• Membrane Journal
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.272-280
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• 2005

In this study, asymmetric polysulfone membranes were prepared by the phase inversion method and the casting solutions were containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent. Deionized water and various alcohols(methanol, ethanol, and propanol) were used as a coagulation medium in preparing asymmetric polysulfone membranes. This study investigates the effect of alcohol coagulants having different solubility parameters as a pore-former on the construction of porous structures and their pure water permeation properties. Asymmetric polysulfone membranes immersed in the pure alcohol coagulation bath solution showed the typical sponge-like structures and the reduced water permeability as compared with those of polysulfone membranes precipitated in the pure water coagulation bath solution. In the water/alcohol mixtures, asymmetric polysulfone membranes showed the finger-like structures with the sponge-like structures. Therefore, the sponge-like structure of polysulfone membrane was formed under the delayed demixing systems while the porosity of membrane was decreased significantly. The water permeability of polysulfone membrane precipitated in the pure water coagulant showed 164 [$L/m^2hr$] at 14.7 psi. In case of polysulfone membranes prepared in the pure methanol and ethanol coagulant, they showed the water permeability of 56 and 30 [$L/m^2hr$], respectively.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.219-227
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• 2021

Molecularly imprinted membrane (MIM) is a porous polymer membrane incorporating with the molecular recognizing sites. In this study, the supporting P(AN-co-MA) asymmetric membrane was prepared by nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. And then, MIM with lysozyme template sites was prepared using the surface imprinting method on the P(AN-co-MA) asymmetric membrane introducing a photoactive iniferter and then photo-grafting. The P(AN-co-MA) asymmetric membrane was modified with 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane and dithiocarbamate as a photoactive iniferter. To prepare a lysozyme imprinted membrane, the modified P(AN-co-MA) membrane was copolymerized with acrylamide as a functional momomer, N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide as a crosslinker and lysozyme as a template in the UV irradiation environment. The lysozyme imprinted MIM was analyzed by using SEM, FT-IR and EDS measurements. Its results confirm that all the P(AN-co-MA) membranes have an asymmetric structure and the iniferter group is successfully introduced on the membrane surface. The process parameters were adjusted to obtain MIM having the excellent lysozyme adsorption. The maximum lysozyme adsorption capacity reaches at 2.7 mg/g, which is 13 times higher than that of the non imprinted membrane (NIM). The permselective membrane filtration experiments of ovalbumin to lysozyme show that the P(AN-co-MA) MIM preferentially bounds a greater amount of lysozyme.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.301-308
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• 2022

Since nanoporous silica aerogel was first synthesized in 1931, its potential as an ultra-lightweight superinsulation material has been steadily attracting attention. Silica aerogel is the best thermal insulation material to date. However, the potential applications of this lightweight material have so far been hindered by its inherent fragibility and brittleness arising from its ultra-porous nature. Although the monolithic form of silica aerogel has the best ultra-lightweight superinsulation properties, it cannot be used in this form. Instead it is used in the form of powders, particles, and blankets. However, these forms still have shortcomings. Silica aerogel is most widely applied in the form of a fiber-reinforced aerogel blanket, but this form is likely to generate dust when handled. Although silica aerogel particles have been proven to be non-toxic to humans, dust formation remains a major barrier to the widespread application of silica aerogel blankets. This paper will investigate the unique properties of silica aerogel and determine what fields it can be used in or potentially be used in due to its unique properties. In addition, we will review the important advances in silica aerogel synthesis technology and its commercialization so far, and then consider the problems that exist for its widespread commercialization in the future and how to overcome them.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.49-62
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• 2022

The magnesium and iron-based layered double hydroxide (Mg-Fe LDH) was synthesized by the co-precipitation process and the bead type LDH (BLDH, 5~6 mm in diameter) was manufactured by using the Mg-Fe LDH and the starch as a binder. To evaluate the feasibility of the BLDH as the As stabilizer in the soil, various experiments were performed and the As stabilization efficiency of the BLDH was compared to that of powdered type LDH (PLDH, <149 ㎛ in diameter). For the As sorption batch experiment, the As sorption efficiency of both of the PLDH and the BLDH showed higher than 99%. For the stabilization experiment with soil, the As extraction reducing efficiency of the PLDH was higher than 87%, and for the BLDH, it was higher than 80%, suggesting that the BLDH has similar the feasibility of As stabilization for the contaminated soil, compared to the PLDH. From the continuous column experiments, when more than 7% BLDH was added into the soil, the As stabilization efficiency of the column maintained at over 91% for 7 pore volume flushing (simulating about 21 months of rainfall) and slowly decreased down to 64% after that time (to 36 months) under the non-equilibrium conditions. Results suggested that more than 7% of BLDH added in As-contaminated soil could be enough to stabilize As in soil for a long time. The main As fixation mechanisms on the LDH were also identified through the X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analyses. Results showed that the LDH has enough of an external surface adsorption capacity and an anion exchange capability at the interlayer spaces. Results of SEM/EDS and BET analyses also supported that the Mg-Fe LDH used in this study has sufficient porous structures and outer surfaces to fix the As. The reduction of carbonate (CO₃^2-) and sulfate (SO₄^2-) anions in the LDH after the reaction between As and the LDH was observed through the FT-IR, the XRF, and the XRD analyses, suggesting that the exchange of some of these anions with the arsenate (H₂AsO₄^- or HAsO₄^2-) occurs at the LDH interlayers during the stabilization process in soil.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.612-622
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• 2023

T-cell deficiency may occur in various clinical conditions including congenital defects, cell/organ transplantation, HIV infection and aging. In this regard, the development of artificial thymus has recently been attracting much attention. To achieve this aim, the development of techniques for 3D culture of thymic stromal cells is necessary because thymocytes grown only in a 3D thymic microenvironment can be differentiated fully to become mature, immunocompetent T cells; the same cannot be achieved for thymocytes grown in 2D. This study aimed to develop a nanotechnology-based 3D culture technique using polymeric scaffolds for thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the main component of thymic stromal cells. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the pores of both PCL and PCL/PLGA scaffolds were filled with TECs. Interestingly, TECs grown in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds exhibited enhanced cell attachment and proliferation compared to those grown on non-coated scaffolds. In addition, the gene expression of thymopoietic factors was upregulated in TECs cultured in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds compared to those cultured in 2D. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate an efficient 3D culture model for TECs using polymeric scaffolds and provide new insights into a novel platform technology that can be applied to develop functional, biocompatible scaffolds for the 3D culture of thymocytes. This will eventually shed light on techniques for the in vitro development of T cells as well as the synthesis of artificial thymus.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.212-221
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• 2008

In order to investigate the information for effective detection and developing of latent fingerprints, we identified fatty acids composition of latent fingerprints on non-porous evidence surface and the chemical changes of latent fingerprint residue after print deposition during 7 months. Fingerprints from eight Korean male donors (aged 29-50 years) and one female donor (aged 36 years) were collected. All fingerprints were found to contain lauric acid (C12:0), myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), elaidic acid (C18:1n9t), oleic acid (C18:1n9c), linoleic acid (C18:2n6c), arachidic acid (C20:0), linolenic acid (C18:3n3), erucic acid (C22:1n9) and docosadienoic acid (C22:2) and primarily palmitic acid (35.45-48.37%), oleic acid (14.84-28.49%), stearic acid (9.71-24.96%) and linoleic acid (7.68-18.8%) occupied 75% of total fatty acids. When the fingerprints were deposited at dark room for 7 months, total fatty acids components decreased about 12-25%. It can be explained that significant degradation of long-chain fatty acids such as elaidic acid (C18:1n9t), arachidic acid (C20:0), linolenic acid (C18:3n3), erucic acid (C22:1n9), and docosadienoic acid (C22:2) resulted in the generation of myristic acid (C14:0), myristoleic acid (C14:1) and pentadecanoic acid (C15:0).

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.13-26
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• 2021

In mountain gully, channelized debris flow is an important phenomenon in the process of topographical change. Social infrastructure as roads may be damaged by channelized debris flows, but there has been little information about their occurrence and movement to prepare for the risk of the debris flow. Most of the channelized debris flows occur during heavy rains in mountainous valleys that are difficult to access, so there are not many field data. In this study, the topographical characteristics of the catchment, the rainfall and runoff related to the debris flow, the sedimentary pattern and the cross-sectional change of the channel bed, and the underflow velocity of the gravel bed have been investigated and analyzed in the Singi gully where the channelized debris flows occurred. In the catchment, there was almost no sediment runoff because the vegetation combine with the debris landforms and covered the surface. Therefore, the obvious cause of the channelized debris flows is the collapse of the slope and bed of the gully. Even if the gravel, cobbles, and boulders of the channel bed were lost by debris flow, the thalweg change due to debris flow may not be significant because they are supplied from the gully side slope normally. After the gabion structures were installed, the debris flow increased the thalweg change, bed erosion and side slope of the gully. Various sedimentary structures in the gully were classified according to the factors supporting the sedimentation. The hypsometric curve of the gully reflects the debris landforms and vegetation characteristics of the watershed and the sediment runoff due to debris flow, etc. The relationship between the flow velocity and the hydraulic gradient was non-linear under the condition that the porous medium with gully bed gravels is saturated with water. These results may be used as basic data for channelized debris flow research.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2024

A fishway is an artificial waterway or device used to resolve difficulties in the movement of fish in a river. Most existing fishways are made of concrete and emit toxic substances, which has a negative impact on the river environment. Accordingly, there is a need to develop fishway construction technology that is eco-friendly and can increase movement efficiency. The technology presented in this study is an integrated porous structure that combines the aggregate with a biopolymer material extracted from castor oil, a non-toxic material. It is a fishway construction technology using eco-friendly materials that can allow vegetation to grow on the surface. In this study, an eco-friendly fishway mixed with biopolymer and aggregate was built on a real scale and the fish movement efficiency was tested and analyzed. As a result of the experiment, a total of 201 fish of 14 species were released with tags inserted, and the detection rate of released fish was confirmed to be 82.6% on average. A total of 40 fish of 6 species were transported upstream through the fishway, and the average passage rate was confirmed to be 21.7%. As a result of checking the circadian migration pattern, it was found that all fish mainly migrate during the day. It was confirmed that there was no significant functional difference between a fishway using biopolymer and a concrete fishway. It is believed that a fishway using biopolymer can be used as a replacement for a concrete fishway.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2024

The flat sheet membrane, one of the representative forms of polymeric membranes, is widely used from material research in laboratories to commercial membrane production due to its ease of fabrication. Porous polymeric flat sheet membranes used in microfiltration and ultrafiltration are mainly fabricated through phase separation processes, utilizing non-solvent-induced and vapor-induced phase separation methods. However, due to the nature of phase separation processes, variations between samples can easily occur depending on the surrounding environment and the experimenter, making it difficult to ensure reproducibility. Therefore, for scaling up and ensuring reproducibility of developed membrane fabrication technologies, there is a need for a controlled environment continuous large-area production device, such as a roll-to-roll manufacturing system. This research compared the changes in membrane characteristics due to differences in manufacturing environments when scaling up laboratory-scale fabrication technologies to roll-to-roll processes using knife and slot die coaters. By optimizing the continuous manufacturing process factors, uniformity of the membrane was ensured during large-area production.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.346-361
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• 2013

This article reviews the papers published in the Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering during 2012. It is intended to understand the status of current research in the areas of heating, cooling, ventilation, sanitation, and indoor environments of buildings and plant facilities. The conclusions are as follows : (1) The research works on thermal and fluid engineering have been reviewed as groups of fluid machinery, pipes and valves, fuel cells and power plants, ground-coupled heat pumps, and general heat and mass transfer systems. Research issues are mainly focused on new and renewable energy systems, such as fuel cells, ocean thermal energy conversion power plants, and ground-coupled heat pump systems. (2) Research works on the heat transfer area have been reviewed in the categories of heat transfer characteristics, pool boiling and condensing heat transfer, and industrial heat exchangers. Researches on heat transfer characteristics included the results for natural convection in a square enclosure with two hot circular cylinders, non-uniform grooved tube considering tube expansion, single-tube annular baffle system, broadcasting LED light with ion wind generator, mechanical property and microstructure of SA213 P92 boiler pipe steel, and flat plate using multiple tripping wires. In the area of pool boiling and condensing heat transfer, researches on the design of a micro-channel heat exchanger for a heat pump, numerical simulation of a heat pump evaporator considering the pressure drop in the distributor and capillary tubes, critical heat flux on a thermoexcel-E enhanced surface, and the performance of a fin-and-tube condenser with non-uniform air distribution and different tube types were actively carried out. In the area of industrial heat exchangers, researches on a plate heat exchanger type dehumidifier, fin-tube heat exchanger, an electric circuit transient analogy model in a vertical closed loop ground heat exchanger, heat transfer characteristics of a double skin window for plant factory, a regenerative heat exchanger depending on its porous structure, and various types of plate heat exchangers were performed. (3) In the field of refrigeration, various studies were executed to improve refrigeration system performance, and to evaluate the applicability of alternative refrigerants and new components. Various topics were presented in the area of refrigeration cycle. Research issues mainly focused on the enhancement of the system performance. In the alternative refrigerant area, studies on CO2, R32/R152a mixture, and R1234yf were performed. Studies on the design and performance analysis of various compressors and evaporator were executed. (4) In building mechanical system research fields, twenty-nine studies were conducted to achieve effective design of mechanical systems, and also to maximize the energy efficiency of buildings. The topics of the studies included heating and cooling, HVAC system, ventilation, renewable energy systems, and lighting systems in buildings. New designs and performance tests using numerical methods and experiments provide useful information and key data, which can improve the energy efficiency of buildings. (5) In the fields of the architectural environment, studies for various purposes, such as indoor environment, building energy, and renewable energy were performed. In particular, building energy-related researches and renewable energy systems have been mainly studied, reflecting interests in global climate change, and efforts to reduce building energy consumption by government and architectural specialists. In addition, many researches have been conducted regarding indoor environments.