Jeong-Soo Lee
Assistant Professor
Pohang University of Science and Technology
Pohang, Korea
Education:
- B. S. in EE, Pohang Univ. Sci. Tech., Korea
- M. S. in EE, Pohang Univ. Sci. Tech., Korea
- Ph. D. in EE, Pohang Univ. Sci. Tech., Korea
Work Focus:
Jeong-Soo Lee is an assistant professor in the Electrical Engineering Department, POSTECH, Korea.
Advice to Students:
Expand your studies in physics, chemistry, and biology, and get experience working with others.
Links:
– POSTECH-Pohang University of Science and Technology
Interview:
Q: When did you first find that your career path focused on nanotechnology?
Lee: When I visited Univ. Texas at Dallas (UTD) in 2002 as a visiting researcher, I joined a team working on carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis and applications. In that team, I worked on fabrication of CNT-based electronic devices.
Q: What current nanotechnology applications are you working on?
Lee: Nanoscale transistors, Biosensors, phase change memory, electromechanical systems. All these devices can be used as a component in IT(information technology)/BT(biotechnology) systems. Q: What’s the most rewarding thing about working with nanotechnology?
Lee: It is a chance to get an insight into nature.
Q: Is there an example you can provide that shows how something you’ve worked on has positively impacted the world?
Lee: Our group has fabricated nanoscale electronic devices which will be commercialized in the near future for a next-generation IT systems. For example, those IT systems can be utilized for sensing biosignals as an embedded in wearable form.
Q: What do you think is the single greatest impact nanotechnology has had on the world thus far?
Lee: It makes mankind understand nature further through investigating and expanding knowledge on the ‘nano-world.’
Q: Please give an example of what you envision nanotechnology applications leading to in the future.
Lee: Biosensors, advanced memory devices, advanced electronic devices. These devices should be very compact, low cost, have a low power consumption, and be lightweight. Nanotechnology can meet those requirements.
Q: Do you find yourself working more in a team situation, or more alone?
Lee: I work more as a part of a team.
Q: If you work more as a team, what are some of the other areas of expertise of your team members?
Lee: Physicists, biologists, chemists, and (electrical/material based) engineers.
Q: Did your university training help you in your nanotechnology work?
Lee: Yes. In my research projects, advanced characterization and fabrication tools are very crucial. My university (that is, POSTECH) has provided those very good facilities.
Q: Do you have a mentor? Did you in your college years?
Lee: No, I did not.
Q: If you had to do it all over again, would you still focus on nanotechnology applications?
Lee: Yes, because I has been happy with the work and am sure that nanotechnology will bring more benefits to society. Q: If a high school or college student was interested in nanotechnology, what advice would you give them to help prepare take on those roles?
Lee: Expand your studies in physics, chemistry, and biology, and get experience working with others.
