Prof. Jong Hak Kim

Yonsei University, South Korea

Biography: Prof. Jong Hak Kim received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Yonsei University, South Korea, in 2003. He subsequently worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2005, he joined Yonsei University as an assistant professor and is currently a full professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. His research interests focus on the synthesis of functional polymers and their applications in gas separation membranes and polymer electrolytes for electrochemical devices. Prof. Kim has published over 420 papers in peer-reviewed international journals, including Nature Communications, Angewandte Chemie, and Advanced Materials. His work has received more than 17,400 citations, and his current h-index is 69.  

Speech Title: Copolymer Design Strategies for High-Performance Ion-Conducting Polymer Membranes  

Abstract: Ion-conducting polymer membranes are central to the realization of carbon-neutral energy technologies, enabling high-efficiency and zero-emission systems. They serve as key components in a wide range of electrochemical devices, including polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs), lithium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors, as well as in separation processes such as electrodialysis, desalination, and industrial ion removal. Despite significant progress over recent decades, the simultaneous achievement of high ionic conductivity and robust mechanical integrity remains a fundamental challenge in membrane design, often limited by an intrinsic trade-off between transport efficiency and structural stability. In this conference, I will talk about three complementary strategies to overcome this limitation. First, we demonstrate the synthesis of SEBS-g-PSSA block-graft copolymers derived from commercially available hydrocarbon triblock copolymers, enabling a favorable balance between high ionic conductivity and mechanical flexibility. Second, we present a rapid and energy-efficient fabrication route for poly(arylene piperidinium) (PAP)-based anion exchange membranes, which circumvents the reliance on high-boiling solvents (e.g., DMSO) and energy-intensive drying processes inherent to conventional solution casting. Third, we describe the development of thermoplastic elastomeric graft-copolymer “glue” electrolyte membranes featuring nanoscale phase-separated morphologies, dual-ion transport pathways, and universal interfacial adhesion, making them particularly attractive for advanced solid-state electrochemical devices. Collectively, these approaches provide scalable and versatile pathways for the design and manufacturing of next-generation ion-conducting membranes with enhanced electrochemical performance, mechanical robustness, and structural adaptability, thereby advancing sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies.  

 

Prof. Domenico Pirozzi

University Federico II, Italy

Biography: Domenico Pirozzi, Ph.D. is Professor of Biochemical Engineering Principles at the University of Naples Federico II (Italy), where he obtained his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Biochemical Engineering. His research activity is focused on the design, modeling, and optimization of sustainable bioprocesses, with particular emphasis on bioremediation of contaminated waters, biofuel production from residual and lignocellulosic biomasses, and the application of enzymes in non-aqueous and multiphase systems.
He has coordinated and contributed to numerous competitive national and international research projects and has collaborated with industry as a scientific consultant. Prof. Pirozzi is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications in international journals and serves on the Editorial Board of international scientific journals. He is actively involved in the organization of international scientific events, including the First Frederician Euro-Mediterranean Days, MedLife 2025, and several international Winter Schools.
Prof. Pirozzi has held visiting professor and research appointments at Universidad Nacional del Litoral (Argentina), the University of Strathclyde (UK), and Tsing-Hua University (China). At the University of Naples Federico II, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Industrial Biotechnology, and contributes to the development of advanced multimedia teaching through the Federica Web Learning platform.  

 

Assoc. Prof. Chih-Chieh Wang

National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan

Biography: Dr. Chih-Chieh Wang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials and Optoelectronic Science at National Sun Yat-sen University (2022–present). From 2014 to 2018, he served on the faculty of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Feng Chia University, and from 2013 to 2014, he worked as a Principal Engineer at Lam Research in Taiwan. He received his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from National Tsing Hua University in 2008 and completed his postdoctoral training at the National Center for Instrumentation Research, Taiwan (2009–2011), and at The University of Texas at Austin (2011–2013). His research interests include atomic layer deposition, energy nanomaterials, and electrochemical energy storage. He was a recipient of the MOST Special Outstanding Talent Award in 2018 and the NSYSU College of Engineering Young Scholar Award in 2025.  

Speech Title: Enhanced surface stability of garnet-type solid-state electrolyte via atomic layer deposition  

Abstract: The garnet-type solid-state electrolyte (SSE) suffers from poor interfacial contact with Li metal and susceptibility to dendrite penetration. In this study, these issues are addressed by tailoring the grain-boundary and surface properties of Li₆.₅La₃Zr₁.₆Ta₀.₄O₁₂ (LLZTO) through atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, followed by sintering. The treatments enhance the mechanical robustness of LLZTO and suppress its electronic conductivity, attributed to the formation of LiAlO₂ phases at grain boundaries and a Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ interphase on the surface. Furthermore, the modified SSE pellets exhibit stable galvanostatic Li plating/stripping behavior with low polarization, owing to improved Li wettability, leading to enhanced electrochemical performance. This work demonstrates that atomic-scale interface engineering of garnet SSEs via ALD-derived coatings can effectively mitigate Li dendrite penetration and offers new insights into the design of high-performance solid-state batteries.