• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.76-80
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• 2001

We have fabricated YBa$_2$Cu$_3$$O_{7-x}$ (YBCO) ramp-edge Josephson junctions by modifying ramp edges of the base electrodes without depositing any artificial barrier layer. YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O/7-x//SrTiO$_3$ (YBCO/STO) films were deposited on SrTiO$_3$(100) by on-axis KrF laser deposition. After patterning the bottom YBCO/STO layer, the ramp edge was cleaned by ion-beam and then reacted with deionized water under various conditions prior to the deposition of counter-electrode layers. The top YBCO/STO layer was deposited and patterned by photolithography and ion milling. We measured current-voltage (I-V) characteristics, magnetic field modulation of the critical current at 77 K. Some showed resistively shunted junction (RSJ)-type I-V characteristics, while others exhibited flux-flow behaviors, depending on the dipping time of the ramp edge in deionized water. Junctions fabricated using optimized conditions showed fairly uniform distribution of junction parameters such as I$_{c}$R$_{n}$ values, which were about 0.16 mV at 77 K with 1$\sigma$~ 24%. We made a dc SQUID with the same deionized water treated junctions, and it showed the sinusoidal modulation under applied magnetic field at 77 K. 77 K.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.118-122
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• 2024

Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) based in-situ heating holders have been developed to enable high resolution imaging of heat treatment analysis. However, unlike the standard 3 mm metal disk specimens used in the furnace-based heating holder and general transmission electron microscopy holder, the MEMS-based in-situ heating holder requires thin specimens that can be penetrated by electrons to be transferred onto the MEMS chip. Previously, focused ion beam milling was used to transfer metal specimens, but it has the disadvantage of being expensive and the risk of specimen damage due to gallium ions. Therefore, in this study, we devised a method of transferring metallic materials by ultrasonic treatment using a transmission electron microscopy specimen made by electro jet polishing. A 3mm electropolished metal disk was placed in an appropriate solution, ultrasonicated, and then drop casted. The transfer of the specimen was successful, but it was confirmed that dislocations were formed inside the specimen due to ultrasonic treatment. This study provides a novel method for transferring metallic materials onto MEMS chips, which is cost-effective and less gallium ion damaging to the specimen. The results of this study can be used to improve the efficiency of heat treatment analysis using MEMS-based in-situ heating holders.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2011

Backscattered electrons (BSE) are generated at the impact of the primary electron beam on the specimen. BSE imaging provides the compositional contrast to resolve chemical features of sectioned block-face. A focused ion beam (FIB) column can be combined with a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) to ensure a dual (or cross)-beam system (FIB-FESEM). Due to the milling of the specimen material by 10 to 100 nm with the gallium ion beam, FIB-FESEM allows the serial block-face (SBF) imaging of plastic-embedded specimens with high z-axis resolution. After contrast inversion, BSE images are similar to transmitted electron images by transmission electron microscopy. As another means of SBF imaging, a specialized ultramirotome has been incorporated into the specimen chamber of FESEM ($3View^{(R)}$). Internal structures of plastic-embedded specimens can be serially revealed and analyzed by $3View^{(R)}$ with a large field of view to facilitate three-dimensional reconstruction. These two SBF approaches by FESEM can be employed to unravel spatial association of (sub)cellular entities for a comprehensive understanding of complex biological systems.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.568-573
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• 2016

We explore the crystalline structure and phase transition of lithium thiophosphate ($Li_7P_3S_{11}$) solid electrolyte using electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The glass-like $Li_7P_3S_{11}$ powder is prepared by the high-energy mechanical milling process. According to the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and selected area diffraction (SAD) analysis, the glass powder shows chemical homogeneity without noticeable contrast variation at any specific spot in the specimen and amorphous SAD ring patterns. Upon heating up to $260^{\circ}C$ the glass $Li_7P_3S_{11}$ powder becomes crystallized, clearly representing crystal plane diffraction contrast in the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image. We further confirm that each diffraction spot precisely corresponds to the diffraction from a particular $Li_7P_3S_{11}$ crystallographic structure, which is also in good agreement with the previous X-ray diffraction results. We expect that the microscopic analysis with EDS and SAD patterns would permit a new approach to study in the atomic scale of other lithium ion conducting sulfides.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.291-298
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• 2024

Due to its high theoretical capacity, Silicon (Si) has shown great potential as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the large volume change of Si during cycling leads to poor cycling stability and low Coulombic efficiency. In this study, we synthesized Si/Carbon C45:Graphene composites using a ball-milling method with a fixed Si content (20%) and investigated the influence of the C45/Gr ratio on the electrochemical performance of the composites. The results showed that carbon C45 networks can provide good conductivity, but tend to break at Si locations, resulting in poor conductivity. However, the addition of graphene helps to reconnect the broken C45 networks, improving the conductivity of the composite. Moreover, the C45 can also act as a protective coating around Si particles, reducing the volume expansion of Si during charging/discharging cycles. The Si/C45:Gr (70:10 wt%) composite exhibits improved electrochemical performance with high capacity (~1660 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 C) and cycling stability (~1370 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles). This work highlights the effective role of carbon C45 and graphene in Si/C composites for enhancing the performance of Si-based anode materials for LIBs.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.177-180
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• 2012

In this study, we prepared $LiFePO_4$- poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) composite by the hydrothermal method and ball-milling process. Different wt% PSS were added to $LiFePO_4$. The cathode electrodes were made from mixtures of $LiFePO_4$-PSS: SP-270: PVDF in a weighting ratio of 70%: 25%: 5%. $LiFePO_4$-PSS powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical properties of $LiFePO_4$-PSS/Li batteries were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, charge/discharge tests, and AC impedance spectroscopy. A Li/$LiFePO_4$-PSS battery with 4.75 wt% PSS shows the best electrochemical properties, with a discharge capacity of 128 mAh/g.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1121-1124
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• 2008

A carbon composite was synthesized by mechanical mixing of ball-milled graphite and PVC powders, followed by pyrolysis reaction of PVC. Natural graphite ball milled under atmosphere of argon or air leads to a disordered structure. It appears that the electrochemical lithium intercalation reaction is dependent on the atmosphere in which the graphite is ball milled. The carbon composite obtained using air-milled graphite shows a high reversible capacity and high initial coulombic efficiency compared to argon-milled graphite. This is attributed to the enhanced thermal stability of a disordered structure in the air milled sample. For the one with air-milled graphite, the disordered structure is maintained during heat treatment, while argon-milled graphite is partially crystallized.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2015

The composite of porous silicon (Si) and amorphous carbon (C) is prepared by pyrolysis of a nano-porous Si + pitch mixture. The nano-porous Si is prepared by mechanical milling of magnesium powder with silicon monoxide (SiO) followed by removal of MgO with hydrochloric acid (etching process). The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of porous Si ($64.52m^2g^{-1}$) is much higher than that before etching Si/MgO ($4.28m^2g^{-1}$) which indicates pores are formed in Si after the etching process. Cycling stability is examined for the nano-porous Si + C composite and the result is compared with the composite of nonporous Si + C. The capacity retention of the former composite is 59.6% after 50 charge/discharge cycles while the latter shows only 28.0%. The pores of Si formed after the etching process is believed to accommodate large volumetric change of Si during charging and discharging process.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.24 no.4 s.175
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• pp.900-906
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• 2000

Ceramic, PCD and CBN tools are available for the difficult-to-cut-materials such as hardened carbon tool steel, stainless steel, Inconel 718 and etc. Ceramic tools are likely to be chipped and abruptly broken before the appearance of normal wear in turning. Ceramic tools are suitable for continuous in turning, not for intermittent in milling. In this study, TiN/TiCN multi-layer coated ceramic tools were found to restrain the chipping, breaking and early fracture and to increase the critical cutting speed owing to TiN/TiCN multi-layer coating in Arc Ion Plating of PVD method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2000

Ceramic, PCD and CBN tools are available for the difficult-to-cut-materials such as hardened carbon tool steel, stainless steel, Inconel 718 and etc.. Ceramic toolsare likely to be chipped and abruptly broken before the appearance of normal wear in turning. Ther2efore ceramic tools are suitable for continuous cut in turning not for intermittent in milling. In this study, TiN/TiCN multi-layer coated ceramic tools were found to restrain the chipping, breaking and early fracture and to increase the critical cutting speed owing to TiN/TiCN multi-layer coating in Arc Ion Plating of PVD method.