Yoo Dong-min, a PhD candidate in the Molecular Engineering Laboratory supervised by Professor Jeong Gwang-woon (Department of Polymer -Nano Science &Technology, College of Engineering; Department of Nano Convergence Engineering, Graduate School) at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), has been selected for the '2026 Next-Generation Researchers Support Program in STEM Fields' supported by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea.

The Next-Generation Researchers Support Program is a talent development program established by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea to support doctoral students in STEM fields pursuing challenging and original research. Selected researchers receive a research stipend for two years and will carry out independent research projects.

Through this program, PhD candidate Yoo Dong-min will conduct research under the theme "Development and Applications of Next-Generation Smart Photonic Crystal Films Reflecting Dual Circular Polarizations."

Photonic crystal films are microstructured materials that can control the propagation of light. They can produce different colors and signals depending on the wavelength or direction of light. PhD candidate Yoo plans to develop a smart film with enhanced capability to selectively reflect circularly polarized light.

If this technology advances, it could be used as an optical security material that remains invisible under ordinary lighting or viewing conditions but reveals information only under specific polarization states. Applications are expected in tamper-evident labels and secure documents, genuine-product authentication tags, as well as in optical sensors and next-generation display materials whose color or signals change with external conditions.

PhD candidate Yoo Dong-min has contributed to 12 SCI-indexed papers to date, building research expertise in functional polymers and optical materials.

PhD candidate Yoo Dong-min said, "I feel a great sense of responsibility to have gained an opportunity to take the lead in my research through this selection. I will do my best with a challenging attitude to produce new research outcomes and contribute to academic and industrial value."