Soft Materials Chemistry Laboratory (SMCL) is a multidisciplinary research group in the Department of Chemistry at Inha University. Our research focuses on synthesis, processing and characterization of soft functional materials using a variety of methods. We further aim to connect understanding of physical/chemical behaviors in created materials to nanopatterning, micro/nanoelectronics and biotechnology. The materials of interests include functional polymers, block copolymers, polymer brushes, stimuli-responsive materials.

Here is Prof. Myungwoong Kim's featured interview (기승전화학) with "Chemistry Research Information Center (CRIC; 국가지정 화학연구정보센터)"!!! Click the image or use [Link1] [Link2] [Link3]

Here is Prof. Myungwoong Kim's featured interview with Polymer Chemistry as "Polymer Chemistry Emerging Investigator". [Link]

Here is Prof. Myungwoong Kim's featured interview (우수교원 인터뷰) with Inha University!!! Click the image or use [Link].

July 20, 2026

The article "Functional o-phthalaldehyde copolymers achieved via thermal cationic polymerization toward versatile acid degradable material platform" was accepted in Chemical Engineering Journal. Juyoung, Hyedam, and Seungjun made this achievement by continuous research on the chemistry of degradable copolymers for several years. Congratulations, All!!

June 17, 2026

The article "Multi-Step Flow Synthesis of Photoresist Polymers Involving Copolymerization and Postpolymerization Modifications" was published in Organic Process Research & Development. Seungyeon contributed to the research on the chemistry of EUV resist polymers. This work was achieved in collaboration with Prof. Jin-Kyun Lee's group at Inha University. Congratulations, Seungyeon!!

July 6, 2026

Suhee has successfully completed her Master's degree study. We wish you all the best for your future careers!

June 10, 2026

The article "A Versatile Stepwise Surface Engineering Strategy for Cellulose Nanofibers Towards a Multifunctional Platform for Multidisciplinary Applications" appeared in Materials Chemistry and Physics. Seungjun contributed to the surface modification of cellulose materials. This work was achieved in collaboration with Dr. Hoik Lee's group at KITECH. Congratulations, Seungjun!!

June 9, 2026

The article "Photodegradable Polycaprolactone–Urethane Enabling Dual-Tone Micropatterning for Sustainable Microfabrication" was published in ACS Applied Polymer Materials. Sangmin worked hard on this interesting photopatterning system!!! This work is a fruitful collaborative result with Dr. Sangho Cho's group at KIST.  Congratulations, Sangmin!!!

June 1, 2026

Seungjun successfully defended his dissertation. He is the third Ph.D. of our group. We wish you all the best for your future career, and congratulations, Dr. Kim!! 

April 9, 2026

Domestic patent (10-2951171) about a material for lithographic OLED pixel formation, was issued. Congratulations, Changjae!!

March 12, 2026

The article "Stretchable, Self-Healable, and Adhesive Ionogels Formed via Dual Association of Complex Copolymers" appeared in Journal of Materials Chemistry C. Hyeonji, Minha, and Seungjun worked hard to realize very complicated but so nice ionogel systems!!! This work is a fruitful collaborative result with Prof. Keun Hyung Lee's group at Inha University.  Congratulations, All!!!

March 1, 2026

Minkyung, Yedam, and Hyein start their MS degree studies. Welcome, and good luck, all!!!

February 13, 2026

US patent (US 12,503,433 B2) about main-chain scissionable copolymers, was issued. This work is a precious result that Sol achieved in collaboration with Samsun Electronics. Congratulations, Sol!!

February 1, 2026

The article "Rational Design of Degradable Multiarm Polymers Applicable for Photoimaging Materials" was published in Chemistry of Materials. Dahye, Seungjun, and Jaewon have worked really hard to make this achievement!!! This work is a fruitful collaborative result with Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology.  Congratulations, All!!!

January 23, 2026

Domestic patent (10-2915133) about thermal latent initiator for cationic polymerization of epoxy compounds, was issued. Congratulations, Dongwan, Seungjun, Jinhyeong!!

January 21, 2026

Dahye, Sangmin, and Juyoung have successfully completed their Master's degree studies. We wish you all the best for your future careers!

December 8, 2025

Domestic patent (10-2898959) about thermal latent initiator for cationic polymerization of epoxy compounds, was issued. Congratulations, Seungjun, Jinhyeong!!

October 21, 2025

Domestic patent (10-2872044) about vacuum-depositable photoresists in collaboration with Prof. Jin-Kyun Lee's group at Inha University, Prof. Byung Jun Jung at University of Seoul, and Prof. Keewook Paeng's group at Sungkyunkwan University, was issued.

July 18, 2025

The article "Vacuum-Depositable Fluorinated Photoresist Facilitating Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) Pixel Patterning" was published in ACS Materials Letters. This work is a fruitful collaborative result with Prof. Jin-Kyun Lee's group at Inha University, Prof. Keewook Paeng's group and Prof. Junyeob Lee's group at Sungkyunkwan University, and Prof. Byung Jun Jung's group at University of Seoul.

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