Professor Seol Jae Bok of the School of Materials Science & Engineering, College of Creative Engineering, Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) has been named on the ‘2025 World's Top 2% Scientists’ list, jointly announced by Stanford University and Elsevier, for the second consecutive year. This globally authoritative list selects the top 2% of scientists in each field by comprehensively evaluating citation metrics and academic influence of researchers worldwide, based on Elsevier's Scopus database.

Professor Seol has led the K-Metal Center since 2020, continuing research to enhance the strength and durability of metallic materials. His research focuses particularly on: ▲ developing nickel-based super-heat-resistant alloys for aerospace engines; ▲ researching additive manufacturing metal materials capable of withstanding extreme environments like the moon; and ▲ advancing the design and manufacturing technology of next-generation defence alloys. These studies receive support from the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, and the Agency for Defense Development.

Furthermore, he is leading the development of next-generation aerospace materials and advanced manufacturing technologies through collaborations with world-class research teams, including the Max Planck Institute in Germany, the University of Sydney in Australia, and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, as well as researchers from various fields in Korea, such as Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Yonsei University, Pusan National University, the Korea Institute of Materials Science, and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology. Recently, alongside colleagues from the School of Materials Science & Engineering at Kookmin University, Professor Shin has pioneered the field of ‘Manufacturing AI’, combining AI-based alloy design with manufacturing processes. This is regarded as an innovative attempt to validate AI-designed, high-performance alloys through actual manufacturing and apply them industrially.

Professor Seol stated his ambition: “Building on over 20 years of experience in metal materials research, I will lead the way in Process Manufacturing AI research suited to the AI era. I will establish the K-Manufacturing Process AI Center within the School of Materials Science & Engineering at Kookmin University to spearhead global research collaboration and technology dissemination.”