Welcome to the website of the Kim research group!
In the Kim group, we seek to understand the fundamental molecular mechanisms of chemical and mechanical processes occurring at solid/gas, solid/liquid, and solid/solid interfaces as well as structure-property relationships of biomaterials. This makes our research highly interdisciplinary, utilizing concepts from fields including chemical engineering, materials science, and surface science. Our research often involves the careful characterization of the mechanical, chemical, and material properties of materials using highly advanced machinery such as tribometers, vibrational spectroscopy, and Hertzian indenters.
Recent News
Dr. Kim presented at ASME webinar on Tribology of Glass
Dr. Kim recently delivered a talk at an ASME Tribology Division webinar, titled “Tackling the Puzzle Invented by the Devil: Tribology of Glass Materials.” Hosted by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ (ASME), the session explored invisible defects in glass materials, how they form, and their impact on glass performance and durability.
In his talk, Dr. Kim highlighted:
- The role of tribochemical reactions in glass surface wear and durability
- How absorbed liquids and solid particles accelerate wear in glass materials
- The effect of physical contact on subsurface structural changes
Dr. Kim emphasized the challenges of studying glass corrosion, and discussed the advanced techniques such as sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy to analyze surface chemistry and defects. This research topic is highly relevant to the broad understanding of glass tribology in industries such as electronics, optics, and nuclear waste storage, where glass durability is critical.
For more information, read the webinar report here:
https://sites.psu.edu/seongkim/files/2025/01/TLT-_-September-2024-Tribology-of-Glass-1.pdf