Hyein Kim, a master's student in the Department of Resources and Energy Engineering at the JBNU Graduate School (supervisor Professor Junmo An), received the Outstanding Presentation Award at the recently held Korean Resources Recycling Society's 2026 Spring Interim General Meeting and the 64th Academic Conference.

Kim presented her research titled 'Study on Hydrometallurgical Processing of Alkali‑Molten Waste Electrode Scrap Using Methanesulfonic Acid for Platinum‑Group Metals (PGMs)' and was selected as an outstanding presenter.

This study focused on the platinum‑group metals (PGMs) iridium (Ir) and ruthenium (Ru) contained in waste electrode scrap. It investigated leaching and solvent‑extraction processes using methanesulfonic acid, an eco‑friendly organic acid that can replace conventional inorganic acids. The research addressed environmentally friendly processes for recovering valuable metals from waste resources.

Kim said, 'I am grateful to Professor Junmo An and the members of the laboratory who provided significant assistance during the course of the research. Based on this achievement, I will continue to advance the research.'