Prof. Uk Sim is an associate professor at Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), Republic of Korea. He received his B.S., (2007), M.S., (2009), and PhD degree (2016) from Seoul National University. Since then, he has been a senior researcher at Samsung Electromechanics and a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University until 2017. He was appointed as an associate professor at Chonnam National University (2017-2022). He also serves as the founder and CEO of Neel Sciences (2020-present). His research focuses mainly on developing nanomaterials for energy production, conversion, storage, and renewable energy produced by photo- or electrochemical reactions to create a future sustainable energy system.

Education

2011-2016 Ph.D., Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering, Seoul National University, Rep. of Korea (서울대학교 재료공학부)

2007-2009 M.S.,   Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering, Seoul National University, Rep. of Korea (서울대학교 재료공학부)

2001-2007 B.S., Magna cum laude (Top 5%),  Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering, Seoul National University, Rep. of Korea (서울대학교 재료공학부)

Working Experiences

2022.03-Present. Associate Professor, Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), Rep. of Korea (한국에너지공과대학교 부교수)

2020.07-Present. Founder, NEEL Sciences INC.

2017.10-2020.09. Wenzhou University, 겸임교수

2017.08- 2022.02. Assistant Professor, Chonnam National University, Rep. of Korea (전남대학교 신소재공학부 조교수/부교수, AI융합대학 겸임교수)

2016-2017. Postdoctoral Scholar, Stanford University, USA (스탠퍼드대학교 박사후과정 연구원)

2016. Senior Researcher, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Rep. of Korea (삼성전기 책임연구원)

2010. Researcher, Seoul National University, Rep. of Korea (서울대학교)

2009. Researcher, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Rep. of Korea (한국과학기술연구원)

2002-2004. Sergeant, Army, Rep. of Korea (육군병장 만기전역)

Academic Activities

학회

2022-Present. 나노코리아 분과위원회 위원 

2023-Present. 태양에너지학회 태양수소에너지 분과위원장 (2024-현재)

2017-Present. 한국재료학회 사업이사 (2021-2023), 총무국제이사 (2024-현재), 에너지재료분과 총무간사 (2024-현재)

2017-Present. 한국세라믹학회 편집운영이사 (2023-현재), 포상위원회 위원 (2023-현재)

2017-Present. 태양광발전학회 평의원 (2022-현재), 학술이사 (2024-현재), 태양광하이브리드기술 부문위원장 (2024-현재)

2017-Present. 한국전기화학회 재료전기화학분과 총무간사 (2022-현재)

2017-Present. 대한금속•재료학회 국가미래인재위원 (2021), 평의원 (2022-2023), 에너지재료분과 위원 (2023-현재), 반도체분과 위원 (2023-현재)

2021-Present. 한국화학공학회 회원

2021-Present. 한국공업화학회 회원

2021-Present. 한국분말재료학회 회원

2021-Present. 대한화학회 회원

2017-Present. American Chemical Society, Member

2017-Present. Materials Research Society & e-MRS, Member

2017-Present. The Electrochemical Society (ECS), Member

학술지 편집위

2024-Present. Editorial Board, Energies, SCI

2024-Present. Editorial Board, Discover Chemical Engineering, Springer

2024-Present. Editorial Board, Journal of Asian Ceramic Societies, SCI

2021-Present. Associate Editor, Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society, SCI

2019-Present. Editorial Board, Frontiers in Chemistry, SCI

2021-Present. Editorial Board, AppliedChem

2018-Present. Editorial Board, Applied Sciences, SCI

학회 조직위

2024. Program Organizer, Nano Korea 2024 (국제학회 조직위 프로그램 오거나이져)

2024. Program Organizer, GPVC 2024 (국제학회 조직위 프로그램 오거나이져)

2024. Program Organizer, ENGE 2024 (국제학회 조직위 프로그램 오거나이져)

2024. Program Organizer, GCIM 2024 (국제학회 조직위 프로그램 오거나이져)

2023-2024. Program Organizer, PRiME 2024 (국제학회 조직위 프로그램 오거나이져)

2023. Program Organizer, Nano Korea 2023 (국제학회 조직위 프로그램 오거나이져)

2023. Program Organizer, GCIM 2023 (국제학회 조직위 프로그램 오거나이져)

2022. Program Organizer, ENGE 2022 (국제학회 조직위 프로그램 오거나이져)

2021. Social Program Committee, Global Photovoltaic Conference 2021 (국제학회 사교위원장)

2020.11. Organizing Committee, PVSEC & GPVC (국제학회 조직위)

2018.11. Organizing Committee, ENGE 2018 (국제학회 조직위)

2018.08. Organizing Committee, IUMRS-ICEM 2018 (국제학회 조직위)

2020-Present. 한국재료학회 특별심포지엄 세션 조직위 (2020.11, 2021.04)

2021-Present. 한국세라믹학회 4대미래기술심포지엄 조직위 (2021.05, 2021.11)

대학

2020-2021. 전남대학교 공과대학 기획위원

2019-2021. 전남대학교 대학원 기획위원

2019. 전남대학교 공과대학 매거진 편집위원

Selected Publications

22. "Biomimetic Fe7S8/Carbon Electrocatalyst from [FeFe]-Hydrogenase for Improving pH-Universal Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Production" Dohun Kim†, Subramani Surendran†, Sejin Im, Jaehyoung Lim, Kyoungsuk Jin, Ki Tae Nam, and Uk Sim* Aggregate, 2023, e444, Wiley. (Impact factor 18.8, JCR 12.15% in materials science, multidisciplinary 54/420)

21. “Aggregation induced edge sites actuation of 3D MoSe2/rGO electrocatalyst for high‐performing water splitting system”, Gnanaprakasam Janani, Subramani Surendran, Dong‐Kyu Lee, Sathyanarayanan Shanmugapriya, Hyunjung Lee, Yuvaraj Subramanian, Uk Sim*, Aggregate, 2023, e430, Wiley. (Impact factor 18.8, JCR 12.15% in materials science, multidisciplinary 54/420) Selected as a cover image

20. “Roles of Heterojunction and Cu Vacancies in the Au@Cu2–xSe for the Enhancement of Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Performance”, Yujin Jeong, Gnanaprakasam Janani, Dohun Kim, Tae-Yong An, Subramani Surendran, Hyunjung Lee, Dae Jun Moon, Joon Young Kim, Mi-Kyung Han, Uk Sim*, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2023, 15, 52342. (Impact factor 9.5, JCR 12.74% in materials science, multidisciplinary 54/420) Selected as a cover image

19. “Redistributing the Electronic States of 2D‐Covalent Organic Frameworks for Electrochemical Energy Applications”, Sebastian Cyril Jesudass, Subramani Surendran, Gnanaprakasam Janani, Tae‐Hoon Kim, Uk Sim*, Advanced Energy Materials, 2023, 13, 2301918. (Impact factor 27.8, JCR 2.62% in Chemistry, Physical 5/172) Selected as a cover image

18. “Meticulous integration of N and C active sites in Ni2P electrocatalyst for sustainable ammonia oxidation and efficient hydrogen production”, Chanmin Jo1, Subramani Surendran1, Min-Cheol Kim1, Tae-Yong An, Yoongu Lim, Hyeonuk Choi, Gnanaprakasam Janani, Sebastian Cyril Jesudass, Dae Jun Moon, Jaekyum Kim, Joon Young Kim, Chang Hyuck Choi, Myeongjin Kim, Jung Kyu Kim, Uk Sim*, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 463, 142314. (Impact factor 16.7, JCR 3.7% in Engineering, Environmental Category 2/54)

17. "Hydrogen and Value-Added Products Yield from Hybrid Water Electrolysis: A Critical Review on Recent Developments", Krishnan Veeramani‡, Gnanaprakasam Janani‡, Joonyoung Kim‡, Subramani Surendran, Jaehyoung Lim, Sebastian Cyril Jesudass, Shivraj Mahadika, Hyunjung Lee, Tae-Hoon Kim, Jung Kyu Kim, and Uk Sim*, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2023, 177, 113227. (Impact Factor 16.8, JCR 1.06% in Green & Sustainable Science & Technology Category 1/47)

16. "Paradox of Thiourea: A False-Positive and Promoter for Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction on Nickel Sulfide Catalysts", Min-Cheol Kim†, Jiyong Chung†, Tae-Yong An†, Jaeyoung Lee, Mi-Kyung Han, Sang Soo Han,* Uk Sim,* and Taekyung Yu*, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2023, 328, 122485. (Impact Factor 22.1, JCR 0.9% in Engineering, Environmental Category 1/55)

15. "Pathways of Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction: From Ammonia Synthesis to Metal-N2 batteries", Sebastian Cyril Jesudass‡, Subramani Surendran‡,  Joon Young Kim‡,  Tae-Yong An, Gnanaprakasam Janani, Tae-Hoon Kim,  Jung Kyu Kim, and Uk Sim*, Electrochemical Energy Reviews 2023, 6, 27 (Impact Factor 32.804, JCR 5.95% in Electrochemistry, Physical Category 3/42)

14. "A Sulfur Self-doped Multifunctional Biochar Catalyst for Overall Water Splitting and Supercapacitor from Camellia Japonica Flowers", Chengkai Xia‡, Subramani Surendran‡, Seulgi Ji, Dohun Kim, Yujin Chae, Jaekyum Kim, Minyeong Je, Mi-Kyung Han, Woo-Seok Choe, Chang Hyuck Choi, Heechae Choi, Jung Kyu Kim and Uk Sim*, Carbon Energy 2022, 4, 491-505, (Impact factor 20.5, JCR 3.9% in Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Category 14/342) Selected as a cover image

13. "Fluorine-doped Graphene Oxide Prepared by Direct Plasma Treatment for Supercapacitor Applications", Yelyn Sim, Subramani Surendran, Hamchorom Cha, Hyeonuk Choi, Minyeong Je, Seungryul Yoo, Dong Chan Seok, Yong Ho Jung, Cheolho Jeon, Dong Jin Kim, Mi-Kyung Han, Heechae Choi*, Uk Sim*, Joonhee Moon*, Chemical Engineering Journal 2022, 428, 132086 (Impact factor 15.1, JCR 2.45% in Engineering, Chemical Category 4/143)

12. "Does Encapsulation Strategy of Pt Nanoparticles with Carbon Layers Really Ensure both Highly Active and Durable Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells?", Sang Gu Ji, Han Chang Kwon, Tae-Hoon Kim, Uk Sim*, and Chang Hyuck, Choi*, ACS Catalysis 2022, 12, 12, 7317–7325, (Impact factor 12.9, JCR 13.4% in Chemistry, Physical Category 22/161)

11. "Expanded solar absorption spectrum to improve photoelectrochemical oxygen evolution reaction: Effect of upconversion nanoparticles on photocatalytic activity of ZnFe2O4/TiO2", Yoongu Lim‡, Song Yeul Lee‡, Dohun Kim, Mi-Kyung Han, Hyun Soo Han, Soon Hyung Kang, Jung Kyu Kim, Uk Sim*, and Yong Il Park*, Chemical Engineering Journal 2022, 438, 135503 (Impact factor 15.1, JCR 2.45% in Engineering, Chemical Category 4/143)

10. "Syntheses and Electronic Structure Engineering of Transition Metal Nitrides for Supercapacitor Application", Shivraj Mahadik‡,  Surendran Subramani‡,  Joonyoung Kim‡,  Janani Gnanaprakasam,  DongKyu Lee,  Tae-Hoon Kim,   Jung Kyu Kim  and  Uk Sim*, Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2022, 10, 14655-14673, (Impact Factor 14.511, JCR 7.5% in Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Category 26/345), Selected as a cover image

9. "In situ Grown CoMn2O4 3D-tetragons on Carbon Cloth: Flexible Electrodes for efficient Rechargeable Zinc-Air Battery Powered Water Splitting Systems", Gnanaprakasam Janani, Subramani Surendran, Hyeonuk Choi, Mi-Kyung Han, Uk Sim*, Small 2021, 17, 2103613. (Impact factor 13.3, JCR 6.6% in Physics, Applied Category 11/159) Selected as a cover image

8. "Boosting eco-friendly hydrogen generation by urea-assisted water electrolysis using M2GeO4 (M = Fe, Co) as an active electrocatalyst", Hyeonuk Choi‡, Subramani Surendran‡, Dohun Kim, Yoongu Lim, Jaehyoung Lim, Jihyun Park, Jung Kyu Kim, Mi-Kyung Han, and Uk Sim*, Environmental Science: Nano 2021, 8 (11), 3110-3121 (Impact factor 7.3, JCR 14.4% in Environmental Sciences 40/274) Selected as a cover image

7. "Achieving Highly Efficient CO2 to CO Electroreduction Exceeding 300 mA/cm2 with Single-atom Nickel Electrocatalysts", Hui-Yun Jeong, Mani Balamurugan, Venkata Choutipalli, Eun-Suk Jeong, Venkatesan Subramanian, Uk Sim*, and Ki Tae Nam*, Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2019, 7, 10651-10661 (Impact Factor 11.9, JCR 9.2% in Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Category 32/342)

6. “Sulfur-modified Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanostructures as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Water Oxidation”, Vinayak S. Kale†, Uk Sim† (co-1st author), Jiwoong Yang, Kyoungsuk Jin, Sue In Chae, Woo Je Chang, Arun Kumar Sinha, Heonjin Ha, Chan-Cuk Hwang, Junghyun An, Hyo-Ki Hong, Zonghoon Lee, Ki Tae Nam* and Taeghwan Hyeon*, Small 2017, 13 (17), 1603893 (1-9) (Impact factor 13.3, JCR 6.6% in Physics, Applied Category 11/159)

5. “Graphene Quantum Sheet Catalyzed Silicon Photocathode for Selective CO2 Conversion to CO”, Ki Dong Yang, Yoonhoo Ha, Uk Sim, Junghyun An, Chan Woo Lee, Kyoungsuk Jin, Younghye Kim, Jimin Park, Jung Sug Hong, Jun Ho Lee, Hye-Eun Lee, Hui-Yun Jeong, Hyungjun Kim* and Ki Tae Nam*, Advanced Functional Materials, 2016, 26 (2), 233-242 (Impact Factor 19, JCR 4.5% in Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Category 16/342)

4. “N-doped Graphene Quantum Sheets on Silicon Nanowire Photocathode for Hydrogen Production”, Uk Sim, Joonhee Moon, Junghyun An, Jin Hyoun Kang, Sung Eun Jerng, Junsang Moon, Sung-Pyo Cho, Byung Hee Hong* and Ki Tae Nam*, Energy & Environmental Science 2015, 8 (4), 1329-1338, (Impact Factor 32.5, JCR 0.5% in Environmental Sciences Category 2/274)

3. “One-Step Synthesis of N-doped Graphene Quantum Sheets from Monolayer Graphene by Nitrogen Plasma”, Joonhee Moon†, Junghyun An†, Uk Sim, Sung-Pyo Cho, Jin Hyoun Kang, Chul Chung, Jung-Hye Seo, Jouhahn Lee, Ki Tae Nam*, and Byung Hee Hong*, Advanced Materials 2014, 26 (21), 3501-3505 (Impact Factor 29.4, JCR 2.2% in Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Category 8/342)

2. “N-doped Monolayer Graphene Catalyst on Silicon Photocathode for Hydrogen Production”, Uk Sim, Tae-Youl Yang, Joonhee Moon, Junghyun An, Jinyeon Hwang, Jung-Hye Seo, Jouhahn Lee, Kye Yeop Kim, Joohee Lee, Seungwu Han, Byung Hee Hong*, and Ki Tae Nam*, Energy & Environmental Science 2013, 6 (12), 3658-3664 (Impact Factor 32.5, JCR 0.5% in Environmental Sciences Category 2/274)
This week’s HOT articles from Royal Society of Chemistry publishing blog.

1.  “Nanostructural Dependence of Hydrogen Production in Silicon Photocathode”, Uk Sim, Hui-Yun Jeong, Tae-Youl Yang and Ki Tae Nam*, Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013, 1 (17), 5414-5422, (Impact Factor 11.9, JCR 9.2% in Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Category 32/342)