John Kim | Combustion | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. John Kim | Combustion | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Michigan, United States

Dr. John Hyunwoo Kim is a distinguished research scientist at the University of Michigan, specializing in combustion, multiphase reacting flows, chemical kinetics, and advanced optical diagnostics. With a strong academic background from prestigious institutions, he has consistently demonstrated excellence in both experimental and computational fluid dynamics. Dr. Kim’s work on gas turbine testing, heat transfer, and reacting CFD has significantly contributed to innovative thermal and combustion models. He is recognized for his collaborative spirit and technical leadership in academic and industrial research settings. His dedication to advancing scientific understanding has led to high-impact publications and influential conference presentations. Dr. Kim’s expertise is further highlighted by his involvement in cutting-edge projects at organizations such as Tesla, Argonne National Laboratory, and the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials. His commitment to research excellence and continuous learning positions him as a leading expert in his field, inspiring future engineers and scientists, truly transformative research.

professional profiles📖

Scopus Profile

ORCID

Education 🎓

Dr. John Hyunwoo Kim earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, achieving a perfect GPA of 4.0. His rigorous doctoral research under the guidance of Professor Margaret S. Wooldridge focused on advanced topics in combustion, multiphase reacting flows, and optical diagnostics. Prior to his Ph.D., he completed his Master’s degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Seoul National University, where he developed strong foundations in thermal and fluid sciences. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Seoul National University, where he demonstrated exceptional aptitude and leadership. Throughout his education, Dr. Kim consistently excelled in both theoretical and experimental domains, earning numerous academic awards and scholarships. His comprehensive educational background has equipped him with the knowledge and skills required to tackle complex challenges in combustion and heat transfer, paving the way for innovative contributions to the field.

work Experience💼

Dr. Kim has extensive experience in academic research and industry collaborations, specializing in combustion and multiphase reacting flow studies. At the University of Michigan, he worked as a Research Assistant from September 2019 to July 2024, characterizing auto-ignition behavior in syngas mixtures using advanced laser spectroscopy. He analyzed computational models to assess reaction pathways in large-scale facilities, contributing significantly to understanding thermal dissociation processes. During his tenure as a Thermal Simulation Intern at Tesla, he validated turbulent jet diffusion models and enhanced battery thermal runaway behavior using CFD tools. At Argonne National Laboratory, he employed time-of-flight mass spectrometry to study pyrolysis kinetics of bio-fuels. Additionally, Dr. Kim served as a Research Intern at the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials, where he optimized fuel atomization using discrete phase modeling. His diverse experience across academic and industrial environments has honed his technical expertise, preparing him to drive research in combustion science.

Skills

Dr. Kim possesses a broad range of technical and analytical skills that underpin his research in combustion and thermal sciences. He is highly proficient in advanced computational fluid dynamics, utilizing ANSYS Fluent, STAR CCM+, and other high-performance computing platforms to simulate complex reacting flows. His expertise extends to experimental diagnostics, including UV-laser absorption spectroscopy, OH-PLIF, and laser-schlieren imaging, enabling precise measurements of flame behavior and auto-ignition processes. Dr. Kim is skilled in CAD modeling and the use of SolidWorks for designing experimental setups. He has strong programming abilities in MATLAB, Python, and C++, which facilitate robust data analysis and modeling. His hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation, including time-of-flight mass spectrometry and discrete phase modeling, enhances his experimental capabilities. Dr. Kim’s technical acumen, combined with his creative problem-solving and collaborative teamwork, makes him an asset in both academic research and industry projects, driving research in combustion science.

Research Focus

Dr. Kim’s research focuses on advancing the understanding of combustion phenomena, multiphase reacting flows, and chemical kinetics. He employs state-of-the-art optical diagnostics and computational fluid dynamics to investigate flame behavior, auto-ignition processes, and thermal dissociation in various fuel mixtures. His work integrates experimental studies with high-fidelity simulations to unravel the complex interactions in gas turbine testing and heat transfer applications. Dr. Kim’s research has contributed to developing innovative methods for measuring reactive intermediates and assessing the impact of impurities on combustion efficiency. By characterizing intermediate species and reaction pathways, his studies aim to improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions in energy systems. His interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental science with practical engineering solutions, driving advancements in both academic research and industry applications. Dr. Kim’s ongoing projects continue to push the boundaries of combustion science, offering transformative insights that enhance our understanding of thermal and chemical processes in high-pressure environments.

Awards & Honors🏆 

Dr. Kim has earned numerous prestigious awards and honors that highlight his contributions to combustion science and fluid dynamics. At the University of Michigan, he received both the Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant and the Rackham Travel Grant in 2023, which recognized his outstanding research contributions. In 2022, he was honored with the Office of Science Graduate Student Research award from the U.S. Department of Energy for his innovative work. Earlier, during his studies at Seoul National University, he earned the Best Presentation Award for his outstanding Bachelor thesis in 2015 and received multiple scholarships acknowledging his superior academic performance. These awards reflect his dedication, innovative thinking, and significant impact on advancing his field. His recognition by academic institutions and industry partners underscores his leadership in research, motivating him to pursue further studies and contribute meaningfully to the evolution of combustion and thermal sciences, driving future scientific breakthroughs with passion.

Conclusion✅

John Hyunwoo Kim is an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His groundbreaking research, technical acumen, and collaborative spirit have already advanced the field of combustion and thermal sciences significantly. By expanding his global collaborations and mentoring future innovators, he is well-positioned to make even more profound contributions. His dedication to excellence and proven track record make him a standout nominee for this prestigious award.

 

📚Publications to Noted

 

In-situ two-dimensional temperature measurements using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy in laminar flames with high silica particle concentrations

Authors: Q. Meng, Qinghui; C. Banyon, Colin; K. Kim, Keunsoo; …; M.S. Wooldridge, Margaret S.; R.S. Tranter, Robert S.

Citations: 1

Year: 2024

Time-Resolved Measurements of OH during Auto-ignition of Syngas with Trimethylsilanol and Hexamethyldisiloxane

Authors: John H. Kim; Andrew B. Mansfield; Miles A. Burnett; Margaret S. Wooldridge

Citations: Not provided

Year: In press

Experimental Studies of High-Temperature Thermal Dissociation of Iso-propanol

Authors: John H. Kim; Keunsoo Kim; Qinghui Meng; Margaret S. Wooldridge; Robert S. Tranter

Citations: Not provided

Year: Submitted

An Experimental Study of 2-Propanol Pyrolysis Chemistry

Authors: Miles A. Burnett; John Kim; Scott W. Wagnon; Andrew B. Mansfield; Margaret S. Wooldridge

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2022

Effects of stereoisomeric structure and bond location on the ignition and reaction pathways of hexenes

Authors: C.L. Barraza-Botet; C. Liu; J.H. Kim; S.W. Wagnon; M.S. Wooldridge

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2021

Towards Simplified Monitoring of Instantaneous Fuel Concentration in Both Liquid and Gas Fueled Flames Using a Combustor Injectable LIBS Plug

Authors: Hyung Min Jun; John Hyunwoo Kim; Seok Hwan Lee; Jack J. Yoh

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2018

Instantaneous Monitoring of Local Fuel Concentration in a Liquid Hydrocarbon-Fueled Flame Using a LIBS Plug

Authors: John Hyunwoo Kim; SeokHwan Lee; Hyungrok Do; Jack J. Yoh

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2017