Researcher : Dr. Chae Bin Kim, 김채빈 (Ph.D): 2016.09~2017.08 @ KIST
Graduate Student: Ki-Beom Jeong, 정기범 (Master Course): 2016.01~2017.08 @ KIST
Polymer & Organic Energy Materials
Research
Programming molecular selectivity into circular material systems
Our research orchestrates the rules of molecular recognition and programmable chemical interactions to address critical challenges where chemistry meets global infrastructure. Moving beyond isolated functional materials, we integrate molecular precision into comprehensive, systemic architectures.
We organize our scientific endeavors into two synergistic pillars: pioneering Sustainable & Circular Molecular Engineering to close the loops of synthetic materials from the very point of synthesis, and engineering Intelligent Process & Interfacial Platforms to deliver advanced molecular separations, universal environmental tracking, and seamless compatibility with natural ecosystems.
PART 1. Sustainable & Circular Molecular Engineering
Designing material architectures that perform rigorously, then return seamlessly to the eco-cycle.
We address the global waste and resource crisis not at the end-of-life waste management stage, but at the very first point of molecular synthesis. By programming reversible bonds into synthetic networks and engineering bio-inspired interfaces, we create high-performance materials that align human industry with biological ecosystems.
Key Focus
-
Chemical Recycling to Monomer (CRM) of Cross-linked Polymers: Exploiting thermodynamic control over bond reversibility to achieve vacuum-free and solvent-free chemical recycling of crosslinked networks, allowing the recovery of high-purity monomers without prohibitive energy or environmental costs.
-
Bio-Derived Precursors for Adhesives & Coatings: Developing high-performance surface coatings and transient adhesive materials utilizing sustainable, bio-sourced building blocks, designed to achieve excellent structural or barrier performance during their active lifecycle and release or degrade cleanly upon specific triggers.
-
Next-Generation Plastics: Pioneering solvent-free, self-plasticizing supramolecular polymer systems by integrating dynamic covalent chemistries and programmable ionic interactions (such as polyamide and poly(lipoic acid) frameworks) to establish a new class of materials that exhibit high mechanical stiffness during use, yet undergo complete, microplastic-free environmental dissociation at their end-of-life.
PART 2. Intelligent Process & Interfacial Platforms
Translating molecular recognition into interconnected separation, sensing, and bio-hybrid interfaces.
We merge molecularly precise interfaces with robust hardware architectures to build smart process platforms. By breaking away from simple size-exclusion filtration and short-lived monitoring tools, we engineer integrated systems capable of real-time analytical tracking, selective resource harvesting, and controlled biological communication.
Key Focus:
-
Molecular Precise Separations & Climate Response Infrastructure: Designing advanced membrane and porous polymer architectures with built-in molecular recognition to mimic the precise transport logic of biological systems. By programming controlled transport and selective binding pathways into hybrid porous frameworks, we enable both high-efficiency resource harvesting (such as lithium and precious metal extraction) and targeted climate crisis mitigation strategies, including atmospheric water capture and advanced clean water purification.
-
Universal Sensor Materials & Interfacial Tracking: Developing highly durable, structurally precise sensor material platforms tailored for continuous, high-fidelity monitoring within complex and demanding matrices. By engineering adaptive interfaces that suppress localized degradation and signal interference, we enable long-duration, non-destructive tracking of in situ reaction kinetics, delicate biological signals, and persistent environmental contaminants such as PFAS without compromising analyte integrity.
-
Engineered Bio-Compatible Interfaces: Designing advanced synthetic polymer matrices optimized for deep structural and chemical compatibility with natural materials and living microbial ecosystems. By engineering these high-performance bio-hybrid interfaces, we establish localized, stable material toolsets that interface seamlessly with natural eco-cycles, optimizing sustainable agricultural infrastructure and driving bio-electrochemical regulation.