International Young Scientist Awards

Scientists have recently reported results that challenge a 100-year-old foundational rule of chemistry, sparking intense discussion across the scientific community. The long-standing rule, taught in textbooks and relied upon to predict molecular stability and reactions, was believed to be universally valid under normal conditions. However, using advanced quantum-chemical simulations combined with ultra-precise experimental techniques, researchers observed molecular behavior that appears to violate this principle. In the new study, certain molecules were shown to adopt electronic structures and bonding patterns previously considered impossible. These structures remain stable long enough to be measured, contradicting classical expectations about how electrons should arrange themselves. According to the researchers, the anomaly arises from subtle quantum effects that were not accessible to chemists a century ago, when the rule was first formulated. Rather than completely invalidating the...

 Solid-state battery materials are emerging as a transformative solution for long-cycle energy storage due to their enhanced safety, higher energy density, and extended lifespan compared to conventional liquid-electrolyte batteries. By replacing flammable liquid electrolytes with solid electrolytes—such as ceramic oxides, sulfides, and solid polymers—these batteries significantly reduce risks related to leakage, thermal runaway, and combustion. Solid electrolytes also enable the use of high-capacity electrode materials, including lithium metal anodes, which can greatly improve energy density and cycling stability. A key research focus in solid-state batteries is the development of materials with high ionic conductivity at room temperature while maintaining mechanical stability and chemical compatibility with electrodes. Interface engineering between solid electrolytes and electrodes plays a crucial role in minimizing interfacial resistance and preventing dendrite formation, which ...

 Carbon-neutral agriculture focuses on balancing greenhouse gas emissions from farming activities with carbon removal strategies, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions while maintaining productivity and food security. A central pillar of this approach is soil carbon sequestration , the process of capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide and storing it as organic carbon in agricultural soils. Healthy soils act as major carbon sinks, helping to mitigate climate change while improving soil fertility, structure, water retention, and microbial activity. Practices such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, crop rotation, agroforestry, organic amendments, and biochar application enhance soil organic carbon by reducing carbon losses and increasing carbon inputs. These methods not only lower emissions from intensive land use but also increase resilience to climate extremes such as droughts and floods. Precision agriculture and digital monitoring tools further support carbon-neutral goals by ...

Machine learning (ML) has become a transformative force in statistical research, reshaping how data are analyzed, interpreted, and applied across diverse scientific domains. By integrating computational algorithms with classical statistical theory, machine learning enables researchers to uncover complex patterns, model nonlinear relationships, and make accurate predictions from large and high-dimensional datasets that were previously difficult to analyze using traditional methods alone. In statistical research, machine learning enhances exploratory data analysis, model selection, and inference. Techniques such as supervised learning (e.g., regression, classification, and ensemble methods) allow statisticians to predict outcomes with high precision, while unsupervised learning methods (such as clustering and dimensionality reduction) help identify hidden structures and groupings within data. These methods complement statistical models by improving flexibility and scalability without aba...

  Topological condensed matter physics has emerged as one of the most exciting and debated fields in modern physics. At its core, the debate revolves around how topology—an abstract mathematical concept—can govern real, measurable physical properties of materials. Unlike conventional phases of matter, which are classified by symmetry breaking, topological phases are defined by global invariants that remain robust against disorder and perturbations. Supporters argue that topological materials such as topological insulators, Weyl semimetals, and topological superconductors represent a paradigm shift in condensed matter physics. Their edge or surface states are protected by topology, leading to dissipationless transport and robustness against impurities. These properties open pathways for revolutionary technologies, including fault-tolerant quantum computing, spintronics, and low-power electronic devices. However, critics highlight several unresolved challenges. Experimentally disting...

 Machine learning (ML) models are transforming the discovery of antibacterial compounds by enabling faster, more cost-effective identification of potential drug candidates. Traditional antibiotic discovery relies on extensive laboratory screening, which is time-consuming and expensive. In contrast, ML-driven approaches can analyze vast chemical and biological datasets to predict antibacterial activity with high accuracy, significantly accelerating early-stage drug discovery. These models learn patterns from known antibacterial and non-antibacterial compounds using features such as molecular descriptors, chemical fingerprints, physicochemical properties, and genomic or proteomic data of target bacteria. Popular algorithms include random forests, support vector machines, gradient boosting, and deep learning models such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and graph neural networks (GNNs). GNNs, in particular, are powerful because they directly model molecular structures as graphs...

Scientists have made a surprising discovery inside NASA’s spacecraft assembly cleanrooms—facilities designed to be among the most sterile environments on Earth. Despite rigorous cleaning protocols, researchers identified 26 previously unknown bacterial species thriving in these ultra-clean spaces. These microbes were found in cleanrooms used to assemble spacecraft destined for missions to Mars and other celestial bodies, raising important questions about planetary protection and microbial resilience.   The newly discovered bacteria exhibit extraordinary survival capabilities. They can withstand extreme conditions such as intense radiation, chemical disinfectants, desiccation, and nutrient scarcity—conditions that would normally eliminate most life forms. Genetic analysis revealed that these microbes possess unique DNA repair mechanisms and stress-response genes, allowing them to adapt and persist in harsh environments. This makes them particularly interesting to scientists studyin...