Pilgyu Kang

Before George Mason, Pilgyu Kang was a postdoctoral research associate in Nam Research Group in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering (MechSE) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). His research focuses on developing flexible optoelectronic sensors and devices based on two-dimensional materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), for example, Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). He is also working on research (1) developing integrated graphene-photonic crystals systems for various flexible/wearable sensor applications including strain sensor, pressure sensor, and biochemical sensor, as well as (2) surface topography-engineered graphene-based optoelectronic systems for highly stretchable and flexible sensor devices.

Degrees

• PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Minor: Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• MS, Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
• BS, Mechanical Engineering, Minor: Electrical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea

Research Interests

• Sensors
• Micro and nanomechanics

Current Projects

• Laser Photothermal Nanoassembly of 3D Porous Graphene and Palladium Nanoparticles for High-performance Hydrogen Detection (funded by KRICT).

• Highly Sensitive Photodetector based on Laser-generated 3D Porous Graphene from Fluorinated Polyimide (funded by KRICT).

• Wearable Ultrasound System for Wound Assessment and Treatment (Funded by DoD).

• Aptamer-functionalized 3D porous graphene for rapid electrochemical detection of viruses.

• Transparent 3D Porous Graphene Electrodes for Optically Identified Autonomic Nerve Stimulation.