Korea Polytechnic University Semiconductor Engineering Students Win Grand Prize and Excellence Award at Nano Young Challenge

Achieving Top Honors with Creative Research Results

Students from the Department of Semiconductor Engineering at Korea Polytechnic University received the grand prize (Minister of Science and ICT Award) and the excellence award (President of the Nano Technology Research Association Award) at the 'Nano Young Challenge,' the flagship program of the 2025 Nano Convergence Performance Exhibition.

The Sonjitnarae team from Korea Polytechnic University, which won the grand prize at the 2025 Nano Young Challenge. Korea Polytechnic University

The Nano Young Challenge, now in its 14th year, is a competition hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT to discover and nurture creative ideas utilizing nanotechnology among university and graduate students nationwide.

The Sonjitnarae team (Park Jihoon, Kim Jaeseok, Son Kiwoong, An Seotae, and Jeong Dahui), which won the grand prize, completed a project titled "Development of Smart Sign Language Recognition Gloves Using CNT·PDMS-Based Pressure Sensors." These gloves detect pressure changes caused by subtle finger movements with sensors and interpret them using deep learning technology, achieving a high recognition rate of over 98%. This technology facilitates communication between people with hearing impairments and those without, and its potential for integration with wearable devices has also attracted attention.

The Team Piezo (An Chihyung, Hong Hyungdon, Pyeon Seunghoon, Lee Siyoung, and Kim Seungwoo), which won the excellence award, presented a project on "Early Wildfire Detection System Using Zinc Oxide Nano-Rods-Based Self-Powered Sensors." They proposed a dual-condition detection system that combines piezoelectric sensors with ultraviolet and humidity sensors, earning recognition for its high reliability and advanced malfunction prevention technology.