• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.422-430
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• 2017

Al/expanded graphite was successfully synthesized through a facile method including ultrasonic and heat treatment. In the well-designed three dimensional structure, expanded graphite(EG) works as a conductive matrix to support coated Al particles. The effects of the fabrication parameters on the microstructures and thermal conductivities of these composites were investigated. As a result, it was found that composites with graphite volume fraction of 17.4-69.4 % sintered at $600^{\circ}C$/45MPa exhibit in-plane thermal conductivities of 380-940 W/mK, over 90 % of the predictions by rule of mixture. According to the non-destructive analysis results, the synergistic enhancement was caused by the formation of efficient thermally conductive pathways due to the hybrid of the differently sized EG. The structure integrates the advantages of expanded graphite as a conductive support, preserving the electrode activity and integrity and improving the electrochemical performance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.176-184
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• 2016

Electrochemical ion exchange method is expected to be one of the most acceptable techniques for the separation of radioactive cations from nuclear wastewater. In this study a thin film of hexacyanoferrate on nickel surface was derivatized chemically in an aqueous potassium-ferricyanide solution. Electrochemical redox behavior of the nickel hexacyanoferrate(NiHCNFe) film electrode was investigated with the use of cyclic voltammetry potentiostated from -100 to 800 mV versus SCE. The electro-reduction characteristics of the NiHCNFe film were examined in the cobalt solutions. The NiHCNFe ion exchanger was more useful at lower concentration, lower temperature, and pH7 of the cobalt solution. The capacity loss of NiHCNFe was 0.018%/cycle that was less than the average loss of 2~3%/cycle of the convective organic exchanger. The 45~55% of the initial cobalt ions was electro-deposited on the NiHCNFe by using continuous recirculating reactor system. As a result, it was found that the electroactive NiHCNFe films showed better performance than the organic resins for the separation of cobalt ion from the aqueous solutions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.23-26
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• 2001

The properties of $LiMnO_2$ was studied as a cathode active material for lithium polymer batteries. $LiMnO_2$ cathode active materials were synthesized by the reaction of $LiOH{\cdot}H_2O$ and $Mn_2O_3$ at various temperature under argon atmosphere. The powders were characterized by the X -ray diffraction. For lithium polymer battery applications, the $LiMnO_2$ cell was characterized electrochemically by charge-discharge experiments and a.c. impedance spectroscopy. And the relationship between the characteristics of powders and electrochemical properties was studied in this research. A maximum discharge capacity of 160~170 mAh/g for o-$LiMnO_2$ cell was achieved. The capacity of o-$LiMnO_2$ electrode demonstrated better than of the spinel $LiMnO_2$ by solid-state reaction.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.422-424
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• 2008

A serious problem of the 21st century is the supply of energy resources. Reserves of fossil fuels are facing depletion: renewable energy resources must be developed in this era. Dye sensitizedsolar cells(DSC) have been very economical and easy method to convert solar energy to electricity. DSC can reach low costs in future outdoor power applications. However, to commercialize the DSC, there are still many shortages to overcome. When the DSC is commercialized in the near future, the productivity is an important factor. In the process of soaking in a dye, it usually takes $12\sim24$ hours. In this study, we varied the dye coloring temperature from $0^{\circ}C$ to $60^{\circ}C$. At the temperature of $40^{\circ}C$, DSC cell showed the best performance. We also expect the reduction of the time soaking in a dye. Counter electrode surface of DSC is deposited by RF magnetron sputtering under the conditions of Ar $2.8{\times}10^{-3}$ torr, RF power of 120W and substrate temperature of $100^{\circ}C$.

• Carbon letters
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2011

A novel electrode for an NO gas sensor was fabricated from electrospun polyacrylonitrile fibers by thermal treatment to obtain carbon fibers followed by chemical activation to enhance the activity of gas adsorption sites. The activation process improved the porous structure, increasing the specific surface area and allowing for efficient gas adsorption. The gas sensing ability and response time were improved by the increased surface area and micropore fraction. High performance gas sensing was then demonstrated by following a proposed mechanism based on the activation effects. Initially, the pore structure developed by activation significantly increased the amount of adsorbed gas, as shown by the high sensitivity of the gas sensor. Additionally, the increased micropore fraction enabled a rapid sensor response time due to improve the adsorption speed. Overall, the sensitivity for NO gas was improved approximately six-fold, and the response time was reduced by approximately 83% due to the effects of chemical activation.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.985-993
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• 2014

For the field application of dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor, a multi-plasma reactor was investigated for the inactivation of microorganisms in sewage. We also considered the possibility of degradation of non-biodegradable matter ($UV_{254}$) and total organic carbon (TOC) in sewage. The multi-plasma reactor in this study was divided into high voltage neon transformers, gas supply unit and three plasma modules (consist of discharge, ground electrode and quartz dielectric tube). The experimental results showed that the inactivation of microorganisms with treated water type ranked in the following order: distilled water > synthetic sewage effluent >> real sewage effluent. The dissolved various components in the real sewage effluent highly influenced the performance of the inactivation of microorganisms. After continuous plasma treatment for 10 min at 180 V, residual microorganisms appeared below 2 log and $UV_{254}$ absorbance (showing a non-biodegradable substance in water) and TOC removal rate were 27.5% and 8.5%, respectively. Therefore, when the sewage effluent is treated with plasma, it can be expected the inactivation of microorganisms and additional improvement of water quality. It was observed that the $NH_4{^+}$-N and $PO{_4}^{3-}$-P concentrations of sewage was kept at the constant plasma discharging for 30 min. On the other hand, $NO_3{^-}$-N concentration was increased with proceeding of the plasma discharge.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.494-497
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• 2006

For commercialization of polymer electrolytemembrane fuel cell (PEMFC), durability of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) has to be improved. Especially, long-term stability of MEA is one of the most important issues for frequent shut-down and start-up processes of PEMFC. The degradation of MEA could be attributed to chemical attack of hydrogen peroxide radicals that are formed at high cell voltages without any special treatment to remove residual hydrogen from anode gas channel after shut-down of the fuel cell. In this study, we investigated the long-term stability of MEA under different on/off operation conditions. Residential hydrogen gas was removed from the anode flow channel by purging air or nitrogen. Also, a dummy resistance was applied to the fuel cell to exhaust residential hydrogen at the anode. In these cases, MEA showed much more stable durability. Electrochemical characteristics of the fuel cell were measured byrepeating the on/off cycles with the hydrogen removal processes. Also, degradation of MEA components was examined by SEM, TEM and XRD analyses.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.598-598
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• 2013

The short lifetime of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is the one of the main problems to be solved for commercializing. Especially, the weak adhesion between metal nanoparticles and supports deteriorate the performances of nanocatalysts, therefore, it is considered to be a major failure mechanism. Using force-distance spectroscopy of atomic force microscopy (AFM), we characterized the adhesion between Pt nanoparticles and carbon supports that is crucially related to the durability for membrane fuel cell (MFC) electrode. In our study, force distance curves measured with Pt coated AFM cantilever, mimicking the behavior of corresponding nanoparticles on carbon supports, leads to the adhesion between metal nanoparticles and carbon supports. We found that theadhesion between Pt and HNO3-treated carbon is enhanced by a factor of 4, compared to Pt and bare carbon support, that is consistent with the macroscopic durability test of PEMFC. The higher adhesion between Pt and HNO3-treated carbon can be explained in light of the stronger chemical interaction by C/O functional groups.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.333-333
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• 2013

The poor conductivity of poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene): poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) film hinders to use for a flexible electrode in solar cells. In this report we demonstrate that the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS film can be enhanced by modifying structures in a mixture of PEDOT: PSS aqueous solution and various organic solvents such as polar protic (2-propanol, methanol, ethanol, formic acid) and aprotic solvents (acetone and acetonitrile). To comparatively study the structural effects on the resulted electrical properties, the films are spin-coated on glasses and ITO. At the same time, a contact angle goniometer is used for clarifying a mechanism of wettability of PEDOT (hydrophobic) and PSS (hydrophilic) on the observed conductivity. The structures and electrical properties are investigated by FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy), AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy), and 4-point probe, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.224-228
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• 2008

Ulnar nerve compression in the cubital tunnel is a common entrapment syndrome of the upper limb. Pulsed radiofrequency lesioning (PRFL) has been reported as a treatment method for relieving neuropathic pain. Since the placement of the electrode in close proximity to a targeted nerve is very important for the success of PRFL, ultrasound seems to be well suited for this technique. A 36-year-old woman presented with complaints of numbness and pain on the medial aspect of the elbow and the pain radiated down to the $4^{th}$ and $5^{th}$ fingers for 10 years after she suffered an elbow contusion, we then scheduled this woman for the ultrasound guided PRFL of the ulanr nerve. The initial ultrasound examination demonstrated a swollen nerve, loss of the fascicular pattern and an increased cross sectional area of the ulnar nerve. After confirmation of the most swollen site of the nerve via ultrasound, two sessions of PRFL were performed. The postprocedural 10 cm visual analog scale score decreased from 8 to 1 after the two sessions of PRFL.