Dr. Youngkwon Kim, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, South Korea
Dr. Youngkwon Kim is a distinguished Senior Researcher at the Thin Film Materials Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), located in Daejeon, South Korea. His research focuses on developing cutting-edge materials for advanced photolithography, photoresist technology, and atomic layer deposition (ALD). With extensive experience in polymer and inorganic photoresists, Dr. Kim has made significant contributions to the semiconductor industry, particularly in developing low-dose EUV photoresists and inorganic PRs. His expertise is demonstrated through numerous high-impact publications, solidifying his reputation as an innovative researcher in materials science.
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Summary of Suitability for the Best Researcher Awards
Dr. Youngkwon Kim is highly suitable for the “Research for Best Researcher Award” due to his exceptional contributions to materials science, particularly in the field of photoresists, organic solar cells, and self-assembled polymers. As a senior researcher at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), his work in developing advanced photoresists and contributing to the growth of thin film materials has been instrumental in shaping the future of semiconductor and solar technologies. His expertise in Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and self-assembled monolayers (SAM) positions him as a leader in his field, especially with the focus on next-generation materials.
Dr. Kim’s work in industry, particularly with Samsung Electronics, further highlights his suitability. Leading significant projects such as the development of low-dose EUV photoresists and the world’s first inorganic EUV PR application for memory devices demonstrates his capacity to translate cutting-edge research into practical, impactful technologies. His leadership in material development for semiconductor manufacturing reflects not only deep scientific knowledge but also a high level of innovation and impact on global industry standards.
🎓 Education
- Ph.D. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (2016 – 2020)
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Advisor: Prof. Bumjoon J. Kim
Thesis: Self-Assembly Behaviors of Polythiophene-based Homopolymers and Block Copolymers by Tuning Regioregularity and Molecular Weight.
- M.S. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (2014 – 2016)
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Advisor: Prof. Bumjoon J. Kim
Thesis: Solution assembly behaviors of poly(3-hexylthiophene)-graft-poly(2-vinylpyridine) rod-coil copolymer.
- B.S. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (2010 – 2014)
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
💼 Professional Experience
- Senior Researcher (April 2023 – Present)
Thin Film Materials Research Center, KRICT
- Researching polymer & inorganic photoresists, atomic layer deposition, and self-assembled monolayers.
- Senior Research Engineer (Sep. 2021 – Mar. 2023)
DRAM Process Architecture Team, Samsung Electronics Co.
- Led material development for D1b (12.8nm) and EUV PR projects for high EUV-absorption and profile-uniformity.
- Developed world’s first inorganic PR application for memory devices.
- Senior Research Engineer (Mar. 2020 – Aug. 2021)
Material Development Group, Samsung Electronics Co.
- Developed DUV photoresists and photo-sensitive polyimides (PSPI).
- Visiting Student (May 2018 – Nov. 2018)
Material Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara.
- Worked on polymer synthesis and electron transfer chain reactions.
🏅 Awards and Recognition
- Significant contributor to developing world’s first inorganic PR for memory devices.
- Published multiple high-impact research articles in prestigious journals.
- Led numerous successful projects on photoresists, ALD, and polymers at KRICT and Samsung Electronics.
- Recognized for innovative research techniques in semiconductor materials development.
- Collaborative work with international research groups and universities.
- Advanced materials development for semiconductor manufacturing.
- Expertise in polymer and inorganic photoresists, particularly in EUV and DUV lithography.
- Strong background in atomic layer deposition (ALD) and self-assembled monolayers (SAM).
- Experience in polymer synthesis, structural control, and solution assembly.
- Collaborative research with global research groups for high-impact studies.
Publication Top Notes
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Title: Architectural engineering of rod–coil compatibilizers for producing mechanically and thermally stable polymer solar cells
Authors: HJ Kim, JH Kim, JH Ryu, Y Kim, H Kang, WB Lee, TS Kim, BJ Kim
Journal: ACS Nano
Citation Count: 103
Year: 2014
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Title: Controlling energy levels and blend morphology for all-polymer solar cells via fluorination of a naphthalene diimide-based copolymer acceptor
Authors: MA Uddin, Y Kim, R Younts, W Lee, B Gautam, J Choi, C Wang, …
Journal: Macromolecules
Citation Count: 73
Year: 2016
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Title: Efficient and Air‐Stable Aqueous‐Processed Organic Solar Cells and Transistors: Impact of Water Addition on Processability and Thin‐Film Morphologies of Electroactive Materials
Authors: C Lee, HR Lee, J Choi, Y Kim, TL Nguyen, W Lee, B Gautam, X Liu, …
Journal: Advanced Energy Materials
Citation Count: 61
Year: 2018
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Title: Regioregular-block-Regiorandom Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Copolymers for Mechanically Robust and High-Performance Thin-Film Transistors
Authors: H Park, BS Ma, JS Kim, Y Kim, HJ Kim, D Kim, H Yun, J Han, FS Kim, …
Journal: Macromolecules
Citation Count: 52
Year: 2019
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Title: High‐Performance, Flexible NO2 Chemiresistors Achieved by Design of Imine‐Incorporated n‐Type Conjugated Polymers
Authors: H Park, DH Kim, BS Ma, E Shin, Y Kim, TS Kim, FS Kim, ID Kim, BJ Kim
Journal: Advanced Science
Citation Count: 44
Year: 2022
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Title: Mechanistic study on the shape transition of block copolymer particles driven by length-controlled nanorod surfactants
Authors: KH Ku, JH Ryu, J Kim, H Yun, C Nam, JM Shin, Y Kim, SG Jang, WB Lee, …
Journal: Chemistry of Materials
Citation Count: 43
Year: 2018
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Title: Regioregularity-control of conjugated polymers: from synthesis and properties, to photovoltaic device applications
Authors: Y Kim, H Park, JS Park, JW Lee, FS Kim, HJ Kim, BJ Kim
Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Citation Count: 41
Year: 2022
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Title: Chain-length-dependent self-assembly behaviors of discrete conjugated oligo (3-hexylthiophene)
Authors: Y Kim, H Park, A Abdilla, H Yun, J Han, GE Stein, CJ Hawker, BJ Kim
Journal: Chemistry of Materials
Citation Count: 37
Year: 2020
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Title: Disintegrable n‐type Electroactive Terpolymers for high‐performance, transient organic electronics
Authors: H Park, Y Kim, D Kim, S Lee, FS Kim, BJ Kim
Journal: Advanced Functional Materials
Citation Count: 35
Year: 2022
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Title: Aqueous soluble fullerene acceptors for efficient eco-friendly polymer solar cells processed from benign ethanol/water mixtures
Authors: Y Kim, J Choi, C Lee, Y Kim, C Kim, TL Nguyen, B Gautam, K Gundogdu, …
Journal: Chemistry of Materials
Citation Count: 35
Year: 2018