REK
Ph.D. Candidate

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.

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Research Areas

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Selected Publications

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  • Dual-gradient structure induced spreadable phase transformation for simultaneously improving strength and ductility
    Acta Materialia · 2024
  • Hierarchical ferrous medium entropy with heterogeneous precipitates embedded in core-shell grain structure for superior mechanical properties
    Acta Materialia · 2024
  • Superior gradient heterostructured alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion via annealing and ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification
    Scripta Materialia · 2023
  • Superior tensile properties and formability synergy of high-entropy alloys through inverse-gradient structures via laser surface treatment
    Scripta Materialia · 2023
  • Mitigating Hydrogen Embrittlement Through Microstructural Shielding: Reverse-Gradient Design in High-Entropy Alloys
    Corrosion Science · 2026

Selected Awards

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  • Wonik Next-Generation Engineer Grand Prize
    NAEK · Wonik Foundation · 2026
  • Acta Materialia Student Award
    Acta 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 Prize
    Institute for Promotion of Engineering and Science of Korea (IPESK) · 2025
Wonik Next-Generation Engineer Grand Prize (2026)
Wonik Next-Generation Engineer Grand Prize
Talent Award of Korea (2024)
Talent Award of Korea
Acta Materialia Student Award (2024)
Acta Materialia Student Award