Prof Dr. Il Kim – Polymer synthesis – Best Researcher Award

Pusan National University – South Korea

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🔬 Academic Career

Dr. Il Kim has had an impressive and fruitful academic journey in the field of Chemical Engineering. He completed his Ph.D. at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in 1990, where his research focused on the Olefin Polymerization of Highly Active Ziegler-Natta Catalysts, under the guidance of Professor Seong Ihl Woo. Prior to this, he obtained his Master’s degree (1984) from KAIST, researching Vapor-Phase Air Oxidation of Isobutylene over Bismuth-Molybdate Catalysts, under Professor Young Gul Kim. His foundational education began at Yonsei University, Korea, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1982.

💼 Professional Career

Dr. Kim has had a distinguished career in Chemical and Polymer Engineering. He has served as a Professor at the School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University since 2001. His expertise spans both research and teaching, and he has held various prestigious positions throughout his career. In 2005, he became an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Food Science, Cornell University, USA, sponsored by the Yeonam Fellowship from LG Group, Korea. Dr. Kim’s leadership is evident in his role as Vice President of the Korea Polymer Society (2020–Present) and Fellow Member of the Korea Polymer Society (2021–Present). He has also held key academic administrative positions, including Director of the Center for Collaborative Instruments of Engineering College at Pusan National University from 2014 to 2020, and Chairman of the Graduate School of Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science and Engineering from 2013 to 2021.

🧪 Research Contributions

Dr. Il Kim is a leading figure in Polymer Science and Chemical Engineering. His research areas focus on Polymer Synthesis, Catalysis, Polymer Characterization, and Chemical Reaction Engineering. He was the Director of the Brain Korea 21 PLUS Center for Advanced Chemical Technology and the World Class University Center for Synthetic Polymer Bioconjugate Hybrid Materials. His work in Polymeric Materials and Chemical Engineering Applications has made a significant impact on both academia and industry. His research has led to breakthroughs in understanding polymerization processes and bioconjugate hybrid materials.

🏆 Awards and Recognition

Dr. Kim has earned multiple prestigious awards throughout his career, reflecting his contributions to Polymer Science and Engineering. He received the Professor of the Year award at the University of Ulsan in 1999 and the Best Paper Award from the Korea Institute of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry in 2006. He was also honored with the Yeosan Catalyst Award by the Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers in 2007. These awards, along with others such as the Outstanding Poster Award from the Korea Polymer Society, highlight his significant research impact and recognition by peers in the scientific community.

📚 Teaching and Mentoring

Dr. Kim is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring students in Chemical and Polymer Engineering. His courses include both undergraduate and graduate programs. At the undergraduate level, Dr. Kim teaches subjects like Organic Chemistry, Polymer Engineering, and Numerical Analysis. For graduate students, his course offerings include advanced topics such as Chemical Reaction Engineering, Polymer Synthesis, Catalysis, Advanced Polymeric Materials, and Polymer Characterization. His mentorship has helped shape the careers of many students in the fields of chemical engineering and polymer science.

🌍 Professional Memberships and Leadership

Dr. Kim is actively involved in several prestigious professional organizations. He has served as a Trustee Member of the Korea Polymer Society, Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers, and Korean Institute of Industrial Chemistry since 2006. In addition, he holds leadership roles such as Yoon In-gu Professor (Academic Council) at Pusan National University since 2020. He has also contributed to the scientific community as a session chair and committee member in various international conferences related to polymer science and chemical engineering.

Notable Publications📝

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📝Multi-role heterogeneous Zn–Co double metal cyanide catalysts valid for ring-opening polymerizations and hydrofunctionalizations

Authors: C.H. Tran, S.A. Kim, H. Choi, J. Yeong Heo, I.I. Kim

Journal: Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry

Year: 2024

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📝Versatile Hyper-Cross-Linked Polymers Derived from Waste Polystyrene: Synthesis, Properties, and Intentional Recycling

Authors: W. Song, Y. Wen, Z. Wang, D. Yu, I.I. Kim

Journal: Langmuir

Year: 2024

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📝Poly(phenylalanine) and poly(3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine): Promising biomedical materials for building stimuli-responsive nanocarriers

Authors: L. Zeng, D. Kang, L. Zhu, I.I. Kim, W. Song

Journal: Journal of Controlled Release

Year: 2024

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📝Hierarchically porous polyaromatic carbon spheres decorated NiMn2O4 nanocomposite: efficient selective azo dye degradation from aqueous water and reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol

Authors: R.M.N. Kalla, T. Kaliraja, S.K. Lakkaboyana, S. Kim, I.I. Kim

Journal: Carbon Letters

Year: 2024

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📝Preparation of Non-Isocyanate Polyurethanes from Mixed Cyclic-Carbonated Compounds: Soybean Oil and CO2-Based Poly(ether carbonate)

Authors: G. Lee, E. Lee, H. Shin, I.I. Kim, S. Hong

Journal: Polymers

Year: 2024