• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.235-238
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• 2009

To study the relationship between spark ignition and the gap in the nano-scale region, the electric potential was applied to between a Pt-Ir tip and a gold substrate. The tip was sharpened by electro-chemical etching process in the solution of $CaCl_2;H_2O$ and acetone. The radius of tip was measured to be around 200nm and attached to the scanning probe microscope to control the gap between the tip and the substrate. The electric potential of 10V to 80V was applied to initialize the spark. The gaps and the current profile were measured to analyze the characteristics of spark ignition. A spark sustaining time was measured to be between 50ns and 200ns depending on the applied electric potential and the gap between the electrodes. The continuous electric discharge was successfully sustained up to 1 second of spark or arc time. The developed process can be applicable to the micro-scale fabrication of automotive sensors as a similar concept of GTAW.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Proton therapy is known for its superior treatment method due to Bragg peak. To enhance the therapeutic effects of protons, research has been conducted on distributing gold nanoparticles within tumors to increase the absorbed dose. While previous studies focused on handling gold nanoparticles at micrometer and nonometer scale, this study proposes a method to computationally estimate the effect of gold nanoparticles at the millimeter scale. The Geant4 toolkit was applied to computational modeling. Assuming a uniform distribution of water, similar to the human body, and gold nanoparticles, the concentration of gold nanoparticles was adjusted using density ratios. When the density ratio was 5%, the gain in absorbed energy due to gold nanoparticles was nearly twice that of the pure water phantom at the Bragg peak. As the density ratio increased, the gain in absorbed energy linearly increased. When gold nanoparticles were distributed in only one voxel at the Bragg peak, the energy of the protons affected only the neighboring voxels. However, in cases where gold nanoparticles were distributed over a wide area, the volume showing 95% of the maximum absorbed energy (9.46 keV) for the pure water phantom (9.95 keV) exhibited an improvement in absorbed energy over a region 16 times larger, and this region increased as the density ratio increased. Further research is needed to quantify the relationship between the density ratio of gold nanoparticles and the relative biological effect (RBE) in the millimeter scale.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.08a
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• pp.73-73
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• 2010

Various organic- and bio-conjugated nanoparticles have been studied extensively for biological applications in medical diagnoses and drug delivery systems. Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are known biocompatible materials to be used in vivo and are becoming increasingly important in biomedical applications. In this work, we investigated the stability of PEG-conjugated AuNPs, dialysis and centrifuge effects after synthesis or pegylation of AuNPs as a function of elapsed time by using ToF-SIMS imaging technique along with dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-visible absorption spectroscopic and statistical analyses. Roughly 15-nm-sized AuNPs were synthesized in a citrate-conjugated form, and then converted into the thiol-terminated PEG (O-[2-(3-Mercaptopropionylamino)ethyl]-O'-methylpolyethyleneglycol, M.W.=5 kDa) form. Based on our data, we will show that ToF-SIMS imaging analysis along with DLS, UV-visible absorption and statistical analyses would be a useful method to evaluate stability of PEG-conjugated AuNPs in various environmental conditions.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2013

In this paper, a MEMS tunable capacitor was successfully designed and fabricated using an aluminum nitride film and a gold suspended membrane with two air gap structure for commercial RF applications. Unlike conventional two-parallel-plate tunable capacitors, the proposed tunable capacitor consists of one air suspended top electrode and two fixed bottom electrodes. One fixed and the top movable electrodes form a variable capacitor, while the other one provides necessary electrostatic actuation. The fabricated tunable capacitor exhibited a capacitance tuning range of 375% at 2 GHz, exceeding the theoretical limit of conventional two-parallel-plate tunable capacitors. In case of the contact state, the maximal quality factor was approximately 25 at 1.5 GHz. The developed fabrication process is also compatible with the existing standard IC (integrated circuit) technology, which makes it suitable for on chip intelligent transceivers and radios.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.413-413
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• 2014

In this paper, we present a fabrication method of functionalized gold nanostructures on flexible substrate that can be implemented for plasmonic sensing application. For biomolecular sensing, many researchers exploit unconventional lithography method like nanoimprint lithography (NIP), contact transfer lithography, soft lithography, colloidal transfer printing due to its usability and easy to functionalization. In particular, nanoimprint and contact transfer lithography need to have anti-adhesion layer for distinctive metallic properties on the flexible substrates. However, when metallic thin film was deposited on the anti-adhesion layer coated substrates, we discover much aggravation of the mold by repetitive use. Thus it would be impossible to get a high quality of metal nanostructure on the transferred substrate for developing flexible electronics based transfer printing. Here we demonstrate a method for nano-pillar mold and transfer the controllable nanoparticle array on the flexible substrates without an anti-adhesion layer. Also functionalization of gold was investigated by the different length of thiol applied for effectively localized surface plasmonic resonance sensing. First, a focused ion beam (FIB) and ICP-RIE are used to fabricate the nanoscale pillar array. Then gold metal layer is deposited onto the patterned nanostructure. The metallic 130 nm and 250 nm nanodisk pattern are transferred onto flexible polymer substrate by bi-layer functionalized contact imprinting which can be tunable surface energy interfaces. Different thiol reagents such as Thioglycolic acid (98%), 3-Mercaptopropionic acid (99%), 11-Mercaptoundecanoic acid (95%) and 16-Mercaptohexadecanoic acid (90%) are used. Overcoming the repeatedly usage of the anti-adhesion layer mold which has less uniformity and not washable interface, contact printing method using bi-layer gold array are not only expedient access to fabrication but also have distinctive properties including anti-adhesion layer free, functionalized bottom of the gold nano disk, repeatedly replicate the pattern on the flexible substrate. As a result we demonstrate the feasibility of flexible plasmonic sensing interface and anticipate that the method can be extended to variable application including the portable bio sensor via mass production of stable nanostructure array and other nanophotonic application.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2014

A rapid, user-friendly and simple immune-chromatographic dipstick kit named 'rapid immune-gold strip' (RIGS) kit was developed in a novel single strip format to detect on-site detection of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) from polyclonal antisera raised in rabbits against TSWV was purified through protein-A affinity chromatography and then the purified TSWV-IgG was conjugated to colloidal gold nano-particles which served as a test line on nitrocellulose membrane. Protein A that non-specifically binds to TSWV antibody was used as a control line on the same strip. The diagnosis process with the TSWV-RIGS involves simply grinding the suspect plant sample in a bag that contains the extraction buffer and inserting the strip the bag. Results can be seen in 2-5 minutes. The flow of the complexes of gold particles coated with TSWV-IgG and a crude sap from TSWV-infected pepper, tobacco and tomato plants resulted in intensive color formed on the test lines proportional to the concentrations of TSWV. The RIGS-TSWV kit did not show any cross-reactions against other tomato-infecting viruses unrelated to TSWV. These results indicate that the TSWV-RIGS kit is highly sensitive and is not required for laboratory training and experience prior to testing. The TSWV-RIGS kit is suitable for on-site detection of suspect TSWV-infected plants as well as for laboratory diagnosis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.487-487
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• 2011

Recently graphene has emerged as a fascinating 2D system in condensed-matter physics as well as a new material for the development of nanotechnology. The unusual electronic band structure of graphene allows it to exhibit a strong ambipolar electric field effect with high mobility. These properties lead to the possibility of its application in high-performance transparent conducting films (TCFs). Compared to indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes, which have a typical sheet resistance of ${\sim}60{\Omega}$/sq and ~85 % transmittance in the visible range (400?900 nm), the CVD-grown graphene electrodes have a higher/flatter transmittance in the visible to IR region and are more robust under bending. Nevertheless, the lowest sheet resistance of the currently available CVD graphene electrodes is higher than that of ITO. Here, we report an ingenious strategy, irradiation of MeV electron beam (e-beam) at room temperature under ambient condition, for obtaining size-homogeneous gold nanoparticle decorated on graphene. The nano-particlization promoted by MeV e-beam irradiation was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy elemental mapping, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. These results clearly revealed that gold nanoparticle with 10 ~ 15 nm in mean size were decorated along the surface of the graphene after 1.5 MeV-e-beam irradiation. A chemical transformation and charge transfer for the metal gold nanoparticle were systematically explored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. This approach advances the numerous applications of graphene films as transparent conducting electrodes.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2005

We present an air bridge type electrode system with tunable electrode distance for detecting electroactive biomolecules. It is known that the narrower gap between electrode fingers, the higher sensitivity in IDA (interdigitated array) electrode. In previous researches on IDA electrode, narrower patterning required much precise and expensive equipment as the gap goes down to nanometer scale. In this paper, an improved method is suggested to replace nano gap pattering with downsizing electrode distance and showed that the patterning can be replaced by thickness control using metal deposition methods, such as electroplating or metal sputtering. The air bridge type electrode was completed by the following procedures: gold patterning for lower electrode, copper electroplating, gold deposition for upper electrode, photoresist patterning for gold film support, and copper etching for space formation. The thickness of copper electroplating is the distance between upper and lower electrodes. Because the growth rate of electroplating is $0.5{\mu}m\;min^{-1}$, the distance is tunable up to hundreds of nanometers. Completed electrodes on the same wafer had $5{\mu}m$ electrode distance. The gaps between fingers are 10, 20, 30, and $40{\mu}m$ and the widths of fingers are 10, 20, 30, 40, and $50{\mu}m$. The air bridge type electrode system showed better sensitivity than planar electrode.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.310-317
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• 2023

Small-film-type ion sensors are garnering considerable interest in the fields of wearable healthcare and home-based monitoring systems. The performance of these sensors primarily relies on electrode capacitance, often employing nanocomposite materials composed of nano- and sub-micrometer particles. Traditional techniques for enhancing capacitance involve the creation of nanoparticles on film electrodes, which require cost-intensive and complex chemical synthesis processes, followed by additional coating optimization. In this study, we introduce a simple one-step electrochemical method for fabricating gold nanoparticles on a carbon nanotube (Au NP-CNT) electrode surface through cyclic voltammetry deposition. Furthermore, we assess the improvement in capacitance by distinguishing between the electrical double-layer capacitance and diffusion-controlled capacitance, thereby clarifying the principles underpinning the material design. The Au NP-CNT electrode maintains its stability and sensitivity for up to 50 d, signifying its potential for advanced ion sensing. Additionally, integration with a mobile wireless data system highlights the versatility of the sensor for health applications.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.698-705
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• 2023

Rapid diagnosis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is essential for guiding clinical treatment and preventing the spread of MRSA infections. Herein, we present a simple and rapid MRSA screening test based on the aggregation effect of mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNP), called the MRSA probe. Recombinant MBL protein is a member of the lectin family and part of the innate immune system. It can recognize wall teichoic acid (WTA) on the membrane of MRSA more specifically than that of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) under optimized salt conditions. Thus, the MRSA probe can selectively bind to MRSA, and the aggregation of the probes on the surface of the target bacteria can be detected and analyzed by the naked eye within 5 min. To demonstrate the suitability of the method for real-world application, we tested 40 clinical S. aureus isolates (including 20 MRSA specimens) and recorded a sensitivity of 100%. In conclusion, the MRSA probe-based screening test with its excellent sensitivity has the potential for successful application in the microbiology laboratory.