Graduate student Jang Hye-rim (Department of Mechatronics Engineering; PhD candidate, Los Alamos National Laboratory–Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Engineering Institute‑Korea; advisor: Prof. Kang Rae‑hyeong) received the Outstanding Presentation Paper Award at the recent Spring Conference of the Aerospace Systems Engineering Society.

Graduate student Jang, together with undergraduate researcher Im‑gyeong Oh (Department of Mechanical Design), developed a technique that uses terahertz waves capable of penetrating paint coatings and analyzes the signals reflected from the structure to detect paint thicknesses on the order of 20 micrometers.

Paint is applied to structures to provide corrosion protection, waterproofing, and thermal insulation. If the coating is too thin, non‑uniform, peeling, or delaminated, it cannot perform these functions adequately. Although paint is used on various structures across the aerospace, mechanical, automotive, and building industries, comprehensive inspection of the entire coated area has been difficult. The development of a technology that enables non‑destructive inspection of wide areas is expected to be applicable across a range of industries.

This research was conducted with research funding from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' Tech Bridge Utilization Commercialization Technology Development Project, and is being carried out in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company and related firms.