Our Group

Short Bio

Dr. Myungkoo Kang is currently an Assistant Professor of Ceramic Engineering at Alfred University, where he leads the Advanced Optical Glass-Ceramics & Correlative Metrology Laboratory. His research team carries out the fabrication and characterization of novel chalcogenide glass and glass-ceramic materials for photonic applications, examining optical functionalities in bulk, planar, and three-dimensional forms.

Specifically, his group focuses on the creative usage of irradiation (ion, laser, electron, and ultrasonic) processes to enable the seemingly destructive method to constructively form spatially modulated microstructures where their process-structure-property relationship is quantitatively established via multi-faceted cross-correlating in-situ microstructural-optical characterizations. Ultimately, his team aims to realize high figure-of-merit optical platforms such as next generation gradient refractive index lenses, reconfigurable photonic devices, and self-healing sensors. Dr. Kang has been actively engaged in scholarly activities, including serving as a former and current PI/co-PI/subcontractor of multiple government and industry-funded research programs (NSF, DARPA, AFOSR, and BAE Systems). He has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, numerous conference proceedings, and book chapters as well as multiple IPs related to these advances. His team’s research has been covered on multiple press releases including Laser Focus World in 2024 (Self-healing chalcogenide glass?). He has received numerous international awards recognizing my contributions to both the optics and materials science fields, including Karl Schwartzwalder - Professional Achievement in Ceramic Engineering Award. He is a member of the American Ceramics Society (ACerS)’s Glass & Optical Materials (GOMD), Electronics (EDiv), and Basic Science

Education

• B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering, Seoul National University, Korea (Feb 2006)
• M.S. in Materials Science & Engineering, Seoul National University, Korea (Feb 2008)
• Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (May 2014)

Professional Experience

• Assistant Professor, Alfred University (2023 - Present)
• Research Scientist, University of Central Florida (2017 - 2023)
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Pennsylvania State University (2014 - 2016)
• Graduate Student Research Assistant, University of Michigan (2008 - 2014)
• Graduate Student Instructor, University of Michigan (2010)
• Air Traffic Control Operator, Republic of Korea Air Force (2002 - 2004)

Selected Publications

• M. Kang et al., “Solution-Derived Ge-Sb-Se-Te Phase-Change Chalcogenide Films,” Sci. Rep. 14, 18151 (2024).
• M. Kang et al., “Photochemically-Patterned Large-Area Arsenic Sulfide Micro-Gratings for Hybrid Diffractive-Refractive Platforms,” Adv. Photonics Res. 5, 2300241 (2024).
• M. Kang et al., “Self-Healing Mechanisms for Ge-Sb-S Chalcogenide Glasses Upon Gamma Irradiation,” MRS Bull. 49, 778 (2024).
• M. Kang et al., “Unveiling True 3-D Nanoscale Microstructural Evolution in Chalcogenide Nanocomposites,” Adv. Opt. Mater. 9, 2002092 (2021).
• M. Kang et al., “Bio-Inspired Optics: Chalcogenide Glass-Ceramic Nanocomposites Mark a Milestone in IR GRIN Materials,” Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull. 100, 29 (2021).
• M. Kang et al., “Monolithic Chalcogenide Optical Nanocomposites Enable Infrared System Innovation: GRIN Optics,” Adv. Opt. Mater. 8, 2000150 (2020).
• M. Kang et al., “Ion-Irradiation of Compound Semiconductor Surfaces: from Self-Assembled Nanostructures to Plasmonic Crystals,” Appl. Phys. Rev. 6, 041307 (2019).
• M. Kang et al., “Ultra-low Dispersion Multicomponent Thin Film Chalcogenide Glass for Broadband GRIN Optics,” Adv. Mater. 30, 1803628 (2018).
• M. Kang et al., “Refractive Index Patterning of IR Glass Ceramics through Laser-Induced Vitrification,” Opt. Mater. Express 8, 2722 (2018).
• M. Kang et al., “Self-Organized One-Dimensional Au Nanoparticle Arrays,” ACS Nano 11, 5844 (2017).

Short Bio

Patrick E. Lynch is a senior in the Glass Science Engineering Program at Alfred University, under the supervision of Prof. Kang. He has been focusing on advanced characterization and stabilization of glass materials, including work on thermo-ultrasonication to accelerate glass relaxation.

Research Focus

• Accelerated Low-Temperature Stabilization of Glasses via Thermo-Ultrasonication
• Photothermally-Induced Gradient Refractive Index (GRIN) Profiles in Chalcogenide Glasses

Awards

• The Alfred R. Cooper Scholars Award (2024)

Selected Publications

• R. Alvarez*, A. Zachariou, I. Mingareev, T. J. Loretz, R. Sharma, J. Cook, C. Blanco, M. C. Richardson, A. Howe, P. E. Lynch, G. B. J. Sop Tagne, K. Wang, M. Kang, and K. Richardson, “Demonstration of Photothermally-Induced GRIN Profiles in Bulk Chalcogenide GAP-Se Glasses,” Adv. Opt. Mater. 12, 2401552 (2024).
• M. Kang*, R. Sharma, C. Blanco, D. Wiedeman, Q. Altemose, P. E. Lynch, G. B. J. Sop Tagne, Y. Zhang, M. Y. Shalaginov, C.-C. Popescu, B. M. Triplett, C. Rivero-Baleine, C. M. Schwarz, A. M. Agarwal, T. Gu, J. Hu, and K. A. Richardson, “Solution-Derived Ge-Sb-Se-Te Phase-Change Chalcogenide Films,” Sci. Rep. 14, 18151 (2024).
• M. Kang*, B.-U. Sohn, Q. Du, D. Ma, R. Pujari, L. Sisken, C. Blanco, C. Goncalves, C. Arias, A. Yadav, A. Zachariou, P. E. Lynch, J. Lee, S. Novak, C. M. Schwarz, I. Luzinov, J. Hu, A. M. Agarwal, D. T. H. Tan, and K. A. Richardson, “Self-Healing Mechanisms for Ge-Sb-S Chalcogenide Glasses Upon Gamma Irradiation,” MRS Bull. 49, 778 (2024).
• P. E. Lynch, L. Tran, Z. G. Ramsey, C. J. Cano, P. M. Marrero, R. A. Alvarez-Aguirre, D. Wiedeman, R. Sharma, N. S. Kochan, K. A. Richardson, S. Feller, R. S. Welch, C. J. Wilkinson, D. G. Stohr, K. Wang, S. K. Sundaram, and M. Kang*, “Facile Scalable Manufacturing and Multi-faceted Cross-Correlating Characterization of Bulk Gradient Refractive Index Chalcogenide Materials,” to be submitted.
• G. B. J. Sop Tagne, L. Tran, Z. G. Ramsey,P. E. Lynch, C. J. Cano, P. M. Marrero, R. A. Alvarez-Aguirre, D. Wiedeman, R. Sharma, N. S. Kochan, K. A. Richardson, S. Feller, R. S. Welch, C. J. Wilkinson, D. G. Stohr, K. Wang, S. K. Sundaram, and M. Kang*, “Facile Scalable Manufacturing and Multi-faceted Cross-Correlating Characterization of Bulk Gradient Refractive Index Chalcogenide Materials,” to be submitted
• Z. G. Ramsey,† L. Tran,† G. B. J. Sop Tagne, J. E. Lyza, C. J. Cano, P. M. Marrero, D. Wiedeman, R. Sharma, K. A. Richardson, S. Feller, S. T. Misture, and M. Kang*, “In-Situ Metrological Approach to the Realization of Controlled Crystallization in Multicomponent Chalcogenide Glasses,” to be submitted

Short Bio

Junior B. G. Sop Tagne is a junior in the Materials Science and Engineering Program at Alfred University. His research under Prof. Kang centers on developing innovative chalcogenide glass-based materials and processes, including the fabrication of gradient refractive index (GRIN) structures and optically functional 3-D glass surfaces.

Research Focus

• Facile Scalable Manufacturing and Multi-Faceted Cross-Correlating Characterization of Bulk Gradient Refractive Index Chalcogenide Materials
• Photochemically-Programmable Optically Functional 3-D Surface Glass Structures

Selected Publications

• R. Alvarez*, A. Zachariou, I. Mingareev, T. J. Loretz, R. Sharma, J. Cook, C. Blanco, M. C. Richardson, A. Howe, P. E. Lynch, G. B. J. Sop Tagne, K. Wang, M. Kang, and K. Richardson, “Demonstration of Photothermally-Induced GRIN Profiles in Bulk Chalcogenide GAP-Se Glasses,” Adv. Opt. Mater. 12, 2401552 (2024).
• M. Kang*, R. Sharma, C. Blanco, D. Wiedeman, Q. Altemose, P. E. Lynch, G. B. J. Sop Tagne, Y. Zhang, M. Y. Shalaginov, C.-C. Popescu, B. M. Triplett, C. Rivero-Baleine, C. M. Schwarz, A. M. Agarwal, T. Gu, J. Hu, and K. A. Richardson, “Solution-Derived Ge-Sb-Se-Te Phase-Change Chalcogenide Films,” Sci. Rep. 14, 18151 (2024).
• P. E. Lynch, † L. Tran, † E. A. Yamac, G. B. J. Sop Tagne, C. J. Cano, P. M. Marrero, A. J. Phillips, R. S. Welch, D. Wiedeman, R. Sharma, K. A. Richardson, S. Feller, W. LaCourse, S. I. Yaniger, C. J. Wilkinson, and M. Kang*, “Accelerated Low-Temperature Stabilization of Glasses via Thermo-Ultrasonication,” under review, MRS Bull.
• G. B. J. Sop Tagne, L. Tran, Z. G. Ramsey, P. E. Lynch, C. J. Cano, P. M. Marrero, R. A. Alvarez-Aguirre, D. Wiedeman, R. Sharma, N. S. Kochan, K. A. Richardson, S. Feller, R. S. Welch, C. J. Wilkinson, D. G. Stohr, K. Wang, S. K. Sundaram, and M. Kang*, “Facile Scalable Manufacturing and Multi-faceted Cross-Correlating Characterization of Bulk Gradient Refractive Index Chalcogenide Materials,” to be submitted.
• Z. G. Ramsey, † L. Tran, † G. B. J. Sop Tagne, J. E. Lyza, C. J. Cano, P. M. Marrero, D. Wiedeman, R. Sharma, K. A. Richardson, S. Feller, S. T. Misture, and M. Kang*, “In-Situ Metrological Approach to the Realization of Controlled Crystallization in Chalcogenide Glasses,” to be submitted.

Short Bio

Lam Tran is a junior in the Glass Science Engineering Program at Alfred University. His research under Prof. Kang focuses on the development and characterization of chalcogenide glass systems, with particular emphasis on thermo-ultrasonication processes and gradient refractive index (GRIN) fabrication.

Research Focus

• Accelerated Low-Temperature Stabilization of Glasses via Thermo-Ultrasonication
• Facile Scalable Manufacturing and Multi-Faceted Cross-Correlating Characterization of Bulk Gradient Refractive Index Chalcogenide Materials
• Electrospray-Printed 3-D Gradient Refractive Index High Figure-of-Merit Optical Phase Change Materials

Selected Publications

• P. E. Lynch, † L. Tran, † E. A. Yamac, G. B. J. Sop Tagne, C. J. Cano, P. M. Marrero, A. J. Phillips, R. S. Welch, D. Wiedeman, R. Sharma, K. A. Richardson, S. Feller, W. LaCourse, S. I. Yaniger, C. J. Wilkinson, and M. Kang*, “Accelerated Low-Temperature Stabilization of Glasses via Thermo-Ultrasonication,” under review, MRS Bull.
• G. B. J. Sop Tagne, L. Tran, Z. G. Ramsey, P. E. Lynch, C. J. Cano, P. M. Marrero, R. A. Alvarez-Aguirre, D. Wiedeman, R. Sharma, N. S. Kochan, K. A. Richardson, S. Feller, R. S. Welch, C. J. Wilkinson, D. G. Stohr, K. Wang, S. K. Sundaram, and M. Kang*, “Facile Scalable Manufacturing and Multi-faceted Cross-Correlating Characterization of Bulk Gradient Refractive Index Chalcogenide Materials,” to be submitted.
• Z. G. Ramsey, † L. Tran, † G. B. J. Sop Tagne, J. E. Lyza, C. J. Cano, P. M. Marrero, D. Wiedeman, R. Sharma, K. A. Richardson, S. Feller, S. T. Misture, and M. Kang*, “In-Situ Metrological Approach to the Realization of Controlled Crystallization in Multicomponent Chalcogenide Glasses,” to be submitted.

Presentations

• “Accelerated Low-Temperature Stabilization of Glasses via Thermo-Ultrasonication,” 16^th Pacific Rim Conference on Ceramic and Glass Technology (GOMD 2025), Vancouver, Canada, May 2025.
• “Understanding the Impact of Thermo-Ultrasonication on Accelerating the Structural Relaxation of Chalcogenide Glasses,” 21^st University Conference on Glass, Alfred, NY, July 2024.

Short Bio

Zephyr G. Ramsey is a junior in the Glass Science Engineering Program at Alfred University. His work involves fabricating and characterizing innovative chalcogenide glass-based materials, including gradient refractive index (GRIN) systems and high figure-of-merit optical phase change materials.

Research Focus

• Facile Scalable Manufacturing and Multi-Faceted Cross-Correlating Characterization of Bulk Gradient Refractive Index Chalcogenide Materials
• Electrospray-Printed 3-D Gradient Refractive Index High Figure-of-Merit Optical Phase Change Materials

Selected Publications

• G. B. J. Sop Tagne, L. Tran, Z. G. Ramsey, P. E. Lynch, C. J. Cano, P. M. Marrero, R. A. Alvarez-Aguirre, D. Wiedeman, R. Sharma, N. S. Kochan, K. A. Richardson, S. Feller, R. S. Welch, C. J. Wilkinson, D. G. Stohr, K. Wang, S. K. Sundaram, and M. Kang*, “Facile Scalable Manufacturing and Multi-faceted Cross-Correlating Characterization of Bulk Gradient Refractive Index Chalcogenide Materials,” to be submitted.
• Z. G. Ramsey, † L. Tran, † G. B. J. Sop Tagne, J. E. Lyza, C. J. Cano, P. M. Marrero, D. Wiedeman, R. Sharma, K. A. Richardson, S. Feller, S. T. Misture, and M. Kang*, “In-Situ Metrological Approach to the Realization of Controlled Crystallization in Multicomponent Chalcogenide Glasses,” to be submitted.