• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.208-212
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• 2013

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have taken much attention due to their low cost and easy fabrication method compare to silicon solar cells. But research on cost effective DSC is prerequisite for commercialization. Fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) which have been commonly used for electrode substrate as electron collector occupied most percentage of manufacturing cost. Therefore we studied FTO-less DSC using sputtered Ti deposited glass as photoelectrode instead of FTO to reduce manufacturing cost. Ti films sputtered on the glass for different time, 5 to 20 minutes with decreasing sheet resistance as deposition time increases. A light source illuminated to counter electrode in order to overcome opaque Ti films. The efficiency of DSC (Ti20) made Ti sputtered glass for 20 min as photoelectrode was 5.87%. There are no significant difference with conventional cell despite lower manufacturing cost.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.725-729
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• 2014

In this study, a transparent conductive oxide (TCO)-less dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was fabricated by using titanium (Ti) electrode to replace the Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) for the reduction of manufacturing cost. Ti film was formed by electron beam evaporation method and the results showed the sheet resistance of Ti electrodes with a thikness of 500 nm similar to FTO. In case of power conversion efficiency (PCE), a DSSC with Ti electrodes showed a lower value than that with FTO by 0.38%. For the investigation of the difference, the DSSCs were measured and analyzed by using electrochemical impedance analyzer (EIS).

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2020

Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene helps to regulate energy homeostasis in mammals by controlling energy expenditure. In addition, FTO functions in the regulation of obesity and adipogenic differentiation; however, a role in osteogenic differentiation is unknown. This study investigated the effects of FTO on osteogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells and the underlying mechanism. Expression of osteogenic and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers were characterized by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was performed to assess ALP activity. BMP2 treatment increased mRNA expression of osteogenic genes and FTO. Overexpression of FTO increased expression of the osteogenic genes distal-less homeobox5 (Dlx5) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2). Activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) increased FTO expression, and there was a positive feedback loop between FTO and p-AMPK. p-AMPK and FTO induced mild ER stress; however, tunicamycin-induced severe ER stress suppressed FTO expression and AMPK activation. In summary, FTO induces osteogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells upon BMP2 treatment by inducing mild ER stress via a positive feedback loop with p-AMPK. FTO expression and AMPK activation induce mild ER stress. By contrast, severe ER stress inhibits osteogenic differentiation by suppressing FTO expression and AMPK activation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 2012

Whether the $FTO$ polymorphisms interact with environmental factors has not yet been evaluated in associations with metabolic syndrome (MS) risk. The present study investigated the association of the $FTO$ rs9939609 genotypes, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle-related factors including smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, and diet with MS incidence. A population-based prospective cohort study comprised 3,504 male and female Koreans aged 40 to 69 years. At the beginning of the study, all individuals were free of MS and known cardiovascular disease. Incident cases of MS were identified by biennial health examinations during a follow-up period from April 17, 2003 to April 15, 2009. Pooled logistic regression analysis was applied to obtain relative odds (RO) of MS with its 95% confidence interval (CI). After controlling for potential MS risk factors, we observed no association between the rs9939609 genotypes and MS incidence. In analysis stratified by BMI, however, carriers with the $FTO$ risk allele whose BMI is $29kg/m^2$ or greater showed an approximately 6-fold higher RO (95% CI: 3.82 to 9.30) compared with non-carriers with BMI less than $25kg/m^2$. In particular, the association between the rs9939609 variants and MS risk was significantly modified by high BMI (P-value for interaction < 0.05). Such significant interaction appeared in associations with central obesity and high blood pressure among the MS components. Because carriers of the $FTO$ risk alleles who had BMI of $29kg/m^2$ or greater are considered a high risk population, we suggest that they may need intensive weight loss regimens to prevent MS development.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.45-54
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• 2014

In this paper, We have designed and fabricated 20 InP Gunn diodes using a current limiting epitaxial structure by MINT's optimized fabrication processes. We have also packaged the fabricated InP Gunn diodes using our optimized packaging method, and then designed and fabricated a W-band waveguide FTO to measure characteristics of the packaged InP Gunn diodes. The packaged InP Gunn diode have a ceramic ring, a Au plated stud and a lid, and a Maltese cross. The fabricated InP Gunn diodes have good RF characteristics such as high output powers (11.8~17 dBm) and limiting low currents (less than 400 mA) between 92.9 and 94.78 GHz.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.50-54
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• 2013

In this work, the effects of blocking layer and optimally fabricated electrolyte were investigated with respect to impedance and conversion efficiency of the cells.A layer of $TiO_2$ less than ~200nm in thickness, as a blocking layer, was deposited by rf sputtering onto the F:$SnO_2$ (FTO) glass to be isolated from the electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Also, optimum condition of electrolytes preparation for DSCs was investigated. 3-methoxyppropionitrie and redox pairs with LiI and $I_2$ were used as solvents for fabrication of electrolyte. The electrochemical impedances of DSCs using this photo-anode were $R_1$: 13.8, $R_2$: 15.1, $R_3$: 11.9 and $R_h$: $8.3{\Omega}$, respectively. The $R_2$ impedance related by electron transportation from porous $TiO_2$ to FTO showed lower than that of normal DSCs. The photo-conversion efficiency of prepared DSCs was 6.4% and approximately 1.3% higher than general one.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.114-118
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• 2011

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells(DSSCs) consist of a titanium dioxide($TiO_2$) nano film of the photo electrode, dye molecules on the surface of the $TiO_2$ film, an electrolyte layer and a counter electrode. But two transparent conductive oxide(TCO) substrates are estimated to be about 60[%] of the total cost of the DSSCs. Currently novel TCO-less structures have been investigated in order to reduce the cost. In this study, we suggested a TCO-less DSSCs which has titanium double layer electrodes. Titanium double layer electrodes are formed by electron-beam evaporation method. Analytical instruments such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope were used to evaluate the TCO-less DSSCs. As a result, the proposed structure decreases energy conversion efficiency and short-circuit current density compared with the conventional DSSCs structure with FTO glass, while internal series impedance of TCO-less DSSCs using titanium double layer electrodes decreases by 27[%]. Consequently, the fill factor is improved by 28[%] more than that of the conventional structure.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.344-348
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• 2011

A layer of $TiO_2$ thin film less than ~200nm in thickness, as a blocking layer, was deposited by 13.56 MHz radio frequency magnetron sputtering method directly onto the anode electrode to be isolated from the electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). This is to prevent the electrons from back-transferring from the electrode to the electrolyte ($I^-/{I_3}^-$). The presented DSCs were fabricated with working electrode of F:$SnO_2$(FTO) glass coated with blocking $TiO_2$ layer, dye-attached nanoporous $TiO_2$ layer, gel electrolyte and counter electrode of Pt-deposited FTO glass. The effects of blocking layer were studied with respect to impedance and conversion efficiency of the cells. The, electrochemical impedances of DSCs using this electrode were $R_1$: 13.9, $R_2$: 15.0, $R_3$: 10.9 and $R_h$: $82{\Omega}$. The $R_2$ impedance related by electron movement from nanoporous $TiO_2$ to TCO showed lower than that of normal DSCs. The photo-conversion efficiency of prepared DSCs was 5.97% ($V_{oc}$: 0.75V, $J_{sc}$: 10.5 mA/$cm^2$, ff: 0.75) and approximately 1% higher than general DSCs sample.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.372-372
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• 2011

염료 감응형 태양전지는 상,하판 투명전극(TCO), 나노입자의 다공질 TiO2, 염료 고분자 층으로 구성된 광전극과 투명전극 및 백금(Pt) 박막으로 구성된 상대전극 그리고 두 전극 사이를 산화 환원용 전해질 용액으로 채우고 있는 구조이다. 이 구조에서 투명전극(TCO)은 재료비의 많은 부분을 차지하므로 제작비용 절감을 위한 TCO-less에 관한 연구가 활발히 진행 중이다. 본 연구에서는 TCO-less 염료 감응형 태양전지 제작을 위해 이중층 Ti 전극 구조를 제안하였다. 제작과정은 광조사 부분을 확보한 유리기판에 e-beam 증착법을 이용해 Ti 전극을 증착시킨 후 TiO2를 Ti전극과 일부 중첩하여 인쇄하고 그 위에 두 번째 Ti전극을 제작한다. 이중층 Ti전극 구조는 SEM, EIS 등의 분석장비를 사용하였고 기존 FTO 구조에 비해 단락전류밀도, 에너지 변환효율은 감소하였으나 직렬 내부저항이 약 27% 감소하여 fill factor가 28% 향상된 결과를 얻을 수 있었다.

• Clean Technology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.306-313
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• 2014

Nanoporous $TiO_2$ films are commonly used as working electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). So far, there have been attempts to synthesize films with various $TiO_2$ nanostructures to increase the power-conversion efficiency. In this work, vertically aligned rutile $TiO_2$ nanorods were grown on fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) glass by hydrothermal synthesis, followed by deposition of an anatase $TiO_2$ film. This new method of anatase $TiO_2$ growth avoided the use of a seed layer that is usually required in hydrothermal synthesis of $TiO_2$ electrodes. The dense anatase $TiO_2$ layer was designed to behave as the electron-generating layer, while the less dense rutile nanorods acted as electron-transfer pathwaysto the FTO glass. In order to facilitate the electron transfer, the rutile phase nanorods were treated with a $TiCl_4$ solution so that the nanorods were coated with the anatase $TiO_2$ film after heat treatment. Compared to the electrode consisting of only rutile $TiO_2$, the power-conversion efficiency of the rutile-anatase hybrid $TiO_2$ electrode was found to be much higher. The total thickness of the rutile-anatase hybrid $TiO_2$ structures were around $4.5-5.0{\mu}m$, and the highest power efficiency of the cell assembled with the structured $TiO_2$ electrode was around 3.94%.