The College of Engineering at Seoul National University said on the 28th that Professors Kim Tae-hwan, Sim Hyeong-bo, and Yoo Dam of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering were selected as Fellows of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world's largest academic organization in the electrical and electronics field.
Based in New York, the IEEE has more than 400,000 members active in over 160 countries worldwide and leads international standards and academic advancement in the field.
IEEE Fellow, the highest grade among IEEE members, is a qualification granted only to the top 0.1% of all members who have achieved outstanding accomplishments and technical achievements. Candidates must be recommended by existing Fellows and pass a rigorous evaluation by the review committee.
Professor Kim Tae-hwan was selected as an IEEE Fellow in recognition of contributions to "dynamic voltage scaling theory and standard cell generation automation." Kim established a computational theory that can determine in real time the dynamic voltage variation for minimal power consumption according to changes in performance requirements during the operation of circuits within a semiconductor chip. He also provided the theoretical foundation for developing power management algorithms that are essential for low-power semiconductor chips.
Kim said, "It was not easy to gauge the impact that the results of the research we are conducting now would have in the future," adding, "I am pleased that the results of research conducted 20 years ago with curiosity and passion have laid the groundwork for a leap forward for the next generation of researchers and contributed to semiconductor chip design in industry."
Professor Sim Hyeong-bo was selected as an IEEE Fellow for establishing "control theory for multi-agent systems and disturbance observers." Sim has conducted in-depth research on control techniques for multi-agent systems in which multiple robots cooperate organically, and on disturbance observer technology that accurately estimates and removes uncertain interference (disturbance) from the external environment. This is essential for securing the stability of systems that make possible humanoid group dance performances and drone air shows.
Sim said, "The field of control theory sometimes receives great attention and sometimes less, but it is a discipline that forms the foundation of engineering and will never disappear," adding, "It was not easy to hold our ground even when this field was not popular, but I am glad that this selection feels like a reward for the efforts made, and I express my gratitude to the students who went through those times together."
Professor Yoo Dam was selected as an IEEE Fellow in high recognition of contributions to "semiconductor circuit design for biomedical and body area networks." Yoo is an authority who has pioneered ultra-small circuits for healthcare devices attached to or implanted in the human body and body area network technology that enables communication and power delivery in the body area. This research is making major contributions to performance innovation in next-generation wearable and Digital Healthcare devices.
Yoo said, "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility to receive such an honor at a relatively early age compared with senior professors," adding, "In the fast-changing fields of semiconductors and healthcare, I will never rest on my laurels and will do my best to develop innovative semiconductor circuits that improve human health and quality of life."