• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.411-417
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• 2013

To use as an anode material of lithium secondary battery, graphite-silicon composite powders are prepared by ball-milling with silicon nanoparticles (average diameter 100 nm, 0~50 wt%) and graphite powder (average diameter $15{\mu}m$) and their electrochemical properties are examined. As the silicon content increases, the graphite becomes smaller by the ball-milling and amorphous phase appears whereas the silicon do not suffer the change of nanocrystalline phases and embeds within the amorphous phase of graphite. Cyclic voltammetry at low scan rate reveals that typical oxidation peaks of graphite and silicon appear at 0.2~0.35 and 0.55~0.6 V, respectively, with higher reversibility for repeated cycles. In contrast, the high-scan-rate redox behavior is very irreversible for repeated cycles. High irreversible capacity is exhibited in the initial charging-discharging cycles, but it diminishes as the cycle number increases. The saturated discharge capacity achieves about 485 mAh $g^{-1}$ at 50th cycle for the composite of Si 20 wt%. This is due to the formation of amorphous graphite morphology by the adequate composition (C:Si=8:2 w/w), which efficiently buffers the volume change during alloying/dealloying between silicon and lithium.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.173-181
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• 2018

Recently composite materials have dominated most engineering fields, owing to their better performance, increased durability and flexibility to be customized and designed for a specific required property. This has given them unprecedented superiority over conventional materials. With the help of the ever increasing computational capabilities of computers, researchers have been trying to develop accurate material models for the complex and integrated properties of these composites. This has led to advances in virtual testing of composite materials as a supplement or a possible replacement of laboratory experiments to predict the properties and responses of composite materials and structures. This paper presents a review on the complex multi-scale modelling framework of the virtual testing machines, which involve computational mechanics at various length-scales starting with nano-mechanics and ending in structure level computational mechanics, with a homogenization technique used to link the different length scales. In addition, the paper presents the features of some of the biggest integrated virtual testing machines developed for study of concrete, including a multiscale modeling scheme for the simulation of the constitutive properties of nanocomposites. Finally, the current challenges and future development potentials for virtual test machines are discussed.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.113-117
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• 2018

Boron carbide is lower in hardness than diamond or boron nitride but has a hardness of more than 30 GPa and is used for manufacturing tank armors and ammo shells due to its high hardness. It is also used as a neutron absorber due to its ability to absorb neutrons, which is increasing its use in nuclear power projects. Neutrons have no interaction with electrons and are known to pass through the material without interactions. Along with boron carbide, the atoms with high interaction with neutrons are hydrogen, and high hydrogen concentration polyesters and epoxy polymers including boron are used as materials for manufacturing products for nuclear power generation waste. In this paper, the surface of boron carbide is treated with iron oxide and tungsten to improve interaction between modified boron carbide and epoxy polymer. XRD and XPS were used to confirm that iron oxide and tungsten are well attached on the surface of boron carbide, respectively. The mechanical strength of the surface treated boron carbide was measured by a universal testing machine (UTM) and the dynamic characteristics of the cured product were observed by using a dynamic analyzer (DMA).

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.131-137
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• 2004

For the aim of thin electromagnetic wave absorbers used in mobile telecommunication frequency band (0.8-2.0㎓), we investigate high-frequency magnetic, dielectric and microwave absorbing properties of iron particles dispersed in rubber matrix in this study. The major experimental variables are particle shape (sphere and flake) and initial particle size (in the range 5-70 $\mu\textrm{m}$) of iron powders. High value of magnetic permeability and dielectric permittivity can be obtained in the composites containing thin plate-shape (flake) iron particles (of which thickness is less than skin depth in ㎓frequency), which can be produced by mechanical forging of spherical iron powders using an attrition mill. This result is attributed to the reduction of eddy current loss (increase of permeability) and the increase of space charge polarization (increase of permeability). The optimum initial particle size is found to be about 10 $\mu\textrm{m}$ for the attainment of the material parameters (particularly, real part of complex permeability) satisfying the wave impedance matching. With the iron powders controlled in size and shape as absorbent fillers in rubber matrix, the thickness can be reduced to about 0.7mm with respect to -5㏈ reflection loss (70% power absorption) in mobile telecommunication frequency band.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2017

Objectives: This study evaluated color differences (${\Delta}Es$) and translucency parameter changes (${\Delta}TPs$) of various computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) blocks after immersion in coffee. Materials and Methods: Eight CAD/CAM blocks and four restorative composite resins were evaluated. The CIE $L^{\ast}a^{\ast}b^{\ast}$ values of 2.0 mm thick disk-shaped specimens were measured using the spectrophotometer on white and black backgrounds (n = 6). The ${\Delta}Es$ and ${\Delta}TPs$ of one day, one week, and one month immersion in coffee or water were calculated. The values of each material were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparisons (${\alpha}=0.05$). The ${\Delta}Es$ after prophylaxis paste polishing of 1 month coffee immersion specimens, water sorption and solubility were also evaluated. Results: After one month in coffee, ${\Delta}Es$ of CAD/CAM composite resin blocks and restorative composites ranged from 1.6 to 3.7 and from 2.1 to 7.9, respectively, and ${\Delta}TPs$ decreased. The ANOVA of ${\Delta}Es$ and ${\Delta}TPs$ revealed significant differences in two main factors, immersion periods and media, and their interaction except for ${\Delta}Es$ of TEL (Telio CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent). The ${\Delta}Es$ significantly decreased after prophylaxis polishing except GRA (Gradia Block, GC). There was no significant correlation between ${\Delta}Es$ and water sorption or solubility in water. Conclusions: The ${\Delta}Es$ of CAD/CAM blocks after immersion in coffee varied among products and were comparable to those of restorative composite resins. The discoloration of CAD/CAM composite resin blocks could be effectively removed with prophylaxis paste polishing, while that of some restorative composites could not be removed.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.95-99
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• 2018

High thermal conductivity films with electrically insulating properties have a great potential for the effective heat transfer as substrate and thermal interface materials in high density and high power electronic packages. There have been lots of studies to achieve high thermal conductivity composites using high thermal conductivity fillers such alumina, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, CNT and graphene, recently. Among them, hexagonal-boron nitride (h-BN) nano-sheet is a promising candidate for high thermal conductivity with electrically insulating filler material. This work presents an enhanced heat transfer properties of ceramic/polymer composite films using h-BN nano-sheets and PVA polymer resins. The h-BN nano-sheets were prepared by a mechanical exfoliation of h-BN flakes using organic media and subsequent ultrasonic treatment. High thermal conductivities over $2.8W/m{\cdot}K$ for transverse and $10W/m{\cdot}K$ for in-plane direction of the cast films were achieved for casted h-BN/PVA composite films. Further improvement of thermal conductivity up to $13.5W/m{\cdot}K$ at in-plane mode was achieved by applying uniaxial compression at the temperature above glass transition of PVA to enhance the alignment of the h-BN nano-sheets.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.16-34
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• 2021

Water supplies are decreasing in comparison to increasing clean water demands. Using nanofiltration is one of the most effective and economical methods to meet the need for clean water. Common methods for desalination are reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. However, pristine membranes lack the essential features which are, stability, economic efficiency, antibacterial and antifouling performances. To enhance the properties of the pristine membranes, graphene oxide (GO) is a promising and widely researched material for thin film composites (TFC) membrane due to their characteristics that help improve the hydrophilicity and anti-fouling properties. Modification of the membrane can be done on different layers. The thin film composite membranes are composed of three different layers, the top filtering active thin polyamide (PA) layer, supporting porous layer, and supporting fabric. Forward osmosis (FO) process is yet another energy efficient desalination process, but its efficiency is affected due to biofouling. Incorporation of GO enhance antibacterial properties leading to reduction of biofilm formation on the membrane surface. Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) is an excellent process to generate clean energy from sea water and the biofouling of membrane is reduced by introduction of GO into the active layer of the TFC membrane. Different modifications on the membranes are being researched, each modification with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this review, modifications of nanofiltration membranes and their composites, characterization, and performances are discussed.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.303-308
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• 2022

PIC (Piecewise Integrated Composite) is a new concept for designing a composite structure with mosaically assigning various types of stacking sequences in order to improve mechanical properties of laminated composites. Also, machine learning is a sub-category of artificial intelligence, that refers to the process by which computers develop the ability to continuously learn from and make predictions based on data, then make adjustments without further programming. In the present study, the tapered box beam type PIC robot arm for carrying and transferring wide and thin LCD display was designed based on the machine learning in order to increase structural stiffness. Essential training data were collected from the reference elements, which were intentionally designated elements among finite element models, during preliminary FE analysis. Additionally, triaxiality values for each finite element were obtained for judging the dominant external loading type, such as tensile, compressive or shear. Training and evaluating machine learning model were conducted using the training data and loading types of elements were predicted in case the level accuracy was fulfilled. Three types of stacking sequences, which were to be known as robust toward specific loading types, were mosaically assigned to the PIC robot arm. Henceforth, the bending type FE analysis was carried out and its result claimed that the PIC robot arm showed increased stiffness compared to conventional uni-stacking sequence type composite robot arm.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.20-29
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• 2022

In this study, in order to improve the durability of the cement composite printed with the ME type 3D printer, PDMS, sodium silicate, and a surface hardener were employed. Post-treatment was performed on 3D-printed cement composite by coating after immersion, and the degree of improvement in durability was evaluated. As a result, in all evaluations, the durability performances of the post-processed specimens were improved compared to those of the plain specimens. Water absorption resistance, chloride penetration resistance, and carbonation resistance of the PDMS treated specimens were improved by 36.3 %, 77.1 %, and 50.4 % when compared to plain specimens. Freeze-thaw resistance of the specimens treated with sodium silicate was found to be the most excellent, with an average enhancement of 47.5% compared to plain specimens. It was found that PDMS was the most efficient post-treatment materials for 3D-printed cement composite. However, as suggested in this study, the post-treatment method by coating after immersion may not be applicable to cement composite structures printed with a 3D printer in field. Therefore, a follow-up study needs to be preformed on the durability enhancing materials suitable for 3D printing.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.327-333
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• 2022

In this study, silicon/carbon nanotube/carbon (Si/CNT/C) composites for anode were prepared to improve the volume expansion of silicon used as a high-capacity anode material. Si/CNT were prepared by electrostatic attraction of the positively charged Si and negatively charged CNT and then hydrothermal synthesis was performed to obtain the spherical Si/CNT/C composites. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), polyacrylic acid (PAA), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) were used as binders for electrode preparation, and coin cell was assembled using 1.0 M LiPF₆ (EC:DMC:EMC = 1:1:1 vol%) electrolyte and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additive. The physical properties of Si/CNT/C anode materials were analyzed using SEM, EDS, XRD and TGA, and the electrochemical performances of lithium-ion batteries were investigated by charge-discharge cycle, rate performance, dQ/dV and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. Also, it was confirmed that both capacity and rate performance were significantly improved using the PAA/SBR binder and 10 wt% FEC-added electrolyte. It is found that Si/CNT/C have the reversible capacity of 914 mAh/g, the capacity retention ratio of 83% during 50 cycles and the rate performance of 70% in 2 C/0.1 C.