Research
Recent Research Interests
Molten Salt Chemistry & Corrosion #
Recent interest in molten salt reactors and molten salt-based thermal storage calls for better structural materials against molten salt corrosion and detailed understanding of the molten salt-metal interaction. We seek to study the fundamental aspects of the molten salt-metal interaction and molten salt chemistry itself via electrochemical methods and computational/machine learning methods. Grain boundaries and microstructural effects are of special interest.
[References] 43. Physical properties of KCl-UCl3 molten salts as potential fuels for molten salt reactors Journal of Nuclear Materials 2023 577 154329 H. Kim†, C. Kwon†, S. Ham, J. Lee, S.J. Kim*, S. Kim*
Hydrogen Embrittlement #
Zr-based cladding for the spent nuclear fuel serves as the last protection layer for the high-level nuclear waste. Hydrogen embrittlement in nuclear fuel cladding is one critical mechanism for the cladding’s mechanical failure, causing brittle fracture and cracks. Understanding the thermodynamics, kinetics and fatigue/creep behavior of Zr-based cladding is critical for the spent nuclear fuel disposal, and we seek to establish a fundamental understanding based on experimental and computational tools. The effect of the light element interstitials including H, O or C on the alloy and hydride phases are to be explored.
Stress and Temperture Impact on Electrochemistry #
Stress couples to various aspects of electrochemical reactions, including the electrochemical potential, diffusion, composition or phase behavior. This fundamental aspect of materials science has various exciting features that we can employ into device concepts. Some examples include the electrochemically driven mechanical energy harvesters or electrochemical actuators. However, understanding such behavior has been difficult to establish. We attempt to study the fundamental materials science aspects of stress-electrochemistry coupling by 1) designing novel device concepts and 2) in situ characterization techniques.
[References] 27. Strong Stress-Composition Coupling in Lithium Alloy Nanoparticles Nature Communications 2019 10 3428 H.K. Seo, J.Y. Park, J.H. Chang, K.S. Dae, M.-S. Noh, S.S. Kim, C.-Y. Kang, K. Zhao, S. Kim*, J. Yuk*
21. Li Alloy-based Non-Volatile Actuators Nano Energy 2019 57 653-659 M.-S. Noh, H. Lee, Y.G. Song, I. Jung, R. Ning, S.W. Paek, H.-C. Song, S.-H. Baek, C.-Y. Kang*, S. Kim*
5. Electrochemically driven Mechanical Energy Harvesting Nature Communications 2016 7 10146 S. Kim, S.J. Choi, K. Zhao, H. Yang, G. Gobbi, S. Zhang, J. Li*
Funded Projects
| Program Name | Funder | Duration | Role | Group Portion in KRW (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Nuclear Research Program | National Research Foundation of Korea | 2021.04.15 ~ 2026.12.31 | PI | ₩850,000,000 ($610,000) |
| Fusion Research & Development Program | National Research Foundation of Korea | 2022.05.01 ~ 2026.12.31 | co-PI | ₩465,000,000 ($334,000) |
| Young Investigator Program | National Research Foundation of Korea | 2023.03.01 ~ 2026.02.28 | PI | ₩277,855,000 ($200,000) |
| Young Investigator Program | National Research Foundation of Korea | 2023.09.01 ~ 2024.02.28 | PI | ₩80,000,000 ($58,000) |
| Energy Human‑Resource Development Program | Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning | 2024.05.01 ~ 2025.06.30 | sub-I | ₩91,000,000 ($65,000) |
| Nano & Materials Technology Program | National Research Foundation of Korea | 2024.04.01 ~ 2028.12.31 | co-PI | ₩530,000,000 ($380,000) |
| Innovative Small Modular Reactor (I‑SMR) Technology Program (R&D) | i-SMR Development | 2024.04.01 ~ 2028.12.31 | sub-I | ₩600,000,000 ($431,000) |
| Energy Human‑Resource Development Program | Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning | 2024.03.01 ~ 2029.12.31 | co-PI | ₩1,180,000,000 ($847,000) |
| Nano & Materials Technology Program | National Research Foundation of Korea | 2025.04.01 ~ 2026.12.31 | sub-I | ₩110,000,000 ($79,000) |
| Next‑Generation Nuclear Professional Program | National Research Foundation of Korea | 2025.05.01 ~ 2029.12.31 | sub-I | ₩220,000,000 ($158,000) |
| Industry‑Commissioned Research Funding | Samsung Future Research Foundation | 2020.03.01 ~ 2022.08.31 | co-PI | ₩49,998,972 ($36,000) |
| Industry‑Commissioned Research Funding | Samsung Future Research Foundation | 2020.03.01 ~ 2022.11.30 | PI | ₩498,818,520 ($359,000) |
| Industry‑Commissioned Research Funding | Hyundai Motors | 2023.08.21 ~ 2025.03.10 | PI | ₩119,850,000 ($86,000) |
| Industry‑Commissioned Research Funding | Hyundai E&C | 2023.07.24 ~ 2025.11.30 | PI | ₩262,500,000 ($189,000) |
| Total | ₩5,335,022,492 ($3,829,000) |