It was only two years ago when the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) took its first step towards becoming a world-class research institute in basic science. We are continuing to establish research centers, while currently operating 20 centers.
We have tackled a variety of challenges, as we experiment with new ways to evaluate and recruit directors to our research centers as well as to operate research centers. Such experimentation was based upon our firm belief that we must attempt new challenges and explore fresh methods of development at IBS, an institute for pioneering research.

Members of IBS research centers are continuing to challenge themselves by committing to excellence in research. Thanks to these efforts, IBS has produced remarkable research results, despite the short operating period since the institute was established.

Now we are releasing the first issue of IBS Research in order to share our outstanding research results and ideas we’ve gathered with our friends, colleagues and other scientists who work hard in their research labs. IBS Research will provide an overview of creative and experimental research activities that are carried out by IBS researchers.
The magazine aims to inspire scientists by providing them with new ideas to explore,

while supplying the public with a way to find science as fun and fascinating as the scientists featured in our stories.
IBS Research summarizes some of the most fascinating research results, selected by each of our research centers, with a distinct focus given to results published in major journals.
The ‘Research Frontline’ featured section focuses on how specific research has been conducted and what benefits to expect in the future. There are special interviews with the researchers who were central to producing these results. For our first issue, Nanoscience is the theme.
The IBS Center for Nanoparticle Research (CNR), led by Director Taeghwan Hyeon, and the IBS Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics, led by Director Young hee Lee, present limitless possibilities in nanoscience with nanocages by using the principle of corrosion and a corrugated insulating layer. The results from both centers have yielded key observations with the potential for creating a new IT revolution that would be composed of new material structures.

These outstanding research results appear to have several common features, such as applying ideas that differ from conventional wisdom, and producing strikingly different results from the norm. For instance, scientists at CNR succeeded in creating a new nanostructure by corroding (Galvanic replacement reaction) metal oxide nanocrystals, as shown in the ‘Research Frontline’section.

This was possible only by challenging the conventional notion that corrosion cannot occur in oxidized and rusted metal oxides. By finding a new principle in chemistry, and by revealing another feature of nanoparticles, apart from its possibility for broader applications, CNR made an outstanding scientific discovery.
In addition, the ‘Research Highlights’ section is a collection of research results produced by IBS research centers and the Rare Isotope Science Project, which are led by the world’s most renowned scholars in the fields of math, physics, chemistry and life science. These results are in line with our vision, “Making Discoveries for Humanity and Society.”

The ‘IBS Researcher’ section in this first issue introduces Dr. Yannis Semertzidis, director of the Center for Axion and Precision Physics Research. Dr. Semertzidis, formerly a tenured researcher at Brookhaven National Laboratory, was appointed as the first international Director to lead the IBS research center at the IBS KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) campus. His team is expected to have a positive effect on the international scientific community with their outstanding research on the Axion Dark matter.
IBS faced a number of challenges and opportunities, both internally and externally in 2013. Renegotiating the location of our institute to the Expo Science Park in Daejeon city was but one example. However, continued dialogue and excellent communication between central and local governments and IBS yielded a mutually beneficial situation for all. In addition, individual interests and feedback regarding the organization of IBS research centers has enabled us to reconsider our mission, and dive into our role as a leader in the basic science community. The importance of autonomy, and our responsibility to delivering excellence, was reaffirmed.
Thus, IBS gradually strengthened its position as a global research institute. As the primary organization of the Korean government’s International Science Business Belt (ISBB) initiative, IBS hosted in May the ISBB Forum with the theme “Fundamental Science as Basis for Innovation” to help foster the development of a worldwide network of basic science with industry leaders, academia and other research institutes.
Later, Peter Gruss, the President of the Max Planck Society in Germany, came to IBS and spoke with our directors about further developing basic science throughout Korea. IBS signed memorandum of understanding with INSERM in the France to collaborate in young scientists exchange program. Most recently, IBS entered into a memorandum of understanding with The Royal Society in the UK. The nternationalization of IBS, as a means to attract global talent and to increase research competitiveness, will continue as we collaborate with global partners such as the Max Planck Society, The Royal Society, INSERM and many others.

By sharing our research results in the first issue of IBS Research, we hope that more people will understand our passion for the pursuit of knowledge in basic science and the national competitiveness of Korea. I owe my profound gratitude to all the researchers at IBS who work diligently for remarkable research results, and to those who contributed to the launch of the first issue of IBS Research.

December 2013 President Se-Jung Oh