Since Nafion is very expensive and shows the decreased fuel cell performance over $80^{\circ}C$ operating temperature, much work has been carried out in the search for cheaper membrane with high fuel cell performance. Radiation is known to be very useful for the preparation of the polymer electrolyte membranes since it can be effectively used for the introduction of ion conducting functional groups into the commercial film with high mechanical and chemical properties. Here, we summarize the our recent progress in the development of fuel cell membranes by utilizing radiation.

The quality properties of freeze-dried apples, pears, strawberries and pineapples gamma-irradiated at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 kGy were evaluated to develop germ-free products for immuno-compromised patients. The initial count of total aerobic bacteria in non-irradiated apples, pears, strawberries and pineapple was 2.5, 3.1, 2.6, and $3.2{\log}\;CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}$, respectively. Microorganisms were not observed in apples after 1 kGy, in pears and strawberries after 4 kGy, and in pineapples at 5 kGy within a detection limit of $10{\log}\;CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}$. In addition, the sterilization of each sample was confirmed at the same dose. The score for the overall acceptance of freeze-dried fruit irradiated at a sterilization dose was 5.5 for apples, 4.1 for pineapples, and 4.0 for the other fruits, whereas that of non-irradiated control sample was 5.6 for apples, 5.2 for pears, and 5.8 for strawberries and pineapples with a 7-point scale. As a result, gamma irradiation of 1 kGy for apples, 4 kGy for strawberries and pears, and 5 kGy for pineapples is sufficient to sterilize each freeze-dried fruit with acceptable sensory properties.

This study examined radiation detection properties of imported perilla seeds, almonds, and soybeans. Food samples were irradiated at doses of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kGy and analyzed by photo-stimulated luminescence (PSL), thermoluminescence (TL), and electron spin resonance (ESR). The results of PSL showed that photon counts of irradiated perilla seeds and soybeans were $32,959counts{\cdot}60sec^{-1}$ and $7,234counts{\cdot}60sec^{-1}$, respectively, at an irradiation dose of 0.5 kGy, and the photon count of irradiated almonds was $5,581counts{\cdot}60sec^{-1}$ at an irradiation dose of 1 kGy. The results of TL showed that this technique is useful for detecting irradiated samples; the TL ratios ($TL_1/TL_2$) measured for the food samples at an irradiation dose of 0.5 kGy were 0.2301 for perilla seeds, 0.4595 for almonds, and 0.4827 for soy beans. Lastly, results of ESR spectroscopy for only soybeans revealed specific signals derived from free radicals captured in the cellulose. In conclusion, PSL, TL, and ESR methods can be used for the detection of gamma-irradiated soybean samples, whereas gamma-irradiated perilla seeds and almonds can be confirmed by a serial detection with a TL method after PSL.

The purpose of this study was to compare the sensory effects of different culinary methods such as electric pan cooking and charcoal roasting on gamma irradiated ready-to-eat chicken at 10 kGy. Evlauation of sensory properties were measured by estimating the organoleptic characteristics and physicochemical properties (TBARS, hardness and color different matters). The results showed that gamma irradiation after charcoal-roasting could more effectively moderate the decrease of sensory qualities and reduce off-flavor of ready-to-eat chicken than gamma irradiation after following electric pan cooking. These results suggest that gamma irradiation after charcoal broiling can be an effective culinary method for the preparation of ready-to-eat chicken.

In this study, the preparation of a temperature-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-grafted surface was performed using an eco-friendly and biocompatible ion beam-induced surface graft polymerization. The surface of a perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) film was activated by ion implantation and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) was then graft polymerized selectively onto the activated regions of the PFA surfaces. Based on the results of the peroxide concentration and grafting degree measurements, the amount of the peroxide groups formed on the implanted surface was dependant on the fluence, which affected the grafting degree. The results of the FT-IR-ATR, XPS, and SEM confirmed that the NIPAAm was successfully grafted onto the implanted PFA. Moreover, the contact angle measurement at different temperatures revealed that the surface of the PNIPAAm-grafted PFA film was temperature-responsive.

In this study, a facile method to fabricate superhydrophobic surfaces on perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) films using ion implantation was developed. PFA films were implanted at 100 keV with a fluence ranging from $4{\times}10^{16}$ to $7{\times}10^{16}ions\;cm^{-2}$. The surface properties of the implanted films were investigated in terms of their surface morphology, wettability, and chemical composition. As the fluence increased to $6{\times}10^{16}ions\;cm^{-2}$, the surface morphology and surface roughness of the PFA films were dramatically changed. The PFA surface implanted at a fluence of $6{\times}10^{16}ions\;cm^{-2}$ showed a maximum contact angle (CA) of $157.1^{\circ}$, while the control CA of the smooth PFA surface was $103.6^{\circ}$. Thus, the superhydrophobic surface was successfully fabricated by ion implantation.