Assist. Prof. Dr. Jinkyu Lim | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Hanbat National University, South Korea 

Dr. Jinkyu Lim is an accomplished Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at Hanbat National University, South Korea, with a distinguished background in electrocatalysis, nanomaterials, and sustainable energy systems. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from KAIST, where he conducted pioneering research on shape-controlled electrocatalysts for CO₂ and water electrolysis. His academic journey includes prestigious fellowships and scholarships from the Korean government and a B.S. from Yonsei University with high honors. Dr. Lim has held research appointments at world-renowned institutions such as Stanford University’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he advanced novel X-ray spectroscopy techniques. With over 25 publications in leading journals like Energy & Environmental Science, Green Chemistry, and ACS Catalysis, his interdisciplinary work bridges chemical engineering, materials science, and energy technologies. His expertise in electrochemical system design, biohybrid systems, and nanostructure synthesis positions him as a rising leader in the field of sustainable chemical engineering.

Professional Profile 

• Google Scholar
• ORCID Profile
• Scopus Profile

🎓 Education of Dr. Jinkyu Lim

Dr. Jinkyu Lim has pursued an outstanding academic path in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. He earned his Ph.D. from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) in 2021, where he conducted groundbreaking research on shape-controlled electrocatalysts for gas diffusion electrodes in water and CO₂ electrolysis, supported by the prestigious Global Ph.D. Fellowship and a KAIST scholarship. Prior to that, he completed his M.S. at KAIST in 2017 with a perfect GPA of 4.00/4.30, focusing on minimizing iridium usage through bimetallic nanoparticle design. Dr. Lim began his academic journey with a B.S. from Yonsei University in 2015, graduating with High Honors (top 3% of his class) and earning the National Science and Technology Scholarship for academic excellence. His education reflects a consistent record of excellence, innovation, and full scholarship recognition at South Korea’s most elite institutions.

💼 Professional Experience of Dr. Jinkyu Lim

Dr. Jinkyu Lim has built an impressive professional career marked by international research excellence and academic leadership. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at Hanbat National University, South Korea (2025–Present). Before this, he held the same position in the Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering at The Catholic University of Korea (2023–2025), contributing to advancements in sustainable energy technologies. From 2021 to 2023, Dr. Lim worked as a Research Associate at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (Stanford University), where he developed cutting-edge X-ray absorption spectrometers for analyzing extremely dilute samples. He also briefly served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at KAIST in 2021, working on biohybrid electrolysis systems. Earlier in his academic career, he was a Visiting Graduate Student Research Assistant at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2017–2018), where he explored inverse opal photonic crystals for CO₂ electrolysis. Dr. Lim’s diverse experience across prestigious institutions highlights his expertise in catalysis, spectroscopy, and electrochemical system design, positioning him as a globally active and innovative researcher.

🔬 Research Interests of Dr. Jinkyu Lim

Dr. Jinkyu Lim’s research is centered on advancing sustainable electrochemical technologies through innovative materials and system design. His primary interests lie in electrocatalysis for CO₂ reduction and water splitting, with a strong focus on developing nanostructured catalysts and gas diffusion electrode systems to improve efficiency and selectivity. He is also deeply engaged in the synthesis and characterization of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, exploring their shape-controlled functionalities for energy applications. Another major area of his research involves biohybrid electrolysis systems, integrating living bacteria with electrocatalytic platforms to enable green chemical production. In addition, Dr. Lim specializes in advanced X-ray spectroscopy techniques, including operando studies using synchrotron and XFEL sources, to probe catalytic mechanisms at the atomic level. His interdisciplinary approach connects chemical engineering, materials science, and environmental sustainability, aiming to contribute scalable solutions to global energy and climate challenges.

🏅 Awards and Honors of Dr. Jinkyu Lim

Dr. Jinkyu Lim has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his academic and research career, reflecting his excellence and promise in the field of chemical engineering. He was a recipient of the highly competitive Global Ph.D. Fellowship from the Korean government, which fully funded his doctoral studies at KAIST, one of Asia’s top research institutions. He also earned the KAIST Scholarship and the National Scholarship during his master’s program for academic distinction. At the undergraduate level, Dr. Lim was awarded the National Science and Technology Scholarship based on his exceptional performance in the Korean SAT and sustained academic excellence, graduating in the top 3% of his class at Yonsei University. Additionally, he was supported by the BK21 PLUS Fellowship during his international research stint at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. These accolades not only highlight his academic merit but also his consistent dedication to impactful, high-quality research at both national and global levels.

📝 Conclusion

Dr. Jinkyu Lim is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award in recognition of His impactful, cross-disciplinary, and future-forward research in electrocatalysis, CO₂ conversion, and green energy technologies. His international collaborations, methodological innovations, and contributions to high-impact publications.

📚Publications Top Noted

1. Title: The Liquid Jet Endstation for Hard X-ray Scattering and Spectroscopy at the Linac Coherent Light Source
   Authors: Cali Antolini; Victor Sosa Alfaro; Marco Reinhard; Gourab Chatterjee; Ryan Ribson; Dimosthenis Sokaras; Leland Gee; Takahiro Sato; Patrick Kramer; Sumana L. Raj et al.
   Year: 2024-05

2. Title: Amorphous Ir atomic clusters anchored on crystalline IrO₂ nanoneedles for proton exchange membrane water oxidation
   Authors: Lim, J.; Kang, G.; Lee, J.W.; Jeon, S.S.; Jeon, H.; Kang, P.W.; Lee, H.
   Year: 2022

3. Title: Atomically ordered Pt₃Mn intermetallic electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells
   Authors: Lim, J.; Jung, C.; Hong, D.; Bak, J.; Shin, J.; Kim, M.; Song, D.; Lee, C.; Lim, J.; Lee, H. et al.
   Year: 2022

4. Title: Electrodeposited Sn-Cu@Sn dendrites for selective electrochemical CO₂ reduction to formic acid
   Authors: Lim, J.; Garcia-Esparza, A.T.; Lee, J.W.; Kang, G.; Shin, S.; Jeon, S.S.; Lee, H.
   Year: 2022

5. Title: Photo-assisted electrochemical CO₂ reduction using a translucent thin film electrode
   Authors: Kang, P.W.; Lim, J.; Haaring, R.; Lee, H.
   Year: 2022

6. Title: Design Principles of NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide Anode Catalysts for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers
   Authors: Jeon, S.S.; Lim, J.; Kang, P.W.; Lee, J.W.; Kang, G.; Lee, H.
   Year: 2021