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Kyung Hee opened the Global Research Center for Quantum Materials to advance the field of quantum science. At the opening ceremony held in November 2024, Professor Konstantin Novoselov ES (Eminent Scholar) expressed his excitement and anticipation, saying, “I am thrilled to join the journey of the Global Research Center for Quantum Materials”

The opening ceremony and commemorative lecture of the Global Research Center for Quantum Materials were held in early November. Professor Konstantin Novoselov ES (Eminent Scholar), the 2010 Nobel laureate in Physics who is also the director of this research center, attended the opening ceremony. Before the opening ceremony, a plaque ceremony for the Global Research Center for Quantum Materials was held on the 3rd floor of the West Building of the (former) College of Science.

President Jinsang Kim: “Continued support for research in the quantum science field, a game-changer of the future”
With about 300 attendees at the opening ceremony and commemorative lecture in the Crown Hall, the opening ceremony proceeded in the following order: △Welcoming remarks △Congratulatory remarks △Introduction of the Center △Presentation of the Novoselov Future Science Talent Award. In his welcoming remarks, President Jinsang Kim voiced his intention for Kyung Hee to lead the field of quantum science. He said, “The quantum science field is a crucial future game-changer. Through the appointment of Professor Novoselov as ES and the establishment of the Global Research Center, the University has secured a prominent foothold in quantum science research. I am certainly proud to commence the operation of the Center in cooperation with leading world-class scholars.”

The congratulatory remarks were delivered by honored guests including Byung-min Kim, Deputy Mayor for Administrative Affairs of Seoul Metropolitan City, and Sangwook Han, President of the Quantum Information Society of Korea. Deputy Mayor Kim noted the potential of quantum information technology and said, “In line with the strategic policy of the government of Korea, the Seoul metropolitan government also joins the effort to build a global network for quantum technology, make effective R&D investments, create infrastructure, and train key personnel. I hope that the collective wisdom and passion of the researchers gathered at the Kyung Hee Global Research Center for Quantum Materials will lead our way into the coming world of quantum economy.”

Professor Novoselov: “Materials important for new future technologies based on quantum phenomena”
After the congratulatory remarks, Professor Novoselov announced the official opening of the Global Research Center for Quantum Materials. He expressed great excitement for future as he remarked on the significance of the opening of the research center and the significance of quantum materials research, saying, “In our journey to learn about quantum, many new future technologies based on quantum phenomena will be discovered, and materials play a very important role in this process. We are confident that we will discover various new phenomena from new materials. Also, interest in science is just as important as technology. I am excited to join the journey of the Global Research Center for Quantum Materials.”

The research team of the Center is centered on Professors Novoselov ES and Philip Kim ES, while Professors Sang Wook Kim and Junho Choi of the Department of Physics, Soojoon Lee of the Department of Mathematics, Jieun Yang of the Department of Chemistry, and Sun-Kyung Kim of the Department of Applied Physics will join as the members of operating committee. Together they aim to build an international network of collaboration on quantum science and create a quantum ecosystem at Kyung Hee by establishing platforms such as next-generation quantum materials, development of customized quantum devices, and optimization verification.

The Novoselov Future Science Talent Award is a scholarship program operated by Professor Novoselov. A total of 17 recipients were selected, including students from Kyunghee Elementary School, Kyunghee Middle School, Kyunghee Girls’ Middle School, Kyunghee High School, Kyunghee Girls’ High School, and Kyung Hee University undergraduate and graduate students.

Professor Sang Wook Kim of the Department of Physics gives a special lecture under the title, “Quantum Physics for Everyone”
The opening ceremony was followed by two commemorative special lectures, which many in the audience had been eagerly awaited. The first lecture, titled “Quantum Physics for Everyone,” was delivered by Professor Sang Wook Kim and aimed to guide the general public in understanding the fundamental principles of quantum physics. Beginning with the basic concepts of quantum mechanics, Professor Kim explored key topics such as quantum superposition and quantum computing, presenting them in an accessible and engaging manner.

Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that examines the behavior of electrons and other particles at the atomic and subatomic levels. To illustrate this, Professor Kim introduced the famous double-slit experiment. This experiment demonstrates the wave-particle duality of matter by observing interference patterns created by coherent waves passing through two slits before reaching a screen. The concept that electrons can exist in multiple states at the same time is called quantum superposition. This principle means that particles are not confined to a single location or state but can occupy a range of possibilities simultaneously, a phenomenon that forms the basis for advancement in quantum computing and other cutting-edge technologies.

A quantum computer is a revolutionary device capable of performing calculations far more efficiently than a classical computer by utilizing the principles of quantum mechanics. At its core lies the basic unit known as the qubit, which has the unique ability to represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously through the aforementioned principle of quantum superposition. This property enables quantum computers to achieve an extraordinary level of computational power. Researchers around the world are working to increase the number of qubits in their systems, as doing so significantly enhances the device's computational capacity and potential applications. Professor Kim concluded his lecture by highlighting the transformative potential of quantum computing: “Quantum computing holds immense promise for driving technological innovation. However, significant challenges remain in making it practical and widely accessible. As researchers, our focus should be on the utility of quantum physics as in leveraging the intricate discoveries in quantum physics into fulfilling the needs of humanity, rather than merely constructing a simple version of quantum physics that everyone can understand. I hope that the Center will play a crucial role in achieving this vision.”

Creating new materials with cell-like properties, each with its own characteristics and functions
Professor Novoselov delivered the second lecture, titled “Materials for the Future,” in which he shared groundbreaking advancements in materials science, focusing on the topic of quantum materials. Graphene, the revolutionary material that earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics, is a two-dimensional lattice material composed of extremely thin and lightweight carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal structure. Electrons within graphene behave like massless particles and demonstrate the remarkable phenomenon of quantum tunneling, which allows them to pass through barriers with certainty. Graphene’s unique properties make it highly versatile, with applications across various fields, including energy, electronics, and medicine. Today, graphene can be mass-produced through techniques like chemical vapor deposition (CVD), making it more readily accessible for industrial use.

Since the discovery of graphene, numerous other two-dimensional materials have been identified, each possessing unique characteristics, such as semiconducting, superconducting, and magnetic properties. By combining these materials, scientists can create entirely new materials with unprecedented functionalities, greatly expanding their potential applications. It is now theoretically possible to create new materials that can achieve system-level functionality, akin to the way organs and cells in the human body each serve distinct purposes. These "future materials" could integrate sensing, computation, and autonomous operation. For example, a membrane might function simultaneously as a sensor and an actuator, capable of monitoring and controlling water quality autonomously. Such innovations represent a significant leap forward in materials science, with the potential to revolutionize technology and improve everyday life.

Professor Novoselov also explored the role of artificial intelligence and automation in advancing materials science. He explained how artificial intelligence, combined with robotic systems, enables scientists to predict and design the properties of new materials with unprecedented precision. These technologies allow for the creation of innovative materials with specialized functionalities, such as self-healing materials that can repair themselves after damage or capsules engineered to release their contents under specific conditions. He further discussed the potential for these technologies to facilitate the development of non-equilibrium materials—materials that mimic the dynamic behaviors of living systems. Such materials could revolutionize various industries by integrating life-like properties into artificial systems. Professor Novoselov concluded his lecture by highlighting the promise the Global Research Center for Quantum Materials holds as the key research platform for future technological innovation in quantum materials, shaping the future of materials science and the future of humanity.