Dr. Ji-sung Yoo, of the Department of Hydrogen Materials Evaluation in the Extreme Materials Institute, has been selected as March’s Material Innovation Rising Star Researcher by the Korean Institute of Metals and Materials. KIMS is a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT.

Dr. Yoo is conducting research to enhance the hydrogen embrittlement resistance of metal materials through behavior analysis of hydrogen embrittlement and control of microstructure properties. Additionally, research is being carried out on the development of evaluation methods for hydrogen embrittlement in metal materials used in hydrogen storage containers and piping systems. Given that these materials are exposed to extreme conditions such as high-pressure hydrogen gas or cryogenic liquid hydrogen (-253℃), it is crucial to evaluate their performance under such conditions to ensure stability. With the increasing utilization of hydrogen in alignment with the transition to a hydrogen energy society, we anticipate that this research on hydrogen embrittlement will significantly contribute to the carbon-neutral era.

The Korean Institute of Metals and Materials was founded in 1946 and is recognized as the largest society in the field of metals and materials in Korea comprising experts from universities, research institutes, and industries. The‘Material Innovation Rising Star Researcher’is selected every month to encourage and recognize the next generation of young researchers. The selected young researchers will receive dues support for two years, including the year of selection. Additionally, they will receive registration fee support for the spring and fall conferences during the dues waiver period, along with a plaque bearing the name 'Material Innovation Rising Star Researcher' to support their growth as a foundation for the Society.