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Young Jong Lee (Fed)

Research Chemist, Project Leader

Since Young Jong Lee joined NIST in 2006, he has developed new spectral imaging technologies based on coherent Raman scattering and infrared (IR) absorption. His recent research has focused on the development of the quantitative and structural measurement techniques for proteins, gene delivery systems, cells, polymer films, microplastics, and semiconductor packaging materials. (orcid.org/0000-0001-7754-3001).

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

Development of New Measurement Technology (listed from new to old in each category)

short history of the high-sensitivity IR spectrometer development by the NIST Biomaterials Group
Development of the high-sensitivity IR spectroscopy technique by the NIST Biomaterials Group

Therapeutic Proteins

Cell Systems and Tissues

  • Label-free IR imaging of live cells and measuring absolute quantities of biomolecules per cell
  • Optical and spectral measurement of cell viability and other cell statuses

Soft Matter Physics

3D orientation imaging
3D orientation mapping of a polycaprolactone (PCL) film deformed by shearing force. Imaged by polarization IR microscopy [Macromolecules (2022)].
Credit: Young Jong Lee

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

 

NRC Postdoctoral Fellowship: US citizens only. Please visit the following opportunities.

We may have postdoc positions open to both non-US citizens and US citizens. If interested in any of the projects described above, please email Young Jong Lee at youngjong.lee [at] nist.gov (youngjong[dot]lee[at]nist[dot]gov).

Awards

  • 2022: Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award, “For the development of broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy for quantitative, comparable chemical imaging in complex samples.”
  • 2013: MML Distinguished Associate Award for Technical Achievement, “For crucial innovations in the development and application of rapid data acquisition methods and reliable and reproducible data analysis in broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman imaging.”
     

Selected Publications

Publications

Patents (2018-Present)

Single-Detector Double-Path Intensity-Modulation Spectrometer

NIST Inventors
Young Jong Lee
A method of determining an optical spectrum for a sample substance includes splitting a source beam into a reference beam and a sample beam, periodically modulating the intensity of the beams out of phase of each other, directing the reference beam through a reference substance and the sample beam

Single-Detector Double-Path Intensity-Modulation Spectrometer

NIST Inventors
Young Jong Lee
A method of determining an optical spectrum for a sample substance includes splitting a source beam into a reference beam and a sample beam, periodically modulating the intensity of the beams out of phase of each other, directing the reference beam through a reference substance and the sample beam
This is a line drawing for patent number 10,625,470

3D Printing of Composition-Controlled Copolymers

NIST Inventors
Young Jong Lee
A computer-controlled method for forming a composition-controlled product using 3D printing includes disposing two or more liquid reactant compositions in respective two or more reservoirs; and mixing the two or more liquid reactant compositions, which in turn includes controlling by the computer a
Schematic comparison of the conventional approach and this invention for a sample (analyte + solvent) with a strong solvent absorption band in the spectral range of interest.

Spectrum Adjuster and Producing a Pure Analyte Spectrum

NIST Inventors
Young Jong Lee
A spectrum adjuster produces a pure analyte spectrum and includes: a dynamic opacity optic that receives input light, receives an adjustment signal, produces primary adjusted light, and produces secondary adjusted light from the input light based on the adjustment signal; a light source in optical
Created July 30, 2019, Updated June 13, 2024