Macromolecular Assemblies at Interfaces for Sustainable Applications by Professor Kookheon CHAR

05 Dec 2025 02.30 PM - 03.30 PM Centre for Cross Economy, 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01s-50, S(637551) Alumni, Current Students

NTU MSE Seminar Hosted by Assistant Professor Kim Gun

Abstract

In this presentation, I will give an overview of our research program related to interfacial science that has extended from 1991 to the present. When dealing with assemblies with nano-objects such as macromolecules and colloids, we have to take into account many factors such as interparticle interactions, object-surface interactions, the range of interactions, dynamic nature of the interactions, possible phase separation and so forth. The materials of interest have spanned from long polymer chains, short amphiphilic chains, colloidal silica, quantum dots, and exotic sulfur-based polymers and we have explored diverse methods of creating thin films on solid or flexible substrates including quiescent adsorption from solution, spin casting, layer-by-layer deposition, and Langmuir-Blodget transfer of ultrathin films. With the recent advent of advanced characterization tools such X-ray and neutron scattering and reflectivity, NEXAFS, atomic force microscopy, SFM, ARXPS, and in-situ electron microscopy, the detailed nature of nano-object assemblies has been revealed and well understood. These assemblies of nano- and micro-objects in the form of hybrids are abundantly seen in Nature and can be applied to many important industrial processes and materials for sustainable growth.

Biography
Kookheon CHAR

Professor Emeritus
School of Chemical & Biological Engineering
Seoul National University

Kookheon Char is currently the Professor Emeritus in the School of Chemical and Biological Engineering of the Seoul National University of South Korea. His research explores the interfacial phenomena involving solid/liquid and melt/melt interfaces frequently involved in colloidal and composite systems. He has led the National Creative Research Initiative Center for Intelligent Hybrids and also served as the chief PI for the IRTG International Collaboration with German counterparts on the Self-Organized Materials for Optoelectronic Applications.
His pioneering work has earned him numerous honors, including the Gutenberg Research Award, the TOTAL Lectureship Award in ESPCI Paris Tech, The Society of Polymer Science Japan International Award, and the Inchon Prize of Korea. He was also appointed as the Gutenberg Research College Fellow, the American Physical Society Fellow and the Full Members of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea and the Korea Academy of Science and Technology. In addition, he also served as the Dean of the College of Engineering of the Seoul National University for public engagement.

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