Han Yoon-bong, a professor of chemical engineering at Chonbuk National University, has been named Korea’s scientist of the month for his work on metal oxide nanostructures.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation of Korea award monthly to those who “contributed significantly to the science.”

The 56-year-old professor has received recognition for controlling properties of metal oxides and mass production technology at low temperatures that is widely used in chemical and biological sensors, solar batteries, lights and transistors.

Han also gained international attention when the U.K.’s International Biographical center listed him as one of the world’s top 100 scientists in 2005 and 2011.

He has published 58 academic papers in respected international journals in the last three years, including a lead paper for Chemical Communication, a leading chemistry journal.

“I would like to share this honorable moment with my students and researchers who have been working day and night despite tough conditions.” said Han. “I will keep trying to obtain original technology for applications of metal oxide nanostructures and nurture outstanding individuals in the field.”

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)