Faculty Feature: Jung-Hyun Kim, PhD

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Jung-Hyun Kim
Jung-Hyun Kim, PhD is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Kim incorporates his expertise in materials/chemistry-related energy storage and conversion devices (e.g., batteries and fuel-cells) to the electric vehicle (EV) programs at CAR.

                                               

In addition to your work with batteries and fuel cells, what do you hope to accomplish while at CAR?

My ultimate goal is to establish the Ohio State Energy Storage Hub, a world class network of laboratories and centers supporting energy research which will include CAR, the Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis and Nanotech West, which is driven by Ohio State's Discovery Themes. Through this activity, I plan to catalyze a collaborative effort of the energy storage research between various research groups at Ohio State and actively participate in multidisciplinary research and teaching activities across the campus.

 

How long have you been at CAR and where did you work previously?

A new faculty member-I joined CAR and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in August, 2016. I obtained my PhD in 2009 from the University of Texas at Austin and worked as a postdoc at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory throughout 2010. Prior to joining Ohio State, I worked as a senior researcher at General Motors (GM) R&D in Warren, Michigan from 2011 – 2016.

 

What do you enjoy most about CAR?

I admire the spirit of CAR that fosters creativity and learning in students’ young minds. Under Giorgio’s leadership, I have observed the true impact of student-centered learning which significantly motivates students. The self-driven students are truly the best resource and the pride of CAR. I am enjoying the great educational and workplace culture here.

 

What consortium project will you be working on?

Together with researchers at Ford Motor Company, I am initiating a consortium project that aims to adopt high-voltage (around 5 V) positive electrodes for solid-state Li-ion batteries. Ford Motor Company has profound R&D expertise in the area of solid-electrolytes that perfectly matches with my research background on the materials synthesis and fabrication process of solid-state (i.e. ceramic) devices, which will make a synergy and an innovation for the next-generation Li-ion batteries. The major challenge lies in stabilizing the electrode/solid-electrolyte interface and achieving extended cycle life of the solid-state batteries. Therefore, we plan to optimize following three interwoven parameters that govern the physical properties of electrode/electrolyte interfaces – materials combination, microstructural design and processing parameters. By utilizing the high-voltage solid-state Li-ion batteries, we can significantly improve the abuse tolerance and energy/power density of battery cells for EV applications.

 

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy reading novels or watching movies or animation about Sci-Fi. My favorite novel is Robot by Isaac Asimov and favorite movies are Blade Runner by Ridley Scott and Minority Report by Steven Spielberg. I am often fascinated in realizing that many depictions about future technologies in the past are actually happening now!

Category: Faculty