The Korea Institute of Materials Science(KIMS), a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT, has selected the "Top 10 KIMS Materials News of the Year 2023" through a public vote. The selection of this year's outstanding research achievements was conducted via a referendum to directly identify excellent research results from KIMS that the public could resonate with. The goal is to highlight the institution's representative research and increase public awareness of materials technology. This marks the second year of the selection process, following last year.

As a result of a referendum conducted on a total of 18 technologies, the on-site early diagnosis rapid cancer detection technology ranked first with 1,636 votes(41.8%) out of 3,915 votes. The research team at KIMS developed a strip-type urine sensor that can amplify the light signals of metabolites in urine to diagnose cancer on-site. Next, waste alkali-based anion exchange membrane water electrolysis technology ranked second with 1,101 votes(28.1%). By developing high-performance non-precious metal catalyst/electrode materials and applying them to waste alkali water electrolysis systems, this is the first research achievement in Korea to develop waste alkali anion exchange membrane water electrolysis technology based on non-precious metals. The research that took third place was a light-artificial intelligence-based on-site microplastic detection technology that received 919 votes(23.5%). The research team synthesized a plasmonic material in the form of a nanopocket that can capture microplastics on the surface of a paper filter with microscale pores and amplify the optical signal of the captured microplastics. KIMS selected a total of 10 technologies through a referendum.

Dr. Jung-hwan Lee, the president of KIMS stated,“It is of great significance that the institute’s excellent research results have been selected by the public,”and added, "With such a great burden and responsibility, we promise to continue to work tirelessly to create new research and contribute to the lives of the people.”

Meanwhile, to consistently showcase outstanding research results that resonate with the public, KIMS has been conducting the‘Top 10 Outstanding Research Achievements Referendum’every year since last year.