RESEARCH focus

OVERVIEW

Here at our research team, we are dedicated to pioneering the development of design and processing technology for next-generation polymeric materials and systems that push the boundaries of what is possible. Our commitment to innovation, with multi-scale precision engineering of micro/nanoscale structures with polymers, drives us to explore uncharted territories, striving to produce novel polymeric materials and systems that redefine industries and open up exciting possibilities for the future.

Representative papers:

Science (2024), Phys. Rev. Lett. (2019), Adv. Funct. Mater. (2026), Small (In press), Compos. Part A (2026), Compos. Sci. Technol. (2025)

RESEARCH STRATEGY

We employ multidisciplinary, multi-scale approach to engineer novel polymeric materials and systems. Drawing upon the foundational elements of modern engineering, chemistry, physics, biomedicine, and computational science, we blend these disciplines seamlessly. This fusion of knowledge is then channeled into a systematic pipeline where it undergoes meticulous materials processing, guided by studying (i) monomer design, (ii) chemical interaction, (iii) polymer network/rheology, (iv) structural modeling/engineering, and (v) precision polymer processing. The outcome is the development of next-generation polymeric materials and systems, featuring innovations such as micro/nanopatterned surfaces, foams, composites, metamaterials, and hydrogels. Ultimately, a myriad of potential applications for leading the 4th industrial revolution spans across aerospace/future mobility, robotics, biotechnology, energy, green technology, construction, semiconductors, and more.

RESEARCH TOPICS

Our research interests include but are not limited to;

1. High-Performance Polymer Composites

Polymer composites engineered with micro- and nanoscale particles or fibers are reshaping modern manufacturing by delivering tailored mechanical, thermal, optical, and electrical properties for demanding applications. Through advanced polymer design and processing, multiscale composite structures can be precisely controlled while maintaining manufacturability. As application needs diversify, our research focuses on developing composite materials and processing strategies for emerging technologies, including humanoid robotic components, thermal interface adhesives, flexible sensors, and next-generation energy platforms.

- Publications: Compos. Sci. Technol. (2025), Smart Mater. Struct. (2020), Appl. Energy (2022), Energy Convers. Manag. (2022), Macromol. Res. (2020), Macromol. Res. (2019), Fibers Polym. (2019)

Fig. 1. Processing high-performance polymer composites. (A) Multiscale smart multifunctional composites via hybrid reinforcement and hierarchical interfacial engineering. (B) Thermal management composites for advanced electronics. (C) Scalable manufacturing of hybrid polymer composites through injection molding. (D) Soft humanoid robots composed of soft polymeric components, including artificial skin, muscles, and tendons, capable of diverse actuation modes.

2. Multiscale Hydrogel Engineering

Polymer hydrogels are emerging as versatile soft materials. Their high water content, tunable mechanical, electrical, and transport properties, biocompatibility, and ability to replicate extracellular matrix–like environments make them suitable for tissue engineering, soft robotics, flexible sensing, and energy-related systems. By engineering and processing hydrogels across multiple length scales, we harness this adaptability to create functionally programmed architectures. Through this approach, our group explores polymer hydrogels as key enabling materials driving innovation across biological, mechanical, and multifunctional engineering domains.

- Publications: Science (2024), Adv. Funct. Mater. (2026), Nat. Biotechnol. (2025), Sci. Adv. (2021), IEEE HPEC (2022)

Fig. 2. Multiscale polymer hydrogel engineering. (A) Scalable tissue processing technology to transform intact coronal human brain slab. (B) Schematic drawing of molecular mechanism of polymer hydrogel/tissue composite. (C) Engineering human brain tissue into an elastic, expandable, and transparent biomaterial. (D) Multidimensional design frameworks for high-performance tissue processing hydrogels. (E) Self-propelled hydrogel systems for autonomous motion and functional actuation.

Movie; Juhyuk's BRIC talk: Polymer-based tissue processing platform for human brain mapping.

3. Functional Micro/nanopatterning

Drawing inspiration from nature’s hierarchical designs, biomimetic engineering seeks to harness the unique physicochemical properties from the living systems. Our research develops polymer-based micro/nanostructures that integrate precise geometry with adaptive functionality, enabling platforms for reversible surface responses, molecular sensing, and enhanced ion transport. We maximize the efficacy of these micro/nanopatterns through precise control of polymer composition, surface chemistry, topology, and size. These approaches provide a unified strategy for controlling both interfacial behavior and transport properties in sensing, energy, and membrane applications.

- Publications: Small (In press), ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces (2017), J. Mater. Chem. C (2017), Lab Chip (2018), Smart Mater. Struct. (2017)

Fig. 3. Functional micro/nanostructured polymer engineering. (A) Fabrication of shape-memory polymer nanopattern arrays by nanoreplica processing for programmable surface functionalites. (B) Reconfigurable nanogap structures for multiscale molecular sensing. (C) Fabrication of electrospun nanoporous composite membranes with controlled porous architectures. (D) Nanoporous membrane structures enabling enhanced ion transport.

4. Green Polymer Processing

Growing emphasis on sustainability drives the integration of bio-based polymers, recyclable chemistries, and responsible processing routes into green design and manufacturing. Our group develops sustainable polymeric materials, particularly advanced lightweight foams with tailored cellular micro- and nanostructures that provide multifunctionality, including acoustic damping, thermal insulation, and electromagnetic shielding, through multidimensional design and process optimization. By leveraging these capabilities, we advance eco-friendly solutions across industries, addressing challenges in automotive, electronics, household appliances, and construction.

- Publications: Compos. Part A (2026 #1), Compos. Part A (2026 #2). Adv. Mater. Technol. (2019), J. Sound Vib. (2017 #1), J. Sound Vib. (2017 #2), Mater. Des. (2018)

Fig. 4. Processing green polymeric products. (A)Multidimensional structural engineering of hierarchical composite foam architectures for tailored poroacoustic pathways and lightweight functionality. (B) Sustainable fabrication and circular utilization of bio-based composite foams for eco-friendly material platforms. (C) Optimization of processing conditions in bio-based polymer systems and their impact on sample quality.

5. Polymeric Metamaterials

Metamaterials are designed with unique micro/nanostructures that enable unprecedented control over effective medium properties, paving the way to control various mechanics in unprecedented manner. By harnessing the power of metamaterials, we can manipulate mechanical waves, heat transfer, viscous forces, and other dynamic behaviors with precision and efficiency. Our group is, in conjunction with the modern polymer engineering, unlocking realms of human imagination using novel metamaterials, exemplified by innovations like cloaking technology.

- Publications: Phys. Rev. Lett (2019), Phys. Rev. Appl. (2019), Extreme Mech. Lett. (2020), Extreme Mech. Lett. (2021), J. Fluids Struct. (2020)

Fig. 5. Microstructured metamaterial for fluid mechanics control. (A) Schematic drawing of flow variations depending on the presence of the metamaterials. (B) Design and fabrication of polymeric metamaterial microstructure. (C) Computational simulations and experimental implementation of the fluid flow with and without the metamaterial.

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