The Active Materials and Smart Living (AMSL) Laboratory, led by Kwang J. Kim, provides a dynamic academic environment where students and researchers develop the engineering skills, creativity, and mindset needed to become innovative leaders in their fields. The lab focuses on the study of matter and energy with an emphasis on sustainability and health engineering, bridging fundamental science with real-world societal impact.

Kwang J. (Jin) Kim is a Distinguished Professor and Southwest Gas Professor of Energy and Matter in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Prior to joining UNLV in 2012, he served as Foundation Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno. He earned his BS from Yonsei University, and his MS and PhD from Arizona State University, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Maryland, College Park. His professional experience also includes leadership roles in industry as a Senior Research Engineer and Chief Scientist.

Professor Kim’s research spans active materials, smart sensors, and energy systems. He has authored over 420 publications, including more than 220 peer-reviewed journal articles and three monographs, and holds five U.S. patents. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the SPIE Lifetime Achievement Award, the Harry Reid Silver State Researcher Award, and the Barrick Distinguished Scholar Award. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), and serves on several leading editorial boards in smart materials and related fields.

Recognized globally for his impact, Professor Kim has been ranked among the top 0.05% of researchers worldwide by ScholarGPS and is listed among the leading scholars in smart materials for his lifetime contributions to the field.