Professor Do-Nyeon Kim's Lab: Simulation-led Structural Design Lab
Taeyeon Kim, Researcher, Jaeyoung Lee, Researcher

Q1. What is the main research field of the laboratory, and what are some specific examples?
The laboratory consists of four main areas. Deep learning-based industrial data analysis and problem solving, DNA structure mechanical analysis and design, CA solving various mechanical problems by applying FEM finite element analysis, and finally metamaterial design which designs objects through meta-material experiences.

Q2. Do you have any special equipment or facilities in your laboratory? If not, is there any equipment that is often used outside?
Most of our labs learn simulation or deep learning models through computers, so we have a large server room to support them. In addition to this, in the case of DNA, since research is conducted a very small scale, we have AFM equipment that conducts analysis in nanoscale units.

Q3. I am unfamiliar with DNA research in the School of Mechanical Engineering. Can you explain more?
DNA replication, protein research, rather than these biological studies, we study DNA itself as a nanoscale material with a special structure. Structural DNA nanotechnology focuses making the structure of DNA into a nanoscale structure. In order to make it, you need to know mechanically what characteristics DNA has, and you can think of it as a mechanical engineering approach to how to design it to come out like this.

Q4. Can you introduce the goals, expected effects, or overall contents of the selected representative research?
This thesis developed a computational analysis model that predicts the shape and mechanical characteristics of a DNA structure at high speed given a blueprint. As a study corresponding to simulation, it showed good performance in terms of simulation seeking fast and accurate prediction of DNA structure. Compared to existing programs that took a long time to predict, this study has the advantage of being able to quickly predict with accuracy equivalent to molecular-level simulation in about 10 minutes.
Currently, we are conducting research predicting the shape of DNA structures based deep learning, and aiming to make structures limited to the nanoscale larger.

Q5. It is expected that there will be many hardships while conducting the research. What was the most difficult moment and how did you overcome it?
The field of simulation largely consists of molecular-level simulation and finite element analysis techniques. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but this study adopted a technique created by combining the strengths of both. Therefore, there was no guarantee that the techniques employed would improve performance in my study. The hardest thing was to do the research for a long time without being sure that good results would come out.
First of all, I persevered with the mindset to continue my research with confidence and belief in myself. I carried out my research with faith in my choice, conducted tests every halfway through, and the results were quite good, so I overcame it little by little with confidence.

MEch-SSENGER Jaehyun Koo, Sangmin Lee