• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.505-511
• /
• 2009

The hydriding and electrochemical characteristics of Zr-based $AB_2$ alloy produced by gas atomization have been extensively examined. For the particle morphology of the as-cast and gas-atomized powders, it can be seen that the mechanically crushed powders are irregular, while the atomized powder particles are spherical. The increase of jet pressure of gas atomization process results in the decrease of hydrogen storage capacity and the slope of plateau pressure significantly increases. TEM and EDS studies showed the increase of jet pressure in the atomization process accelerated the phase separation within grain of the gas-atomized alloy, which brought about a poor hydrogenation property. However, the gas-atomized $AB_2$ alloy powders produced by jet pressure of 50 bar kept up the reversible $H_2$ storage capacity and discharge capacity similar to the mechanically crushed particles. In addition, the electrode of gas-atomized Zr-based $AB_2$ alloy of 50 bar showed improved cyclic stability over that of the cast and crushed particulate, which is attributed to the restriction of crack propagation by grain boundary and dislocation with ch/discharging cycling.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.97 no.2
• /
• pp.165-170
• /
• 2008

Litterfall has been recognized an important part of the forest ecosystem production, playing a major pathway in energy flow and nutrient cycling through the ecosystem. This study was carried out to examine the quantity and components, temporal variation, and spatial heterogeneity of the litterfall in the mixed broadleaved-Korean pine forest. The data were collected from the 9ha permanent experimental plot, of which on the center area, i.e. $150m{\times}150m$, the total number of 319 circular litterfall traps with the size of $0.5m^2$ were established to collect falling litterfall. The results showed that the annual amount of litterfall was totalized 3,033.7 kg/ha, occupying broad-leaves of 39.3%, conifer-leaves of 29.5%, others of 18.5%, branches of 10.4%, and seeds of 2.3%. The peak point of the litterfall production was made at the end of September, proportionating 32.2% of total amount. The analysis of semivariogram revealed the existence of high spatial heterogeneity, calculated the scale of spatial heterogeneity ranged from 11.6 m to 29.1 m. The result of proportion (C/[Co+C]) showed that spatial heterogeneity of autocorrelation in total spatial heterogeneity were from 97.0% to 100%. The relatively heavy branches and others had significant differences in litterfall production between the areas of canopy gap and closed canopy in the 95% probability level, but the other components did not show statistical differences.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.176-183
• /
• 2011

The electrochemical characteristics from various particle sizes of $Ce_{0.9}Gd_{0.1}O_{2-{\delta}}$ (CGO91) in composite cathode comprised of the samarium-strontium doped layered perovskite ($SmBa_{0.5}Sr_{0.5}Co_2O_{5+{\delta}}$) and CGO91 have been investigated for possible application as a cathode material for an intermediate temperature-operating solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC). The area specific resistances (ASRs) of composite cathodes with CGO91 having smaller particle size ($0.4\sim42{\mu}m$) and SBSCO of 1 : 1 ratio (50wt% SBSCO and 50 wt% CGO91, SBSCO: 50) give the lowest ASR of $0.10{\mu}cm^2$ at $600^{\circ}C$ and $0.013{\Omega}cm^2$ at $700^{\circ}C$. However, composite cathodes with having relatively bigger CGO91 particle size show the two times higher ASR results than those of SBSCO : 50. From the 10 times thermal cycles in SBSCO : 50, the ASRs of SBSCO : 50 increased from $0.0193{\Omega}cm^2$ to $0.094{\Omega}cm^2$ at $700^{\circ}C$, however, the ASR value was maintained after 7 times of thermal cycling.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.157-164
• /
• 1996

The AB5-type metal hydride electrodes using $(LM)Ni_{4.49}Co_{0.1}Mn_{0.205}Al_{0.205}$(LM : Lanthaniumrich Mischmetal) alloy powders(${\leq}200$mesh) which were coated with 25wt% copper in an acidic bath were prepared with or without addition of 10wt% PTFE as a binder. Prior to electrochemical measurements, the electrodes were sintered at $40^{\circ}C$ for 1 and 2hrs in vacuum with Mm(mischmetal) and sponge type Ti getters. The properties such as maximum capacity, cycle life and mechanical strength of the negative electrode have been investigated. The surface analysis of the electrode was also obtained before and after charge-discharge cycling using scanning electron microscope(SEM). From the observations of electrochemical behavior, it was found that the sintered electrode shows a lower maximum discharge capacity compared with non-sintered electrode but it shows a better cycle life. For the both electrodes with or without addition of PTFE binder, the values of mechanical strength were obtained, and their values increased with increasing sintering time. However, there is little difference of discharge capacity for both electrodes.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.55 no.3
• /
• pp.307-312
• /
• 2017

In this study, the electrochemical performance of surface modified carbon using the PFO (pyrolyzed fuel oil) was investigated by chemical activation with KOH and $K_2CO_3$. PFO was heat treated at $390{\sim}400^{\circ}C$ for 1~3h to prepared the pitch. Three carbon precursors (pitch) prepared by the thermal reaction were 3903 (at $390^{\circ}C$ for 3h), 4001(at $400^{\circ}C$ for 1h) and 4002 (at $400^{\circ}C$ for 2h). Also, the effect of chemical activation catalysts and mixing time on the development of porosity during carbonization was investigated. The prepared carbon was analyzed by BET and FE-SEM. It was shown that chemical activation with KOH could be successfully used to develop carbon with specific surface area ($3.12m^2/g$) and mean pore size (22 nm). The electrochemical characteristics of modified carbon as the anode were investigated by constant current charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance tests. The coin cell using pitch (4002) modified by KOH has better initial capacity (318 mAh/g) than that of other pitch coin cells. Also, this prepared carbon anode appeared a high initial efficiency of 80% and the retention rate capability of 2C/0.1 C was 92%. It is found that modified carbon anode showed improved cycling and rate capacity performance.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.80-86
• /
• 2016

High Ni content layered oxide materials for the positive electrode in lithium-ion batteries have high specific capacity. However, their poor electrochemical and thermal stability at elevated temperature restrict the practical use. A small amount of $Al_2O_3$ was added to the mixture of transition metal hydroxide and lithium hydroxide. The $LiNi_{0.6}Co_{0.2}Mn_{0.2}O_2$ was simultaneously doped and coated with $Al_2O_3$ during heat-treatment. Electrochemical characteristics of modified $LiNi_{0.6}Co_{0.2}Mn_{0.2}O_2$ were evaluated by the galvanostatic cycling and the LSTA(linear sweep thermmametry) at the constant voltage conditions. The nano-sized $Al_2O_3$ added materials show better cycle performance at elevated temperature than that of micro-sized $Al_2O_3$. As the added amount of nano-$Al_2O_3$ increased, the thermal stability of electrode also enhanced, but the use of 2.5 mol% Al showed the best high temperature performance.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.376-384
• /
• 2019

Background: Nutrient release during litter decomposition was investigated in Vitex doniana, Terminalia avecinioides, Sarcocephallus latifolius, and Parinari curatellifolius in Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria (January 10 to March 10 and from June 10 to August 10, 2016). Leaf decomposition was measured as loss in mass of litter over time using the decay model W_t/W₀ = e-^{kd t}, while $Kd=-{\frac{1}{t}}In({\frac{Wt}{W0}})$ was used to evaluate decomposition rate. Time taken for half of litter to decompose was measured using T₅₀ = ln ²/k; while nutrient accumulation index was evaluated as $NAI=(\frac{{\omega}t\;Xt}{{\omega}oXo})$. Results: Average mass of litter remaining after exposure ranged from 96.15 g, (V. doniana) to 78.11 g, (S. lafolius) in dry (November to March) and wet (April to October) seasons. Decomposition rate was averagely faster in the wet season (0.0030) than in the dry season (0.0022) with P. curatellifolius (0.0028) and T. avecinioides (0.0039) having the fastest decomposition rates in dry and wet seasons. Mean residence time (days) ranged from 929 to 356, while the time (days) for half the original mass to decompose ranged from 622 to 201 (dry and wet seasons). ANOVA revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.01) in decomposition rates and exposure time (days) and a significant interaction (p < 0.05) between species and exposure time in both seasons. Conclusion: Slow decomposition in the plant leaves implied carbon retention in the ecosystem and slow release of CO₂ back to the atmosphere, while nitrogen was mineralized in both seasons. The plants therefore showed effectiveness in nutrient cycling and support productivity in the ecosystem.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.169-177
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to compare the retention of complete cast crown over amalgam ores, composite resin cores, and cast gold cores when cemented with three different luting agents. Eighteen core specimens each of amalgam(Bestaloy, Dong Myung, Seoul, Korea), composite resin (Z100, 3M Dental product, st. Paul, Minn) and type IV gold alloy (Ba-4, Heesung Engelhard Corp., Korea) were made in a customized milling stainless steel die. A wax pattern with a loop attached to occlusal surface was made for each core and a type II gold alloy casting was fabricated. The castings which had clinically acceptable marginal fit were used as test samples. The following luting cements were used to cement cast crowns on each core material : (1) zinc phosphate cement (Confi-dental Products Co., USA) (2) glass-ionomer cement (Fuji Plus, GC Industrial Corp., Tokyo, Japan) (3) resin cement (Panavia 21, Kuraray Co., USA). All cements were mixed according to manufacturers' instructions. A static load of 5kg was then applied for 10 minutes on the crowns. All specimens were stored in saline solution for 24 hours at $37^{\circ}C$ and thermocycled for 500 cycles. After storage and cycling, the tensile bond strengths were measured by using a universal testing machine (Instron Corp., Canton, Mass.) at a crosshead speed of 0.5mm/min. The results were as follows 1. The retentive strength of resin cement was the highest of alt three types of cement for resin core (p<0.05). 2. There was no statistical difference among the retentive strengths of three cements for amalgam core (p>0.05). 3. The retentive strength of resin cement was higher than that of zinc phosphate for cast core, but there was no difference between the retentive strength of glass ionomer cement and those of rein and zinc phosphate cement. 4. The retentive strength of the zinc phosphate cement for amalgam core was the highest of all type of cores.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.533-544
• /
• 2016

This paper provides a reference to determine the seal performance of metallic O-rings for a reactor pressure vessel (RPV). A nonlinear elastic-plastic model of an O-ring was constructed by the finite element method to analyze its intrinsic properties. It is also validated by experiments on scaled samples. The effects of the compression ratio, the geometrical parameters of the O-ring, and the structure parameters of the groove on the flange are discussed in detail. The results showed that the numerical analysis of the O-ring agrees well with the experimental data, the compression ratio has an important role in the distribution and magnitude of contact stress, and a suitable gap between the sidewall and groove can improve the sealing capability of the O-ring. After the optimization of the sealing structure, some key parameters of the O-ring (i.e., compression ratio, cross-section diameter, wall thickness, sidewall gap) have been recommended for application in megakilowatt class nuclear power plants. Furthermore, air tightness and thermal cycling tests were performed to verify the rationality of the finite element method and to reliably evaluate the sealing performance of a RPV.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.69 no.4
• /
• pp.407-416
• /
• 2019

This paper develops a wireless sensor for online fatigue crack detection and failure warning based on crack-induced nonlinear ultrasonic modulation. The wireless sensor consists of packaged piezoelectric (PZT) module, an excitation/sensing module, a data acquisition/processing module, a wireless communication module, and a power supply module. The packaged PZT and the excitation/sensing module generate ultrasonic waves on a structure and capture the response. Based on nonlinear ultrasonic modulation created by a crack, the data acquisition/processing module periodically performs fatigue crack diagnosis and provides failure warning if a component failure is imminent. The outcomes are transmitted to a base through the wireless communication module where two-levels duty cycling media access control (MAC) is implemented. The uniqueness of the paper lies in that 1) the proposed wireless sensor is developed specifically for online fatigue crack detection and failure warning, 2) failure warning as well as crack diagnosis are provided based on crack-induced nonlinear ultrasonic modulation, 3) event-driven operation of the sensor, considering rare extreme events such as earthquakes, is made possible with a power minimization strategy, and 4) the applicability of the wireless sensor to steel welded members is examined through field and laboratory tests. A fatigue crack on a steel welded specimen was successfully detected when the overall width of the crack was around $30{\mu}m$, and a failure warnings were provided when about 97.6% of the remaining useful fatigue lives were reached. Four wireless sensors were deployed on Yeongjong Grand Bridge in Souht Korea. The wireless sensor consumed 282.95 J for 3 weeks, and the processed results on the sensor were transmitted up to 20 m with over 90% success rate.