• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.488-494
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• 2011

Gasket plays an important role on sealing of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack. Stack requires gaskets in each cell to keep the hydrogen and air/oxygen within their respective regions. The failure of the gasket creates the problems of fuel leakage, mixing, damage on parts and can be a direct reason for the degrading the efficiency of fuel cell. The purpose of this paper researches on how mechanical properties of EPDM gasket in PEMFC are changed after long-term operations. The EPDM (ethylenepropylene-diene monomer) gaskets are obtained from the stack after long-term operations. DMA (dynamic mechanical analysis) is conducted to access the change of mechanical properties of the EPDM gasket. SEM/EDS (scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectroscopy) was used to show the surface topography and chemical characterization on the sample surface.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.93-96
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• 2010

We describe a case of enterolithiasis in an eight-year-old male Grant's zebra (Equus burchelli boehmi) that died after a 10-day history of depression, anorexia, dehydration and colic. On necropsy, an enterolith was discovered at the conjunction of the descending colon and the rectum. The spherical enterolith weighed 1,660 g and was $13.5cm{\times}8cm$ in size. According to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), the nidus consisted primarily of $SiO_2$ with outer layers of magnesium and phosphate. The formation of enteroliths is closely related to diet. We suggest that this captive zebra's diet, which consisted primarily of alfalfa hay with mineral supplements, was the cause of enterolithiasis in this case. This is the first report of enterolithiasis in a captive equid in Korea. Our findings provide information valuable for the development of dietary guidelines to prevent enterolithiasis in captive wild equids.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2011

In this study, anatase/brookite hybrid $TiO_2$ was prepared using different acid catalysts and microwave to improve photodegradation of organic pollutants. The methylene blue photodegradation properties of the prepared photocatalysts with different particle/crystal size and brookite fractions were investigated. Surface characteristics and particle sizes of anatase/brookite hybrid $TiO_2$ were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser diffraction particle size analyzer, respectively and crystal structures were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD). Methylene blue photodegradation properties were evaluated with UV-vis spectrophotometer. Anatase and anatase/brookite hybrid $TiO_2$ had less than 500 nm size of clusters and the average particle size of $6.66{\sim}6.85{\mu}m$, suggesting that types of acid catalysts did not affect the size. XRD of the prepared $TiO_2$ showed that the photocatalysts had anatase/brookite hybrid crystal structure and applying microwave did not change their crystal structure. Photodegradation of methylene blue with the prepared photocatalyst did not increased proportionally to the fraction of brookite and the crystal size and decreased when brookite fraction and the crystal size increased further. Anatase/brookite hybrid $TiO_2$ with brookite fraction of 9.4% and crystal size of 4.53 nm shows the best photodegradation activity of methylene blue.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of chromium chloride addition on coloration, mechanical property and microstructure of 3Y-TZP. Materials and methods: Chromium chloride was weighed as 0.06, 0.12, and 0.25 wt% and each measured amount was dissolved in alcohol. $ZrO_2$ powder was mixed with each of the individual slurry to prepare chromium doped zirconia specimen. The color, physical properties and microstructure were observed after the zirconia specimen were sintered at $1450^{\circ}C$. In order to evaluate the color, spectrophotometer was used to analyze the value of $L^*$, $C^*$, $a^*$ and $b^*$, after placing the specimen on a white plate, and measured according to the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) standard, Illuminant D65 and SCE system. The density was measured in the Archimedes method, while microstructures were evaluated by using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD. Fracture toughness was calculated Vickers indentation method and indentation size was measured by using the optical microscope. The data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA test (${\alpha}$ = 0.05). The Tukey multiple comparison test was used for post hocanalysis. Results: 1. Chromium chloride rendered zirconia a brownish color. While chromium chloride content was increased, the color of zirconia was changed from brownish to brownish-red. 2. Chromium chloride content was increased; density of the specimen was decreased. 3. More chromium chloride in the ratio showed increase size of grains. 4. But the addition of chromium chloride did not affect the crystal phase of zirconia, and all specimens showed tetragonal phase. 5. The chromium chloride in zirconia did not showed statistically significant difference in fracture toughness, but addition of 0.25 wt% showed a statistically significant difference (P<.05). Conclusion: Based on the above results, this study suggests that chromium chlorides can make colored zirconia while adding in a liquid form. The new colored zirconia showed a slight difference in color to that of the natural tooth, nevertheless this material can be used as an all ceramic core material.