Research teams led by Professors Shin Choong-soo and Chung Bong-geun of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Each Selected for New Basic Research Laboratory Projects in 2026
Professors Shin Choong-soo and Chung Bong-geun of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the university have each been selected as principal investigators for the Ministry of Science and ICT’s “2026 Basic Research Laboratory Support Project (Advanced Track).” The Basic Research Laboratory Support Project aims to strengthen the nation’s basic research capabilities by supporting small-scale basic research groups focused on in-depth research topics; it is extremely rare for a single department to have two projects selected simultaneously.
Professor Shin will lead the project titled “Basic Research for Gait Capability Augmentation Using 3D TENG Insoles and Embedded Physical AI Exo-Boots” and will oversee the project from product design through the demonstration of gait effects. The team plans to develop a self-powered TENG insole to implement a gait-sensing module and create an intelligent AI algorithm capable of real-time diagnosis, adaptation, and evolution to control the exo-boots. Additionally, the exo-boots will be designed to reflect the biomechanical characteristics of the foot while featuring a streamlined structure and personalized modular design, with the goal of improving wearability and usability.
Professors Kim Nam-keun and Song Ji-hwan from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the university, along with Professor Lee Hyung-seok from Kangwon National University, are participating in this project as members of the joint research team. Professor Shin Choong-soo, the principal investigator, stated, “Building on the technology and experience gained from our recent Pioneering Basic Research Laboratory project (Basic Research Laboratory for Gait Capability Augmentation Using an Exo-All-Printed Sensing Suit, 2023–2026), we intend to develop exo-boots equipped with sensing technology and AI control algorithms that differentiate them from existing technologies. We plan to develop not only gait-assistance technology that is easy for the general public to use but also, ultimately, technology that can improve the quality of life for the elderly and those with gait disorders.”
Professor Chung Bong-geun, who serves as the head of Sogang University’s Signature Research Project and the director of the Institute of Smart Biosensor, will serve as the principal investigator for this Basic Research Laboratory Project, overseeing the “Research on Organoid Chips for Real-Time Detection of Aging Biomarkers and AI-Based Aging Prediction.” The goal is to precisely diagnose various biological markers emitted by aging cardiac organoids using real-time, ultra-high-sensitivity sensor chips and to predict aging using AI technology, thereby developing innovative core technologies to address the challenges of a super-aging society.
This project will involve Professor Kang Tae-wook from the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Professor Kim Dong-choul from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the university, and Professor Shin Min-kyu from Hankyong National University, who earned his Ph.D. from Sogang University, working in collaboration. Professor Chung Bong-geun, the principal investigator, stated, “We aim to achieve world-class research in the field of organoid-on-a-chip biomedical convergence, predict and analyze cardiac aging in real time, and develop this into next-generation bio-convergence technology that leads the way in precision medicine for aging.”
Meanwhile, following the project selection, each research team will receive KRW 500 million annually (for a total of KRW 1.5 billion) in research funding from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the next three years, which is expected to significantly enhance the external research competitiveness of the university’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.
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Sogang University Mechanical Engineering, Basic Research Laboratory Project, Exo-Boots and Organoid Chips
Professor Shin will lead the project titled “Basic Research for Gait Capability Augmentation Using 3D TENG Insoles and Embedded Physical AI Exo-Boots” and will oversee the project from product design through the demonstration of gait effects. The team plans to develop a self-powered TENG insole to implement a gait-sensing module and create an intelligent AI algorithm capable of real-time diagnosis, adaptation, and evolution to control the exo-boots. Additionally, the exo-boots will be designed to reflect the biomechanical characteristics of the foot while featuring a streamlined structure and personalized modular design, with the goal of improving wearability and usability.
Professors Kim Nam-keun and Song Ji-hwan from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the university, along with Professor Lee Hyung-seok from Kangwon National University, are participating in this project as members of the joint research team. Professor Shin Choong-soo, the principal investigator, stated, “Building on the technology and experience gained from our recent Pioneering Basic Research Laboratory project (Basic Research Laboratory for Gait Capability Augmentation Using an Exo-All-Printed Sensing Suit, 2023–2026), we intend to develop exo-boots equipped with sensing technology and AI control algorithms that differentiate them from existing technologies. We plan to develop not only gait-assistance technology that is easy for the general public to use but also, ultimately, technology that can improve the quality of life for the elderly and those with gait disorders.”
Professor Chung Bong-geun, who serves as the head of Sogang University’s Signature Research Project and the director of the Institute of Smart Biosensor, will serve as the principal investigator for this Basic Research Laboratory Project, overseeing the “Research on Organoid Chips for Real-Time Detection of Aging Biomarkers and AI-Based Aging Prediction.” The goal is to precisely diagnose various biological markers emitted by aging cardiac organoids using real-time, ultra-high-sensitivity sensor chips and to predict aging using AI technology, thereby developing innovative core technologies to address the challenges of a super-aging society.
This project will involve Professor Kang Tae-wook from the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Professor Kim Dong-choul from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the university, and Professor Shin Min-kyu from Hankyong National University, who earned his Ph.D. from Sogang University, working in collaboration. Professor Chung Bong-geun, the principal investigator, stated, “We aim to achieve world-class research in the field of organoid-on-a-chip biomedical convergence, predict and analyze cardiac aging in real time, and develop this into next-generation bio-convergence technology that leads the way in precision medicine for aging.”
Meanwhile, following the project selection, each research team will receive KRW 500 million annually (for a total of KRW 1.5 billion) in research funding from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the next three years, which is expected to significantly enhance the external research competitiveness of the university’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.
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Sogang University Mechanical Engineering, Basic Research Laboratory Project, Exo-Boots and Organoid Chips