Academic
Projects
The research works are part of professional practices.
The Future HVAC Concept
CHAPTER I
During my sabbatical in 2017, I developed a futuristic concept for an IoT platform for HVAC systems. My work involved building a scaled prototype that integrated kinetic movements to test hypotheses around air turbulence. For this IoT platform design prototype, robotics were utilized to simulate responsiveness. To achieve my vision of a B2B business model for the concept, more economically efficient solutions will be necessary to commercialize the platform.
CHAPTER II
Upon completion of this prototype in 2018, I began expanding the concept using user-centric and holistic approaches. I have been investigating the relationship between human emotions and the perception of AI in our living environment while exploring ideas in art and science, ambient technologies, and sensory experiences by incorporating elements of energy (light, color, sound) along with origami and air turbulence. The goal is to create a responsive user environment that raises awareness of AI and facilitates a peaceful coexistence between humanity and emerging ubiquitous computing technology.
To test the concept and express the emotional connections through interactions, I have built a full-scale prototype as an interactive environment where people can experience a non-invasive and friendly AI.
In addition to the emotional design inquiries, my research has expanded to include self-generating power through an internal wind turbine. To support all the development work, I was granted a residency at the Autodesk Boston Technology Center from 2020 to 2024.
CHAPTER III
My sabbatical in 2024 will focus on commercializing the platform design. As the provisional patent was awarded in 2023, the concept will be finalized towards the industrial prototypes for functional efficiency, user value creation, manufacturing, and sustainability.
Research Assistants:
Yechen Zhu
Dominic Rishe
Emily Werner
Chloe Castaneda
Jingxuan Chen
Zhuoyan Xie
Benjamin Carter
Residency Sponsor: Autodesk Boston Technology Center
Collaborations with Dr. Capraro, Brown University
I have participated in a series of collaborations with Geoff Capraro, M.D. at Brown Medical Center since 2016.
The NaloxBox Project (2016):
An accessible box solution with a seamless user experience to save the lives of opioid overdose victims.
Research Assistants: Bob Han, Jiho Yoon
The Vital Sign Project (2018):
An engaging, entertaining, hand-held solution to facilitate video acquisition of children's vital signs in clinical and ER environments.
Research Assistants: Vivine Han, Sam Zaref
The Wearable Hardware + UX Design Project (2019):
A digital integration through a wearable device with a biosensor for active opioid IV users, managing the cognitive load and temporal distortion of individuals with mental and physical cravings during their recovery.
Research Partner: the NxTech team
Collaborative Project at RISD with Hyundai Motors, 2021
I co-taught one of the interdisciplinary studio courses in the RISD X Hyundai collaboration series with Ryan McCaffrey at RISD in Spring 2021.
The Research Theme: Adaptive Ecologies
The course title: Natures, Societies and Technologies (ID + Arch)
Participated Students by projects:
Decentralized Mobile Services Among Reconfigurable City Blocks
By Bowen Zhou, Danning Liang
Urban Drifters: People as Infrastructure Infrastructure as People
By Frederick Horton, Owen Wang,, Wenbo Zhang
Migradian: Migrating to a Gradual Underground Future
By Remi Qiu & Al Huang
Water Recycling Design in the Future Cities
By Xinyi Liu
Symbiotic Infrastructure
By Brad Zhenhong Lei
Introducing Adaptive Plasticity to the Urban Landscape
By Avantika Velho & Varun Mehta
Community Design from Ants
By Stephanie Hu
Infrastructure Family
By Mono Yingyi Mo
Chosun News Article:
Collaborative Project at RISD with Samsung Electronics, 2013
I participated as a faculty member in team teaching a multidisciplinary studio course at the RISD X Samsung Research Lab during the Summer and Fall of 2013.
The Research Theme: Future Scenarios
This research project used scenarios and vignettes—filmic portraits of an essence, atmosphere, or possible experience—instigated by a designed system to explore meaningful or emergent social behaviors, exchanges, emotional experiences, and living spaces based on sensing technologies that can interact with, influence, or redirect our senses to provide value and improve how we value our lives. The scenarios from its cross-disciplinary research projects offered governments, institutions, and leading corporations unique collaborative access to innovative insights across 19 art and design disciplines.
Lead Faculty: Shona Kitchen, Cas Holman
Participated Faculty: Soojung Ham, Yugon Kim
Workshop Participants:
RISD
Daniel Hewett
Lane Myer
Brian Kane
Soojung Ham
Shona Kitchen
SAMSUNG
Christine Lee
Pankaj Agarwal
Neal Kim
Researcher Students:
Arnold Wong, August Lehrecke, Hee Kyung Kim, Janet Shih, Julie Kang, Jun Ho Choi, Kritika Hora, Maria Canada, Micah Baclig, Nick Penney, Sally Gales, Stephanie Willemsen, Will Radin, Xinyu Liu, Zebina Masse
Collaborative Project at RISD with Intel, 2005
I co-taught sponsored studio courses by Intel at RISD in the summer with Michael Lye and taught my own full course in the fall of 2005.
The Research Theme: HEALTH - MOBILE -TECHNOLOGY
The class focused on developing design solutions using mobile technology for problems in the topic of health to create smart and thoughtful solutions to serious problems following the class design strategy. Health was defined as the optimal state of well-being from our brain storm session, allowing a person to enjoy an active and positive life experience.
There were six teams that developed solutions for different issues within health and healthcare:
Emergency, Transportation, Communication
By Shay Morrison, Drew Payette
Healthy Aging Through Balanced Living
By Erik DeMelo, Michael Tubridy, Emily Hall
Health Awareness Through Daily Routine
By Meghan Gildea, Moya Yen
Communication and Lifestyle for Patients
By Andy Lee, Fanny Chen
Personal Motivation for Physical Fitness
By Hae Jin Kong, Tommy Flannery
Increasing Mobility for the Visually Impaired
By Jaclyn Guido, Susan Cho
Collaborative Project at RISD with MIT AgeLab, 2002
I taught a collaborative studio course at RISD with Joseph F. Coughlin, the MIT AgeLab, in the Spring of 2002.
The Research Theme: ACTIVELY AGING
This class was based on collaboration with the MIT AgeLab to design products to provide better quality environments for older adults with understanding their special needs. The class explored the world of the actively aging and to direct the future of products that will influence user behavior.
Research Categories:
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Health care and behavioral medicine: leisure/physical fitness, beauty/nutrition, wellness info/mental fitness
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Transportation: independent living, work-home environment, traveling
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Communication: information (connection, information, intuitive thinking skills, lifelong learning), technology (wireless, personalization)
Participated Students by projects:
Paul Osimo: A low tech personal transport device
Nora Farrell: Finding a balance between the mind and body
Michelle Shildkret: An in-home system for independent daily routines
Julie Miller: An easy access Health Digital Kiosk
Jeremy Bloom: A Wearable Personal Fitness
Davis Mursalie: Re-integrating with technology through handheld
Christina Seo: Mind over Body - A handheld for active mind
Charwei Tsai: A public bathing environment for social engagement
Ashley Wentz: A System of organizing food
Advisor & Consultant : Susan Able
Coordinator: Alexis Torchio
Teaching Assistant: Suzanne Turell