The National Research Foundation (NRF) selected 9 Ajou University research teams for its “2021 Young Researcher Program: Beginning Innovation Lab.” Accordingly, Ajou University will receive a total of KRW 3.83 billion in research grants over the next 5 years.  

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the NRF launched the Young Researcher Program to stimulate a drive for and creativity in research to maximize research capacity. University faculty members in science and engineering who obtained a doctoral degree within the last 7 years or who are 39 years of age or younger are eligible to participate in the program and are entitled to receive a total of KRW 150 million in research grants over a 3- to 5-year period.

The Beginning Innovation Lab program helps cover research facility and equipment expenses so that participants in the Young Researcher Program can establish a research lab early on for the tasks chosen by the Foundation. The maximum individual research grant of this program is KRW 100 million.

The nine Ajou University research teams selected by the Foundation will receive a grand total of KRW 3.833 million over the 3-year standard period or up to 5 years. 

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▲Prof. Ko Jae-sung (Department of Mechanical Engineering): Developing Body Contacting Smart Clothing Using Artificial Muscle Fiber Compound Textiles  

▲Prof. Kwak Won-jin (Department of Chemistry): Developing Fast Charging Technology for Next-generation Secondary Battery through High Output Liquid-type Electrode Interface Control 

▲Prof. Yoon Jong-hui (Department of Physics): Developing Real-time Intelligent Hyperspectral Endoscopy for Early Detection of Gastrointestinal Cancer

▲Prof. Lee In-hwan (Department of Chemistry): Polymer Synthesis through Ring-opening Polymerization of Living Cations

▲Prof. Lee Jae-young (Department of Environmental and Safety Engineering): Study on the Mechanism of Secondary Aerosol Generation 

▲Prof. Lee Chang-han (Department of Biological Sciences): Study on the Proteostasis Control System of Bacillus Pyocyaneus

▲Prof. Lee Hyung-woo (Department of Physics): Developing Ferroelectric Membrane Memristor to Create Neuromorphic Chips 

▲Prof. Lee Hwang (Department of Architecture): Bio-fabrication Architecture: Design and Production through 4D Bio Printing and Robot Arms

▲Prof. Hwang Jong-kook (Department of Chemical Engineering): Designing Functional Nano-porous Materials Based on Polymer-Metal Organic Framework (MOF) Hybrid