Ajou University · School of Frontier Sciences / Department of Chemistry

Multiscale Molecular Computational Chemistry Lab

Multiscale physical chemistry of solutions and nanomaterials through machine learning and computational simulation

Multiscale

Molecular dynamics, machine learning force fields, coarse-grained simulation, and first-principles calculations applied to soft matter and solution chemistry.

All-atomCGCG beads
~10 nm – 1 μm

Mesoscale Simulation

Coarse-graining simplifies chemical detail to reduce computational cost, enabling the study of nanomaterials at larger and longer scales than other methods

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CCCO1–4 nonbondedLennard–Jones + Coulombbond stretchrangle bendθO–C′–CαdihedralφHα–Cα–C′–Oδ+δ−
~1 – 10 nm

All-Atom Molecular Dynamics

Retaining full atomic resolution without electronic structure calculations, this method describes interactions at the atomic level to capture both static distributions and dynamic properties of atoms and molecules

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EglobalAtomsDescriptorGraphLocal representationEi, Fi
~1 – 10 nm (ab initio accuracy)

Machine Learning Force Fields

Machine learning force fields achieve quantum-level accuracy at near-classical MD speed, tackling problems that were previously inaccessible with conventional force fields

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nuclearconfigurationOCO{RA, ZA}Vext(r)OCOupdateρ(r)SCF cyclebuildVeff[ρ]solveφi, εiE[ρ]LUMOHOMO
~0.1 – 1 nm

First-Principles Calculations (DFT)

Rigorously computing electronic structure at the quantum-mechanical level to obtain properties such as band gaps, and to determine interatomic interactions and molecular geometries with the highest fidelity

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Recent Publications

Selected recent work from our group.

Self-assembly of architected macromolecules: Bridging a gap between experiments and simulations

Ji Woong Yu, Changsu Yoo, Suchan Cho, Myungeun Seo*, YongJoo Kim* (First author)

Chemical Physics ReviewsVol. 6, No. 1(2025)DOI
Review

Two-Regime Conformation of Grafted Polymer on Nanoparticle Determines Symmetry of Nanoparticle Self-Assembly

Ji Woong Yu, Hongseok Yun*, Won Bo Lee*, YongJoo Kim* (First author)

Advanced ScienceVol. 11, No. 36, pp. 2406720(2024)DOI
Self-AssemblyNanoparticle

Spatiotemporal characterization of water diffusion anomalies in saline solutions using machine learning force field

Ji Woong Yu, Sebin Kim, Jae Hyun Ryu, Won Bo Lee*, Tae Jun Yoon* (First author)

Science AdvancesVol. 10, No. 50, pp. eadp9662(2024)DOI
MLFFWater

Lab News

Latest updates from Yu Lab.

memberMarch 15, 2026

Recruiting Undergraduate Researchers

We are recruiting undergraduate researchers with backgrounds in chemistry, physics, computer science, or artificial intelligence who are interested in computational chemistry.

generalMarch 1, 2026

Yu Lab Launches at Ajou University

The Multiscale Molecular Computational Chemistry Lab has been established in the School of Frontier Sciences and the Department of Chemistry at Ajou University.