Sungmee Park

Sungmee Park is a Principal Research Scientist at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. Her work bridges academia and industry, with groundbreaking contributions to smart textiles and wearable technologies. She co-invented the world’s first Wearable Motherboard (Smart Shirt) in 1996, foundational to modern wearables. At Kolon Glotech in South Korea, she developed Printronix printing technology and heating textiles (HeaTex), applied in sports, military, and automotive sectors. She also served as Vice President and Head of Future Strategy at Kolon Corporation, driving innovation in strategic partnerships and new ventures.

Her research focuses on electronic textiles, smart fabrics, and wearable biomedical systems, addressing health monitoring, security, and human welfare. With over 30 patents and numerous publications, her work emphasizes translating research into practical applications like low-cost reusable masks and respiratory protection devices. Key collaborations include ongoing projects with Professor Jayaraman on wearable data platforms and Big Data analysis.

Dr. Park’s articles highlight advancements in textile-based electronics, wearable healthcare systems, and smart textile manufacturing. She has pioneered methodologies for integrating sensors and communication systems into fabrics, enabling applications from athlete monitoring to SIDS prevention. Her contributions reflect a vision of technology enhancing quality of life through interdisciplinary innovation at the intersection of art, science, and engineering.

Notable projects include the Inspiring Journey Exhibit showcasing her work in art-science fusion and strategic leadership in identifying new growth areas for the Kolon Group. Her research continues to drive global impact through sustainable, human-centered technological solutions.