• Journal of Industrial Convergence
• /
• v.20 no.12
• /
• pp.79-85
• /
• 2022

Recently, a smartphone manufactured on a flexible substrate has been released as an electronic device, and research on a stretchable electronic device is in progress. In this paper, a silicon-based stretchable material is made and used as a substrate to implement and evaluate an optical sensor device using oxide semiconductor. To this end, a substrate that stretches well at room temperature was made using a silicone-based solution rubber, and the elongation of 350% of the material was confirmed, and optical properties such as reflectivity, transmittance, and absorbance were measured. Next, since the surface of these materials is hydrophobic, oxygen-based plasma surface treatment was performed to clean the surface and change the surface to hydrophilicity. After depositing an AZO-based oxide film with vacuum equipment, an Ag electrode was formed using a cotton swab or a metal mast to complete the photosensor. The optoelectronic device analyzed the change in current according to the voltage when light was irradiated and when it was not, and the photocurrent caused by light was observed. In addition, the effect of the optical sensor according to the folding was additionally tested using a bending machine. In the future, we plan to intensively study folding (bending) and stretching optical devices by forming stretchable semiconductor materials and electrodes on stretchable substrates.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
• /
• v.8 no.6
• /
• pp.957-966
• /
• 2018

Recently, the demand for remote patient monitoring based on IoT has been increased due to aging population and an increase in single-person household. A non-contact biological signal measurement system using multiple IR-UWB radars for remote patient monitoring is proposed in this paper. To reduce error signals, a multilayer Subtraction algorithm is applied because when the background subtraction algorithm was applied to the biological signal processing, errors occurred such as voltage noise and staircase phenomenon. Therefore, a multilayer background subtraction algorithm is applied to reduce error occurrence. The multilayer background subtraction algorithm extracts the signal by calculating the amount of change between the previous clutter and the current clutter. In this study, the SVD algorithm is used. We applied the improved multilayer background subtraction algorithm to biological signal measurement and computed the respiration rate through Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). To verify the proposed system using IR-UWB radars and multilayer background subtraction algorithm, the respiration rate was measured. The validity of this study was verified by obtaining a precision of 97.36% as a result of a control experiment with Neulog's attachment type breathing apparatus. The implemented algorithm improves the inconvenience of the existing contact wearable method.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.127-135
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study assessed the intensity of artifacts produced by 2 metal posts, 2 cements, and different exposure parameters using 2 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) units. Materials and Methods: The sample was composed of 20 single-rooted premolars, divided into 4 groups: Ni-Cr/zinc phosphate, Ni-Cr/resin cement, Ag-Pd/zinc phosphate, and Ag-Pd/resin cement. Samples were scanned before and after post insertion and cementation using a CS9000 3D scanner with 4 exposure parameters (85/90 kV and 6.3/10 mA) and an i-CAT scanner with 120 kV and 5 mA. The presence of artifacts was assessed subjectively by 2 observers and objectively by a trained observer using ImageJ software. The Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, weighted kappa, and chi-square tests were used to assess data at a 95% confidence level(α<0.05). Results: In the subjective analyses, AgPd presented more hypodense and hyperdense lines than NiCr (P<0.05), and more hypodense halos were found using i-CAT (P<0.05) than using CS9000 3D. More hypodense halos, hypodense lines, and hyperdense lines were observed at 10 mA than at 6.3 mA (P<0.05). More hypodense halos were observed at 85 kV than at 90 kV (P<0.05). CS9000 3D presented more hypodense and hyperdense lines than i-CAT (P<0.05). In the objective analyses, AgPd presented higher percentages of hyperdense and hypodense artifacts than NiCr (P<0.05). Zinc phosphate cement presented higher hyperdense artifact percentages on CS9000 3D scans(P<0.05). CS9000 3D presented higher artifact percentages than i-CAT(P<0.05). Conclusion: High-atomic-number alloys, higher tube current, and lower tube voltage may increase the artifacts present in CBCT images.

• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2018

Objectives : Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and meta-analyses indicate that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the a-1C subunit of the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (CACNA1C) gene increase the risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorders (BDs). We investigated the association between the genetic variants on CACNA1C and schizophrenia and/or BDs in the Korean population. Methods : A total of 582 patients with schizophrenia, 336 patients with BDs consisting of 179 bipolar I disorder (BD-I) and 157 bipolar II disorder (BD-II), and 502 healthy controls were recruited. Based on previous results from other populations, three SNPs (rs10848635, rs1006737, and rs4765905) were selected and genotype-wise association was evaluated using logistic regression analysis under additive, dominant and recessive genetic models. Results : rs10848635 showed a significant association with schizophrenia (p=0.010), the combined schizophrenia and BD group (p=0.018), and the combined schizophrenia and BD-I group (p=0.011). The best fit model was dominant model for all of these phenotypes. The association remained significant after correction for multiple testing in schizophrenia and the combined schizophrenia and BD-I group. Conclusion : We identified a possible role of CACNA1C in the common susceptibility of schizophrenia and BD-I. However no association trend was observed for BD-II. Further efforts are needed to identify a specific phenotype associated with this gene crossing the current diagnostic categories.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.34-39
• /
• 2024

Energy harvesting technology that converts the wasted energy resources into electrical energy is emerging as a semipermanent power source for self-powered electronics and wireless low-power sensor systems. Among the various energy conversion techniques, flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters (f-PEHs), using materials with piezoelectric effects, have attracted significant interest because they can harvest a small mechanical energy into electrical signals without constraints of time and space in various environments. In this study, we used a flexible piezoelectric composite film fabricated by dispersing BaHf_xTi_(1-x)O₃ (x = 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1) piezoelectric powders inside a polymeric matrix to facilitate f-PEHs. The fabricated f-PEH with optimal Hf contents (x = 0.05) generated a maximum output voltage of 0.95 V and current signal of 130 nA with stable electrical/mechanical disabilities under periodically bending deformations. In addition, we demonstrated a cantilever-type f-PEH and investigated its potential as a sensor by characterizing the output performance under mechanical vibrations at various frequencies. This study provides the breakthrough for realizing self-powered energy harvesting and sensing systems by adopting the lead-free piezoelectric composites under vibrational environments.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.16-22
• /
• 2024

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells have the advantage of low operating temperatures and fast startup and response characteristics compared to others. Simulation studies are actively researched because their cost and time benefits. In this study, the resistance of water residual in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) of the unit cell was added to the existing equation to compare the actual data with the model data. The experiments were conducted with a 25 cm² unit cell, and the samples were separated into stopping times of 0, 10, and 60 minutes following primary impedance measurement, activation, and polarization curve data acquisition. This gives 0, 10, and 60 minutes for the residual water in the GDL to evaporate. Without the rest period, the magnitude of the performance improvement was not significantly different at the same potential and flow rate, but the rest period did improve the performance of the membrane electrode assembly when measuring impedance. By changing the magnitude of the resistance reduction to an overvoltage, the voltage difference between the fuel cell model with and without residual water was compared, and the error rate in the high current density region, which is dominated by concentration losses, was reduced.

• Journal of Powder Materials
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.16-22
• /
• 2024

Composite-based piezoelectric devices are extensively studied to develop sustainable power supply and self-powered devices owing to their excellent mechanical durability and output performance. In this study, we design a lead-free piezoelectric nanocomposite utilizing (Ba_0.85 Ca_0.15)(Ti_0.9Zr_0.1)O₃ (BCTZ) nanomaterials for realizing highly flexible energy harvesters. To improve the output performance of the devices, we incorporate porous BCTZ nanowires (NWs) into the nanoparticle (NP)-based piezoelectric nanocomposite. BCTZ NPs and NWs are synthesized through the solid-state reaction and sol-gel-based electrospinning, respectively; subsequently, they are dispersed inside a polyimide matrix. The output performance of the energy harvesters is measured using an optimized measurement system during repetitive mechanical deformation by varying the composition of the NPs and NWs. A nanocomposite-based energy harvester with 4:1 weight ratio generates the maximum open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current of 0.83 V and 0.28 ㎂, respectively. In this study, self-powered devices are constructed with enhanced output performance by using piezoelectric energy harvesting for application in flexible and wearable devices.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.101-112
• /
• 2004

Chloride($Cl^-$) channels play critical roles in cell homeostasis and its specific functions such as volume regulation, differentiation, secretion, and membrane stabilization. The presence of these channels have been reported in all kinds of cells and even in frog oocytes. These essential role of $Cl^-$­ channels in cell homeostasis possibly play any role in egg homeostasis and in the early stage of development, however, there has been no report about the presence of $Cl^-$­ channel in the mammalian oocyte. This study was performed to elucidate the presence of $Cl^-$­ channels in hamster eggs. When allowing only $Cl^-$­ to pass through the channel of the egg membrane by using impermeant cation such as N-methyl-D-glucamine(NMDG), single channel currents were recorded. These channel currents showed typical long-lasted openings interrupted by rapid flickering. Mean open $time({\tau}o)$ was 43${\pm}$10.14 ms(n=9, at 50 mV). The open probability(Po) was decrease with depolarization. The current-voltage relation showed outward rectification. Outward slop conductance(32${\pm}$5.4 pS, n=22) was steeper than the inward slop conductance(10${\pm}$1.3 pS). Under the condition of symmetrical 140 mM NaCl, single channel currents were reversed at 0 mV(n=4). This reversal potential(Erev) was shifted from 0 mV at 140 mM concentration of internal NaCl(140 mM [Na+]i) to ­9.8${\pm}$0.5 mV(n=4) at 70 mM [Na+]i and 11.5${\pm}$1.9 mV at 280 mM [Na+]i(n=4) respectively, strongly suggesting that these are single $Cl^-$­ channel currents. To examine further whether this channel has pharmacological property of the $Cl^-$­ channel, specific Cl­ channel blockers, IAA-94(Indanyloxyacetic acid-94) and DIDS(4, 4'-diisothiocyan ostillben- 2-2'disulfonic acid) were applied. IAA-94 inhibited the channel current in a dose-dependent manner and revealed a rapid and flickering block. From these electrophysiological and pharmacological resluts, we found the novel $Cl^-$­ channel present in the hamster oocyte membrane. The first identification of $Cl^-$­ channel in the hamster oocyte may give a clue for the further study on the function of $Cl^-$­ channel in the fertilization and cell differentiation.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.245-251
• /
• 2017

This study measured the exposure dose during abdominal-pelvic CT exam which occupies 70% of CT exam and tried to propose a protocol for optimized exposure dose in abdomen and pelvis without affecting the imagery interpretation. The study scanned abdomen-pelvis using the current clinical scan method, the 120 kVp, auto exposure control(AEC), as 1 phase. As for the newly proposed 2 phase scan method, the study divided into 1 phase abdomen exam and 2 phase pelvis exam and each conducted tube voltage 120 kVp, AEC for abdomen exam, and fixed tube current method in 120 kVp, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 mA for pelvis exam. The exposure dose value was compared using $CTDI_{VOL}$, DLP value measured during scan, and average value of CT attenuation coefficient, noise, SNR from each scan image were obtained to evaluate the image. As for the result, scanning of 2 phase showed significant difference compared to 1 phase. In $CTDI_{VOL}$ value, the 2 phase showed 26% decrease in abdomen, 1.8~59.5% decrease in pelvis for 100~250 mA, 12.7%~30% increase in pelvis for 300~400 mA. Also, DLP value showed 53% decrease in abdomen and 41~81% decrease in pelvis when scanned by 2 phase compared to 1 phase, but it was not statistically significant. As for the SNR, when scanning 2 phase close to heart, scanning 1 phase close to pelvis, scanning and scanning 1 phase at upper and lower abdomen, it was higher when scanning 2 phase for 200~250 mA. Also, the CT number and noise was overall similar, but the noise was high close to pelvis. However, when scanning 2 phase for 250 mA close to pelvis, the noise value came out similar to 1 phase, and did not show statistically significant difference. It seems when separating pelvis to scan in 250 mA rather than 400 mA in 1 phase as before, it is expected to have reduced effect of exposure dose without difference in the quality of image. Thus, for patients who often get abdominal-pelvic CT exam, fertile women or children, this study proposes 2 phase exam for smaller exposure dose with same image quality.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.1230-1236
• /
• 2012

To verify that the electrokinetic remediation is effective for decreasing salinity of fields of the plastic-film house, field tests for physical property, chemical property, and crop productivity of soils have been conducted. The abridged result of those tests is as follows. In the EK treatment, the electrokinetic remediation has been treated at the constant voltage (about 0.8 V $cm^{-1}$) for fields of the farm household. At this time, an alternating current (AC) 220 V of the farm household was transformed a direct current. The HSCI (High Silicon Cast Iron) that the length of the stick for a cation is 20cm, and the Fe Plate for an anion have been spread out on the ground. As the PVC pipe that is 10 cm in diameter was laid in the bottom of soils, cations descend on the cathode were discharged together. For soil physical properties according to the EK treatment, the destruction effect of soil aggregate was large, and the infiltration rate of water was increased. However, variations of bulk density and porosity were not considerable. Meanwhile, in chemical properties of soils, principal ions of such as EC, $NO_3{^-}$-N, $K^+$, and $Na^+$ were better rapidly reduced in the EK treated control plot than in the untreated control plot. And properties such as pH, $P_2O_5$ and $Ca^{2+}$ had a small impact on the EK. For cropping season of crop cultivation according to the EK treatment, decreasing rates of chemical properties of soils were as follows; $NO_3{^-}$-N 78.3% > $K^+$ 72.3% > EC 71.6% $$\geq_-$$ $Na^+$ 71.5% > $Mg^{2+}$ 36.8%. As results of comparing the experimental plot that EK was treated before crop cultivation with it that EK was treated during crop cultivation, the decreasing effect of chemical properties was higher in the case that EK was treated during crop cultivation. After the EK treatment, treatment effects were distinct for $NO_3{^-}$-N and EC that a decrease of nutrients is clear. However, because the lasting effect of decreasing salinity were not distinct for the single EK treatment, fertilization for soil testing was desirable carrying on testing for chemical properties of soils after EK treatments more than two times. In the growth of cabbages according to the EK treatment, the rate of yield increase was 225.5% for the primary treatment, 181.0% for the secondary treatment, and 124.2% for third treatment compared with the untreated control plot. The yield was increased by a factor of 130.0% for the hot pepper at the primary treatment (Apr. 2011), 248.1% for the lettuce at the secondary treatment (Nov.2011), and 125.4% for the young radish at the third treatment (Jul. 2012). In conclusion, the effect of yield increase was accepted officially for all announced crops.