03/26 (목) 전문가초청특강은 연세대학교 정원기 박사님을 모시고 진행합니다.

관심있는 분들의 많은 참석 부탁드립니다.

ㅁ주제: Material strategies for Vision Restoration and Augmentation 

ㅁ일시: 03/26 (목) 16:00

ㅁ장소: 제2종합연구동 83188호

ㅁ약력: 

   ▷ Title: Postdoctoral Fellow

   ▷ Affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Yonsei University

   ▷ Personal History:                                                                                                         

       2015.03 - 2020.08  :  B.E.  Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Yonsei University

       2020.09 – 2025.02  : Ph.D. Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Yonsei University

       2025.03 - Present   : Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Yonsei University

   ▷ Research interests: Optoelectronics, Neural interfaces, Photovoltaics, Liquid metals, Artificial retina, Vision restoration

ㅁ초록:

Material strategies for artificial retinal systems have emerged as a powerful route to restore and expand human vision by interfacing engineered devices with neural circuits. In inherited retinal degenerative diseases, the loss of photoreceptors leads to blindness, while inner retinal neurons remain relatively intact, providing an opportunity for direct electrical stimulation. However, current retinal prostheses are limited by poor electrode–tissue coupling, low spatial resolution, and restricted spectral sensitivity, highlighting the need for innovations in materials and device architecture.

In this talk, I will present our recent progress in developing artificial retinal platforms through integrated material and structural design. Key advancements include artificial retinas based on soft three-dimensional (3D) liquid-metal microelectrodes integrated with ultrathin phototransistors, enabling conformal interfacing and localized, high-efficiency stimulation of retinal ganglion cells. In addition, semiconductor structural engineering enables diverse artificial retinal functionalities, including near-infrared (NIR) vision augmentation.

I will highlight how these strategies leverage material properties—such as mechanical softness, interfacial conformity, and semiconductor structural control—to overcome key limitations of existing retinal prostheses. Together, this work outlines design principles for next-generation artificial retinas capable of both vision restoration and expanded visual functionality.