• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.69-81
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• 2022

The method of measuring and classifying the energy category of neutrons directly using raw data acquired through a CZT detector is not satisfactory, in terms of accuracy and efficiency, because of its poor energy resolution and low measurement efficiency. Moreover, this method of measuring and analyzing the characteristics of low-energy or low-activity gamma-ray sources might be not accurate and efficient in the case of neutrons because of various factors, such as the noise of the CZT detector itself and the influence of environmental radiation. We have therefore developed an efficient method of analyzing radiation characteristics using a neutron and gamma-ray analysis algorithm for the rapid and clear identification of the type, energy, and radioactivity of gamma-ray sources as well as the detection and classification of the energy category (fast or thermal neutrons) of neutron sources, employing raw data acquired through a CZT detector. The neutron analysis algorithm is based on the fact that in the energy-spectrum channel of 558.6 keV emitted in the nuclear reaction ¹¹³Cd + ¹n → ¹¹⁴Cd + in the CZT detector, there is a notable difference in detection information between a CZT detector without a PE modulator and a CZT detector with a PE modulator, but there is no significant difference between the two detectors in other energy-spectrum channels. In addition, the gamma-ray analysis algorithm uses the difference in the detection information of the CZT detector between the unique characteristic energy-spectrum channel of a gamma-ray source and other channels. This efficient method of analyzing radiation characteristics is expected to be useful for the rapid radiation detection and accurate information collection on radiation sources, which are required to minimize radiation damage and manage accidents in national disaster situations, such as large-scale radioactivity leak accidents at nuclear power plants or nuclear material handling facilities.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.132-137
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• 2020

Lithium secondary batteries have become an important power source for portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, laptop computers. Presently, commercialized lithium-ion batteries use a LiCoO₂ cathode. However, due to the high cost and environmental problems resulting from cobalt, an intensive search for new electrode materials is being actively conducted. Recently, solid solution LiMn_1-xNi_xO₂ have become attractive because of high capacity and enhanced safety at high voltages over 4.5 V. The Li_1.6Ni_0.35Mn_0.65O₂ compounds were conventionally prepared by a sol-gel method, which can produce the layered Li-Ni-Mn-O compounds with a high homogeneity. And by adding a graphene 2wt% the first charge-discharge voltage profiles was increased over Li_1.6Ni_0.35Mn_0.65O₂ compound. Also, the variation s of the discharge capacities with cycling showed a higher capacity retention rater. In this study, material lifecycle evaluation was performed to analyze the environmental impact characteristics of Li_1.6Ni_0.35Mn_0.65O₂ & graphene 2wt% half-cell manufacturing process. The software of material life cycle assessment was Gabi. Through this, environmental impact assessment was performed for each process. The environmental loads induced by Li_1.6Ni_0.35Mn_0.65O₂ & graphene 2wt% synthesis process were quantified and analyzed, and the results showed that the amount of power had the greatest impact on the environment.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2009

Lithium secondary batteries have been widely used in the portable electric devices as power source. Recently it is expected that the realm of its applications expands to the markets such as energy storage medium of hybrid electric vehicle(HEV), electric vehicle(EV). Cathode active material is crucial in terms of performance, durability, capacity of lithium secondary batteries. It is urgent to develope the technology for mass production of cathode material to cope with the markets' demands in the near future. In this study, a calcination furnace running in real production line is modelled in 3D, and the thermal flow and gas flow after chemical reaction in the furnace is analyzed through numerical computations. Based on the results, it is shown that large volume of $CO_2$ gas is generated from chemical reaction. High concentration of $CO_2$ gas and it's stagnation is clearly found from the reactant containers in which the reaction occur to the bottom area of the furnace. It is also studied that 15% or more $CO_2$ mol fraction could affect to proper formation of $LiCoO_2$ through TGA-DSC analysis. The solutions to evacuate carbon dioxide from the furnace are suggested through the change of furnace design and operating condition as well.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.49-53
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• 2007

The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is a promising power source for portable applications due to many advantages such as simple construction, compact design, high energy density, and relatively high energy-conversion efficiency. In this work, an electrochemical methanol sensor for monitoring the methanol concentration in direct methanol fuel cells was fabricated using a thin composite nafion membrane as the electrolyte. We have analyzed the I-V characteristic of the fabricated methanol sensor as a function of methanol concentration, catalyst electrode and platinum(Pt) thickness. The fabricated sensor was analyzed by I-V measurement with various methanol concentration. When we measured the sensor characteristics with 10nm Pt and at 1V, the current value was $1.30{\times}10^{-6}A,\;1.96{\times}10^{-6}A\;and\;2.80{\times}10^{-6} A$ for three methanol concentration of 1M, 2M and 3M, respectively. When the methanol concentration was fixed at 2M, the current value of the fabricated device with Pt layers of 5, 10 and 15 nm thickness was $3.06{\times}10^{-6}A,\;1.96{\times}10^{-6}A\;and\;1.00{\times}10^{-6}A$, respectively. These results lead us to the conclusion that when the methanol concentration increases, the output current increases and when the catalyst electrode become thinner, the current increase more. It showed that, the thinner the catalyst electrode, the more electrochemistry become activation.