• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.283-289
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• 2008

Lepidium meyenii, known as Maca, is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed properties to improve energy and fertility. In the present study, we investigated the effects of gelatinized and fermented Maca on improvement of physical stamina and epididymal sperm counts, and on blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue and tissue injury: creatine phosphokinase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, total cholesterol and total proteins. Adult male mice was divided at random into two main groups (resting and excercise groups). The excercise group was separated into three subgroups (exercise only, exercise with gelatinized Maca and fermented Maca-treatment groups). Gelatinized or fermented Maca (800 mg/kg) were orally administered for 30 days. All animals in exercise groups were subjected to daily 30-min swimming for 28 days 30 min after Maca treatment. Daily exercise decreased the body weight gain, and fermented Maca further attenuated the body weight increase. Gelatinized and fermented Maca significantly increased the maximum swimming time on 14 and 28 days of treatment (p<0.05), respectively, suggestive of a long-term stamina-enhancing effect of fermented Maca. Both Maca fully or significantly recovered blood parameters of energy as well as muscular and hepatocytic injuries changed by repeated exercise and maximum swimming performance (p<0.01). Moreover, gelatinized and fermented Maca increased epididymal sperm counts 22.0% and 32.0%, respectively. In conclusion, the results indicate potential benefits of Maca for improving both physical stamina by minimizing muscular and hepatic damage and preserving energy during swimming exercise and male reproductive function by increasing epididymal sperm counts.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.449-453
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• 2016

$HA(hydroxyapatite)/{\beta}-TCP$ (tricalcium phosphate) biomaterial (BCP; biphasic calcium phosphate) is widely used as bone cement or scaffolds material due to its superior biocompatibility. Furthermore, $NH_4HCO_3$ as a space holder (SH) has been used to evaluate feasibility assessment of porous structured BCP as bone scaffolds. In this study, using a spark plasma sintering (SPS) process at 393K and 1373K under 20MPa load, porous $HA/{\beta}-TCP$ biomaterials were successfully fabricated using $HA/{\beta}-TCP$ powders with 10~30 wt% SH, TiH2 as a foaming agent, and MgO powder as a binder. The effect of SH content on the pore size and distribution of the BCP biomaterial was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a microfocus X-ray computer tomography system (SMX-225CT). The microstructure observations revealed that the volume fraction of the pores increased with increasing SH content and that rough pores were successfully fabricated by adding SH. Accordingly, the cell viabilities of BCP biomaterials were improved with increasing SH content. And, good biological properties were shown after assessment using Hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS).

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.28-33
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• 2011

The thermal shock properties of SiC materials were investigated for high temperature applications. In particular, the effect of thermal shock temperature on the flexural strength of SiC materials was evaluated, in conjunction with a detailed analysis of their microstructures. The efficiency of a nondestructive technique using ultrasonic waves was also examined for the characterization of SiC materials suffering from a cyclic thermal shock history. SiC materials were fabricated by a liquid phase sintering process (LPS) associated with hot pressing, using a commercial submicron SiC powder. In the materials, a complex mixture of $Al_2O_3$ and $Y_2O_3$ powders was used as a sintering additive for the densification of the microstructure. Both the microstructure and mechanical properties of the sintered SiC materials were investigated using SEM, XRD, and a three point bending test. The SiC materials had a high density of about 3.12 Mg/m3 and an excellent flexural strength of about 700 MPa, accompanying the creation of a secondary phase in the microstructure. The SiC materials exhibited a rapid propagation of cracks with an increase in the thermal shock temperature. The flexural strength of the SiC materials was greatly decreased at thermal shock temperatures higher than $700^{\circ}C$, due to the creation of microcracks and their propagation. In addition, the SiC materials had a clear tendency for a variation in the attenuation coefficient in ultrasonic waves with an increase in thermal shock cycles.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.53.1-53.1
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• 2011

Bioactive glass powders were synthesized by hydrothermal chemical route by the use of ultrasonic energy irradiation. We used sodalime, calcium nitrate tetra hydrate and di ammonium hydrogen phosphate as the precursor material to synthesize $SiO_2$ rich bio-active glass materials. The $SiO_2$ content was varied in the precursor mixture to 60, 52 and 45 mole%. Dense compacts were obtained by microwave sintering at $1,100^{\circ}C$. Mechanical properties were characterized for the fabricated dense bioactive glasses and were found to be comparable with conventional CaO-$SiO_2$-$Na_2O$-$P_2O_5$ bioactive glass. Detailed biocompatibility evaluation of the glass composition was investigated by in-vitro culture of MG-63 cell and mesenchyme stem cell. Cell adhesion behavior was investigated for both of the cell by one cell morphology for 30, 60 and 90 minutes. Cell proliferation behavior was investigated by culturing both of the cells for 1, 3 and 7 days and was found to be excellent. Both SEM and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used for the investigation. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the bimolecular level interaction and extent and rate of specific protein expression. The ability to form biological apatite in physiological condition was observed with simulated body fluid (SBF). In-vivo bone formation behavior was investigated after implanting the materials inside rabbit femur for 1 and 3 month. The bone formation behavior was excellent in all the bioglass compositions, specially the composition with 60% $SiO_2$ content showed most promising trend.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.679-684
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• 2001

The surface of natural graphite has not only good electrical conductivities and lubrication properties but also has strong hydrophobicity. There are no functional groups and chemical properties on it. It is difficult to join with any other ions and to disperse in aqueous system. In order to increase dispersion ability throughout modification of surface property, it is necessary to let graphite have some function on its surface by the adsorption of surfactant molecules. In this study, using zeta potential adsorbed surfactant molecules(ABDM) on graphite surface and its surface Properties turn hydrophobic into hydrophilic. The dispersing mechanism of graphite particles in aqueous system has been explained using the DLVO theory, It is concluded that the high dispersable graphite suspension of which dispersing stability$(T_{1/2})$ is 44.5 hours at pH 10 and 22.5mV zeta potential can be produced.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.142-147
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• 2010

The ultrafine titanium carbonitride ($TiC_xN_y$) particles below 100 nm in mean size, including various carbon and nitrogen contents (x=0.55~0.9, y=0.1~0.5), were successfully synthesized by new Mg-thermal reduction process. Nanostructured sub-stoichiometric titanium carbide ($TiC_x$) particles were initially produced by the magnesium reduction of gaseous $TiCl_4+x/2C_2Cl_4$ at $890^{\circ}C$ and post heat treatments in vacuum were performed for 2 hrs to remove residual magnesium and magnesium chloride mixed with $TiC_x$. Finally, well C/N-controled $TiC_xN_y$ phases were successfully produced by nitrification heat treatment under normal $N_2$ gas atmosphere at $1150^{\circ}C$ for 2 hrs. The values of purity, mean particle size and oxygen content of produced particles were about 99.3%, 100 nm and 0.2 wt.%, respectively.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2003

Porous hybrid preforms were fabricated by reactive sintering using the compacts consisting of SiC particles, Fe and Al powders. Squeeze casting processing was employed to produce the composite in which the matrix phase is Al-Si7Mg. The microstructural change and wear resistance of the composites were investigated in terms of an amount of SiC particles. The wear loss was increased with increasing the contact pressure in the alloy containing SiC particles coated with Cu. The most drastic change was found to the specimen tested at 2.5 MPa of contact pressure. Concerning the alloys containing SiC particles coated with Ni-P, a drastic increase in the wear loss exhibited at 2 MPa of contact pressure in those alloys containing 4 and 8 wt. % of SiC particles coated with Ni-P. In the alloy containing 16 wt. % a proportional increase in wear loss was observed to the change of contact pressure. With respecting to the sliding velocity, the wear loss of the alloy containing SiC particles coated with Cu increased at the initial stage of wear process and then decreased. Similar result was found in the alloys containing SiC particles coated with Ni-P. On the basis of the present results obtained, it was found that wear resistance of the alloys tested was improved to show in the order of the alloy reinforced by coated SiC particles > by uncoated SiC particles > by intermetallic compound without SiC particles.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.1181-1187
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• 2013

Water-dispersible ZnS:Mn nanocrystals were synthesized by capping the surface of the nanocrystal with O-(2-Aminoethyl)polyethylene glycol (PEG-$NH_2$, Mw = 10,000 g/mol) and O-(2-Carboxyethyl)polyethylene glycol (PEG-COOH, Mw = 10,000 g/mol) molecules. The modified PEG capped ZnS:Mn nanocrystal powders were thoroughly characterized by XRD, HR-TEM, EDXS, ICP-AES and FT-IR spectroscopy. The optical properties were also measured by UV/Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. The PL spectra showed broad emission peaks at 600 nm with similar PL efficiencies of 7.68% (ZnS:Mn-PEG-NH2) and 9.18% (ZnS:Mn-PEG-COOH) respectively. The measured average particle sizes for the modified PEG capped ZnS:Mn nanocrystals by HR-TEM images were 5.6 nm (ZnS:Mn-PEG-NH2) and 6.4 nm (ZnS:Mn-PEG-COOH), which were also supported by Debye-Scherrer calculations. In addition, biological toxicity effects of the nanocrystals over the growth of wild type E. coli were investigated. They showed no biological toxicity to E. coli until very high concentration dosage of 1 mg/mL of the both nanocrystal samples.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.991-1003
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• 1990

A precipitation method, one of the most effective liquid phase reaction methods, was adopted in order to prepare high-tech Al2O3/ZrO2 composite ceramics. Al2(SO4)3.18H2O, ZrOCl2.8H2O and YCl3.6H2O were used as starting materials and NH4OH as a precipitation agent, various types of metal hydroxides were obtained by single precipitation(series A) and co-precipitation(series B) method at the pH condition between 7 and 11. Fine Al2O3-ZrO2 powders were prepared at optimum calcination condition and the effects of ZrO2 on microstructures and mechanical properties of Al2O3 were investigated. The composition of Al2O3/ZrO2 composites wax fixed as Al2O3-15 v/o ZrO2(＋3m/o Y2O3). ZrO2 limited the grain growth of Al2O3 and increased grain size homogeneity of Al2O3 more effectively than MgO.Flexural strength values in Al2O3 and Al2O3/ZrO2 composites were 340-430 MPa and 540-820 MPa, respectively, and the effect of strength improvement showed 20-50% by adding ZrO2 to Al2O3. Fracture toughness of Al2O3/ZrO2 composites was improved by stress-induced phase transformation of tetragonal ZrO2 and toughening effect by microcrack was not observed. Also, ZrO2 particles located at Al2O3 grain junction contributed to toughening, while spherical ZrO2 particles located within Al2O3 grain did not contribute to toughening. Weibull moduli of Al2O3 ceramics and Al2O3/ZrO2 composites of series A and series B were 4.34, 5.17 and 9.06, respectively. Above 0.5 of failure probability, strength values in Al2O3 ceramics and Al2O3/ZrO3 composites of series A and series B were above 400 MPa, 700 MPa and 650 MPa, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.429-437
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• 2017

Micro hollow plate type silica with low refraction properties was synthesized and its hollow structure was applied as an optical structure to develop a light diffusion material that simultaneously satisfies the requirements of good light diffusibility, high transmissibility, and high luminance. The developed light diffusion material was applied to a light diffusion film and the film's optical properties were assessed. Hollow silica was synthesized by precipitation method using $Mg(OH)_2$ core particles, sodium silicate, and ammonium sulfate as the silica precursors. The concentration of the silica precursor was adjusted to control hollow silica shell thickness. The total light transmittance of the light diffusion film composed of the hollow silica was 94.55%, which was 4.57% higher than that of the PC film; new film's haze was 71.20%, which was 70.9% higher. Furthermore, the luminance increased by 5.34% compared to that of the light source. The reason for the results is not only that the micro plate type hollow silica, which has a low refractive property, played a role in reducing the difference in refractive index between the medium boundaries, but also that there was a light-concentrating effect due to the changing of light paths to the front direction inside the hollow structure. Optical simulation verified the enhanced optical properties when hollow silica was applied to the light diffusion film.