Rae Eon Kim
Graduate Institute of Ferrous & Energy Materials Technology (GIFT), POSTECH · SNMPL
Advisor: Prof. Hyoung Seop Kim
Integrated heterostructure design of improved functionality and mechanical performance
About
Welcome! I am Rae Eon Kim, a Ph.D. student at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), working under the supervision of Prof. Hyoung Seop Kim. My main research field is physical metallurgy.
My primary research goal is to develop high-performance heterostructural alloys that go beyond conventional limitations by integrating multiple functionalities. These functionalities include:
- High tensile strength for mechanical robustness
- Mechanical properties in extreme environments, such as cryogenic or high-temperature conditions
- Low density and high specific strength for lightweight structural applications
- Resistance to hydrogen embrittlement for enhanced safety in hydrogen-related environments
My long-term vision is to develop the next-generation structural materials that are not only strong and ductile but also multifunctional through heterostructure engineering, paving the way for their application in future structural materials.
Research Areas
View all →Alloy design: Strength–Ductility Synergy
Application: Formability and Additive Manufacturing
Multi-functionality: Cryogenic-to-High Temperature, Hydrogen Embrittlement, and Beyond
Selected Publications
View all →- 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
View all →- 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


