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[Breaking 18 Years of American Dominance, First Recipient from a Non-U.S. Institution to Win Best Scientist Award at the TMS Annual Meeting]

Professor Hyoung Seop Kim of the Graduate Institute of Ferrous&Eco Materials Technology and Department of Materials Science and Engineering at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) received the ‘2025 TMS MPMD (Materials Processing & Manufacturing Division) Distinguished Scientist/Engineer Award’ at the TMS 2025 154th Annual Meeting held in Las Vegas on March 25, 2025. 

This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made long-lasting and pioneering contributions to the design, synthesis, processing, and performance of engineering materials. Professor Kim was honored for his outstanding research achievements and long-standing contributions in the field of metal materials science.

What makes this achievement particularly remarkable is that Professor Kim is the first recipient from a non-U.S. institution to receive this award since its inception in 2007, breaking 18 years of U.S.-based winners. This historic achievement underscores the growing global influence of Korean science and technology and elevates the international stature of POSTECH.

Professor Kim has recently developed strategies to dramatically enhance the efficiency of metal component repair processes using "Direct Energy Deposition" technology. He has also presented advanced methodologies for implementing lightweight and impact-resistant enhancement technologies critical for defense and aerospace applications by studying the mechanical  behavior of lattice structures.

In response to the award, Professor Kim stated "This award is a great honor for both POSTECH and the Korean scientific community, serving as a catalyst for further advancements of Korean science and technology." Also, he said, "I will continue striving to contribute to the development of science, technology, and industry through more advanced materials research."