• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.32 no.9
• /
• pp.683-694
• /
• 2008

The performance and durability of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFCs) are strongly influenced by the uniformity of current density, temperature, species distributions inside a cell In order to obtain uniform distributions in them, the optimal design of flowfield must be a key factor. In this paper, the numerical study of land/channel flowfield optimizations is performed, using a multi-dimensional, multi-phase, non-isothermal PEFC model. Numerical simulations reveal more uniform current density and HFR(High Frequency Resistance) distributions and thus better PEFC performance with narrower land/channel width where the less severe oxygen depletion effect near the land region and more uniform contact resistance variation along the in-plane direction are achieved. The present study elucidates detailed effects of land/channel width and assist in identifying optimal flow-field design strategies for the operation of PEFCs.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2014

This paper presents a brief summary on a relatively new plasma aided electrolytic surface treatment process for light metals. A brief discussion regarding the advantages, principle, process parameters and applications of this process is discussed. The process owes its origin to Sluginov who discovered an arc discharge phenomenon in electrolysis in 1880. A similar process was studied and developed by Markov and coworkers in 1970s who successfully deposited an oxide film on aluminium. Several investigation thereafter lead to the establishment of suitable process parameters for deposition of a crystalline oxide film of more than $100{\mu}m$ thickness on the surface of light metals such as aluminium, titanium and magnesium. This process nowadays goes by several names such as plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), micro-arc oxidation (MOA), anodic spark deposition (ASD) etc. Several startups and surface treatment companies have taken up the process and deployed it successfully in a range of products, from military grade rifles to common off road sprockets. However, there are certain limitations to this technology such as the formation of an outer porous oxide layer, especially in case of magnesium which displays a Piling Bedworth ratio of less than one and thus an inherent non protective oxide. This can be treated further but adds to the cost of the process. Overall, it can be said the PEO process offers a better solution than the conventional coating processes. It offers advantages considering the fact that he electrolyte used in PEO process is environmental friendly and the temperature control is not as strict as in case of other surface treatment processes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
• /
• 2012.11a
• /
• pp.16-16
• /
• 2012

Mg and its alloys have been of great interest because of their low density of 1.7, 30% lighter than Al, but their wide applications have been limited because of their poor resistances against corrosion and/or abrasion. Corrosion resistance of Mg alloys can be improved by formation of anodic films using anodic oxidation method in aqueous electrolytes. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is one of anodic oxidation methods by which hard anodic films can be formed as a result of micro-arc generation under high electric field. PEO method utilize not only substrate elements but also chemical components in electrolytes to form anodic films on Mg alloys. PEO films formed on AM50 magnesium alloy in an acidic fluozirconate electrolyte were observed to consist of mainly $ZrO_2$ and $MgF_2$. Liu et al reported that PEO coating on AM30 Mg alloy consists of $MgF_2$-rich outer porous layer and an MgO-rich dense inner layer. PEO films prepared on ACM522 Mg die-casting alloy in an aqueous phosphate solution were also reported to be composed of monoclinic $Mg_3(PO_4)_2$. $CeO_2$-incorporated PEO coatings were also reported to be formed on AZ31 Mg alloys in $CeO_2$ particle-containing $Na_2SiO_3$-based electrolytes. Magnesium tin hydroxide ($MgSn(OH)_6$) was also produced on AZ91D alloy by PEO process in stannate-containing electrolyte. Effects of $OH^-$, $F^-$, $PO{_4}^{3-}$ and $SiO{_3}^{2-}$ ions and alloying elements of Al and Sn on the formation of PEO films on pure Mg and Mg alloys and their protective properties against corrosion have been investigated in this work. $PO{_4}^{3-}$, $F^-$ and $SiO{_3}^{2-}$ ions were observed to contribute to the formation of PEO films but $OH^-$ ions were found to break down the surface films under high electric field. The effect of pulse current on the formation of PEO films will be also reported.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.231-243
• /
• 2018

Streaming potential (SP) arises from fluid flow through effectively connected pores. From this potential, formation water information as well as fluid flow properties can be estimated. As micro particles being located in boundary between subsurface porous media and fluid are charged to form electrical double layer, fluid flow caused by several reasons generates SP, one of electrokinetic phenomena. Occurrence mechanism of SP is complex and signal strength is relatively weak compared to noise. However, application of self potential survey using SP to monitoring of formation fluid is expanding because of its' convenience of exploration without artificial source and repetitiveness of signal. This paper accounts for the occurrence mechanism of SP studied before, including governing equations and analyzes previous various case studies of SP according to the change of physical properties of materials. It helps to increase understanding about SP and also lays the foundations of the application of SP to fields.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.293-299
• /
• 2007

Direct coating of catalyst layer on the $Nafion^{(R)}$ membrane has been optimized in the process of fabrication of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) to enhance the performance of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). In this method, the contact resistance at the interface of the catalyst layer and the membrane was found to be low. The effect of catalyst loading, thickness of membrane and the gas diffusion layer (GDL) with or without the presence of micro-porous layer (MPL) on the performance of the MEA was also investigated. The MEA fabricated by the above-mentioned method exhibited a performance of $147\;mW/cm^2$ and $100\;mW/cm^2$ at $80^{\circ}C$ and $60^{\circ}C$, respectively, with the catalysts loading of $4\;mg/cm^2$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
• /
• 2016.11a
• /
• pp.199-199
• /
• 2016

Commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti) and Ti alloys (typically Ti-6Al-4V) display excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Although the chemical composition and topography are considered important, the mechanical properties of the material and the loading conditions in the host have, conventionally. Ti and its alloys are not bioactive. Therefore, they do not chemically bond to the bone, whereas they physically bond with bone tissue. The electrochemical deposition process provides an effective surface for biocompatibility because large surface area can be served to cell proliferation. Electrochemical deposition method is an attractive technique for the deposition of hydroxyapatite (HAp). However, the adhesions of these coatings to the Ti surface needs to be improved for clinical used. Plasma electrolyte oxidation (PEO) enables control in the chemical com position, porous structure, and thickness of the $TiO_2$ layer on Ti surface. In addition, previous studies h ave concluded that the presence of $Ca^{+2}$ and ${PO_4}^{3-}$ ion coating on porous $TiO_2$ surface induced adhesion strength between HAp and Ti surface during electrochemical deposition. Silicon (Si) in particular has been found to be essential for normal bone and cartilage growth and development. Zinc (Zn) plays very important roles in bone formation and immune system regulation, and is also the most abundant trace element in bone. The objective of this work was to study electrochemical characteristcs of Zn and Si coating on Ti-6Al-4V by PEO treatment. The coating process involves two steps: 1) formation of porous $TiO_2$ on Ti-6Al-4V at high potential. A pulsed DC power supply was employed. 2) Electrochemical tests were carried out using potentiodynamic and AC impedance methoeds. The morphology, the chemical composition, and the micro-structure an alysis of the sample were examined using FE-SEM, EDS, and XRD. The enhancements of the HAp forming ability arise from $Si/Zn-TiO_2$ surface, which has formed the reduction of the Si/Zn ions. The promising results successfully demonstrate the immense potential of $Si/Zn-TiO_2$ coatings in dental and biomaterials applications.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2009.05a
• /
• pp.31.1-31.1
• /
• 2009

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are attractive material because of their superior electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties. Furthermore, their geometric features such as a large aspect ratio and a small radius of curvature at tip make them ideal for low-voltage field emission devices including backlight units of liquid crystal display, lighting lamps, X-ray source, microwave amplifiers, electron microscopes, etc. In field emission devices for display applications, the phosphor anode is positioned against the CNT emitters. In most case, light generated from the phosphor by electron bombardment passes through the anode front plate to reach observers. However, light is produced in a narrow depth of the surface of the phosphor layer because phosphor particles are big as much as several micrometers, which means that it is necessary to transmit through the phosphor layer. Hence, a drop of light intensity is unavoidable during this process. In this study, we fabricated a transparent cathode back plate by depositing an ultra-thin film of single walled CNTs (SWCNTs) on an indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate. Two types of phosphor anode plates were employed to our transparent cathode back plate: One is an ITO glass substrate with a phosphor layer and the other is a Cr-coated glass substrate with phosphor layer. For the former case, light was radiated from both the front and the back sides, where luminance on the back was ~30% higher than that on the front in our experiments. For the other case, however, light was emitted only from the cathode back side as the Cr layer on the anode glass rolled as a reflecting mirror, improving the light luminance as much as ~60% compared with that on the front of one. This study seems to be discussed about the morphologies and field emission characteristics of CNT emitters according to the experimental parameters in fabricating the lamps emitting light on the both sides or only on the cathode back side. The experimental procedures are as follows. First, a CNT aqueous solution was prepared by ultrasonically dispersing purified SWCNTs in deionized water with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). A milliliter or even several tens of micro-liters of CNT solution was deposited onto a porous alumina membrane through vacuum filtration. Thereafter, the alumina membrane was solvated with the 3 M NaOH solution and the floating CNT film was easily transferred to an ITO glass substrate. It is required for CNT film to make standing CNTs up to serve as electron emitter through an adhesive roller activation.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.85-97
• /
• 2007

Statement of problem: Recently, anodic oxidation of cp-titanium is a popular method for treatment of titanium implant surfaces. It is a relatively easy process, and the thickness, structure, composition, and the microstructure of the oxide layer can be variably modified. Moreover the biological properties of the oxide layer can be controlled. Purpose: In this study, the roughness, microstructure, crystal structure of the variously treated groups (current, voltage, frequency, electrolyte, thermal treatment) were evaluated. And the specimens were soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) to evaluate the effects of the surface characteristics and the oxide layers on the bioactivity of the specimens which were directly related to bone formation and integration. Materials and methods: Surface treatments consisted of either anodization or anodization followed thermal treatment. Specimens were divided into seven groups, depending on their anodizing treatment conditions: constant current mode (350V for group 2), constant voltage mode (155V for group 3), 60 Hz pulse series (230V for group 4, 300V for group 5), and 1000 Hz pulse series (400V for group 6, 460V for group 7). Non-treated native surfaces were used as controls (group 1). In addition, for the purpose of evaluating the effects of thermal treatment, each group was heat treated by elevating the temperature by $5^{\circ}C$ per minute until $600^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour, and then bench cured. Using scanning electron microscope (SEM), porous oxide layers were observed on treated surfaces. The crystal structures and phases of titania were identified by thin-film x-ray diffractmeter (TF-XRD). Atomic force microscope (AFM) was used for roughness measurement (Sa, Sq). To evaluate bioactivity of modified titanium surfaces, each group was soaked in SBF for 168 hours (1 week), and then changed surface characteristics were analyzed by SEM and TF-XRD. Results: On basis of our findings, we concluded the following results. 1. Most groups showed morphologically porous structures. Except group 2, all groups showed fine to coarse convex structures, and the groups with superior quantity of oxide products showed superior morphology. 2. As a result of combined anodization and thermal treatment, there were no effects on composition of crystalline structure. But, heat treatment influenced the quantity of formation of the oxide products (rutile / anatase). 3. Roughness decreased in the order of groups 7,5,2,3,6,4,1 and there was statistical difference between group 7 and the others (p<0.05), but group 7 did not show any bioactivity within a week. 4. In groups that implanted ions (Ca/P) on the oxide layer through current and voltage control, showed superior morphology, and oxide products, but did not express any bioactivity within a week. 5. In group 3, the oxide layer was uniformly organized with rutile, with almost no titanium peak. And there were abnormally more [101] orientations of rutile crystalline structure, and bonelike apatite formation could be seen around these crystalline structures. Conclusion: As a result of control of various factors in anodization (current, voltage, frequency, electrolytes, thermal treatment), the surface morphology, micro-porosity, the 2nd phase formation, crystalline structure, thickness of the oxide layer could be modified. And even more, the bioactivity of the specimens in vitro could be induced. Thus anodic oxidation can be considered as an excellent surface treatment method that will able to not only control the physical properties but enhance the biological characteristics of the oxide layer. Furthermore, it is recommended in near future animal research to prove these results.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.21 no.6 s.101
• /
• pp.439-443
• /
• 2006

Biocompatibility and tissue regenerating capacity are essential characteristics in the design of collagenous biomaterials for tissue engineering. Attachment of glycosaminoglycans to collagen may add to these characteristics by creating an appropriate micro-environment. In this study, porous type I collagen matrices were crosslinked using dehydrothermal treatment and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide, in the presence and absence of chondroitin sulfate (CS). The scaffold like discs in 3 mm diameter were inserted into the intralamellar stromal pockets of rabbit cornea. In 8 weeks of follow up, clinical evaluation including corneal neovascularization, opacity and transparency of the graft scaffold was performed, and the inflammatory reaction and migration of corneal fibroblast were evaluated histologically. No inflammation, neovascularization and opacity in any of the implant were observed. CS increased the corneal fibroblast invasion and the transparency. It is concluded that the type I collagen sponge showed a biocompatibility in corneal stromal layer and addition of CS slightly improved the quality of the bioartificial corneal stromal layer. These results could be useful for the development of corneal substitutes.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2010.11a
• /
• pp.71.1-71.1
• /
• 2010

고분자 전해질 연료전지(PEMFC) 내의 기체확산층(GDL)은 셀 내의 물 관리에 중요한 역할을 수행한다. 일반적으로 다공성 기제(GDBL) 위에 미세기공층(MPL)을 코팅한 2층 구조의 기체확산층이 사용되는데, 이 미세기공층은 카본파우더와 테프론의 혼합물로 이루어져 있으며 촉매층에서 발생한 물을 셀 밖으로 빠르게 배출하는 역할을 수행한다. 본 연구에서는 다양한 기공분포를 갖는 미세기공층을 제조하여 고분자 전해질 연료전지 성능에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 미세기공층 슬러리내에 암모늄염 계열의 기공형성제를 혼합하여 다공성 기제 위에 코팅한 후 다양한 온도조건에서 건조함에 따라 기공분포가 다른 미세기공층을 제조하였다. 이렇게 제조된 미세기공층의 물성은 수은기공도계, FE-SEM, 자체적으로 제조한 기체투과도 측정 장치를 사용하여 측정하였으며, 단위 전지 성능 측정은 두 개의 가습조건(RH100%, RH50%)에서 실시하였다. 기공분포 측정결과 건조온도가 높은 미세기공층은 건조온도가 낮은 미세기공층에 비해 직경이 1,000 - 20,000 nm 인 대공극(macropore)의 수가 많지만, 직경이 100 nm 이하의 미세공 (micropore)의 수가 적은 것을 확인하였다. 전지성능 측정 결과 고가습 조건 (RH100%)에서는 미세공 (micropore)이 발달한 미세기공층을 포함한 기체확산층을 사용한 경우 가장 우수한 성능을 보여고, 저가습 조건 (RH50%)에서는 대공극 (macropore)이 발달한 미세기공층을 포함한 기체확산층을 사용한 경우 가장 우수한 성능을 나타내었다. 이는 물배출에 유리한 미세공 (micropore)의 성질과 원료 기체의 이동에 유리한 대공극(macropore)의 성질에 의한 것으로 판단된다. 따라서 셀 운전 가습조건에 따라 최적화된 기공구조를 갖는 미세기공층을 사용함으로써 셀 운전 성능을 향상 시킬 수 있을 것으로 예상된다.