Active international research exchange in the Nano-Ceramics sector with the National Institute for Materials Science of Japan
World-class international collaborative research for two months during summer vacation
[June 6, 2012]

 YU (president Lee, Hyo-soo) will send 3 students in the School of Materials Science and Engineering as interns to a national research institute of Japan.

 Sohn, Hyeong-won (25, male, senior), Kim, Duk-yeon (24, male, junior), and Jeon, Jae-hee (23, male, junior), of the School of Materials Science and Engineering were chosen for this overseas internship opportunity.

 They will be sent to Japan's NIMS (National Institute for Materials Science), which is a world-renowned research institute for the materials sector for 2 months from June 20 to August 10.

 
 Students of the School of Materials Science and Engineering to be sent as interns at Japan's NIMS
(left to right: Kim, Duk-yeon, Jeon, Jae-hee, Sohn, Hyeong-won)

 NIMS, which is located in Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, is a research institute founded in 2001 by merging the 'National Research Institute for Metals' that was established in 1956 and the 'National Institute in Inorganic Materials' that was established in 1966. Currently, it has developed into a world-class research institute that leads the development of advanced materials, which are essential for the future of humanity based on nano-technologies. It has over 500 doctorate level researchers in the materials sector.

 Interns are being sent according to the global intern program of NIMS, which it has conducted since 2006. NIMS selected about 60 interns from 20 countries across the world including Korea, France, Germany, Australia, and Canada by evaluating the grades and research plans of applicants for the internship this summer in April. Those selected will have all expenses paid for by NIMS and will engage in the 'international collaborative research in the Nano-Ceramics sector' with invited researchers of NIMS for two months.

 Sohn, Hyeong-won, the oldest of the three, is planning to conduct research on the 'evaluation of the mechanical properties of biomaterials'. He stated, "After participating in the Summer Abroad Program in UC Davis last summer, I became highly motivated in my research and that is why I applied for this internship." He added, "I would like to thank the three counseling professors who helped me during preparations such as thesis studies and English resumes for over a month. Since this is a collaborative research with university students from around the world, I will do my best to represent the capacities of Korean university students."

 Jeon, Jae-hee who will research the 'metal ceramic coating sector' and Kim, Duk-yeon who will work on the 'feasibility study of biomaterials on the human body by adding Carbon Nanotubes and BN Nanotubes', stated, "It is exciting to think about competing with students from around the world in an advanced research lab, but I feel a grave sense of responsibility being the first group to represent our university there. We will do our best so to bring about good results."

 
 Professor Kim, Suk-young (58, photo right) of the YU School of Materials Science and Engineering who instructed the students said, "Since signing an MOU for research cooperation between our School of Materials Science and Engineering and Japan's NIMS in September of last year, we have actively engaged in collaborative research in the nano-ceramics sector." He added, "We will continuously pursue exchange in research personnel by sending interns not only this summer, but also during the winter break and next year, so that we can enhance the global competitiveness of our students."

 Meanwhile, the YU School of Materials Science and Engineering became the first university in not only Korea, but all of Asia, to take part in the Summer Abroad Program for UC Davis last year, and has taken the initiative in constructing a global network by holding international seminars and pursuing dual diploma programs.