Min-Woo Kim | Engineering | Research Excellence

Prof. Min-Woo Kim | Engineering | Research Excellence

Prof. Min-Woo Kim | Engineering | Assistant Professor at Myongji University | South Korea

Prof. Min-Woo Kim is an emerging researcher whose academic and professional trajectory reflects a strong commitment to advancing precision manufacturing, materials engineering, and surface science. Prof. Min-Woo Kim’s educational background, though not explicitly detailed in the available record, is consistent with a rigorous training pathway typically involving advanced studies in mechanical engineering, materials science, or related fields, providing him with the foundation necessary to pursue highly technical research in semiconductor-related surface processes. Building upon this academic preparation, Prof. Min-Woo Kim has developed professional experience that centers on chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), hydrophobic coating technologies, and contamination-mitigation strategies within micro- and nanoscale fabrication environments. His work demonstrates an applied understanding of how surface wettability, particle interactions, and thin-film deposition influence the reliability and performance of CMP components used in high-precision manufacturing. Prof. Min-Woo Kim’s research interests include wettability-controlled coatings, PTFE- and DLC-based surface engineering, slurry-particle behavior, contamination control, and the broader integration of advanced materials to improve semiconductor fabrication efficiency and cleanliness. His research skills span experimental surface characterization, thin-film application techniques, interface behavior analysis, and collaborative work in multidisciplinary engineering teams, as evidenced by his role as a coauthor on peer-reviewed work published in the journal Micromachines. Professionally, he has participated in the scholarly community through peer-review activities, contributing expert review for Micromachines, which highlights his engagement in maintaining scientific standards in his field. Although the publicly available information does not list specific awards or honors, Prof. Min-Woo Kim’s contributions to surface engineering and fabrication-process optimization indicate a trajectory aligned with researchers who advance industrial innovation and academic knowledge simultaneously. Overall, Prof. Min-Woo Kim exemplifies a researcher dedicated to improving the performance and reliability of CMP systems through materials-driven solutions, and his evolving body of work reflects a promising career committed to scientific rigor, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and technological improvement within microfabrication and surface-engineering domains.

Academic Profile: ORCID

Featured Publication:

Kim, M.-W., Lee, E., Sun, K., So, Y., Baek, J., Shin, J. H., Kim, H. D., & Youn, Y. B. (2025). Wettability-controlled hydrophobic coating of CMP component using PTFE and DLC for mitigating slurry agglomeration and contamination. Micromachines. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16121382

 

 

Mr. Pranjal Khakse | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Pranjal Khakse | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Student / Research Assistant, University of Michigan. United States

Mr. Pranjal Khakse, an Engineering student and Research Assistant at the University of Michigan, United States, has been honored with the prestigious Best Researcher Award 🏆. His dedication to advancing engineering research has set him apart, showcasing his exceptional skills and innovative mindset. Pranjal’s contributions to the academic community have been invaluable, and this accolade reflects his commitment to excellence and his passion for pushing the boundaries of knowledge 🌟. Congratulations to Mr. Khakse for this remarkable achievement! 🎉

PROFILE

orcid

EDUCATION

Mr. Pranjal Khakse is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Manufacturing & Automation at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 🌟. He has maintained an impressive GPA of 4.0/4.0 📚. His coursework includes Robotics & Product Design, Smart Manufacturing Systems, Smart Additive Manufacturing Systems, and Nanofabrication & Nanomanufacturing Technologies 🤖. Previously, he earned his Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, India, with a GPA of 3.87/4.0 🎓. His studies there covered Engineering Mechanics, Additive Manufacturing, Mechanics of Machines, and Design of Machine Elements 🛠️.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Mr. Pranjal Khakse is currently a CTO Trainee at Utilidata through the U-M Perot Jain TechLab Electrification Cohort (Jan 2024 – Present) ⚡. He is developing an AI model with Nvidia for grid optimization using the Jetson Orion Performance chip series 🤖. Pranjal analyzes data from Ford Mach E and Tesla to train a universal EV charging algorithm and builds real-time visualization models for the AI platform Karman using Infogram, Looker, and DATABOX 📊. Previously, as a Research Assistant at the Additive Manufacturing Research Laboratory, University of Regina (June 2022 – August 2022) 🧪, he engineered a 3D printing system for liquid metal-based microwire and designed a Co-extruder nozzle using SolidWorks, funded by Mitacs Globalink and NSERC Canada 🏅.

RESEARCH

Mr. Pranjal Khakse is actively involved in multiple innovative projects at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. In the Multidisciplinary Design Program, he is designing an Axial Flux Hubless Generator, engineering modular components, and developing a SolidWorks housing for over 200 electronic parts ⚙️. In the Precision Systems Design Laboratory, he is working on an upper limb prosthetic design, creating efficient prosthetic fingers and a testing bench for force validation 💪. As the project lead for a lightweight robotic gripper, he achieved industry-grade performance and won the Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant 🏆. At NIT Tiruchirappalli, he developed a cable-driven robotic system for windmill blade maintenance, earning the Best Paper Award at ICRoM’22 🌬️.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Mr. Pranjal Khakse served as the Innovation and Development Head, Mentor, and Product Designer for the Designers’ Consortium, the Official Innovation & Product Design Society at NITT, from June 2020 to May 2023 🚀. He led the club’s external affairs and oversaw its annual development by providing technical support for ongoing projects 🔧. Additionally, Pranjal coordinated a SIMTEK-affiliated Certified SolidWorks training program for over 500 freshman undergraduates, enhancing their skills in product design and development 📐. His leadership and dedication significantly contributed to the growth and success of the society 🌟.

SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS 

Mr. Pranjal Khakse possesses an impressive array of technical skills, including proficiency in SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, ABAQUS, COMSOL (Heat Transfer), nTopology, Microsoft Office, MATLAB, Simulink, Ansys, Python, machining (Lathe & CNC), 3D printing (FDM & SLS), carpentry, and laser cutting 🛠️. He holds certifications in SolidWorks (CSWP – MD, CSWP – S, CSWP – ADT), Generative Design – Autodesk, MATLAB, and Simulink 📜. These skills and certifications showcase his comprehensive expertise in engineering design and manufacturing, making him a versatile and highly capable professional in his field 🌟.

PUBLICATIONS TOP NOTES