Meet The Inventor
Dr. Hyunjoon “Joon” Kong
Inventor of Abradem® Technology
Chemical & Bimolecular Engineering Professor
Leader in Self-Propelling Materials
Dr. Hyunjoon “Joon” Kong is the scientific mind behind the patented technology that powers Abradem®. A leading researcher in self-propelling nanomaterials and active hybrid systems, Dr. Kong serves as the Robert W. Schafer Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Dr. Kong is affiliated with the Departments of Bioengineering and Pathobiology and is an active member of the Regenerative Biology & Tissue Engineering theme at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. His research focuses on developing smart, functional materials for applications in medicine, bioscience, and environmental technologies. His invention of catalytically driven, self-propelling colloids laid the scientific groundwork for Abradem®’s unique cleaning action.
With a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and postdoctoral work completed at both Michigan and Harvard University, Dr. Kong has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and holds multiple issued and pending patents. His distinguished contributions have been recognized by fellowships in both the AIMBE and IAMBE, along with several academic honors.
Honors & Recognition
Awards
- International Academy of Biological and Medical Engineering (IAMBE) fellow, 2023
- School of Chemical Science Teaching Excellence Award, 2021
- American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) Fellow, 2017
- Centennial Scholar, 2013-2016
- Campus Distinguished Promotion Award, 2016
- Engineering Dean’s Award for Research Achievement, 2016
- University of Illinois Center for Advanced Study Fellow, 2012-2013
- Engineering Dean’s Award for Research Achievement, 2012
- Korean Institute for Chemical Engineers President Young Investigator Award, 2011
- CAREER Award, National Science Foundation, 2009
- Scientist Development Grant, American Heart Association, 2008
- Fellowship, Hanyang University, 1995
- Samnam Foundation Fellowship, Lotte Inc., Korea, 1991
Publications
Books Edited or Co-Edited (Original Edition)
- Stem cells and revascularization therapies. Edited by Kong, H.J., Putnam, A.J. & Schook L.B. CRC Press (2012).
Selected Journal Articles
- In-Drop Thermal Cycling of Microcrystal Assembly for Senescence Control (MASC) with Minimal Variation in Efficacy. Advanced Functional Materials
- In situ Immobilization of d-MnO2 Nanosheets on a Porous Support for Rapid and Continuous Cleaning of Bisphenol A-Spiked Water. Chemical Engineering Journal
- Intracerebral nanoparticle transport facilitated by Alzheimer pathology and age. Nano Letters
- Self-locomotive antimicrobial microrobot (SLAM) swarm for enhanced biofilm elimination. Biomaterials
- Catalytic microgelators for decoupled control of gelation rate and rigidity of the biological gels. Journal of Controlled Release
- Electrothermal Soft Manipulator Enabling Safe Transport and Handling of Thin Cell/Tissue Sheets and Bioelectronic Devices. Science Advances
Research Synopsis & The Kong Group
Turning Bio-Inspired Materials into Breakthrough Applications
Dr. Kong leads the Kong Research Group at the University of Illinois, a multidisciplinary team focused on developing active hybrid materials that respond to physical and chemical stimuli. These materials are engineered for use in biomedicine, environmental science, and emerging technologies such as wearable electronics and organ-on-a-chip platforms.
The group’s mission is to create innovative, nature-inspired systems that solve real-world problems. From self-propelling colloids for cleaning and therapy, to modular hydrogels used in tissue regeneration and drug delivery, the Kong Group is pioneering new frontiers in soft matter science.
Dr. Kong’s lab collaborates across disciplines, including chemical engineering, biology, materials science, and medicine, to push the boundaries of what functional materials can achieve. The lab’s work forms the scientific backbone of innovations like Abradem®.
Current Areas of Research Include:
- Self-powered materials for treating ischemic injury and infection
- Tough, stretchable hydrogels for surgical simulation and cell therapies
- Bio-abiotic soft machinery and synthetic organoid systems
- Anti-fouling surfaces and environmental remediation tools
Bridging Science & Real-World Solutions
As the inventor of Abradem®’s core technology, Dr. Kong exemplifies how academic research can power real-world innovation. His work in catalytically driven active particles has enabled a cleaning system uniquely capable of reaching confined, hard-to-access environments, bringing nanoscience into everyday impact.