Yong-Jun Kim

Bio: Yong-Jun Kim is an academic researcher from Yonsei University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Particle & Surface micromachining. The author has an hindex of 28, co-authored 178 publications receiving 2889 citations. Previous affiliations of Yong-Jun Kim include Samsung Techwin & Samsung.

CPW-fed planar ultra wideband antenna having a frequency band notch function

Abstract: A CPW-fed planar ultra-wideband antenna with hexagonal radiating elements is presented. The antenna also has a frequency band notch characteristic. By inserting a V-shaped thin slot on the hexagonal radiating element, the narrow frequency band notch has been created very close to the desired frequency.

Wearable thermoelectric generator for harvesting human body heat energy

Abstract: This paper presents the realization of a wearable thermoelectric generator (TEG) in fabric for use in clothing. A TEG was fabricated by dispenser printing of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 and Bi2Se0.3Te2.7 in a polymer-based fabric. The prototype consisted of 12 thermocouples connected by conductive thread over an area of 6 × 25 mm2. The device generated a power of 224 nW for a temperature difference of 15 K. When the TEG was used on the human body, the measured output power was 224 nW in an ambient temperature of 5 °C. The power of the TEG was affected by the movement of the wearer. A higher voltage was maintained while walking than in a stationary state. In addition, the device did not deform after it was bent and stretched several times. The prospect of using the TEG in clothing applications was confirmed under realistic conditions.

A Polymer-Based Flexible Tactile Sensor for Both Normal and Shear Load Detections and Its Application for Robotics

Abstract: This paper proposes and demonstrates a novel flexible tactile sensor for both normal and shear load detections. For the realization of the sensor, polyimide and polydimethylsiloxane are used as a substrate, which makes it flexible. Thin metal strain gauges, which are incorporated into the polymer, are used for measuring normal and shear loads. The salient feature of this tactile sensor is that it has no diaphragm-like structures. The unit tactile cell characteristics are evaluated against normal and shear loads. The fabricated tactile sensor can measure normal loads of up to 4 N, and the sensor output signals are saturated against loads of more than 4 N. Shear loads can be detected by different voltage drops in strain gauges. The device has no fragile structures; therefore, it can be used as a ground reaction force (GRF) sensor for balance control in humanoid robots. Four tactile unit sensors are assembled and placed in the four corners of the robots sole. By increasing bump dimensions, the tactile unit sensor can measure loads of up to 2 kgf. When loads are exerted on the sole, the GRF can be measured by these four sensors. The measured forces can be used in the balance control of biped locomotion systems.

Flexible thermoelectric generator for human body heat energy harvesting

Abstract: A report is presented on a thermoelectric generator used for harvesting heat energy from a human body. The proposed thermoelectric generator comprises a polydimethylsiloxane substrate and thermoelectric materials. The use of polydimethylsiloxane provides flexibility to the thermoelectric generator. Another advantage of using a polydimethylsiloxane substrate is that it has low thermal conductivity; this can help minimise losses in the effective heat flowing through the active thermoelectric materials. The proposed thermoelectric generator was easily fabricated using dispenser printing for thermoelectric materials. The fabricated thermoelectric generator was attached to the human body for generating electrical energy. When the temperature difference between the human body and ambient air was 19 K, the output power of the thermoelectric generator was 2.1 μW.

Surface micromachined solenoid inductors for high frequency applications

Abstract: As operation frequencies and performance requirements of wireless devices increase, the resultant demands on the performance of passive components also increase. Miniaturization of inductive components for high frequency has been a key research area to address this issue; however, in general, miniaturized integrated inductors can suffer from low Q factors and/or self-resonant frequencies when compared to their discrete counterparts. In this research, a modified geometry of a solenoid type inductor using a surface micromachining technique is proposed. This inductor has an air core and an electroplated copper coil to reduce the series resistance, and its low temperature process is suitable for various packaging applications. An important feature of the proposed inductor geometry is the introduction of an air gap between the substrate and the conductor coil in order to reduce the effects of the substrate dielectric constant. This air gap can be realized using a polyimide sacrificial layer and a surface micromachining technique. Therefore, the resulting inductor can have less substrate-dependent magnetic properties, less stray capacitance, and higher Q-factor. The measurement result shows that this inductor has high Q-factor and stable inductance over a wide range of operating frequency. Also, various effects of geometrical factors have been investigated. Various inductors with the inductance varying from 1 to 20 nH and maximum Q-factor from 7 to 60 have been fabricated and measured.

25th Anniversary Article: The Evolution of Electronic Skin (E-Skin): A Brief History, Design Considerations, and Recent Progress

Abstract: Human skin is a remarkable organ. It consists of an integrated, stretchable network of sensors that relay information about tactile and thermal stimuli to the brain, allowing us to maneuver within our environment safely and effectively. Interest in large-area networks of electronic devices inspired by human skin is motivated by the promise of creating autonomous intelligent robots and biomimetic prosthetics, among other applications. The development of electronic networks comprised of flexible, stretchable, and robust devices that are compatible with large-area implementation and integrated with multiple functionalities is a testament to the progress in developing an electronic skin (e-skin) akin to human skin. E-skins are already capable of providing augmented performance over their organic counterpart, both in superior spatial resolution and thermal sensitivity. They could be further improved through the incorporation of additional functionalities (e.g., chemical and biological sensing) and desired properties (e.g., biodegradability and self-powering). Continued rapid progress in this area is promising for the development of a fully integrated e-skin in the near future.

Fiber‐Based Wearable Electronics: A Review of Materials, Fabrication, Devices, and Applications

Abstract: Fiber-based structures are highly desirable for wearable electronics that are expected to be light-weight, long-lasting, flexible, and conformable Many fibrous structures have been manufactured by well-established lost-effective textile processing technologies, normally at ambient conditions The advancement of nanotechnology has made it feasible to build electronic devices directly on the surface or inside of single fibers, which have typical thickness of several to tens microns However, imparting electronic functions to porous, highly deformable and three-dimensional fiber assemblies and maintaining them during wear represent great challenges from both views of fundamental understanding and practical implementation This article attempts to critically review the current state-of-arts with respect to materials, fabrication techniques, and structural design of devices as well as applications of the fiber-based wearable electronic products In addition, this review elaborates the performance requirements of the fiber-based wearable electronic products, especially regarding the correlation among materials, fiber/textile structures and electronic as well as mechanical functionalities of fiber-based electronic devices Finally, discussions will be presented regarding to limitations of current materials, fabrication techniques, devices concerning manufacturability and performance as well as scientific understanding that must be improved prior to their wide adoption

Semiconducting metal oxides as sensors for environmentally hazardous gases

Abstract: This article extensively reviews the recent development of semiconductor metal oxide gas sensors for environmentally hazardous gases including NO2, NO, N2O, H2S, CO, NH3, CH4, SO2 and CO2. The gas sensing properties of differently-prepared metal oxides and loaded metal oxides towards nine environmentally hazardous gases have been individually compared and digested. Promising materials for sensitive and selective detection of each hazardous gas have been identified. For instance, unloaded WO3 nanostructures are the most promising candidates for NO2 sensing while metal catalyst loaded WO3 and gold-loaded SnO2 sensors are among the most effective for NO and N2O sensing, respectively. Moreover, related gas-sensing mechanisms are comprehensively discussed.

Monitoring of Vital Signs with Flexible and Wearable Medical Devices

Abstract: Advances in wireless technologies, low-power electronics, the internet of things, and in the domain of connected health are driving innovations in wearable medical devices at a tremendous pace. Wearable sensor systems composed of flexible and stretchable materials have the potential to better interface to the human skin, whereas silicon-based electronics are extremely efficient in sensor data processing and transmission. Therefore, flexible and stretchable sensors combined with low-power silicon-based electronics are a viable and efficient approach for medical monitoring. Flexible medical devices designed for monitoring human vital signs, such as body temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, pulse oxygenation, and blood glucose have applications in both fitness monitoring and medical diagnostics. As a review of the latest development in flexible and wearable human vitals sensors, the essential components required for vitals sensors are outlined and discussed here, including the reported sensor systems, sensing mechanisms, sensor fabrication, power, and data processing requirements.

Advanced Thermoelectric Design: From Materials and Structures to Devices

Abstract: The long-standing popularity of thermoelectric materials has contributed to the creation of various thermoelectric devices and stimulated the development of strategies to improve their thermoelectric performance. In this review, we aim to comprehensively summarize the state-of-the-art strategies for the realization of high-performance thermoelectric materials and devices by establishing the links between synthesis, structural characteristics, properties, underlying chemistry and physics, including structural design (point defects, dislocations, interfaces, inclusions, and pores), multidimensional design (quantum dots/wires, nanoparticles, nanowires, nano- or microbelts, few-layered nanosheets, nano- or microplates, thin films, single crystals, and polycrystalline bulks), and advanced device design (thermoelectric modules, miniature generators and coolers, and flexible thermoelectric generators). The outline of each strategy starts with a concise presentation of their fundamentals and carefully selected examples. In the end, we point out the controversies, challenges, and outlooks toward the future development of thermoelectric materials and devices. Overall, this review will serve to help materials scientists, chemists, and physicists, particularly students and young researchers, in selecting suitable strategies for the improvement of thermoelectrics and potentially other relevant energy conversion technologies.