Principle Investigator

Biography

Tae-Ung Wi is an assistant professor at the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), and the Principal Investigator of the Advanced Catalysis and Energy Systems laboratory (ACES Lab). His research bridges the critical gap between fundamental electrochemistry and practical energy engineering.

Prof. Wi focuses on developing sustainable solutions for carbon neutrality and next-generation energy conversion. His group utilizes a multi-scale approach, ranging from the atomic-level design of energy materials to the macro-scale engineering of electrochemical reactors for Power-to-X conversion (CO2, O2, nitrate, and others into valuable products), next-generation battery systems (Li-S, Zn-Air, Seawater, and others), and resource mining/recovery systems (CO2/air capture, Li/critical minerals recovery/mining, and others). A key distinguishing feature of his work is the integration of advanced characterization techniques across various scales with atomic-level material design and system-level reactor/process design, ensuring that fundamental insights are directly translated into high-performance devices. 

Before joining DGIST, he completed his Ph.D. at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). During his Ph.D. studies with Prof. Hyun-Wook Lee, he conducted next-generation battery material design with reaction mechanism analysis using in-situ and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. He moved to Rice University to conduct postdoctoral research with Prof. Haotian Wang. His research area was broadened to electrocatalysis, with a focus on electrochemical carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies, and he studied practical electrocatalyst and reactor designs at scale.