Welcome to the CURE Lab!

 "We combine physics with chemistry to make new materials/functionalities that impact human life. We use Mathematics as a language and Mechanics as a tool!"

Focusing on Research at the Intersection of Ultrasonics, Biomechanics, Polymer Chemistry, and Translational Research. 

"Discovery consists of what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought." - Albert von Szent-Györgyi -

• Our mission:

The mission of the Cross-Ultrasound REsearch (CURE) Laboratory is to design next-generation adaptive structural components/systems for human life, which possess unprecedented properties and functionalities. Our research in the CURE Lab is thus directed towards advancing multi-disciplinary knowledge at the crossroads between ultrasonics, dynamics/mechanics, polymer chemistry, and bioengineering, with the particular goal of developing a new sensing material that can seamlessly interact with structures and environments. At the intersections of these fields, we develop a unique set of ultrasonic tools capable of not only quantifying the current state of damage evolution in solid materials, but also stimulating molecules, and biological cells in soft materials. We welcome applicants with a strong background in any of these subjects and techniques.

• News:

(April 2024) Excited to share our work on “Ultrasound Can Unveil Hidden Layers Like Carbonation Depth and Noninvasively Quantify Their Mechanical Properties,” which has just been accepted for publication in Cement and Concrete Research (I.F.: 11.4): https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1i%7EeD21ISsuVj. Ultrasound can produce synergistic effects not only in civil engineering but also in medicine, mechanics (notably, agitating polymer networks), and chemistry. This is our 10-year goal, and we will continue our efforts to develop advanced, adaptive ultrasound platforms tailored to enhance human society.

(April 2024) The CURE Lab was invited to the 2024 SES Annual Technical Meeting to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the journal, Extreme Mechanics Letters (EML). Prof. Kim will give an invited talk in Session 10-5: EML 10th Anniversary Symposium (Invitation Only). Such a great honor!

(March 2024) Paper (Co-first authors: Jeong Hoon Rhee, Seungo Baek, and Prof. Sungwoo Park at CU) has been accepted for publication in Construction and Building Materials. Congrats!

(February 2024) Paper (First author: Jeong Hoon Rhee, postdoc) has been accepted for publication in Structures. Well done!

(February 2024) Seohee Jeon Joined the CURE Lab as an undergraduate intern. Welcome!

(January 2024) Paper (First author: Seungo Baek, GRA) has been accepted for publication in Computers and Concrete. Hearty congrats!

(December 2023) Jinhee Kim joined the CURE Lab as an undergraduate intern. Welcome!

(November 2023) Prof. Kim and Prof. Taehwan Kim jointly hosted the 1st UNIST-UNSW Workshop on Smart Materials, Systems, and Cities at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Great success!

(November 2023) The CURE Lab. won the Bronze medal (2 million KRW) in the 2023 Technical Competition held by the Hyundai E&C. Big congrats on this achievement!

(October 2023) The CURE Lab. won the Award in the NDE Competition held by the KISMI (Korea Institute for Structural Maintenance and Inspection). Well done!

(October 2023) The CURE Lab. received the Outstanding Presentation Award from the KRCRI (Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute) Conference. Congratulation!

(October 2023) Prof. Kim will be attending the 2023 SES Conference and presenting his talk in the Mechanics and Physics of Soft Materials session. Looking forward to it!

(September 2023) The CURE Lab published 4 patents (domestic) this year. Another one will be added by the end of this year. Fantastic job!

(September 2023) Paper (first author: Sungwon) accepted for publication in Construction and Building Materials. Congratulation!

(September 2023) Hyoeun Kim joined the CURE Lab as an undergraduate intern and will begin her graduate studies in Spring 2024. Welcome!

(September 2023) Dr. Cindy Escalona G joined the CURE Lab to develop a new ultrasonic technique for ultra-fast sonopolymerization. Highly excited!

(August 2023) Prof. Kim and Seungo visited the University of Illinois to collaborate with Prof. Oelze (ECE) on the topic of quantitative ultrasound imaging and with Prof. Elbana (CEE) on the topic of polymer networks. It went very WELL!

(August 2023) Bada started her graduate studies (M.S. degree) in the Fall semester. Welcome!

(July 2023) Paper (first author: Jeong Hoon) accepted for publication in Construction and Building Materials. Well done!

(June 2023) Editorial paper (Prof. Kim) accepted for publication in Materials!

(January 2023) Seungo joined the CURE Lab to embark on his new journey in graduate studies. Welcome!

(September 2022) Prof. Kim joined O2MEDi (one of the start-up companies at UNIST) as a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to broaden his research area, specifically the fields of sonochemistry, ultrasound-based cancer therapy, and polymer materials. Congratulation! The sky is the limit!

(September 2022) Paper accepted for publication in Construction and Building Materials. Congratulation!

(July 2022) Jung-Hoon, and Sungwon received the Outstanding Paper Award from the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing (KSNT). They highlighted the role of stress-visualizing polymer in monitoring the damage state in civil infrastructure. Congratulation!

(July 2022) Prof. Kim delivered two lectures in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) hosted by Prof. En-Hua Ynag and Prof. Shunzhi Qian. He introduced new methods for nondestructive evaluation of chemical, environmental, and mechanical phenomena in cement-based materials and confirmed the common grounds for potential collaborations with the material groups at NTU! Great Job!

(June 2022) Paper accepted for publication in Construction and Building Materials. Nice work!

(May 2022) Prof. Kim had an interview with "Monthly People" introducing his research philosophy and recent work on 'Ultrasound-based translational research'!  Yes, "sky is the limit."

(April 2022) Media coverage in Herald, Medical Today, Yonhapnews, Donga-Science,  서울경제, UNIST News Center, Happy to release our work to public! (February 2022) Paper accepted for publication in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS, I.F.: 16.38)! Awesome News! (January 2022) Media coverage in SBS News, Yonhapnews, Hankookilbo, UNIST News Center, Veritas alpha, MedicalToday, Seoul, etc. Well done!

(January 2022) Our PNAS paper, "Ultrasound controlled mechanophore activation in hydrogels for cancer therapy" (PNAS 119  (4) 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2109791119) is now officially out!

(September 2021) Paper accepted for publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS, I.F.: 12.78)!

(September 2021) Dr. Eunjong joins the CURE Lab as an Postdoctoral Fellow. Welcome!

(August 2021) Prof. Kim delivered the lecture on smart materials and intelligent structural health management at The Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing (KSNT).

(June  2021) Prof. Kim delivered the lecture on stress-visualizing polymers as a structural sensor and new strategy on structural health monitoring at his alma mater, Yonsei University.

(April  2021) Prof. Kim delivered the lecture on nondestructive evaluation of cementitious materials using ultrasound at KAIST.

(December 2020) Paper accepted for publication in Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

(October 2020) Gun joined Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology as an Assistant Professor.

(May 2019) Gun's work on the development of smart materials was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America and featured in EurekAlert!, UIUC News Bureau, Phys.org, etc.