• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.108-109
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• 2013

Mitochondria play key roles in the production of cell's energy. Their dominant function is the synthesis of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and phosphate (Pi) through the oxidative phosphorylation. Evaluation of drug-induced mitochondrial toxicity has become increasingly important since mitochondrial dysfunction has recently been implicated in numerous diseases including cancer and diabetes mellitus. Mitochondrial functions have been monitored via oxygen consumption, mitochondrial membrane potential, and more importantly via ATP synthesis since ATP synthesis is the most essential function of mitochondria. Various analytical methods have been employed to investigate ATP synthesis in mitochondria, including high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), bioluminescence technique, and pH measurement. However, most of these methods are based on destructive analysis or indirect monitoring through the enzymatic reaction. Infrared absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) is one of the useful techniques for real-time, label-free, and direct monitoring of biological reactions [1,2]. However, the strong water absorption requires very short path length in the order of several micrometers. Transmission measurements with thin path length are not suitable for mitochondrial assays because solution handlings necessary for evaluating mitochondrial toxicity, such as rapid mixing of drugs and oxygen supply, are difficult in such a narrow space. On the other hand, IRAS in the multiple internal reflection (MIR) geometry provides an ideal optical configuration to combine solution handling and aqueous-phase measurement. We have recently reportedon a real-time monitoring of drug-induced necrotic and apoptotic cell death using MIR-IRAS [3,4]. Clear discrimination between viable and damaged cells has been demonstrated, showing a promise as a label-free and real-time detection for cell-based assays. In the present study, we have applied our MIR-IRAS system to mitochondria-based assays by monitoring ATP synthesis in isolated mitochondria from rat livers. Mitochondrial ATP synthesis and hydrolysis were in situ monitored with MIR-IRAS, while dissolved oxygen level and solution pH were simultaneously monitored with O2 and pH electrodes, respectively. It is demonstrated that ATP synthesis and hydrolysis can be monitored by the IR spectral changes in phosphate groups in adenine nucleotides and MIR-IRAS is useful for evaluating time-dependent drug effects of mitochondrial toxicants.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2014

This paper presents the implementation of a control system of pellet boiler using wood pellet as carbon neutral material. The system also has the additional features to provide remote controlling and monitoring based on home networking technology through either public switched telephone networks or mobile communication networks. It consists of three kinds of sub-modules; a main controller provides basic and additional features such as a setting of temperature, a supplying of wood pellet, a controlling of ignition and fire-power, and a removing of soot. The second is temperature controller of individual rooms which is connected to the main controller through RS-485 links. And interface modules with PSTN and mobile networks can support remote controlling and monitoring the functions. The test results under the heating area of $172m^2$ show a thermal efficiency of 93.6%, a heating power of 20,640kcal/hr, and a fuel consumption of 5.54kg/hr. These results are superior to those of the conventional pellet boilers. In order to obtain the such high performance, we newly applied a 3-step ignition flow, a flame detection by $C_dS$ sensor, and a fire-power control by fine controlling of shutter to our pellet boiler.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2009

For the purpose of reducing the cost for greenhouse operation by acquiring the electric power necessary for it, this study installed a solar photovoltaic system on the roof of the building adjacent to green-houses and experimentally examined the quantity of power generation based on weather conditions. The results of the study are as per the below: The maximum, average and minimum temperature while the experiment was conducted was $0.4{\sim}34.1,\;-6.1{\sim}22.2$, and $-14.1{\sim}16.7^{\circ}C$ respectively, and the solar radiation was $28.8MJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$ (maximum), $14.9MJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$ (average), and $0.6MJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$ (minimum). The quantity of electric power didn't increase in proportion to the quantity of solar radiation and instead, it was almost consistent around 750W. Daily maximum, average and minimum consumption of electric power was 5.2kWh, 2.5kWh and 0kWh respectively. Based on the average electric power consumption of the system used for this experiment, it was sufficient in case the capacity and the working time of a hot blast heater are small, but it was short in case they are big. In case the capacity of the hot blast heater is big, the average electric power quantity will be sufficient for array area $21m^2$, about three times of the present area. In summer when the temperature of the array becomes high, the generation of electric power didn't increase in proportion to the quantity of solar radiation, but this experiment result shows a high correlation between two factors (coefficient of correlation 0.84).

• KSBB Journal
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.431-437
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• 1993

Active carbon which has the smallest bulk and wet density was found as the best support media among 4 different kinds of materials(celite, natural zeolite, Pusuk stone, active carbon) to make a proper fluidized-bed with small energy consumption. Its minimum and optimum fluidization velocity were found as 0.03cm/sec and 0.25cm/sec, respectively. As organic loading rate for methane fermentation was increased, CODcr removal efficiencies of all the media were decreased. But, CODcr, removal efficiencies of active carbon was maintained more than 90% in this experimental range of the organic loading rate. Larger amount of microorganism was adsorbed on the active carbon which has very high specific surface area. At the organic loading rate of 16g CODcr,/l day, its adsorbed cell mass was 157mg/g. Comparing natural zeolite with roast celite, adsorbed cell mass did not increase in proportion to specific surface area of the media. Even though roast celite has the same specific surface area as the Pusuk stone, its organic removal ability was superior to that of the Pusuk stone, which explains that the relatively great surface roughness and the positive surface charge are important for cell adsorption. It was concluded that the support media for anaerobic fluidized reactor should have small wet density and small fuidization velocity, if possible, in order to increase cell adsorption by reducing the fluid shear stress.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.580-587
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• 2017

Woodfiber insulation board can be considered as a one of the key material for low energy consumption, comfortable and safety construction of residential space because of its eco-friendly and high thermal insulation performance. This study was carried out to investigate the formaldehyde (HCHO) total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) emission properties and combustion shapes by flame test of low density fiberboards (LDFs) prepared with different adhesives. HCHO TVOC emission and combustion properties of LDFs prepared by melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF), phenol formaldehyde (PF), emulsified methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (eMDI) and latex resin adhesives were measured by desiccator method, 20 L chamber method, and flame test, respectively. As results, LDFs manufactured by MUF, eMDI and latex resin adhesives satisfied the Super $E_0$ grade of HCHO emission performance except PF resin. Furthermore, TVOC emission of all LDFs were satisfied the Korean indoor air quality standard (below $400{\mu}g/m^2{\cdot}h$). Especially, LDF with eMDI resin adhesive showed the lowest HCHO and TVOC emissivity, that $0.14mg/{\ell}$, $12{\mu}g/m^2{\cdot}h$, respectively. However, eMDI emitted the small amount ($3{\mu}g/m^2{\cdot}h$) of toluene in VOC components. In the flame test, LDF with MUF resin adhesives showed the most favorable shape after flame test compare to LDFs prepared other adhesives. Based on HCHO and TVOC emission, and combustion shapes, MUF resin adhesive may be recommended to prepare LDF for insulation purpose.