About

Welcome! I am Rae Eon Kim, a Ph.D. student at POSTECH. Rooted in physical metallurgy, my research develops high-performance heterostructural alloys that go beyond conventional limits by integrating multiple functionalities.
- High tensile strength for mechanical robustness
- Mechanical properties in extreme environments, from cryogenic to high temperature
- High specific strength for lightweight structural applications
- Resistance to hydrogen embrittlement
My vision is to develop next-generation structural materials that combine high strength, ductility, and multifunctionality.
Research
01Basic
Alloy design: Strength–Ductility Synergy
Gradient structure · Reverse gradient · UNSM
02Application
Application: Formability and Additive Manufacturing
Formability · Additive manufacturing
03Developed
Multi-functionality: Cryogenic-to-High Temperature, Hydrogen Embrittlement, and Beyond
Cryogenic · Hydrogen embrittlement · Inverse-gradient
Selected Publications
- Dual-gradient structure induced spreadable phase transformation for simultaneously improving strength and ductilityActa Materialia · 2024
- Hierarchical ferrous medium entropy with heterogeneous precipitates embedded in core-shell grain structure for superior mechanical propertiesActa Materialia · 2024
- Superior gradient heterostructured alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion via annealing and ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modificationScripta Materialia · 2023
- Superior tensile properties and formability synergy of high-entropy alloys through inverse-gradient structures via laser surface treatmentScripta Materialia · 2023
- Mitigating Hydrogen Embrittlement Through Microstructural Shielding: Reverse-Gradient Design in High-Entropy AlloysCorrosion Science · 2026
Selected Awards
- Wonik Next-Generation Engineer Grand PrizeNAEK · Wonik Foundation · 2026
- Acta Materialia Student AwardActa Materialia, Inc. · 2024
- Talent Award of Korea (Deputy PM & Minister of Education Award)Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea · 2024
- Next-Generation Engineering Researcher Grand PrizeInstitute for Promotion of Engineering and Science of Korea (IPESK) · 2025


