• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2009

Purpose : A method to estimate a real k-space trajectory based on a circuit model of the gradient system is proposed for spiral imaging. The estimated k-space trajectory instead of the ideal trajectory is used in the reconstruction to improve the image quality in the spiral imaging. Materials and Methods : Since the gradient system has self resistance, capacitance, and inductance, as well as the mutual inductance between the magnet and the gradient coils, the generated gradient fields have delays and transient responses compared to the input waveform to the gradient system. The real gradient fields and their trajectory in k-space play an important role in the reconstruction. In this paper, the gradient system is modeled with R-L-C circuits, and real gradient fields are estimated from the input to the model. An experimental method to determine the model parameters (R, L, C values) is also suggested from the quality of the reconstructed image. Results : The gradient fields are estimated from the circuit model of the gradient system at 1.5 Tesla MRI system. The spiral trajectory obtained by the integration of the estimated gradient fields is used for the reconstruction. From experiments, the reconstructed images using the estimated trajectory show improved uniformity, reduced overshoots near the edges, and enhanced resolutions compared to those using the ideal trajectory without model. Conclusion : The gradient system was successfully modeled by the R-L-C circuits. Much improved reconstruction was achieved in the spiral imaging using the trajectory estimated by the proposed model.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.423-428
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• 2015

Impedancemetric $NO_x$ (NO and $NO_2$) gas sensors were designed with a stacked-layer structure and fabricated using $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and 1) as the receptor material and $Li_{1.3}Al_{0.3}Ti_{1.7}(PO_4)_3$ plates as the solid-electrolyte transducer material. The $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$ layers were prepared with a polymeric precursor method that used ethylene glycol as the solvent, acetyl acetone as the chelating agent, and polyvinylpyrrolidone as the polymer additive. The effects of the Co concentration on the structural, morphological, and $NO_x$ sensing properties of the $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$ powders were investigated with powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and its response to 20~250 ppm of $NO_x$ at $400^{\circ}C$ (for 1 kHz and 0.5 V), respectively. When the as-prepared precursors were calcined at $700^{\circ}C$, only a single phase was detected, which corresponded to a perovskite-type structure. The XRD results showed that as the Co concentration of the $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$powders increased, the crystal structure was transformed from an orthorhombic phase to a rhombohedral phase. Moreover, the $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$ powders with $0{\leq}x<0.8$ had a rhombohedral symmetry. The size of the particles in the $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$powders increased from 0.1 to $0.5{\mu}m$ as the Co concentration increased. The sensing performance of the stack-structured $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3/Li_{1.3}Al_{0.3}Ti_{1.7}(PO_4)_3$ sensors was found to divide the impedance component between the resistance and capacitance. The response of these sensors to NO gas was more sensitive than that to $NO_2$ gas. Compared to other impedancemetric sensors, the $LaCr_{0.8}Co_{0.2}O_3/Li_{1.3}Al_{0.3}Ti_{1.7}(PO_4)_3$ sensor exhibited good reversibility and reliable sensingresponse properties for $NO_x$ gases.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 1999

We developed Fabrication process of embedded passive components in MCM-D substrate. The proposed MCM-D substrate is based on Cu/photosensitive BCB multilayer. The substrate used is Si wafer and Ti/cu metallization is used to form the interconnect layer. Interconnect layers are formed with 1000$\AA$ Ti/3000$\AA$ Cu by sputtering method and 3$\mu\textrm{m}$ Cu by electrical plating method. In order to form the vias in photosensitive BCB layer, the process of BCB and plasma etch using $C_2F_6$ gas were evaluated. The MCM-D substrate is composed of 5 dielectric layers and 4 interconnect layers. Embedded resistors are made with NiCr and implemented on the $2^{nd}$ dielectric layer. The sheet resistance of NiCr is controlled to be about 21 $\Omega$/sq at the thickness of 600$\AA$. The multi-turn sprial inductors are designed in coplanar fashion on the $4^{th}$ interconnect layer with an underpass from the center to outside using the lower $3^{rd}$ interconnect layer. Capacitors are designed and realized between $1^{st}$ interconnect layer and $2^{nd}$ interconnect layer. An important issue in capacitor is the accurate determination of the dielectric thickness. We use the 900$\AA$ thickness of PECVD silicon nitride film as dielectric. Capacitance per unit area is about 88nF/$\textrm {cm}^2$at the thickness of 900$\AA$. The advantage of this integration process is the compatibility with the conventional semiconductor process due to low temperature PECVD silicon nitride process and thermal evaporation NiCr process.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1638-1643
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• 2018

Multi-layer ceramic capacitors as decoupling capacitor were fabricated by dielectric composition with a high dielectric constant. The fabricated decoupling capacitors were embedded in the PCB of the 10G RF transceiver module and evaluated for the characteristics of electrical noise by the level of AC input voltage. In order to further improve the electrical properties of the $BaTiO_3$ based composite, glass frit, MgO, $Y_2O_3$, $Mn_3O$, $V_2O_5$, $BaCO_3$, $SiO_2$, and $Al_2O_3$ were used as additives. The electrical properties of the composites were determined by various amounts of additives and optimum sintering temperature. As a result of the optimized composite, it was possible to obtain a density of $5.77g/cm^3$, a dielectric constant of 1994, and an insulation resistance of $2.91{\times}10^{12}{\Omega}$ at an additive content of 5wt% and a sintering temperature of $1250^{\circ}C$. After forming a $2.5{\mu}m$ green sheet using the doctor blade method, a total of 77 layers were laminated and sintered at $1180^{\circ}C$. A decoupling capacitor with a size of $0.6mm(W){\times}0.3mm(L){\times}0.3mm(T)$ (width, length and thickness, respectively) and a capacitance of 100 nF was embedded using a PCB process for the 10G RF Transceiver modules. In the range of AC input voltage 400mmV @ 500kHz to 2200mV @ 900kHz, the embedded 10G RF Transceiver modules evaluated that it has better electrical performance than the non-embedded modules.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.211-221
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• 2023

This study presents a comprehensive study on the synthesis and characterization of PVI-PGMA/LiTFSI polymeric membrane electrolytes and CxNy-C flexible electrodes for energy storage applications. The dual-functional PVI-PGMA copolymer exhibited excellent ionic conductivity, with the PVI-PGMA73/LiTFSI200 membrane electrolyte achieving the highest conductivity of 1.0 × 10^-3 S cm^-1. The electrochemical performance of the CxNy-C electrodes was systematically investigated, with C3N2-C demonstrating superior performance, achieving the highest specific capacitance of 958 F g^-1 and lowest charge transfer resistance (R_ct) due to its highly interconnected hybrid structure comprising nanowires and polyhedrons, along with binary Co/Ni oxides, which provided abundant redox-active sites and facilitated ion diffusion. The presence of a graphitic carbon shell further contributed to the enhanced electrochemical stability during charge-discharge cycles. These results highlight the potential of PVI-PGMA/LiTFSI polymeric membrane electrolytes and CxNy-C electrodes for advanced energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, paving the way for further advancements in sustainable and high-performance energy storage technologies.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.21-29
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• 2016

In this paper, we developed a flexible transparent capacitive pressure sensor which can recognize X and Y coordinates and the size of force simultaneously by sensing a change in electrical capacitance. The flexible transparent capacitive pressure sensor was composed of 3 layers which were top electrode, pressure sensing layer, and bottom electrode. Silver nanowire(Ag NW)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hybrid film was used for top and bottom flexible transparent electrode. The fabricated capacitive pressure sensor had a total size of 5 inch, and was composed of 11 driving line and 19 sensing line channels. The electrical, optical properties of the Ag NW/PEDOT:PSS and capacitive pressure sensor were investigated respectively. The mechanical flexibility was also investigated by bending tests. Ag NW/PEDOT:PSS exhibited the sheet resistance of $44.1{\Omega}/square$, transmittance of 91.1%, and haze of 1.35%. Notably, the Ag NW/PEDOT:PSS hybrid electrode had a constant resistance change within a bending radius of 3 mm. The bending fatigue tests showed that the Ag NW/PEDOT:PSS could withstand 200,000 bending cycles which indicated the superior flexibility and durability of the hybrid electrode. The flexible transparent capacitive pressure sensor showed the transmittance of 84.1%, and haze of 3.56%. When the capacitive pressure sensor was pressed with the multiple 2 mm-diameter tips, it can well detect the force depending on the applied pressure. This indicated that the capacitive pressure sensor is a promising scheme for next generation flexible transparent touch screens which can provide multi-tasking capabilities through simultaneous multi-touch and multi-force sensing.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.66-78
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• 2014

Objectives : The specificity of acupuncture point has been a highly controversial subject. Existing researches said that ion-distribution differences are observed on the acupuncture point. This study was conducted under the assumption that multiple ionic changes induced by muscle fatigue would be different between the acupuncture point with non-acupuncture point. Methods : To induce the identical fatigue, twenty subjects performed the knee extension/flexion exercise using the Biodex System 3. ST32 and ST33 as well as adjacent non-acupuncture points were selected. We measured blood lactate and analyzed the median frequency(MF) and peak torque. To obtain the information on the extracellular fluid(ECW), intracellular fluid(ICW) and cell membrane indirectly, we used the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis(MF-BIA) method. Results : MF, peak torque and blood lactate level of all measurement sites were gradually returned to normal. Re resistance of ST32 had a stronger response, but a non-acupuncture point adjacent to ST33 had a larger response up to 20 minutes post exercise. Ri resistances were similar for both acupoints and non-acupoints. The $C_m$ capacitance of ST32 had a stronger response after inducing fatigue, but ST33 had a smaller response than a non-acupuncture point adjacent to it. Conclusions : In comparison with before and after inducing fatigue, the specificity of acupuncture points was not clearly observed. Hence, we concluded that the body composition factors extraction method had the limitation as a method of finding the specificity of acupuncture points by inducing fatigue.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2011

Maintenance of adequate soil water potential during the period of crop growth is necessary to support optimum plant growth and yields. A better understanding of soil water movement within and below the rooting zone can facilitate optimal irrigation scheduling aimed at minimizing the adverse effects of water stress on crop growth and development and the leaching of water below the root zone which can have adverse environmental effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a portable irrigation controller with an Watermark sensor for the cultivation of drip-irrigated vegetable crops in a greenhouse. The control capability of the irrigation controller for a soil water potential of -20 kPa was evaluated under summer conditions by cultivating 45-day-old tomato plants grown in three differently textured soils (sandy loam, loam, and loamy sands). Water contents through each soil profile were continuously monitored using three Sentek probes, each consisting of three capacitance sensors at 10, 20, and 30 cm depths. Even though a repeatable cycling of soil water potential occurred for the potential treatment, the lower limit of the Watermark (about 0 kPa) obtained in this study presented a limitation of using the Watermark sensor for optimal irrigation of tomato plants where -20 kPa was used as a point for triggering irrigations. This problem might be related to the slow response time and inadequate soil-sensor interface of the Watermark sensor as compared to a porous and ceramic cup-based tensiometer with a sensitive pressure transducer. In addition, the irrigation time of 50 to 60 min at each of the irrigation operation gave a rapid drop of the potential to zero, resulting in over irrigation of tomatoes. There were differences in water content among the three different soil types under the variable rate irrigation, showing a range of water contents of 16 to 24%, 17 to 28%, and 24 to 32% for loamy sand, sandy loam, and loam soils, respectively. The greatest rate increase in water content was observed in the top of 10 cm depth of sandy loam soil within almost 60 min from the start of irrigation.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.651-662
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• 2022

The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) method was used to evaluate the concrete deterioration process related to chloride-induced steel corrosion with various corrosion levels(initiation, rust propagation and acceleration periods). The impressed current technique, with four total current levels of 0C, 13C, 65C and 130C, was used to accelerate steel corrosion in concrete cylinder samples with w/c ratio of 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6, immersed in a 0.5M NaCl solution. A series of EIS measurements was performed to monitor concrete deterioration during the accelerated corrosion test in this study. Some critical parameters of the equivalent circuit were obtained through the EIS analysis. It was observed that the charge transfer resistance(R_c) dropped sharply as the impressed current increased from 0C to 13C, indicating a value of approximately 10kΩcm². However, the sensitivity of R_c significantly decreased when the impressed current was further increased from 13C to 130C after corrosion of steel had been initiated. Meanwhile, the double-layer capacitance value(C_dl) linearly increased from 50×10^-6μF/cm² to 250×10^-6μF/cm² as the impressed current in creased from 0C to 130C. The results in this study showed that monitoring C_dl is an effective measurement parameter for evaluating the progress of internal concrete damages(de-bonding between steel and concrete, micro-cracks, and surface-breaking cracks) induced by steel corrosion. The findings of this study provide a fundamental basis for developing an embedded sensor and signal interpretation method for monitoring concrete deterioration due to steel corrosion at various corrosion levels.