Seungbum Hong

The contrast mechanisms of domain imaging experiments assisted by atomic force microscope (AFM) have been investigated by model experiments on nonpiezoelectric (silicon oxide) and piezoelectric [Pb(Zr,Ti)O3] thin films. The first step was to identify the electrostatic charge effects between the tip, the cantilever, and the sample surface. The second step was to explore the tip–sample piezoelectric force interaction. The static deflection of the cantilever was measured as a function of dc bias vo

Flexible organic materials possessing useful electrical properties, such as ferroelectricity, are of crucial importance in the engineering of electronic devices. Up until now, however, only ferroelectric polymers have intrinsically met this flexibility requirement, leaving small-molecule organic ferroelectrics with room for improvement. Since both flexibility and ferroelectricity are rare properties on their own, combining them in one crystalline organic material is challenging. Herein, we repor

The domain nucleation and growth during polarization switching in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) ferroelectric thin film capacitors with Pt top (TE) and bottom electrodes (BE) were studied by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). The experimental configuration used in this study differs from that conventionally used (AFM tip/PZT/BE) where the AFM tip acts as a positionable TE. A small ac voltage was applied between the electrodes with a step by step increasing dc bias voltage. The induced piezoelectric vib

The interfaces of polar oxide heterostructures can display electronic properties unique from the oxides they border, as they require screening from either internal or external sources of charge. The screening mechanism depends on a variety of factors, including the band structure at the interface, the presence of point defects or adsorbates, whether or not the oxide is ferroelectric, and whether or not an external field is applied. In this review, we discuss both theoretical and experimental asp

Optimizing synthesis parameters is crucial in fabricating an ideal cathode material; however, the design space is too vast to be fully explored using an Edisonian approach. Here, by clustering eleven domain-expert-derived-descriptors from literature, we use an inverse design surrogate model to build up the experimental parameters-property relationship. Without struggling with the trial-and-error method, the model enables design variables prediction that serves as an effective strategy for cathod

Polymer ferroelectrics are flexible and lightweight electromechanical materials that are widely studied due to their potential application as sensors, actuators, and energy harvesters. However, one of the biggest challenges is their low piezoelectric coefficient. Here, we report a mechanical annealing effect based on local pressure induced by a nanoscale tip that enhances the local piezoresponse. This process can control the nanoscale material properties over a microscale area at room temperatur

This review highlights the recent transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) on materials science, emphasizing their applications in materials discovery, development, and optimization. AI-driven methods have revolutionized materials discovery through structure generation, property prediction, high-throughput (HT) screening, and computational design while advancing development with improved characterization and autonomous experimentation.

Multiscale and multimodal imaging of material structures and properties provides solid ground on which materials theory and design can flourish. Recently, KAIST announced 10 flagship research fields, which include KAIST Materials Revolution: Materials and Molecular Modeling, Imaging, Informatics and Integration (M3I3). The M3I3 initiative aims to reduce the time for the discovery, design and development of materials based on elucidating multiscale processing-structure-property relationship and m

We report on the evidence for the cantilever–sample (CS) capacitive force contribution to the piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM). In addition, we present that positioning of the tip near the edge of the sample surface can significantly reduce this spurious contribution for any combinations of tip cantilever and film. As proof of both the existence of CS interaction and its reduction, the domains formed by the application of voltage pulses through the tip are observed by PFM at two different po

Bone regeneration remains a critical concern across diverse medical disciplines, because it is a complex process that requires a combinatorial approach involving the integration of mechanical, electrical, and biological stimuli to emulate the native cellular microenvironment. In this context, piezoelectric scaffolds have attracted considerable interest owing to their remarkable ability to generate electric fields in response to dynamic forces. Nonetheless, the application of such scaffolds in bo

Here we present a simple and fast method to reliably image polarization charges using charge gradient microscopy (CGM). We collected the current from the grounded CGM probe while scanning a periodically poled lithium niobate single crystal and single-crystal LiTaO3 thin film on the Cr electrode. We observed current signals at the domains and domain walls originating from the displacement current and the relocation or removal of surface charges, which enabled us to visualize the ferroelectric dom