• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.65-75
• /
• 2021

Coin cell is a basic testing platform for battery research, discovering new materials and concepts, and contributing to fundamental research on next-generation batteries. Li metal batteries (LMBs) are promising since a high energy density (~500 Wh kg^-1) is deliverable far beyond Li-ion. However, Li dendrite-triggered volume fluctuation and high surface cause severe deterioration of performance. Given that such drawbacks are strongly dependent on the cell parameters and structure, such as the amount of electrolyte, Li thickness, and internal pressure, reliable Li metal coin cell testing is challenging. For the LMB-specialized coin cell testing platform, this study suggests the optimal coin cell structure that secures performance and reproducibility of LMBs under stringent conditions, such as lean electrolyte, high mass loading of NMC cathode, and thinner Li use. By controlling the cathode/anode (C/A) area ratio closer to 1.0, the inactive space was minimized, mitigating the cell degradation. The quantification and imaging of inner cell pressure elucidated that the uniformity of the pressure is a crucial matter to improving performance reliability. The LMB coin cells exhibit better cycling retention and reproducibility under higher (0.6 MPa → 2.13 MPa) and uniform (standard deviation: 0.43 → 0.16) stack pressure through the changes in internal parts and introducing a flexible polymer (PDMS) film.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.409-425
• /
• 2021

Carbon dioxide has been known to be a typical greenhouse gas causing global warming, and a number of efforts have been proposed to reduce its concentration in the atmosphere. Among them, carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) has been taken into great account to accomplish the target reduction of carbon dioxide. In order to commercialize the CCS, its safety should be secured. In particular, if the stored carbon dioxide is leaked in the arable land, serious problems could come up in terms of crop growth. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of carbon dioxide leaked from storage sites on soil fertility. The leakage of carbon dioxide was simulated using the facility of its artificial injection into soils in the laboratory. Several soil chemical properties, such as pH, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, the concentrations of exchangeable cations, nitrogen (N) (total-N, nitrate-N, and ammonia-N), phosphorus (P) (total-P and available-P), sulfur (S) (total-S and available-S), available-boron (B), and the contents of soil organic matter, were monitored as indicators of soil fertility during the period of artificial injection of carbon dioxide. Two kinds of soils, such as non-cultivated and cultivated soils, were compared in the artificial injection tests, and the latter included maize- and soybean-cultivated soils. The non-cultivated soil (NCS) was sandy soil of 42.6% porosity, the maize-cultivated soil (MCS) and soybean-cultivated soil (SCS) were loamy sand having 46.8% and 48.0% of porosities, respectively. The artificial injection facility had six columns: one was for the control without carbon dioxide injection, and the other five columns were used for the injections tests. Total injection periods for NCS and MCS/SCS were 60 and 70 days, respectively, and artificial rainfall events were simulated using one pore volume after the 12-day injection for the NCS and the 14-day injection for the MCS/SCS. After each rainfall event, the soil fertility indicators were measured for soil and leachate solution, and they were compared before and after the injection of carbon dioxide. The results indicate that the residual concentrations of exchangeable cations, total-N, total-P, the content of soil organic matter, and electrical conductivity were not likely to be affected by the injection of carbon dioxide. However, the residual concentrations of nitrate-N, ammonia-N, available-P, available-S, and available-B tended to decrease after the carbon dioxide injection, indicating that soil fertility might be reduced. Meanwhile, soil pH did not seem to be influenced due to the buffering capacity of soils, but it is speculated that a long-term leakage of carbon dioxide might bring about soil acidification.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.486-494
• /
• 2021

A rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar of the SPP (stakeholder participatory program) and ordinary rice were characterized based on water-absorption properties and cooked rice texture. During rice soaking, the rice grain transformed from transparent to opaque (white), indicating that water molecules diffused into the rice grain during soaking. In addition, cracks in the internal structure of soaked rice gradually increased with an increase in soaking time. Water absorption increased rapidly up to 20 min, but no increment was observed after 30 min of soaking. At this point, the entire areas of the soaked rice grain turned white, indicating that water absorption had reached saturation. SPP rice showed lower hardness and higher stickiness in its cooked form than ordinary rice, suggesting that SPP rice could be a more preferable choice than ordinary rice. Furthermore, cooked SPP rice was more edible in terms of hardness and stickiness after being kept warm for 12 h than ordinary rice. These results indicated that cooked SPP rice exhibited slow retrogradation and improved taste.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2023

The cathode, which is one of the four major components of a lithium secondary battery, is an important component responsible for the energy density of the battery. The mixing process of active material, conductive material, and polymer binder is very essential in the commonly used wet manufacturing process of the cathode. However, in the case of mixing conditions of the cathode, since there is no systematic method, in most cases, differences in performance occur depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, LiMn₂O₄ (LMO) cathodes were prepared using a commonly used THINKY mixer and homogenizer to optimize the mixing method in the cathode slurry preparation step, and their characteristics were compared. Each mixing condition was performed at 2000 RPM and 7 min, and to determine only the difference in the mixing method during the manufacture of the cathode other experiment conditions (mixing time, material input order, etc.) were kept constant. Among the manufactured THINKY mixer LMO (TLMO) and homogenizer LMO (HLMO), HLMO has more uniform particle dispersion than TLMO, and thus shows higher adhesive strength. Also, the result of the electrochemical evaluation reveals that HLMO cathode showed improved performance with a more stable life cycle compared to TLMO. The initial discharge capacity retention rate of HLMO at 69 cycles was 88%, which is about 4.4 times higher than that of TLMO, and in the case of rate capability, HLMO exhibited a better capacity retention even at high C-rates of 10, 15, and 20 C and the capacity recovery at 1 C was higher than that of TLMO. It's postulated that the use of a homogenizer improves the characteristics of the slurry containing the active material, the conductive material, and the polymer binder creating an electrically conductive network formed by uniformly dispersing the conductive material suppressing its strong electrostatic properties thus avoiding aggregation. As a result, surface contact between the active material and the conductive material increases, electrons move more smoothly, changes in lattice volume during charging and discharging are more reversible and contact resistance between the active material and the conductive material is suppressed.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.252-256
• /
• 2005

Purpose: Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a valuable and sensitive tool as a marker for diagnosis and follow-up for several thyroid disorders, especially, in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Often, clinical decisions rely entirely on the serum Tg concentration. But the Tg assay is one of the most challenging laboratory measurements to perform accurately owing to antithyroglobulin antibody (Anti-Tg). In this study, we have compared the degree of Anti-Tg effects on the measurement of Tg between availale Tg measuring kits. Materials and Methods: Measurement of Tg levels for standard Tg solution was performed with two different kits commercially available (A/B kits) using immunoradiometric assay technique either with absence or presence of three different concentrations of Anti-Tg. Measurement of Tg for patient's serum was also performed with the same kits. Patient's serum samples were prepared with mixtures of a serum containing high Tg levels and a serum containg high Anti-Tg concentrations. Results: In the measurements of standard Tg solution, presence of Anti-Tg resulted in falsely lower Tg level by both A and B kits. Degree of Tg underestimation by h kit was more prominent than B kit. The degree of underestimation by B kit was trivial therefore clinically insignificant, but statistically significant. Addition of Anti-Tg to patient serum resulted in falsely lower Tg levels with only A kit. Conclusion: Tg level could be underestimated in the presence of anti-Tg. Anti-Tg effect on Tg measurement was variable according to assay kit used. Therefore, accuracy test must be performed for individual Tg-assay kit.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.409-415
• /
• 2011

Purpose: To design applied anamorphic lens that focal length ratio is 3:1 optical system to improve detecting distance. Methods: We defined a boundary condition as $50^{\circ}{\sim}60^{\circ}$ for viewing angle, horizontal direction 36mm, vertical direction 12 mm for focal length, f-number 4, $15{\mu}m{\times}15{\mu}m$ for pixel size and limit resolution 25% in 33l p/mm. Si, ZnS and ZnSe as a materials were used and 4.8 ${\mu}m$, 4.2 ${\mu}m$, 3.7 ${\mu}m$ as a wavelength were set. optical performance with detection distance, narcissus and athermalization in designed camera were analyzed. Results: F-number 4, y direction 12 mm and x direction 36 mm for focal length of the thermal optical system were satisfied. Total length of the system was 76 mm so that an overall volume of the system was reduced. Astigmatism and spherical aberration was within ${\pm}$0.10 which was less than 2 pixel size. Distortion was within 10% so there was no matter to use as a thermal optical camera. MTF performance for the system was over 25% from 33l p/mm to full field so it was satisfied with the boundary condition. Designed optical system was able to detect up to 2.9 km and reduce a diffused image by decreasing a narcissus value from all surfaces except the 4th surface. From sensitivity analysis, MTF resolution was increased on changing temperature with the 5th lens which was assumed as compensation. Conclusions: Designed optical system which used anamorphic lens was satisfied with boundary condition. an increasing resolution with temperature, longer detecting distance and decreasing of narcissus were verified.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.8
• /
• pp.971-978
• /
• 2017

Danggui leaf (Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa) has numerous dietary fiber and healthy functional properties such as anti-inflammatory activity. However, it is usually discarded after its roots are harvested. For wide application of danggui leaf, squeezed danggui leaf juice was used for making pan bread. Treatments included imported wheat flour (IMWF) and domestic wheat flour (DOWF) as a control, 1% soluble solid contents of squeezed danggui leaf juice instead of wheat flour (1% SDLJ), 2% SDLJ, 3% SDLJ, and 4% SDLJ. In the fermentation expansion, dough volume was not significantly different between DOWF and 1% SDLJ, whereas it decreased according to increased amount of squeezed danggui leaf juice. Regarding physical properties, springiness and cohesiveness decreased according to increased amount of squeezed danggui leaf juice and longer storage period. Gumminess, brittleness, and hardness increased according to increased amount of squeezed danggui leaf juice, although these were not statistically different among IMWF, DOWF, and 1% SDLJ after making pan bread. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to assess the correlation between storage period and physical properties. In the PCA, variance proportion of principal component (PC) 1 was 0.87 while that of PC 2 was 0.10. Further, 1% SDLJ showed similar results as DOWF and INWF after making pan bread and after 3 days of storage. In conclusion, use of 1% SDLJ is desirable for making squeezed danggui leaf juice.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.168-180
• /
• 2015

This study set out to make sponge cake a product of confectionery and bakery to expand the uses of rice bran and conducted a preliminary experiment to revise and supplement the addition of rice bran. The study sought to determine the level of added rice bran, 0~20%, by taking into account the taste, color, and marketability of rice bran in order to provide basic data for the possibilities of new product development and increase the usage of rice bran. As for the general composition, moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrate, and ash content comprised 9.50%, 15.51%, 18.12%, 48.17%, and 8.70% of the rice bran powder respectively. The pH of the dough decreased significantly with increased levels of rice bran. The specific gravity of the dough tended to rise significantly with the addition of rice bran. The group of 0% rice bran powder recorded the highest score of brightness, whereas the group of 20% rice bran powder scored lowest in terms of brightness. While there were significant differences between the control and experiment groups, no significant differences were found among the addition groups. Hardness also showed a tendency to significantly increase. The sensory evaluation results indicate that the group of 0% rice bran powder recorded the highest overall preference score at 5.00 and that the group of 20% rice bran powder had the lowest overall preference score at 2.87. The results also suggest that 10% rice bran powder sponge cake could be helpful in improving physical quality.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.354-362
• /
• 2009

This study was performed to develop a suitable nutrient solution for standard rose substrate culture in a closed hydroponic system. 1/4, 1/2, 2/3 and 1 strength of the nutrient solution made by Japan National Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science (JNIVT) were supplied. The photosynthesis rate, quality and growth of cut flower were higher in the 1/2 and 2/3 strength of nutrient solution during high and low temperature period. Based on the above results, optimum nutrient solutions (UOS) were composed by nutrientwater (n/w) absorption ratio with 1/2S ($NO_{3^-}N$ 6.8, $NH_{4^-}N$ 0.7, $PO_{4^-}P$ 2.0, K 3.8, Ca 3.0, Mg 1.2, $SO_{4^-}S$ $1.2me{\cdot}L^{-1}$) at high temperature season and 2/3($NO_{3^-}N$ 9.7, $NH_{4^-}N$ 0.8, $PO_{4^-}P$ 2.2, K 5.0, Ca 3.9, Mg 1.5, $SO_{4^-}S$ $1.5me{\cdot}L^{-1}$) at low temperature season. The results of suitability examination showed that the EC level in newly composed nutrient solution (UOS) was more stable than other nutrient solutions due to its large amount of calcium and potassium. The growth of cut flower cultivated with UOS was higher than those of other nutrient solutions. Especially, the yield of cut flowers in UOS nutrient solution increased 1.4 times than that of other nutrient solution treatments. Consequently, the new nutrient solution investigated in this experiment was suitable for rose cultivation in a closed hydroponic system.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.172-178
• /
• 2004

When soybean sprouts aye grown in the closed condition (where the ratio of $\textrm{O}_2$ and $\textrm{CO}_2$ is 7 ： 3), amount of $\textrm{CO}_2$ is increased and $\textrm{O}_2$ is decreased with the passage of time. At the same time, the amount of ethylene is automatically increased. By increasing the concentration of ethylene gas up to 0.5-1.0 ppm in the growth room, the length of sprouts was restricted to 6-7 cm and the thickness of sprouts was increased to 2.70$\pm$0.30 mm. The production of good quality sprouts which were fat and short was possible without application of any growth regulators such as indole-3-acetic acid known to have accumulation problem in humane body. To maintain the freshness during the transportation and prevent sprouts from rotting and bad smell at market, cold storage at 2-$5^{\circ}$ and airtightness which will restrict photosynthesis and respiration (higher than $10^{\circ}$) are needed. The freshness of sprouts is depended on the increase of $\textrm{CO}_2$ and the depletion of $\textrm{O}_2$ in the package. When the sprouts were stored below 1$0^{\circ}C$ (preferably below 8$^{\circ}C$), the concentration of $\textrm{CO}_2$ in the package remained below 30% for more than 60 hours, which was possible to keep sprouts in freshness without any offensive odor, But sprouts were maintained at $13^{\circ}$ for more than 25 hours, the concentration of $\textrm{CO}_2$ increased over 30% and produced an offensive odor. The little amount of $\textrm{O}_2$ gas was existing for 30 hours at $5^{\circ}$ but it was disappeared completely within 7 hours over $10^{\circ}$ and the sprouts became rot and produced severe offensive odor.