Ammonia, with its high hydrogen storage density of 17.7 wt.% (mass fraction), cleanliness, efficiency, and renewability, presents itself as a promising zero-carbon fuel. However, the traditional Haber–Bosch (H–B) process for ammonia synthesis necessitates high temperature and pressure, resulting in over 420 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, and relies on fossil fuel consumption. In contrast, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis operates at low temperatures and atmospheric pressures, utilizing nitrogen and hydrogen radicals excited by energetic electrons, offering a potential alternative to the H-B process. This method can be effectively coupled with renewable energy sources (such as solar and wind) for environmentally friendly, distributed, and efficient ammonia production. This review delves into a comprehensive analysis of the low-temperature DBD plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis technology at atmospheric pressure, covering the reaction pathway, mechanism, and catalyst system involved in plasma nitrogen fixation. Drawing from current research, it evaluates the economic feasibility of the DBD plasmaassisted ammonia synthesis technology, analyzes existing dilemmas and challenges, and provides insights and recommendations for the future of nonthermal plasma ammonia processes.

A research team from the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) and the School of Biological Sciences of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has helped address this question by developing an innovative mathematical model that allows conservationists to easily assess feeding strategies of different giant clam species. This knowledge can help conservationists to predict the future vulnerability of different giant clam species and identify those in need of timely protection. 

A research team led by Dr. Sung Mook Choi of the Energy & Environment Materials Research Division at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), in collaboration with a team headed by Professor Seung-Hwa Lee at Changwon National University, has successfully designed and developed a proprietary non-precious metal oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst featuring a layered structure optimized for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) environments.

Researchers at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS have developed a promising machine learning algorithm capable of predicting survival and cause of death for patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy.

POSTECH Professor Inseok Hwang’s team unveils ArithMotion, enabling socially-aligned avatar motions with simple arithmetic inputs.

Researchers at Graz University of Technology are using virtual reality and large language models to support people with autism spectrum disorder in training social skills. The system is intended to make treatment options more widely accessible.

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS, President Lee Ho-seong) has developed an ultrasonic sensor technology that applies a waveguide to detect defects in all directions without directly attaching sensors to the inspection target. By enabling remote ultrasonic excitation and reception, the technology is expected to help prevent industrial accidents and eliminate inspection blind spots in high-risk industrial facilities where direct sensor installation has been challenging due to heat, toxic gases, or other hazardous environmental conditions.