• Title/Summary/Keyword: Flexible Skin

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Recent Advances on TENG-based Soft Robot Applications (정전 발전 기반 소프트 로봇 응용 최신 기술)

  • Zhengbing, Ding;Dukhyun, Choi
    • 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.

A modal approach for the efficient analysis of a bionic multi-layer sound absorption structure

  • Wang, Yonghua;Xu, Chengyu;Wan, Yanling;Li, Jing;Yu, Huadong;Ren, Luquan
    • Steel and Composite Structures
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    • v.21 no.2
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    • pp.249-266
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    • 2016
  • The interest of this article lies in the proposition of using bionic method to develop a new sound absorber and analyze the efficient of this absorber in a ski cabin. Inspired by the coupling absorption structure of the skin and feather of a typical silent flying bird - owl, a bionic coupling multi-layer structure model is developed, which is composed of a micro-silt plate, porous fibrous material and a flexible micro-perforated membrane backed with airspace. The finite element simulation method with ACTRAN is applied to calculate the acoustic performance of the multi-layer absorber, the vibration modal of the ski cabin and the sound pressure level (SPL) near the skier's ears before and after pasting the absorber at the flour carpet and seats in the cabin. As expected, the SPL near the ears was significantly reduced after adding sound-absorbing material. Among them, the model 2 and model 5 showed the best sound absorption efficiency and the SPL almost reduced 5 dB. Moreover, it was most effctive for the SPL reduction with full admittance configuration at both the carpet and the seats, and the carpet contribution seems to be predominant.

A Flexible Protection Technique of an Object Region Using Image Blurring (영상 블러링을 사용한 물체 영역의 유연한 보호 기법)

  • Jang, Seok-Woo
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.21 no.6
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    • pp.84-90
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    • 2020
  • As the uploading and downloading of data through the Internet is becoming more common, data including personal information are easily exposed to unauthorized users. In this study, we detect a target area in images that contain personal information, except for the background, and we protect the detected target area by using a blocking method suitable for the surrounding situation. In this method, only the target area from color image input containing personal information is segmented based on skin color. Subsequently, blurring of the corresponding area is performed in multiple stages based on the surrounding situation to effectively block the detected area, thereby protecting the personal information from being exposed. Experimental results show that the proposed method blocks the object region containing personal information 2.3% more accurately than an existing method. The proposed method is expected to be utilized in fields related to image processing, such as video security, target surveillance, and object covering.

Structure and Bacterial Cell Selectivity of a Fish-Derived Antimicrobial Peptide, Pleurocidin

  • Yang Ji-Young;Shin Song-Yub;Lim Shin-Saeng;Hahm Kyung-Soo;Kim Yang-Mee
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.16 no.6
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    • pp.880-888
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    • 2006
  • Pleurocidin, an $\alpha$-helical cationic antimicrobial peptide, was isolated from skin mucosa of winter flounder (Pleuronectes americamus). It had strong antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but had very weak hemolytic activity. The Gly$^{13,17}\rightarrow$Ala analog (pleurocidin-AA) showed similar antibacterial activities, but had dramatically increased hemolytic activity. The bacterial cell selectivity of pleurocidin was confirmed through the membrane-disrupting and membrane-binding affinities using dye leakage, tryptophan fluorescence blue shift, and tryptophan quenching experiments. However, the non-cell-selective antimicrobial peptide, pleurocidin-AA, interacts strongly with both negatively charged and zwitterionic phospholipid membranes, the latter of which are the major constituents of the outer leaflet of erythrocytes. Circular dihroism spectra showed that pleurocidin-AA has much higher contents of $\alpha$-helical conformation than pleurocidin. The tertiary structure determined by NMR spectroscopy showed that pleurocidin has a flexible. structure between the long helix from $Gly^3$ to $Gly^{17}$ and the short helix from $Gly^{17}$ to $Leu^{25}$. Cell-selective antimicrobial peptide pleurocidin interacts strongly with negatively charged phospholipid membranes, which mimic bacterial membranes. Structural flexibility between the two helices may play a key role in bacterial cell selectivity of pleurocidin.

A Study of Futuristic Materials in Contemporary Fashion

  • Kim, Yoon-Hee;Choi, Yoon-Mi
    • International Journal of Costume and Fashion
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.22-31
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    • 2007
  • The systematic study of the future began with curiosity and imagination about the future; a unique trait of human mental effort-and this seems to be based on the idea that the future can be different depending on current choices or effort. In this sense, it would be seemly to encourage more interest and academic study on the progress of future fashion. In this study, we examine recent changes of fashion material; e.g. that which science and technology have more impact and importance in futuristic fashion since the 1990�s. The period analysed is from the1990's to the present and related data from recent fashion collections and fashion books has also been included The current prediction of the future is largely based on what was formed between the 19th Century and the 20th Century which has persisted until now and has been influenced by the view that science will play a bigger role in the future. This is especially reflected in fashion which chiefly represents material culture. New materials used for fashion are strong and permanently durable, in addition to being very light, thin, flexible, hygienic, ecological and comfortable to wear-almost like a second skin. These fashionable new materials roughly function in two different ways according to external and internal characteristics. First, they cause external change. Second, they exemplify or allow new functions. Examples of external change are the use of silver color, achromatic color, metallic material, smooth-to-the-touch shiny material and the use of luminous material. Examples of the extended function of clothing through the use of new materials are the use of conducting thread, the use of special material for blocking & opening and the use of material which changes colors as the surroundings change. These days, the use of new material which changes its appearance is a novelty unique to the fashion world but we also expect to witness the debut of diverse new materials with extended inner functions.

Development of a Wearable Vibrotactile Display Device (착용 가능한 진동촉감 제시 장치 개발)

  • Seo, Chang-Hoon;Kim, Hyun-Ho;Lee, Jun-Hun;Lee, Beom-Chan;Ryu, Je-Ha
    • Journal of the HCI Society of Korea
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.29-36
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    • 2006
  • Tactile displays can provide useful information without disturbing others and are particularly useful for people with visual or auditory impairments. They can also complement other displays. In this paper, we present a new vibrotactile display device for wearable, mobile, and ubiquitous computing environments. The proposed vibrotactile device has a $5{\times}5$ array configuration for displaying complex information such as letters, numbers, and haptic patterns as well as simple directional ques and situation awareness alarms. Commercially available coin-type vibration motors are embedded vertically in flexible mounting pads in order to best localize vibrations on the skin. An embedded microprocessor controls the motors sequentially with an advanced tracing mode to increase recognition rate. User studies with the vibrotactile device on the top of the foot show 86.7% recognition rate for alphabet characters after some training. In addition, applying vibrotactile device to driving situation shows 83.9% recognition rate. We also propose some potentially useful application scenarios including Caller Identification for mobile phones and Navigation Aids for GPS systems while driving.

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An Anatomic Study and Clinical Application of Medial Plantar Septo-cutaneous Flap (내족저변 격막 피판의 해부학적 고찰 및 임상적 적용)

  • Yoon, Eul-Sik;Kim, Jung-Bae;Kae, Min-Seok;Dhong, Eun-Sang;Han, Seung-Kyu;Lee, Byung-Il;Koo, Sang-Hwan;Park, Seung-Ha;Kim, Woo-Kyung
    • Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.53-62
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    • 2002
  • Several investigators have reported clinical experience of medial plantar septo-cutaneous flap for reconstruction for soft tissue defect of the hand and digits. Jayme and Hamilton first described the anatomy of superficial branch of medial division of the medial plantar artery used in this flap through cadavaric study in 1997. But, they had a few cases for this flap and there was no anatomic study in Korean. We experienced the reliability of medial plantar septo-cutaneous flap for reconstruction for soft tissue defect of hand and digits through an anatomic study (20 fresh specimens dissected) and clinical application (17 patients). An anatomic study revealed that there were differences in diameter and length of the vessels between Korean and Caucasian. The diameter of vessels in Korean is larger than Caucasian one in each area. Based on this anatomic knowledge, we could harvest this flap safely, and have performed reconstruction on 17 patients with soft tissue defects of hand and digits using a thin, flexible medial plantar septo-cutaneous flap similar to the volar aspect of the hand and digits in anatomical characteristics of the skin and subcutaneous tissue covering. The vessels used for this flap were superficial branches of medial division of the medial plantar artery and vena comitants, or the subcutaneous veins. The mean size of the flap was $2.82cm{\times}4.15cm$. All the flaps survived without significant complications. A medial plantar septo-cutaneous flap possesses several advantages : (1) It is very thin in comparison with other standard free flap; (2) it has two draining venous pathways; (3) it provides a good color and texture match for hand and finger; (4) a good recovery of protective sensation is achievable.

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Iguana motion synthesis using soft body simulation (연체 시뮬레이션 기반 이구아나 동작 생성)

  • Moon, Jaeseok;Kwon, Taesoo
    • Journal of the Korea Computer Graphics Society
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    • v.23 no.1
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    • pp.33-38
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    • 2017
  • In this paper, we suggest a method to simulate high-quality iguana animation by using low-quality motion capture data. Iguana motion data captured using a small number of markers cannot express its movement precisely, and even with a realistic skin mesh, it shows unnatural movement because of limited degrees of freedom. In order to solve this problem, we propose to simulate a natural and flexible movement by applying a soft-body simulation technique which models the movement of an iguana according to muscle forces and body's elastic forces. We construct a motion graph from the motion capture data to describe the iguana's various movements, and utilize it to select appropriate movements when the iguana moves. A target point on a terrain is set from the user's input, and a graph path is planned based on it. As a result, the input movement of iguana walking on a flat ground transforms to a movement that is adapted in an online manner to the irregular heights of the terrain. Such a movement is used to calculate the ideal muscle lengths that are needed for soft-body simulation. Lastly, a tetrahedral mesh of the iguana is physically simulated to adapt to various situations by applying a soft-body simulation technique.

A Case of Unknown Primary Malignant Melanoma with Pulmonary and Endobronchial Metastasis (다발성 폐종괴 및 기관지 점막으로 전이한 원발불명의 악성 흑색종 1예)

  • Min, Young-Hoon;Kim, Sung-Wook;Chin, Hui-Jong;Lee, Tae-Yoo;Song, Hun-Ho;Lee, Keun-Seok;Lee, Jung-Ae;Park, Young-Lee;Hyun, In-Gyu
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.53 no.2
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    • pp.196-201
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    • 2002
  • Malignant melanoma is a highly malignant form of cutaneous cancer derived from melanocytes. The lesion frequently metastasizes to the lymph nodes, lung, liver and bone. However, an endobronchial metastasis and a primary malignant. melanoma of the lung are quite rare. We report a case of an unknown primary malignant melanoma with a pulmonary and endobronchial metastasis in a 34 years old male. He complained of coughing and black-colored sputum. Abnormal skin and mucosal lesions were not found during a physical examination. A chest X-ray revealed multiple nodular masses in both lung fields. A flexible bronchoscopy showed two yellowish small nodules at the entry of left lower bronchus. Vimentin, the S-100 protein, and HMB-45 stain positive melanoma cells were detected at the bronchoscopic biopsy specimen.

Review of Production, Husbandry and Sustainability of Free-range Pig Production Systems

  • Miao, Z.H.;Glatz, P.C.;Ru, Y.J.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.17 no.11
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    • pp.1615-1634
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    • 2004
  • A review was undertaken to obtain information on the sustainability of pig free-range production systems including the management, performance and health of pigs in the system. Modern outdoor rearing systems requires simple portable and flexible housing with low cost fencing. Local pig breeds and outdoor-adapted breeds for certain environment are generally more suitable for free-range systems. Free-range farms should be located in a low rainfall area and paddocks should be relatively flat, with light topsoil overlying free-draining subsoil with the absence of sharp stones that can cause foot damage. Huts or shelters are crucial for protecting pigs from direct sun burn and heat stress, especially when shade from trees and other facilities is not available. Pigs commonly graze on strip pastures and are rotated between paddocks. The zones of thermal comfort for the sow and piglet differ markedly; between 12-22$^{\circ}C$ for the sow and 30-37$^{\circ}C$ for piglets. Offering wallows for free-range pigs meets their behavioural requirements, and also overcomes the effects of high ambient temperatures on feed intake. Pigs can increase their evaporative heat loss via an increase in the proportion of wet skin by using a wallow, or through water drips and spray. Mud from wallows can also coat the skin of pigs, preventing sunburn. Under grazing conditions, it is difficult to control the fibre intake of pigs although a high energy, low fibre diet can be used. In some countries outdoor sows are fitted with nose rings to prevent them from uprooting the grass. This reduces nutrient leaching of the land due to less rooting. In general, free-range pigs have a higher mortality compared to intensively housed pigs. Many factors can contribute to the death of the piglet including crushing, disease, heat stress and poor nutrition. With successful management, free-range pigs can have similar production to door pigs, although the growth rate of the litters is affected by season. Piglets grow quicker indoors during the cold season compared to outdoor systems. Pigs reared outdoors show calmer behaviour. Aggressive interactions during feeding are lower compared to indoor pigs while outdoor sows are more active than indoor sows. Outdoor pigs have a higher parasite burden, which increases the nutrient requirement for maintenance and reduces their feed utilization efficiency. Parasite infections in free-range pigs also risks the image of free-range pork as a clean and safe product. Diseases can be controlled to a certain degree by grazing management. Frequent rotation is required although most farmers are keeping their pigs for a longer period before rotating. The concept of using pasture species to minimise nematode infections in grazing pigs looks promising. Plants that can be grown locally and used as part of the normal feeding regime are most likely to be acceptable to farmers, particularly organic farmers. However, one of the key concerns from the public for free-range pig production system is the impact on the environment. In the past, the pigs were held in the same paddock at a high stocking rate, which resulted in damage to the vegetation, nutrient loading in the soil, nitrate leaching and gas emission. To avoid this, outdoor pigs should be integrated in the cropping pasture system, the stock should be mobile and stocking rate related to the amount of feed given to the animals.