• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.99.1-99.1
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• 2012

The thin-film photovoltaic absorbers (CdTe and $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$) can achieve solar conversion efficiencies of up to 20% and are now commercially available, but the presence of toxic (Cd,Se) and expensive elemental components (In, Te) is a real issue as the demand for photovoltaics rapidly increases. To overcome these limitations, there has been substantial interest in developing viable alternative materials, such as $Cu_2ZnSnS_4$ (CZTS) is an emerging solar absorber that is structurally similar to CIGS, but contains only earth abundant, non-toxic elements and has a near optimal direct band gap energy of 1.4 - 1.6 eV and a large absorption coefficient of ~104 $cm^{-1}$. The CZTS absorber layers are grown and investigated by various fabrication methods, such as thermal evaporation, e-beam evaporation with a post sulfurization, sputtering, non-vacuum sol-gel, pulsed laser, spray-pyrolysis method and electrodeposition technique. In the present work, we report an alternative aqueous chemical approach based on chemical bath deposition (CBD) method for large area deposition of CZTS thin films. Samples produced by our method were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, absorbance and photoluminescence. The results show that this inexpensive and relatively benign process produces thin films of CZTS exhibiting uniform composition, kesterite crystal structure, and some factors like triethanolamine, ammonia, temperature which strongly affect on the morphology of CZTS film.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.211-215
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• 2017

Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) and wet etching are employed in existing texturing processes to fabricate solar cells. Laser etching is used for particular purposes such as selective etching for grooves. However, such processes require a higher level of cost and longer processing time and those factors affect the unit cost of each process of fabricating solar cells. As a way to reduce the unit cost of this process of making solar cells, an atmospheric plasma source will be employed in this study for the texturing of crystalline silicon wafers. In this study, we produced the atmospheric plasma source and examined its basic properties. Then, using the prepared atmospheric plasma source, we performed the texturing process of crystalline silicon wafers. The results obtained from texturing processes employing the atmospheric plasma source and employing RIE were examined and compared with each other. The average reflectance of the specimens obtained from the atmospheric plasma texturing process was 7.88 %, while that of specimens obtained from the texturing process employing RIE was 8.04 %. Surface morphologies of textured wafers were examined and measured through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and similar shapes of reactive ion etched wafers were found. The Power Conversion Efficiencies (PCE) of the solar cells manufactured through each process were 16.97 % (atmospheric plasma texturing) and 16.29 % (RIE texturing).

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.658-658
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• 2013

Graphene is an attractive material for various device applications due to great electrical properties and chemical properties. However, lack of band gap is significant hurdle of graphene for future electrical device applications. In the past few years, several methods have been attempted to open and tune a band gap of graphene. For example, researchers try to fabricate graphene nanoribbon (GNR) using various templates or unzip the carbon nanotubes itself. However, these methods generate small driving currents or transconductances because of the large amount of scattering source at edge of GNRs. At 2009, Bai et al. introduced graphene nanomesh (GNM) structures which can open the band gap of large area graphene at room temperature with high current. However, this method is complex and only small area is possible. For practical applications, it needs more simple and large scale process. Herein, we introduce a photosensitive graphene device fabrication using CdSe QD coated nano-porous graphene (NPG). In our experiment, NPG was fabricated by thin film anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) film as an etching mask. First of all, we transfer the AAO on the graphene. And then, we etch the graphene using O2 reactive ion etching (RIE). Finally, we fabricate graphene device thorough photolithography process. We can control the length of NPG neckwidth from AAO pore widening time and RIE etching time. And we can increase size of NPG as large as 2 $cm^2$. Thin CdSe QD layer was deposited by spin coatingprocess. We carried out NPG structure by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). And device measurements were done by Keithley 4200 SCS with 532 nm laser beam (5 mW) irradiation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.844-850
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• 2000

The specific binding and internalization of viral particles is an essential step for the successful infection of viral pathogens. In the case of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), virions bind to the host cell via the preS domain of the viral surface antigen and are subsequently internalized by endocytosis. HBV-preS specific receptors are primarily expressed on hepatocytes, however, viral DNA and proteins have also been detected in extrahepatic sites, suggsting that celluar recepators for HBV may also exist on extrahepatic cells. Recently, an EBV-transformed B-cell line was identified onto which the preS region binds in a receptor-ligand specific manner. In this study, this specific interaction was further characterized, and the binding region within the preS protein was locaized. Also the internalization after host cell attachment was visualized and analyzed by fluorescence-labeled HBV-preS1 proteins using confocal microscopy. Energy depletion by sodium azide treatment effectively inhibited the internalization of the membrane-bound preS1 ligands, thereby indicating an energy-dependent receptor-mediated endocytotic pathway. Accordingly, the interaction of HBV-pres! with this specific B-cell line may serve as an effective model for an infection pathway in extrahepatic cells.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2016

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) are both important signaling molecules involved in pain transmission in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a well-known enzyme for the generation of superoxide anions ($O_2^{\bullet-}$), while S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) is a representative nitric oxide (NO) donor. In this study, we used patch clamp recording in spinal slices of rats to investigate the effects of $O_2^{\bullet-}$ and NO on the excitability of substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons. We also used confocal scanning laser microscopy to measure XO- and SNAP-induced ROS and RNS production in live slices. We observed that the ROS level increased during the perfusion of xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X/XO) compound and SNAP after the loading of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate ($H_2DCF-DA$), which is an indicator of intracellular ROS and RNS. Application of ROS donors such as X/XO, ${\beta}-nicotinamide$ adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and 3-morpholinosydnomimine (SIN-1) induced a membrane depolarization and inward currents. SNAP, an RNS donor, also induced membrane depolarization and inward currents. X/XO-induced inward currents were significantly decreased by pretreatment with phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN; nonspecific ROS and RNS scavenger) and manganese(III) tetrakis(4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP; superoxide dismutase mimetics). Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME; NO scavenger) also slightly decreased X/XO-induced inward currents, suggesting that X/XO-induced responses can be involved in the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$). Our data suggest that elevated ROS, especially $O_2^{\bullet-}$, NO and $ONOO^-$, in the spinal cord can increase the excitability of the SG neurons related to pain transmission.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.795-804
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• 2007

Statement of problem. Nano-scale calcium-phosphate coating on the anodizing titanium surface using ion beam-assisted deposition (IBAD) has been recently introduced to improve the early osseointegration. However, not much is known about their surface characteristics that have influence on tissue-implant interaction. Purpose. This study was aimed to investigate microtopography, surface roughness, surface composition, and wettability of the titanium surface modified by the anodic oxidation and calcium phosphate coating using IBAD. Material and methods. Commercially pure titanium disks were used as substrates. The experiment was composed of four groups. Group MA surfaces represented machined surface. Group AN was anodized surface. Group CaP/AN was anodic oxidized and calcium phosphate coated surfaces. Group SLA surfaces were sandblasted and acid etched surfaces. The prepared titanium discs were examined as follows. The surface morphology of the discs was examined using SEM. The surface roughness was measured by a confocal laser scanning microscope. Phase components were analyzed using thin-film x-ray diffraction. Wettability analyses were performed by contact angle measurement with distilled water, formamide, bromonaphtalene and surface free energy calculation. Results. (1) The four groups showed specific microtopography respectively. Anodized and calcium phosphate coated specimens showed multiple micropores and tiny homogeneously distributed crystalline particles. (2) The order of surface roughness values were, from the lowest to the highest, machined group, anodized group, anodized and calcium phosphate deposited group, and sandblasted and acid etched group. (3) Anodized and calcium phosphate deposited group was found to have titanium and titanium anatase oxides and exhibited calcium phosphorous crystalline structures. (4) Surface wettability was increased in the order of calcium phosphate deposited group, machined group, anodized group, sandblasted and acid etched group. Conclusion. After ion beam-assisted deposition on anodized titanium, the microporous structure remained on the surface and many small calcium phosphorous crystals were formed on the porous surface. Nanoscale calcium phosphorous deposition induced roughness on the microporous surface but hydrophobicity was increased.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.277-294
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• 2003

Structures show the phenomena of deformation and lowering of function with time-lapse by artificial environments and changes of geotechnical conditions or accumulation of initial deformation elements. This study aims the structural assessment of cultural property, Chum-Sung-Dae, located in Kyeongjucity, Korea. It was built about 1,300 years ago, and has undergone deformation and ground-subsidence with time-lapse. Non-destructive evaluation techniques were applied to the Chum-Sung-Dae, to protect it from survey. Because of this reason, 3D precise laser scanning surveying system was applied to measure the exact size of Chum-Sung-Dae, displacement and declining angles. Geophysical exploration also was applied to study the subsurface distribution of geotechnical parameters or physical properties. Natural frequencies were measured from real and model of Chum-Sung-Dae to study the dynamic characteristics of vibration and/or earthquake load and stiffness of structures.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.145-152
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• 1989

Volume phase diffraction grating is formed in 5${mu}m$ Agfa 8E75 photographic emulsion film using He-Ne laser. It is dependent on the chemical processing rather than materials themselves that high diffraction efficiency can obtained in silver halide emulsions. With potassium dichromate bleach and alcohol drying, overall efficiency of 71% (81% after allowing for reflection at the two surfaces) has been achieved at an exposure of 180${mu}J/cm^2.$ Dichromate cross-linkage and air void by rapid dehydration increase refractive index modulation depth. The grating is swollen, which is newly identified by Scanning Electronic Microscope(SEM) photography, and it causes on-Bragg at larger angle than the recording angle. It is pointed out that controlling the emulsion thickness has an important role as a potential source for high diffraction efficiency.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.269-280
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• 2003

Objective: We reported the overcoming effect of $Ni^{2+}$ on the in vitro 2-cell block of mouse embryos. In this study, we aim to investigate whether $Ni^{2+}$ should induce intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ transient in the mouse embryos. Materials and Methods: Embryos were collected at post hCG 32hr from the oviduct of the ICR mouse and cultured in M2 medium omitted phenol red. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ was checked by using a confocal laser scanning microscope and fluo-3AM by using various intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ antagonists. Results: In 1mM $Ni^{2+}$ treated medium which contained $Ca^{2+}$(1.71mM), 75.7% of the embryos showed $[Ca^{2+}]i$ transient about 200 sec later. In the $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, 69.8% of the embryos showed $[Ca^{2+}]i$ transient. In U73122, phospholipaseC(PLC) inhibitor (5uM, 10min) pretreated group, 33.3% of the embryos showed $[Ca^{2+}]i$ transient. Heparine, inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate receptor(IP3R) antagonist preinjected embryos showed no response with 1mM $Ni^{2+}$. In danthrolene treatment, ryanodine receptor(RyR)-antagonist, 43% embryos showed $[Ca^{2+}]i$ transient but they showed delayed response about 340sec in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$. Conclusions: Summing up the above results, $Ni^{2+}$ seems to induce $Ca^{2+}$-release from the $Ca^{2+}$-store even in the $Ca^{2+}$-free medium. IP3 receptors of the mouse 2-cell embryos might have an essential role for the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase by $Ni^{2+}$.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.224-227
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• 2009

Nanofabrication is an essential process throughout industry. Technologies that produce general nanofabrication, such as e-beam lithography, dip-pen lithography, DUV lithography, immersion lithography, and laser interference lithography, have drawbacks including complicated processes, low throughput, and high costs, whereas nano-transfer printing (nTP) is inexpensive, simple, and can produce patterns on non-plane substrates and multilayer structures. In general nTP, the coherency of gold-deposited stamps is strengthened by using SAM treatment on substrates, so the gold patterns are transferred from stamps to substrates. However, it is hard to apply to transfer other metallic materials, and the existing nTP process requires a complicated surface treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to simplify the nTP technology to obtain an easy and simple method for fabricating metal patterns. In this paper, asnTP process with poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) mold was proposed without any chemical treatment. At first, a PVA mold was duplicated from the master mold. Then, a Mo layer, with a thickness of 20 nm, was deposited on the PVA mold. The Mo deposited PVA mold was put on the Si wafer substrate, and nTP process progressed. After the nTP process, the PVA mold was removed using DI water, and transferred Mo nano patterns were characterized by a Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and Energy Dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).