Innovation Beyond the Limits of Metallic Materials
Innovation Beyond the Limits of Metallic Materials, Professor Choi Hyun-joo, School of Advanced Materials Engineering
Field
Engineering
Project Leading Organization
Ministry of Science and ICT
Date Hit
Developing Advanced Metallic Materials Based on Nanotechnology and Metastable Phases,
Leading Research in High-Functionality Aluminum Alloys for the Next-Generation Aerospace Industry
Professor Choi Hyun-joo: A Researcher Leading Innovation in Future Metallic Materials
Professor Choi Hyun-joo of Kookmin University's School of Advanced Materials Engineering is at the forefront of innovative development in metallic and metal composite materials, dedicated to research that surpasses the property limitations of existing materials. Through microstructure control at the sub-nanoscale, she is leading the development of multifunctional metallic materials that simultaneously enhance various properties such as strength, conductivity, and corrosion resistance.
Beyond Aluminum: Redefining the Boundaries of Materials
Professor Choi's main research area is enhancing the performance of lightweight metallic materials like aluminum. She develops high-strength, high-conductivity, and corrosion-resistant materials that can withstand extreme environments, such as ultra-high and cryogenic temperatures, and applies them to the automotive, aviation, and aerospace industries. In particular, she presents an innovative direction to overcome the limitations of existing materials by utilizing metastable phases that do not exist in nature.
Nanotechnology, Metastable Phases, and the Birth of New Material Properties
Professor Choi utilizes nanotechnology to realize metastable phases, pioneering new realms of material properties based on this approach. By intentionally employing thermodynamically unstable structures, she designs next-generation metallic materials that are difficult to predict with existing theories.
Developing Practical Platforms for Field Application
To increase the applicability in industrial settings, she is also developing a material design platform for designing customized metallic alloys and processes. This helps companies quickly and accurately develop materials tailored to their desired performance and budget, making significant contributions to collaboration with domestic and international industries, especially in the aluminum sector.
Fostering AI-Convergent Talent
Pursuing innovation in education as well as research, Professor Choi actively introduces advanced materials research methodologies that integrate artificial intelligence and data analysis. She strives to cultivate convergent thinking and creative problem-solving skills in her students, nurturing talent that will lead the future in a rapidly changing industrial environment.
Expanding Humanity's Future with Materials: To Space and the Deep Sea
Professor Choi's research goes beyond simple material development, aiming to realize high-performance metallic materials usable in extreme environments like space and the deep sea. This will be key to expanding humanity's living sphere and enabling new industrial innovations.
Major Research Topics
Design of metallic materials utilizing nanotechnology-based metastable phases
Development of lightweight, high-strength aluminum alloys
Materials for ultra-high/cryogenic temperature environments
Investigation of structure-property relationships in multifunctional materials
Development of a customized metallic alloy design platform for industries
Educational Philosophy
Professor Choi Hyun-joo is leading the way in nurturing future-oriented researchers through education that converges materials science and artificial intelligence. She emphasizes data-driven convergent thinking and industrial practical competency for her students, aiming to cultivate creative talent that can adapt to and take on challenges in the evolving engineering landscape.
Strengths of Kookmin University's School of Advanced Materials Engineering
Curriculum covering fundamentals to applications: Various material specializations including metals, ceramics, semiconductors, and polymers.
Education centered on advanced equipment and practical training: Nanomaterial analysis, mechanical property evaluation, alloy processing practice, etc.
Promotion of AI-based materials research: Strengthening data analysis and design capabilities.
Numerous international joint research projects and publications: Global-level research achievements.
