Professor Kim from the Center for Artificial Low Dimensional Electronic Systems (CALDES) won the scientific award this month by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP) in conjunction with the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF).

Professor Kim received the honor for his groundbreaking research on selectively controlling the band gap of black phosphorus: the semiconducting stable form of white phosphorus. In 2015, Professor Kim led a scientific team that modified BP into a super semiconductor and opened the potential for the mass commercialization of the material. His research paper was published in the scientific journal Science.

Graphene is globally renowned for its remarkable attributes: it’s stronger than steel yet many times lighter, more conductive than copper and more flexible than rubber. The only negative drawback with graphene is its lack of a band gap; the smaller a band gap the more conductive a material, graphene has none therefore dilutes its vast potential for commercial production. Black phosphorus, however, has a band gap and, thanks to Keun Su’s work, is now under intense scientific scrutiny to mass produce for its application in several sectors, including energy and telecommunications.

Speaking after receiving the award, Professor Kim said: “This is the first research outcome where I was the principle investigator but the success of the research wouldn’t have been possible without the help of both my colleagues and Director Yeom.”

The monthly scientific award was first established in 1997 to promote the work of both scientists and engineers and raise public awareness of their work and in science and technology. The award comes with a cash prize.

Professor Kim continues his pioneering work from his lab in Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH).

▲ Professor Kim from the Center for Artificial Low Dimensional Electronic Systems (CALDES)

Neil Mannix