Ji-Won Jung | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Ji-Won Jung | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Konkuk University | South Korea

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Ji-Won Jung began his stellar academic journey with a Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Yonsei University, achieving an outstanding GPA of 4.05/4.50. Driven by curiosity and a passion for advanced materials, he pursued an integrated M.S./Ph.D. program at KAIST, where he specialized in the development and electrochemical evaluation of solid-state electrode materials for various next-generation batteries including Li-, Na-, and K-ion systems. His early mentorship under Professors Kwang-Bum Kim and Il-Doo Kim laid the foundation for his future excellence in battery materials and nanotechnology.

🧑‍🔬 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Jung's career is marked by prestigious positions and collaborations across globally recognized institutions. After completing his doctoral studies, he served as a postdoctoral fellow at KAIST and later joined MIT in Professor Bilge Yildiz’s group, where he gained exposure to cutting-edge research environments. He returned to KAIST before joining the University of Ulsan as an Assistant Professor in 2021. In 2024, he was appointed as an Assistant Professor at Konkuk University, continuing his commitment to high-impact materials research and education.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Jung is an authority in advanced battery materials, nanostructured electrodes, and thin-film technology. His work spans the synthesis and functionalization of nanofibers, solid electrolytes, and air batteries. He has pioneered research in:

  • Metal-air and solid-state battery systems 🔋

  • Unzipping carbon nanotubes for Li-Oâ‚‚ batteries

  • 3D-printable and flexible battery platforms

  • Next-gen thin-film lithium batteries for wearable and on-chip applications

He has authored over 49 first/corresponding-author papers and contributed to numerous others in high-impact journals such as Chemical Engineering Journal, Advanced Fiber Materials, and Journal of Materials Chemistry A.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Jung's exceptional work has earned him numerous awards, such as:
🥇 The Best Award at Science Slam-D (2020)
🏅 “Young Engineer Award” from KSMPE (2021)
🏆 Best Business Idea Award by the Ministry of Science and ICT (2017)
🌟 Named a Rising Researcher and Promising Young Scientist by KAST (2017)

These accolades reflect not just innovation, but also his visionary approach to solving complex scientific challenges.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Jung’s research significantly impacts the global battery and materials science communities. His international collaborations, especially with Nobel laureate Prof. John B. Goodenough at UT Austin, illustrate his role in advancing both the academic and applied dimensions of electrochemical energy storage. With patents granted in Korea, the USA, and Europe, his innovations are poised to shape the future of sustainable energy and smart devices.

đź”® Legacy and Future Contributions

As an educator and researcher, Dr. Ji-Won Jung continues to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists. His ongoing work at Konkuk University aims to push the boundaries of solid-state and wearable battery technologies. His unique blend of academic rigor, cross-disciplinary knowledge, and industry-oriented innovation ensures that his legacy will influence both the classroom and real-world applications for years to come.

Publication

đź“„ Manganese Alchemy: Atomic-scale Doping to Miniaturize Cobalt Oxide in Nanofiber Architecture for Ultra-fast Lithium-ion Batteries

  • Authors: Hyunmin Na, Ho-Jin Lee, Dae-Kwon Boo, Ilgyu Kim, Jeong-Ho Park, Jae-Woo Seo, Seon-Jin Choi, Jiyoung Lee, Tae Gwang Yun, Byungil Hwang, Jun Young Cheong, Ji-Won Jung

  • Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal

  • Year: 2025

đź“„ Investigation of Oxygen-related Defect Engineering in Nonstoichiometric Vanadium Oxides for Electrochromic Zinc-ion Batteries with Superior Electrochromic-electrochemical Performance

  • Authors: Yonghan Kim, Ilgyu Kim, Hye Kang Lee, Ji Won Jung, Tae-gwang Yun

  • Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal

  • Year: 2025

đź“„ Troubleshooting Carbon Nanotube Bundling Using Electrostatic Energy-Driven Dispersion for LiFePOâ‚„ Bimodal Thick Electrode in Lithium-Ion Batteries

  • Authors: Ilgyu Kim, Jaehong Choi, Hangeol Jang, Pilgun Oh, Ji Won Jung

  • Journal: ACS Nano

  • Year: 2025

📄 Facile Encapsulation Strategy for Uniformly-dispersed Catalytic Nanoparticles/Carbon Nanofibers Toward Advanced Zn–Air Battery

  • Authors: Seong-woon Yoon, Dae Kwon Boo, Hyunmin Na, Ji Won Jung, Hyeong Min Jin

  • Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A

  • Year: 2025

đź“„ Etching-free Fabrication Method for Silver Nanowires-based SERS Sensors for Enhanced Molecule Detection

  • Authors: Yurim Han, Cristiano D’Andrea, Mirine Leem, Paolo Matteini, Byungil Hwang

  • Journal: Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal

  • Year: 2024

 

Soundharrajan Vaiyapuri | Energy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Soundharrajan Vaiyapuri | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Chungnam Nationan University | South Korea

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Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Soundharrajan Vaiyapuri's academic journey began with a strong foundation in Chemical and Electrochemical Engineering. He completed his Bachelor of Technology at the Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India. His passion for energy storage technology led him to pursue a combined master's and doctoral course at Chonnam National University, South Korea, where he earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering. His thesis, titled "Rapid fabrication and evaluation of high-energy cathodes for Sodium-Ion Battery," laid the groundwork for his future research endeavors in the field of energy storage.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Vaiyapuri's professional career is marked by significant contributions to the field of material chemistry and energy storage. He began his career as a Processing Engineer at Micropack Pvt Ltd in Bangalore, India, where he honed his skills in process control and development. His journey in academia and research took a major leap when he joined Chonnam National University as a Postdoctoral Researcher, leading the Engineering Research Center grant, the biggest research grant in South Korea. He later joined MEET - MĂĽnster Electrochemical Energy Technology in Germany, working on high-energy-density and safe zero-Co Li-Ion batteries using non-critical raw materials and green processes. Currently, he is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Chungnam National University, South Korea, leading a team in the BK-21 research grant for future batteries.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Vaiyapuri's research focuses on the design and implementation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and aqueous-ion batteries. His expertise encompasses various aspects of battery fabrication and characterization, including material synthesis, electrochemistry, and advanced battery analysis. He has developed high-energy inorganic cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries and aqueous-ion batteries, contributing significantly to the advancement of energy storage technology. His innovative approaches include the development of a new synthesis method for high-energy polyanion cathodes for sodium-ion batteries and the establishment of patents for novel cathode materials.

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout his career, Dr. Vaiyapuri has received numerous accolades and recognition for his contributions to the field of energy storage. Notably, he was awarded the Best Poster Award at the 2020 Virtual MRS Spring/Fall Meeting & Exhibit for his work on aqueous rechargeable Zn-Ion batteries. His research has been presented at prestigious international conferences, including the 4th International Conference on New Energy and Future Energy Systems in Macao, China, and the 6th International Symposium on Advanced Electromaterials in Jeju, South Korea.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Vaiyapuri's work has had a profound impact on the field of energy storage, particularly in the development of eco-friendly energy storage devices and high-energy cathodes for sodium-ion batteries. His innovative research has led to the improvement of energy efficiency and cost reduction in battery materials, contributing to the sustainability and advancement of energy storage technologies. His mentoring and leadership in guiding master's and Ph.D. students have also played a crucial role in shaping the next generation of researchers in the field.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Vaiyapuri's legacy is marked by his relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence in material chemistry and energy storage. His contributions have paved the way for future advancements in battery technology, with a focus on sustainability and efficiency. As he continues to lead and inspire research in the field, his future contributions are anticipated to drive significant breakthroughs in energy storage solutions, further cementing his position as a pioneering researcher in material chemistry.

 

Notable Publications

Two in one: The use of hexagonal copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles as a bifunctional high-performance cathode and as a reinforced electrolyte additive for an all-solid-state lithium battery 2024

Decoding the Manganese-Ion Storage Properties of Na1.25V3O8 Nanorods 2024 (1)

Pentlandite Compound-Anchored CuSCN as a Stable Electrocatalyst in Highly Alkaline Solutions 2024

Na3VMn0.5Ti0.5(PO4)3/C with active Na+ hopping sites for high-rate and durable sodium-ion batteries 2023 (7)

Exploring low-cost high energy NASICON cathodes for sodium-ion batteries via a combined machine-learning, ab initio, and experimental approach 2023 (6)