• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.327-332
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• 2011

Plasma polymerized styrene (ppS) thin films were prepared on ITO coated glass substrates for a MIM (metal-insulator-metal) structure with thermally evaporated Au thin film as metal contact. Also the ppS thin films were applied as organic insulator to a MIS (metal-insulatorsemiconductor) device with thermally evaporated pentacene thin film as organic semiconductor layer. After the I-V and C-V measurements with MIM and MIS structures, the ppS revealed relatively higher dielectric constant of k=3.7 than those of the conventional poly styrene and very low leakage current density of $1{\times}10^{-8}Acm^{-2}$ at electric field strength of $1MVcm^{-1}$. The MIS structure with the ppS dielectric layer showed negligible hysteresis in C-V characteristics. It would be therefore expected that the proposed ppS could be applied as a promising dielectric/insulator to organic thin film transistors, organic memory devices, and flexible organic electronic devices.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.100-101
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• 2012

The plasma damage free and room temperature processedthin film deposition technology is essential for realization of various next generation organic microelectronic devices such as flexible AMOLED display, flexible OLED lighting, and organic photovoltaic cells because characteristics of fragile organic materials in the plasma process and low glass transition temperatures (Tg) of polymer substrate. In case of directly deposition of metal oxide thin films (including transparent conductive oxide (TCO) and amorphous oxide semiconductor (AOS)) on the organic layers, plasma damages against to the organic materials is fatal. This damage is believed to be originated mainly from high energy energetic particles during the sputtering process such as negative oxygen ions, reflected neutrals by reflection of plasma background gas at the target surface, sputtered atoms, bulk plasma ions, and secondary electrons. To solve this problem, we developed the NBAS (Neutral Beam Assisted Sputtering) process as a plasma damage free and room temperature processed sputtering technology. As a result, electro-optical properties of NBAS processed ITO thin film showed resistivity of $4.0{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}{\cdot}m$ and high transmittance (>90% at 550 nm) with nano- crystalline structure at room temperature process. Furthermore, in the experiment result of directly deposition of TCO top anode on the inverted structure OLED cell, it is verified that NBAS TCO deposition process does not damages to the underlying organic layers. In case of deposition of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) thin film on the plastic polymer substrate, the room temperature processed sputtering coating of high quality TCO thin film is required. During the sputtering process with higher density plasma, the energetic particles contribute self supplying of activation & crystallization energy without any additional heating and post-annealing and forminga high quality TCO thin film. However, negative oxygen ions which generated from sputteringtarget surface by electron attachment are accelerated to high energy by induced cathode self-bias. Thus the high energy negative oxygen ions can lead to critical physical bombardment damages to forming oxide thin film and this effect does not recover in room temperature process without post thermal annealing. To salve the inherent limitation of plasma sputtering, we have been developed the Magnetic Field Shielded Sputtering (MFSS) process as the high quality oxide thin film deposition process at room temperature. The MFSS process is effectively eliminate or suppress the negative oxygen ions bombardment damage by the plasma limiter which composed permanent magnet array. As a result, electro-optical properties of MFSS processed ITO thin film (resistivity $3.9{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$, transmittance 95% at 550 nm) have approachedthose of a high temperature DC magnetron sputtering (DMS) ITO thin film were. Also, AOS (a-IGZO) TFTs fabricated by MFSS process without higher temperature post annealing showed very comparable electrical performance with those by DMS process with $400^{\circ}C$ post annealing. They are important to note that the bombardment of a negative oxygen ion which is accelerated by dc self-bias during rf sputtering could degrade the electrical performance of ITO electrodes and a-IGZO TFTs. Finally, we found that reduction of damage from the high energy negative oxygen ions bombardment drives improvement of crystalline structure in the ITO thin film and suppression of the sub-gab states in a-IGZO semiconductor thin film. For realization of organic flexible electronic devices based on plastic substrates, gas barrier coatings are required to prevent the permeation of water and oxygen because organic materials are highly susceptible to water and oxygen. In particular, high efficiency flexible AMOLEDs needs an extremely low water vapor transition rate (WVTR) of $1{\times}10^{-6}gm^{-2}day^{-1}$. The key factor in high quality inorganic gas barrier formation for achieving the very low WVTR required (under ${\sim}10^{-6}gm^{-2}day^{-1}$) is the suppression of nano-sized defect sites and gas diffusion pathways among the grain boundaries. For formation of high quality single inorganic gas barrier layer, we developed high density nano-structured Al2O3 single gas barrier layer usinga NBAS process. The NBAS process can continuously change crystalline structures from an amorphous phase to a nano- crystalline phase with various grain sizes in a single inorganic thin film. As a result, the water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) of the NBAS processed $Al_2O_3$ gas barrier film have improved order of magnitude compared with that of conventional $Al_2O_3$ layers made by the RF magnetron sputteringprocess under the same sputtering conditions; the WVTR of the NBAS processed $Al_2O_3$ gas barrier film was about $5{\times}10^{-6}g/m^2/day$ by just single layer.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.378-393
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• 2022

As an emerging power generation technology, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have received increasing attention due to their boundless promise in energy harvesting and self-powered sensing applications. The recent rise of soft robotics has sparked widespread enthusiasm for developing flexible and soft sensors and actuators. TENGs have been regarded as promising power sources for driving actuators and self-powered sensors, providing a unique approach for the development of soft robots with soft sensors and actuators. In this review, TENG-based soft robots with different morphologies and different functions are introduced. Among them, the design of biomimetic soft robots that imitate the structure, surface morphology, material properties, and sensing/generating mechanisms of nature has greatly benefited in improving the performance of TENGs. In addition, various bionic soft robots have been well improved compared to previous driving methods due to the simple structure, self-powering characteristics, and tunable output of TENGs. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive review of various studies within specific areas of TENG-enabled soft robotics applications. We first explore various recently developed TENG-based soft robots and a comparative analysis of various device structures, surface morphologies, and nature-inspired materials, and the resulting improvements in TENG performance. Various ubiquitous sensing principles and generation mechanisms used in nature and their analogous artificial TENG designs are demonstrated. Finally, biomimetic applications of TENG enabled in tactile displays as well as in wearable devices, artificial electronic skin and other devices are discussed. System designs, challenges and prospects of TENGs-based sensing and actuation devices in the practical application of soft robotics are analyzed.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.64-68
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• 2023

Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) are attracting attention in the field of next-generation electronic devices, and they can be fabricated on a flexible substrate using an organic semiconductor as a channel layer. In particular, DPP-based semiconducting conjugated polymers are actively used because they have higher charge carrier mobility than other organic semiconductors, but they are still lower than inorganic semiconductors, so various studies are being conducted to improve the charge carrier mobility. In this study, the charge carrier mobility is improved by controlling the surface energy of the substrate by forming self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). As the surface energy of the substrate is controlled by the SAMs, the crystallinity increases, thereby improving the charge carrier mobility by 14 times from 3.57×10^-3 cm²V^-1s^-1 to 5.12×10^-2 cm²V^-1s^-1

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.251-252
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• 2012

Recently, the growing interest in organic microelectronic devices including OLEDs has led to an increasing amount of research into their many potential applications in the area of flexible electronic devices based on plastic substrates. However, these organic devices require a gas barrier coating to prevent the permeation of water and oxygen because organic materials are highly susceptible to water and oxygen. In particular, high efficiency OLEDs require an extremely low Water Vapor Transition Rate (WVTR) of $1{\times}10^{-6}g/m^2$/day. The Key factor in high quality inorganic gas barrier formation for achieving the very low WVTR required ($1{\times}10^{-6}g/m^2$/day) is the suppression of defect sites and gas diffusion pathways between grain boundaries. In this study, we developed an $Al_2O_3$ nano-crystal structure single gas barrier layer using a Neutral Beam Assisted Sputtering (NBAS) process. The NBAS system is based on the conventional RF magnetron sputtering and neutral beam source. The neutral beam source consists of an electron cyclotron Resonance (ECR) plasma source and metal reflector. The Ar+ ions in the ECR plasma are accelerated in the plasma sheath between the plasma and reflector, which are then neutralized by Auger neutralization. The neutral beam energies were possible to estimate indirectly through previous experiments and binary collision model. The accelerating potential is the sum of the plasma potential and reflector bias. In previous experiments, while adjusting the reflector bias, changes in the plasma density and the plasma potential were not observed. The neutral beam energy is controlled by the metal reflector bias. The NBAS process can continuously change crystalline structures from an amorphous phase to nano-crystal phase of various grain sizes within a single inorganic thin film. These NBAS process effects can lead to the formation of a nano-crystal structure barrier layer which effectively limits gas diffusion through the pathways between grain boundaries. Our results verify the nano-crystal structure of the NBAS processed $Al_2O_3$ single gas barrier layer through dielectric constant measurement, break down field measurement, and TEM analysis. Finally, the WVTR of $Al_2O_3$ nano-crystal structure single gas barrier layer was measured to be under $5{\times}10^{-6}g/m^2$/day therefore we can confirm that NBAS processed $Al_2O_3$ nano-crystal structure single gas barrier layer is suitable for OLED application.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.286-286
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• 2016

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a dielectric insulator with a two-dimensional (2D) layered structure. It is an appealing substrate dielectric for many applications due to its favorable properties, such as a wide band gap energy, chemical inertness and high thermal conductivity[1]. Furthermore, its remarkable mechanical strength renders few-layered hBN a flexible and transparent substrate, ideal for next-generation electronics and optoelectronics in applications. However, the difficulty of preparing high quality large-area hBN films has hindered their widespread use. Generally, large-area hBN layers prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) usually exhibit polycrystalline structures with a typical average grain size of several microns. It has been reported that grain boundaries or dislocations in hBN can degrade its electronic or mechanical properties. Accordingly, large-area single crystalline hBN layers are desired to fully realize the potential advantages of hBN in device applications. In this presentation, we report the growth and transfer of centimeter-sized, nearly single crystal hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) few-layer films using Ni(111) single crystal substrates. The hBN films were grown on Ni(111) substrates using atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD). The grown films were transferred to arbitrary substrates via an electrochemical delamination technique, and remaining Ni(111) substrates were repeatedly re-used. The crystallinity of the grown films from the atomic to centimeter scale was confirmed based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED). Careful study of the growth parameters was also carried out. Moreover, various characterizations confirmed that the grown films exhibited typical characteristics of hexagonal boron nitride layers over the entire area. Our results suggest that hBN can be widely used in various applications where large-area, high quality, and single crystalline 2D insulating layers are required.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.578-584
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• 2017

$SiO_2$ buffer layer (100 nm) has been deposited on PET substrate by electron beam evaporation. And then, IZTO (In-Zn-Sn-O) thin film has been deposited on $SiO_2$/PET substrate with different RF power of 30 to 60 W, working pressure, 1 to 7 mTorr, by RF magnetron sputtering. Structural, electrical and optical properties of IZTO thin film have been analyzed with various RF powers and working pressures. IZTO thin film deposited on the process condition of 50 W and 3 mTorr exhibited the best characteristics, where figure of merit was $4.53{\times}10^{-3}{\Omega}^{-1}$, resistivity, $4.42{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}-cm$, sheet resistance, $27.63{\Omega}/sq.$, average transmittance (400-800 nm), 81.24%. As a result of AFM, all the IZTO thin film has no defects such as pinhole and crack, and RMS surface roughness was 1.147 nm. Due to these characteristics, IZTO thin film deposited on $SiO_2$/PET structure was found to be a very compatible material that can be applied to the next generation flexible display device.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.269-272
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• 2015

this is the study of the human body antenna device which can detect the powder in a 360-degree on(under) the ground whether it is metal or nonmetal using superhigh frequency RF beam equipped with the body. and it is able to transmit the data of the detection of the powder, battle combats can share that among them. with its flexible roof radial antenna structure, it emits the superhigh frequency RF beam to the front and flank multiply, preprocesses through the powder preprocessing part. and with the non-linear regression model algorism engine part, reflecting the attenuation characteristics depend on the delayed time of degree of the signal power which is received to the superhigh frequency RF beam. so it is able to detect the signal of the most likely mine or powder based on the degree of the answer signal power according to the delayed time of the superhigh frequency RF beam. also, it can detect the powder whether it is metal or nonmetal, mine, dud, VBIED. it can increase the chance of detection about 90% more than existing mine detector.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.292-292
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• 2016

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with a two-dimensional layered structure have been considered highly promising materials for next-generation flexible, wearable, stretchable and transparent devices due to their unique physical, electrical and optical properties. Recent studies on TMD devices have focused on developing a suitable doping technique because precise control of the threshold voltage ($V_{TH}$) and the number of tightly-bound trions are required to achieve high performance electronic and optoelectronic devices, respectively. In particular, it is critical to develop an ultra-low level doping technique for the proper design and optimization of TMD-based devices because high level doping (about $10^{12}cm^{-2}$) causes TMD to act as a near-metallic layer. However, it is difficult to apply an ion implantation technique to TMD materials due to crystal damage that occurs during the implantation process. Although safe doping techniques have recently been developed, most of the previous TMD doping techniques presented very high doping levels of ${\sim}10^{12}cm^{-2}$. Recently, low-level n- and p-doping of TMD materials was achieved using cesium carbonate ($Cs_2CO_3$), octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS), and M-DNA, but further studies are needed to reduce the doping level down to an intrinsic level. Here, we propose a novel DNA-based doping method on $MoS_2$ and $WSe_2$ films, which enables ultra-low n- and p-doping control and allows for proper adjustments in device performance. This is achieved by selecting and/or combining different types of divalent metal and trivalent lanthanide (Ln) ions on DNA nanostructures. The available n-doping range (${\Delta}n$) on the $MoS_2$ by Ln-DNA (DNA functionalized by trivalent Ln ions) is between $6{\times}10^9cm^{-2}$ and $2.6{\times}10^{10}cm^{-2}$, which is even lower than that provided by pristine DNA (${\sim}6.4{\times}10^{10}cm^{-2}$). The p-doping change (${\Delta}p$) on $WSe_2$ by Ln-DNA is adjusted between $-1.0{\times}10^{10}cm^{-2}$ and $-2.4{\times}10^{10}cm^{-2}$. In the case of Co-DNA (DNA functionalized by both divalent metal and trivalent Ln ions) doping where $Eu^{3+}$ or $Gd^{3+}$ ions were incorporated, a light p-doping phenomenon is observed on $MoS_2$ and $WSe_2$ (respectively, negative ${\Delta}n$ below $-9{\times}10^9cm^{-2}$ and positive ${\Delta}p$ above $1.4{\times}10^{10}cm^{-2}$) because the added $Cu^{2+}$ ions probably reduce the strength of negative charges in Ln-DNA. However, a light n-doping phenomenon (positive ${\Delta}n$ above $10^{10}cm^{-2}$ and negative ${\Delta}p$ below $-1.1{\times}10^{10}cm^{-2}$) occurs in the TMD devices doped by Co-DNA with $Tb^{3+}$ or $Er^{3+}$ ions. A significant (factor of ~5) increase in field-effect mobility is also observed on the $MoS_2$ and $WSe_2$ devices, which are, respectively, doped by $Tb^{3+}$-based Co-DNA (n-doping) and $Gd^{3+}$-based Co-DNA (p-doping), due to the reduction of effective electron and hole barrier heights after the doping. In terms of optoelectronic device performance (photoresponsivity and detectivity), the $Tb^{3+}$ or $Er^{3+}$-Co-DNA (n-doping) and the $Eu^{3+}$ or $Gd^{3+}$-Co-DNA (p-doping) improve the $MoS_2$ and $WSe_2$ photodetectors, respectively.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.83-89
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• 2020

For the past few decades, as part of efforts to protect the environment where fossil fuels, which have been a key energy resource for mankind, are becoming increasingly depleted and pollution due to industrial development, ecofriendly secondary batteries, hydrogen generating energy devices, energy storage systems, and many other new energy technologies are being developed. Among them, the lithium-ion battery (LIB) is considered to be a next-generation energy device suitable for application as a large-capacity battery and capable of industrial application due to its high energy density and long lifespan. However, considering the growing battery market such as eco-friendly electric vehicles and drones, it is expected that a large amount of battery waste will spill out from some point due to the end of life. In order to prepare for this situation, development of a process for recovering lithium and various valuable metals from waste batteries is required, and at the same time, a plan to recycle them is socially required. In this study, we introduce a nanoscale pattern transfer printing (NTP) process of Li2CO3, a representative anode material for lithium ion batteries, one of the strategic materials for recycling waste batteries. First, Li2CO3 powder was formed by pressing in a vacuum, and a 3-inch sputter target for very pure Li2CO3 thin film deposition was successfully produced through high-temperature sintering. The target was mounted on a sputtering device, and a well-ordered Li2CO3 line pattern with a width of 250 nm was successfully obtained on the Si substrate using the NTP process. In addition, based on the nTP method, the periodic Li2CO3 line patterns were formed on the surfaces of metal, glass, flexible polymer substrates, and even curved goggles. These results are expected to be applied to the thin films of various functional materials used in battery devices in the future, and is also expected to be particularly helpful in improving the performance of lithium-ion battery devices on various substrates.