.202413732) successfully correlated atomic-scale structures of amorphous carbon materials with their distinctive spectroscopic profiles, enriching the fundamental comprehension of their structural intricacies. Prof. Park et al. (adma.202403071) critically evaluated lossy compression techniques optimized for DNA-based data storage, achieving notable improvements in data density and preserved image fidelity. Convolutional neural networks enabled accurate assessment of image quality, reinforcing DNA storage as a viable platform for complex data storage and encoding. Prof. Kim et al. (adma.202404680) engineered a thermostable and compact Cas9 variant (sdCas9) through structure-guided protein design. Cryo-electron microscopy validated its structural robustness and improved gene knockdown efficacy within a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) interference system (sdCas9-KRAB-R), demonstrating significant advancements in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells and murine neurological models.

In the comprehensive review articles, Prof. Lee et al. (adma.202403150) explored bio-inspired sensory receptors capable of synaptic plasticity, proposing novel paradigms for energy-efficient artificial intelligence (AI) perception systems. This research opens new possibilities for enhanced human–machine interfaces, autonomous sensory networks, and cutting-edge diagnostic platforms. Prof. Jeon and Dr. Han (adma.202410327) comprehensively reviewed eco-friendly biomaterial additives employed in perovskite optoelectronic devices. They categorized biomaterials into natural and biomimetic synthetic variants, critically assessing their efficacy in enhancing performance metrics of perovskite-based solar cells, photodetectors, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Prof. Yoo et al. (adma.202406251) conducted a detailed study on electrolyte transport dynamics within carbonaceous porous frameworks, elucidating how multiscale pore structures impact electrochemical performance. Their scrutinized investigation underscores critical advances in porosity modulation derived from polyphenolic sources, significantly enhancing active surface utilization in high-power electrochemical systems. Lastly, Prof. Jeon and Dr. Novikov (adma.202413777) provided an exhaustive review of carbon nanotube (CNT) thin films produced via aerosol chemical vapor deposition (CVD), detailing critical parameters such as reactor design, precursor composition, and catalyst dynamics. This comprehensive analysis highlights their diverse applications in flexible electronics and energy storage technologies while addressing current limitations and proposing optimization strategies for future industrial implementation.

Collectively, these studies are an amalgamation of integrated nanotechnology, AI, and materials science addressing key challenges in security, energy storage, and computing. Such advancements include low-power TRNGs using 2D ferroelectrics for cryptographic security, heterovalent quantum dots for optoelectronics, and IGZO/Te-based FETs for high-performance µLED displays. Additionally, resistive memory devices benefit from organohalide thin films, while WS₂/graphene heterostructures enhance catalytic HER efficiency. Energy storage innovations include percolative metal microweb electrodes for flexible lithium-ion batteries. AI-driven bio-inspired sensory receptors advance neuromorphic computing, and thermostable Cas9 variants improve precision genome editing. DNA-based data storage is expanding with lossy compression models, while nanocarbon frameworks enhance electrochemical performance.

Evidently, SAINT has emerged as a global leader in nanotechnology, producing over 400 doctoral and masters graduates who now hold influential positions across academia, research institutions, and industry. The continued success of SAINT is driven by strategic industry-academia partnerships—particularly in fields such as semiconductor and nanoscale devices, energy technologies, biomedicine, and pharmaceuticals, and quantum information science—and the cultivation of entrepreneurial talent capable of transforming groundbreaking research into tangible technological advancements. By aligning human capital development with industry demands, SAINT accelerates not only the academia but also the commercialization of pioneering innovations. This ensures its sustained competitive edge in the rapidly evolving global landscape.

Celebrating two decades of pioneering research, SAINT remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing nanotechnology through interdisciplinary innovation and transformative breakthroughs. The nanoscale realm continues to offer boundless opportunities, and SAINT stands at the forefront, pushing the limits of discovery with passion and ingenuity. As its influence extends beyond South Korea to shape the global scientific landscape, the next 20 years promise even greater achievements, reinforcing the role of SAINT as a vanguard of cutting-edge research and technological progress.