Joo Sung Kim

RIKEN Advanced Science Institute, Hanyang University

Papers

Total Citations

110

H-Index

About

Joo Sung Kim is pioneering the frontier of soft robotics and smart materials, with a focus on developing next-generation actuators and self-healing systems for extreme environments. His research centers on ionic electroactive polymers (i-EAPs) and piezo-ionic elastomers, addressing the fundamental challenge of reconciling force and strain in soft actuators. In his highly cited 2024 work (83 citations), Kim introduced an ultrafast underwater self-healing piezo-ionic elastomer using dynamic hydrophobic-hydrolytic domains—a breakthrough that enables autonomous repair and mechanical sensing in aquatic settings, with direct applications in underwater soft electronics and water-resistant human-machine interfaces. His 2023 paper (27 citations) proposed an ions-silica percolated ionic dielectric elastomer actuator, offering a novel solution to the force-strain dilemma in soft robotics. By engineering materials that combine self-healing, sensing, and actuation in challenging conditions, Kim is shaping the future of resilient, adaptive soft robots. His work stands out for its practical focus on real-world deployment, earning recognition as a key contributor to the emerging field of aquatic soft robotics.