Papers

57. (In-preparation)  (PI-MASAC) Physics-Informed Multi-Agent Learning for Dynamic Wastewater Treatment Model Calibration: From Short-Term Adaptation to Long-Term Process Interpretation, Nam, K.*

54. (In-preparation) From wastewater treatment failure to human exposure: Integrated analysis of PFAS release, environmental fate, and risk under climate change, Song, S., Nam, K.*

56. (In-preparation) Dual-stream forecasting and integrated optimization for energy-independent wastewater treatment plants: A techno-economic-environmental assessment of renewable energy pathways, Baek, D.,, Nam, K.*

55. (In-preparation) Physics-infomred relational graph convlutional network integrating biokineitc constrains for interpretable effluent qaulity prediction across diverse wastewater treatment plant configurations, Hwang, S., Nam, K.*

54. (In-preparation) Fault-tolerant influent reconstruction via multi-period temporal representations with physics-based process interpretation: From sensor fault to process resilence, Song, Y., Nam, K.*

53.  (Submitted, Corresponding author) Song, Y., Hwang, S., Go, S., Hwang, H., Kwon., J.-S., Nam, K.*,  (2026) Physics-Informed Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for Explainable Stage-Wise Aeration Optimization: Application to a Continuous-Influent Sequencing Batch Reactor

52. (Submitted, Corresponding author) Jung, H., Song, Y., Kim, S., Nam, K.*, (2026) Interpretable forecast-informed flood early warning for rapidly responding small rivers using dual-branch temporal learning

51. [SCIE JCR TOP 1%, Co-author] Nam, K. (2026) Digital technology and AI for Climate-Resilient Underground Infrastructure: Current Advances and Future Directions, Underground space

50. [SCOPUS, KCI, Corresponding author] Song, Y.†, Hwang, S.†, Baek, D., Song, S., Nam, K.*, (2026) Prediction of Fine Particulate Matter Concentration Using Multimodal Deep Learning Based on a Vision-Tabular Fusion Encoder, Journal of environmental science international

49. [SCIE JCR TOP 5%, Corresponding author]  Jeong, C., Tariq, S., Woo, T., Kim., Nam, K.*, & Yoo, C*. (2026). Towards health-resilient subway ventilation: An integrated framework for fault prognostics, health-aware control, and IAQ resilience evaluation. ISA Transactions

48. [SCIE JCR TOP 5%, First author, Corresponding author] Nam, K.*, Heo, S., & Yoo, C*. (2025). Multi-agent reinforcement learning-driven adaptive controller tuning system for autonomous control of wastewater treatment plants: An offline learning approach.  Journal of Water Process Engineering

47. [SCIE, Co-author] Ouzar, A., Goutomo, B. T., Nam, K., & Kim, I. K. (2025). Efficient removal of tetracycline antibiotic by nonthermal plasma-catalysis combination process. Environmental Engineering Research,

46. [SCIE, Co-author] Ouzar, A., Goutomo, B. T., Nam, K., & Kim, I. K. (2024). Enhanced removal of malachite green from wastewater using nonthermal plasma gliding arc discharge combined with ferrate oxidation. Desalination and Water Treatment

45. [SCIE JCR TOP 5%, Co-author] Heo, S., Nam, K., Kim, S., & Yoo, C. (2024). XRL-FlexSBR: Multi-agent reinforcement learning-driven flexible SBR control with explainable performance guarantee under diverse influent conditions. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 66, 105991.

44. [SCIE JCR TOP 5%, First author] Nam, K., Heo, S., Tariq, S., Woo, T., & Yoo, C. (2024). Multi-agent reinforcement learning-enhanced autonomous calibration method for wastewater treatment modeling: Long-term validation of a full-scale plant. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 59, 104908.

43. [SCIE JCR TOP 4%, First author] Kim, S.†, Heo, S.†, Nam, K.†, Woo, T., & Yoo, C. (2023). Flexible renewable energy planning based on multi-step forecasting of interregional electricity supply and demand: Graph-enhanced AI approach. Energy, 282, 128858.

42. [SCIE JCR TOP 5%, First author] Nam, K., Heo, S., Kim, S., & Yoo, C. (2023). A multi-agent AI reinforcement-based digital multi-solution for optimal operation of a full-scale wastewater treatment plant under various influent conditions. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 52, 103533.

41. [SCIE JCR TOP 3%, Co-author] Ba-Alawi, A. H., Nam, K., Heo, S., Woo, T., Aamer, H., & Yoo, C. (2023). Explainable multisensor fusion-based automatic reconciliation and imputation of faulty and missing data in membrane bioreactor plants for fouling alleviation and energy saving. Chemical Engineering Journal, 452, 139220.

40. [SCIE Q2, Co-author] Vilela, P., Nam, K., & Yoo, C. (2023). Wastewater Treatment System Optimization for Sustainable Operation of the SHARON–Anammox Process under Varying Carbon/Nitrogen Loadings. Water, 15(22), 4015.

39. [SCIE JCR TOP 6%, Co-author] Tariq, S., Loy-Benitez, J., Nam, K., Kim, S., Kim, M., & Yoo, C. (2023). Deep-AI soft sensor for sustainable health risk monitoring and control of fine particulate matter at sensor devoid underground spaces: A zero-shot transfer learning approach. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 131, 104843.

38. [SCIE JCR TOP 8%, Co-author] Woo, T., Charmchi, A. S. T., Ifaei, P., Heo, S., Nam, K., & Yoo, C. (2022). Three energy self-sufficient networks of wastewater treatment plants developed by nonlinear bi-level optimization models in Jeju Island. Journal of Cleaner Production, 379, 134465.

37. [SCIE JCR TOP 2, Co-author] Lim, J. Y., Teng, S. Y., How, B. S., Nam, K., Heo, S., Máša, V., ... & Yoo, C. K. (2022). From microalgae to bioenergy: Identifying optimally integrated biorefinery pathways and harvest scheduling under uncertainties in predicted climate. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 168, 112865.

36. [SCIE JCR TOP 11%, Co-author] Vilela, P., Safder, U., Heo, S., Nguyen, H. T., Lim, J. Y., Nam, K., ... & Yoo, C. (2022). Dynamic calibration of process-wide partial-nitritation modeling with airlift granular for nitrogen removal in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. Chemosphere, 305, 135411.

35. [SCIE JCR TOP 14%, Co-author] Li, Q., Vilela, P., Tariq, S., Nam, K., & Yoo, C. (2022). Multiple land-use fugacity model to assess the transport and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban and suburban areas. Urban Climate, 45, 101263.

34. [Journal cover paper, SCIE JCR TOP 4%, First author] Woo, T.†, Nam, K.†, Heo, S., Lim, J. Y., Kim, S., & Yoo, C. (2022). Predictive maintenance system for membrane replacement time detection using AI-based functional profile monitoring: Application to a full-scale MBR plant. Journal of Membrane Science, 649, 120400.

33. [SCIE JCR TOP 4%, First author] Heo, S.†, Nam, K.†, Woo, T., & Yoo, C. (2022). Digitally-transformed early-warning protocol for membrane cleaning based on a fouling-cumulative sum chart: Application to a full-scale MBR plant. Journal of Membrane Science, 643, 120080.

32. [KCI, Co-author] Shim, Y., Lee, N., Jeong, C., Heo, S., Kim, S., Nam, K., & Yoo, C. (2022). Water Digital Twin for High-tech Electronics Industrial Wastewater Treatment System (I): e-ASM Development and Digital Simulation Implementation. Clean Technology, 28(1), 63-78.

31. [SCIE JCR TOP 7%, Co-author] Loy-Benitez, J., Tariq, S., Nguyen, H. T., Safder, U., Nam, K., & Yoo, C. (2022). Neural circuit policies-based temporal flexible soft-sensor modeling of subway PM2. 5 with applications on indoor air quality management. Building and Environment, 207, 108537.

30. [SCIE JCR TOP 3%, First author] Nam, K. J.†, Li, Q.†, Heo, S. K., Tariq, S., Loy-Benitez, J., Woo, T. Y., & Yoo, C. K. (2021). Inter-regional multimedia fate analysis of PAHs and potential risk assessment by integrating deep learning and climate change scenarios. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 411, 125149.

29. [Journal cover paper, SCIE JCR TOP 4%, First author] Nam, K†., Heo, S.†, Rhee, G., Kim, M., & Yoo, C. (2021). Dual-objective optimization for energy-saving and fouling mitigation in MBR plants using AI-based influent prediction and an integrated biological-physical model. Journal of Membrane Science, 626, 119208.

28. [SCIE JCR TOP 6%, First author] Heo, S.†, Nam, K.†, Tariq, S., Lim, J. Y., Park, J., & Yoo, C. (2021). A hybrid machine learning–based multi-objective supervisory control strategy of a full-scale wastewater treatment for cost-effective and sustainable operation under varying influent conditions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 291, 125853.

27. [SCIE JCR TOP 3%, Co-author] Tariq, S., Loy-Benitez, J., Nam, K., Lee, G., Kim, M., Park, D., & Yoo, C. (2021). Transfer learning driven sequential forecasting and ventilation control of PM2. 5 associated health risk levels in underground public facilities. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 406, 124753.

26. [SCIE JCR TOP 6%, Co-author] Loy-Benitez, J., Li, Q., Nam, K., Nguyen, H. T., Kim, M., Park, D., & Yoo, C. (2021). Multi-objective optimization of a time-delay compensated ventilation control system in a subway facility–A harmony search strategy. Building and Environment, 190, 107543.

25. [SCIE JCR TOP 2%, Co-author] Heo, S., Nam, K., Loy-Benitez, J., & Yoo, C. (2020). Data-driven hybrid model for forecasting wastewater influent loads based on multimodal and ensemble deep learning. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 17(10), 6925-6934.

24. [KCI, Co-author] Kim, Y., Rhee, G., Heo, S., Nam, K., Li, Q., & Yoo, C. K. (2020). Human health risk, environmental and economic assessment based on multimedia fugacity model for determination of best available technology (BAT) for VOC reduction in industrial complex. Korean Chemical Engineering Research, 58(3), 325-345.

23. [SCIE JCR TOP 3%, First author] Nam, K.†, Heo, S.†, Li, Q., Loy-Benitez, J., Kim, M., Park, D., & Yoo, C. (2020). A proactive energy-efficient optimal ventilation system using artificial intelligent techniques under outdoor air quality conditions. Applied energy, 266, 114893.

22. [SCIE JCR TOP 2%] Tariq, S., Loy-Benitez, J., Nam, K., Heo, S., & Yoo, C. (2020). Energy-efficient time-delay compensated ventilation control system for sustainable subway air quality management under various outdoor conditions. Building and Environment, 174, 106775.

21. [SCIE, Journal cover paper, First author] Nam, K.†, Heo, S.†, Loy-Benitez, J., Ifaei, P., & Yoo, C. (2020). An autonomous operational trajectory searching system for an economic and environmental membrane bioreactor plant using deep reinforcement learning. Water Science and Technology, 81(8), 1578-1587.

20. [KCI, Co-author] Park, J., Nam, K. J., Heo, S. K., Lee, J., Lee, I. B., & Yoo, C. K. (2020). Design and optimization of pilot-scale bunsen process in sulfur-iodine (SI) Cycle for hydrogen production. Korean Chemical Engineering Research, 58(2), 235-247.

19. [SCIE JCR TOP1 journal, First author] Nam, K.†, Hwangbo, S.†, & Yoo, C. (2020). A deep learning-based forecasting model for renewable energy scenarios to guide sustainable energy policy: A case study of Korea. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 122, 109725.

18. [SCIE] Vilela, P., Jácome, G., Kim, S. Y., Nam, K., & Yoo, C. (2020). Population response modeling and habitat suitability of Cobitis choii fish species in South Korea for climate change adaptation. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 189, 109949.

17. [KCI, First author] Kim, S.†, Nam, K.†, Heo, S.†, Lee, S., Choi, J., Park, J., & Yoo, C. (2020). Spatio-temporal incidence modeling and prediction of the vector-borne disease using an ecological model and deep neural network for climate change adaption. Korean Chemical Engineering Research, 58(2), 197-208.

16. [SCIE] Ba-Alawi, A. H., Ifaei, P., Li, Q., Nam, K., Djeddou, M., & Yoo, C. (2020). Process assessment of a full-scale wastewater treatment plant using reliability, resilience, and econo-socio-environmental analyses (R2ESE). Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 133, 259-274.

15. [SCIE JCR TOP 7%] Loy-Benitez, J., Li, Q., Nam, K., & Yoo, C. (2020). Sustainable subway indoor air quality monitoring and fault-tolerant ventilation control using a sparse autoencoder-driven sensor self-validation. Sustainable Cities and Society, 52, 101847.

14. [SCIE, First author] Heo, S.†, Nam, K.†, Loy-Benitez, J., Li, Q., Lee, S., & Yoo, C. (2019). A deep reinforcement learning-based autonomous ventilation control system for smart indoor air quality management in a subway station. Energy and Buildings, 202, 109440.

13. [SCIE, Co-author] Li, Q., Loy-Benitez, J., Nam, K., Hwangbo, S., Rashidi, J., & Yoo, C. (2019). Sustainable and reliable design of reverse osmosis desalination with hybrid renewable energy systems through supply chain forecasting using recurrent neural networks. Energy, 178, 277-292.

12. [SCIE, First author] Nam, K.†, Ifaei, P.†, Heo, S., Rhee, G., Lee, S., & Yoo, C. (2019). An efficient burst detection and isolation monitoring system for water distribution networks using multivariate statistical techniques. Sustainability, 11(10), 2970.

11. [SCIE, Co-author] Hwangbo, S., Nam, K., Heo, S., & Yoo, C. (2019). Hydrogen-based self-sustaining integrated renewable electricity network (HySIREN) using a supply-demand forecasting model and deep-learning algorithms. Energy conversion and management, 185, 353-367.

10. [SCIE, First author] Safder, U.†, Nam, K.†, Kim, D., Heo, S., & Yoo, C. (2019). A real time QSAR-driven toxicity evaluation and monitoring of iron containing fine particulate matters in indoor subway stations. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 169, 361-369.

9. [SCIE, Co-author] Hoang, T. V., Ifaei, P., Nam, K., Rashidi, J., Hwangbo, S., Oh, J. M., & Yoo, C. (2018). Optimal management of a hybrid renewable energy system coupled with a membrane bioreactor using enviro-economic and power pinch analyses for sustainable climate change adaption. Sustainability, 11(1), 66.

8. [SCIE, Co-author] Rashidi, J., Rhee, G., Kim, M., Nam, K., Heo, S., Yoo, C., & Karbassi, A. (2018). Life cycle and economic assessments of key emerging energy efficient wastewater treatment processes for climate change adaptation. International Journal of Environmental Research, 12, 815-827.

7. [SCIE, First author] Safder, U.†, Nam, K.†, Kim, D., Shahlaei, M., & Yoo, C. (2018). Quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) models for predicting the physicochemical properties of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using deep belief network. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 162, 17-28.

6. [SCIE, Co-author] Loy-Benitez, J., Li, Q., Ifaei, P., Nam, K., Heo, S., & Yoo, C. (2018). A dynamic gain-scheduled ventilation control system for a subway station based on outdoor air quality conditions. Building and Environment, 144, 159-170.

5. [SCIE, Co-author] Vilela, P., Liu, H., Lee, S., Hwangbo, S., Nam, K., & Yoo, C. (2018). A systematic approach of removal mechanisms, control and optimization of silver nanoparticle in wastewater treatment plants. Science of the total environment, 633, 989-998.

4. [SCIE, Co-author] Hwangbo, S., Nam, K., Han, J., Lee, I. B., & Yoo, C. (2018). Integrated hydrogen supply networks for waste biogas upgrading and hybrid carbon-hydrogen pinch analysis under hydrogen demand uncertainty. Applied Thermal Engineering, 140, 386-397.

3. [SCIE, Co-author] Safder, U., Ifaei, P., Nam, K., Rashidi, J., & Yoo, C. (2018). Availability and reliability analysis of integrated reverse osmosis—Forward osmosis desalination network. Desalination and Water Treatment, 10, 1-7.

2. [SCIE, Co-author] Kim, D., Jacome, G., Lee, S., Moya, W., Nam, K., & Yoo, C. (2017). Vulnerability assessment index at process-level for the identification of adaptive strategies in wastewater treatment plants under climate change. Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, 34, 3054-3066.

1. [SCIE, First author] Nam, K.†, Kim, M., Lee, S., Hwangbo, S., & Yoo, C. (2017). Interpretation and diagnosis of fouling progress in membrane bioreactor plants using a periodic pattern recognition method. Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, 34, 2966-2977.