Professor Lim Si-hyung of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul), received a Commendation from the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy at the “2026 Day of Machinery” event held on Thursday, October 29, at L Tower in Yangjae-dong, Seoul.
 
At this event, hosted by the Korea Federation of Mechanical Engineering Societies (President Lee Gwang-hoon), Professor Lim was recognized for his contributions to the development of the machinery industry and technological innovation through collaborative research among industry, academia, and research institutes in the fields of micro- and nano-based functional surfaces and ultra-miniature sensor technologies.
 
Professor Lim Si-hyung of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kookmin University has been researching functional surface technologies—which impart new functions to materials and components by utilizing microscopic surface structures—and ultra-miniature sensor technologies. These technologies are gaining attention as foundational technologies necessary for robots to precisely detect their surrounding environment and external stimuli and to adapt to various operating conditions. In particular, to enhance the performance and reliability of robots operating in extreme environments, it is crucial to secure both surface designs suited to the environment and precise sensing technologies.
 
As the director of the “Global Leading Research Center (ERC) for Robotic Functional Surfaces and Hypersensory Sensors” at the National Research Foundation of Korea, Professor Lim Si-hyung is leading interdisciplinary research in this field. Building on basic research into functional surfaces and hypersensory sensors, he is exploring new possibilities for robotics technology and striving to ensure that research outcomes are linked to the technological needs of the industrial sector through collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutes.
 
This award is significant in that it recognizes his efforts to extend the academic value of basic research into industrial applicability and to strengthen the technological competitiveness of the machinery industry through collaborative research. The integration of functional surfaces and sensor technology is expected to enhance robots’ environmental perception capabilities and broaden their scope of application.
 
Professor Lim stated, “We will continue to do our best to strengthen collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutes so that relevant research outcomes can lead to innovation in the industrial sector,” adding, “We will deepen our basic research in the field of hypersensory sensors—which integrate functional surfaces for robots operating in extreme environments with artificial intelligence technology—and redouble our efforts to commercialize these research outcomes.”
 
Meanwhile, Kookmin University, celebrating its 80th anniversary, is preparing for a new leap toward the next 100 years under the vision of “A University Setting the Standard for Higher Education” and the slogan “Make the Rule, Break the Rule.” To this end, the university has established “KMU VISION 2035: EDGE,” a mid- to long-term development strategy, and selected eight specialized fields to intensively strengthen the university’s competitiveness. Kookmin University’s College of Engineering plans to cultivate talent equipped with practical skills and convergent thinking to lead the future robotics industry, focusing on “robotics,” one of the eight specialized fields.