Soft Science Expert Interview Series - Prof. Sungjune Park

On August 6, 2024, the Editorial Office of Soft Science conducted an online interview with Prof. Sungjune Park, a Junior Editorial Board Member and researcher at the School of Chemical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea. During the interview, Prof. Park discussed his groundbreaking research in soft materials and electronic devices, focusing on stretchable thin-film devices, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and liquid metals in emerging technologies.

Prof. Park provided an overview of his research interests and the motivation behind his work, highlighting the significance of soft materials in advanced electronics. He also reflected on several scholars who have influenced his career, noting their impact on his research direction and professional development.

When discussing soft thin-film devices for EMI shielding, Prof. Park described the key challenges his team encountered, including balancing high shielding effectiveness with excellent mechanical stretchability. He explained the strategies used to overcome these challenges, demonstrating the versatility and potential of soft materials in advanced electronic applications. He further discussed the advantages of liquid metals over traditional conductive materials and envisioned their applications in biomedical engineering and energy harvesting.

As a Junior Editorial Board Member, Prof. Park suggested that Soft Science continue supporting young scholars, promoting research dissemination, and fostering innovation in the field.

Watch the full interview with Prof. Sungjune Park:

Interview Questions:

Q1. Could you provide a concise overview of your research focus? What inspired you to pursue this field?
Q2. How do you envision the potential development of this field?
Q3. Throughout your research career, which researchers have notably influenced your work? How have their contributions shaped your research direction and professional development?
Q4. In developing soft and stretchable thin-film devices for electromagnetic interference shielding, what significant challenges did you encounter? How did you overcome these challenges to achieve both high shielding effectiveness and excellent stretchability?
Q5. What are the advantages of liquid metal compared to traditional conductive materials? How do you envision their potential applications in emerging technologies, such as biomedical engineering and energy harvesting?
Q6. As a new Junior Editorial Board Member of Soft Science, what suggestions do you have for the journal? Additionally, what are your thoughts on its future prospects?

About the Interviewee:

Editor: Mirra Du
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Soft Science