• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.111-122
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• 2013

Sodium sulfur (NAS) battery is a high energy storage system (ESS). These days, as the use of renewable green energy like wind energy, solar energy and ocean energy is rapidly increasing, the demand of ESS is increasing and NAS battery is considered to be one of the most promising ESS. Since NAS battery has a high energy density(3 times of lead acid battery), long cycle life and no self-charge and discharge, it is a good candidate for ESS. A NAS battery consists of sulfur as the positive electrode, sodium as the negative electrode and ${\beta}$"-alumina as the electrolyte and a separator simultaneously. Since sulfur is an insulator, carbon felt should be used as conductor with sulfur and so the composition and property of the cathode could largely influence the cell performance and life cycle. Therefore, in this paper, the composition of NAS battery, the property of carbon felt and sodium polysulfides ($Na_2S_x$, intermediates of discharge), and the effects of these factors on cycle performance of cells are described in detail.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.214-218
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• 2020

In this study, Mg_xZn_1-xO thin films, which can be applied not only to active layers of light-emitting devices (LEDs), such as UV-LEDs, but also to solar cells, high mobility field-effect transistors, and power semiconductor devices, are fabricated using the sol-gel method. ZnO and Mg_0.3Zn_0.7O solution synthesized by the sol-gel method and the thin film were grown by spin coating on a Si (100) substrate and sapphire substrate. The solutions are synthesized by dissolving precursor materials in 2-methoxyethanol (2-ME) solvent, and then monoethanolamine (MEA) was added to the mixed solution as a sol stabilizer. Zinc acetate dihydrate is used as a ZnO precursor, while Mg nitrate hexahydrate and Mg acetate tetrahydrate are used as an MgO precursor. Then, the optical and structural characteristics of the fabricated thin films are compared. The molar concentration of the Zn precursor in the solvent is fixed at 0.3 M, and the amount of the Mg precursor is 30% of Mg²⁺/Zn²⁺. The optical characteristics are measured using an UV-vis spectrophotometer, and the transmittance of each wavelength is measured. Structural characteristics are measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Composition analyses are performed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The Mg_0.3Zn_0.7O thin film was well formed at the ratio of the Mg precursor added regardless of the type of Mg precursor, and the c-axis of the thin film was decreased, while the band gap was increased to 3.56 eV.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.289-289
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• 2013

While there are plenty of studies on synthesizing semiconducting germanium nanowires (Ge NWs) by vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process, it is difficult to inject dopants into them with uniform dopants distribution due to vapor-solid (VS) deposition. In particular, as precursors and dopants such as germane ($GeH_4$), phosphine ($PH_3$) or diborane ($B_2H_6$) incorporate through sidewall of nanowire, it is hard to obtain the structural and electrical uniformity of Ge NWs. Moreover, the drastic tapered structure of Ge NWs is observed when it is synthesized at high temperature over $400^{\circ}C$ because of excessive VS deposition. In 2006, Emanuel Tutuc et al. demonstrated Ge NW pn junction using p-type shell as depleted layer. However, it could not be prevented from undesirable VS deposition and it still kept the tapered structures of Ge NWs as a result. Herein, we adopt $C_2H_2$ gas in order to passivate Ge NWs with carbon sheath, which makes the entire Ge NWs uniform at even higher temperature over $450^{\circ}C$. We can also synthesize non-tapered and uniformly doped Ge NWs, restricting incorporation of excess germanium on the surface. The Ge NWs with carbon sheath are grown via VLS process on a $Si/SiO_2$ substrate coated 2 nm Au film. Thin Au film is thermally evaporated on a $Si/SiO_2$ substrate. The NW is grown flowing $GeH_4$, HCl, $C_2H_2$ and PH3 for n-type, $B_2H_6$ for p-type at a total pressure of 15 Torr and temperatures of $480{\sim}500^{\circ}C$. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals clear surface of the Ge NWs synthesized at $500^{\circ}C$. Raman spectroscopy peaked at about ~300 $cm^{-1}$ indicates it is comprised of single crystalline germanium in the core of Ge NWs and it is proved to be covered by thin amorphous carbon by two peaks of 1330 $cm^{-1}$ (D-band) and 1590 $cm^{-1}$ (G-band). Furthermore, the electrical performances of Ge NWs doped with boron and phosphorus are measured by field effect transistor (FET) and they shows typical curves of p-type and n-type FET. It is expected to have general potentials for development of logic devices and solar cells using p-type and n-type Ge NWs with carbon sheath.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.151-151
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• 2013

무기물 기반, Si-based 태양전지에 비해 가볍고 저렴하다는 관점에서 유기태양전지에 대한 연구가 진행되고 있다. 유기태양전지는 Si-based 태양전지에 비해 그 효율이 낮다는 점이 문제로 제기되어 왔지만, 억셉터와 도너의 nanocomposite 구조인 bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) 구조가 개발이 되면서 유기물의 짧은 엑시톤(exciton) 거리를 극복할 수 있게 되어 그 효율이 비약적으로 증가되는 결과를 낳았다. 또한 넓은 범위의 파장을 흡수 할 수 있는 작은 band-gap을 갖는 물질이 개발됨으로써 유기 태양전지의 효율은 점차 증가하고 있다. 최근에는 독일 회사인 Heliatek에서 12%가 넘는 유기태양전지를 발표함으로써 유기태양전지가 Si-based 태양전지를 대체할 수 있는 차세대 에너지 공급원으로의 가능성을 충분히 보였다. 이런 유기 태양전지는 하부 투명전극인 인듐주석산화물(ITO)/정공이동층(PEDOT:PSS)/광흡수층/전자이동층(LiF)/낮은 일함수를 갖는 상부전극인 Al 구조의 일반적인 구조; ITO/전자이동층/광흡수층/정공이동층/높은 일함수를 갖는 상부전극(Ag), 전하의 이동방향이 반대인 역구조 태양전지, 두 가지로 분류할 수 있다. 하지만 소자 안정성의 관점에서 일반적인 구조의 태양전지는 ITO/PEDOT:PSS 계면에서의 화학적 불안정성과, 낮을 일함수를 갖는 상부전극이 쉽게 산화되는 등의 문제가 있어 상부전극으로 높은 일함수를 갖는 전극을 사용하는 역구조 태양전지가 더 유리하다. 이러한 역구조 태양전지에서 효율을 높일 수 있는 요인 중 하나는 전자이동층에 있다. 광흡수층에서 형성되어 분리된 전자가 전극으로 이동하기위해서는 전자이동층을 거쳐야 한다. 하지만 이 전자이동층 내에서의 전자 이동속도가 느리다면, 즉 저항이 크다면 광흡수증과의 계면에서 Back electron trasnfer현상으로 재결합이 일어나게 되어 전극으로 도달하는 전자의 양이 줄어들게 되고, 이는 유기태양전지 효율을 낮추는 요인이 된다. 전자이동층 자체의 저항뿐만 아니라, 전자이동층의 표면 거칠기(morphology) 또한 유기 태양전지의 효율을 좌우하는 요인 중 하나이다. 광흡수층과 전자이동층의 계면에서 전자의 이동이 일어나는데, 전자이동층의 표면 거칠기가 크게되면 그 위에 박막으로 형성되는 광흡수층과의 계면저항이 증가하게 되고, 이는 광흡수층에서 전자이동층으로의 원활한 전자이동을 저해함으로써 소자 효율의 감소를 일으키게 된다. 따라서 우리는 전자이동층인 ZnO 박막의 스퍼터링 조건을 변화시킴으로써 ZnO 층의 두께에 따른 광투과도, 전기전도성 변화 및 유기태양전지의 효율변화와, 표면 거칠기에 따른 광변환 효율 변화를 관찰하고자 한다.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2021

This paper produces CdS thin film using ITO glass as substrates. The MDS (Multiplex Deposition Sputter System) was used to produce devices by changing RF power and deposition time. The manufactured specimen was analyzed for its optical properties. The purpose of this paper is to find the fabrication conditions that can be applied to the photo-absorbing layer of solar cells. When RF power was 50W and deposition time was 10 minutes, the thickness was measured at 64Å. At 100W, the thickness was measured at 406Å and at 150 W, the thickness was measured at 889Å. Thin films were found to increase in thickness as RF power increased. As a result of the light transmittance measurement, 550-850nm was observed to have a transmittance of approximately 70% or more when the RF power was 50W, 100W, and 150W. Increasing RF power increased thickness and increased particle size, resulting in increased thin film density, resulting in reduced light transmittance. When RF power was 100W and deposition time was 15 minutes, the band gap was calculated at 3.998eV. When deposition time is 20 minutes, it is 3.987eV, 150W is 3.965eV at 15 minutes, and 3.831eV at 20 minutes. It was measured that the band gap decreased as the RF power increased. At XRD analysis, diffraction peaks at 2Θ=26.44 could be observed regardless of changes in RF power and deposition time. The FWHM was shown to decrease with increasing deposition time. And it was measured that the particle size increased as RF power was constant and deposition time was increased.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.531-540
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• 2019

Hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanosilica and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a coupling agent was used to form a coarse spike structure as well as an excellent reactive hydroxyl groups on the glass surface. Then, a second treatment was carried out using a trichloro-(1H,1H,2H,2H)perfluorooctylsilane(TPFOS) solution for ultimate water repellent glass surface formation. The formation of hydrophobic coating layer on glass surface using silica aerosol, which is hydrophobic nanosilica, was not able to form a durable hydrophobic coating layer due to the absence of reactive -OH groups on the surface of nanosilica. On the other hand, a glass surface was first coated with a coating liquid prepared with hydrophilic hydroxyl group-containing nanosilica and hydrolyzed TEOS, and then coated with a TPFOS solution to introduce a hydrophobic surface on glass having a water contact angle of $150^{\circ}$ or more. The sliding angle of the coated glass was less than $1^{\circ}$, which meant the surface had a super water-repellent property. In addition, as the content of hydrophilic nanosilica increased, the optical transmittance decreased and the optical transmittance also decreased after 2nd coating with the TPFOS solution. The super-hydrophobic property of the coated glass was remained up to 50 times of rubbing durability test, but only hydrophobic property was shown after 200 times of rubbing durability test. Conclusively, the optimal coating conditions was double 1st coatings with the HP3 coating solution having a hydrophilic nanosilica content of 0.3 g, and subsequent 2nd coating with the TPFOS solution. It is believed that the coating solution thus prepared can be used as a surface treatment agent for solar cells where light transmittance is also important.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2014.10a
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• pp.581-584
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• 2014

In this paper, a micro-scale photovoltaic(PV) energy harvesting system is proposed where an MPPT(Maximum Power Point Tracking) control is implemented using an energy distribution technique. Miniature PV cells output very low energy and low voltages, and thus, they cannot be used to directly power the MPPT controller. In the proposed system, a start-up circuit boosts an internal Vcp, and the boosted Vcp is used to operate the internal MPPT control block. When the Vcp reaches a predefined value, a detector circuit makes the start-up block turn off and provide a power converter with the energy from the PV cell. When the Vcp decreases such that the MPPT controller can not be operated, the energy transferred to the power converter is blocked and the start-up circuit is reactivated. In this way, the MPPT function is achieved by alternately operating the start-up circuit and the power converter using the energy distribution technique, and the harvested energy is transferred to a load through a PMU(Power Management Unit). The proposed circuit is designed in a 0.35um CMOS process and its functionality has been verified through extensive simulations. The designed chip area including pads is $1430um{\times}1110um$.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2021

In order to produce wearable displays with high adhesion while maintaining flexible characteristics, the adhesive method using electro plating method was carried out. Laser lift-off (LLO) transcription was also used to remove sapphire substrates from LEDs bonded to fibers. Afterwards, the SEM and EDS data of the sample, which conducted the adhesion method using electro plating, confirmed that copper actually grows through the lattice of the fiber fabric to secure the light source and fiber. The adhesion characteristics of copper were checked using Universal testing machine (UTM). After plating adhesion, the characteristics of the LLO transcription process completed and the LED without the transcription process were compared using probe station. The electroluminescence (EL) according to the enhanced current was measured to check the characteristics of the light source after the process. As the current increases, the temperature rises and the bandgap decreases, so it was confirmed that the spectrum shifted. In addition, the change in the electrical characteristics of the samples according to the radius change is confirmed using probe station. The radius strain also had mechanical strength that copper could withstand bending stress, so the Vf variation was measured below 6%. Based on these results, it is expected that it will be applied to batteries, catalysts, and solar cells that require flexibility as well as wearable displays, contributing to the development of wearable devices.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.556-561
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• 2020

The aging and declining agricultural population in the modern society requires improvement of the agricultural environment and is one of the representative problems. And since most of the work systems always require a transport work, the ratio of labor consumed in the transport work is very high. Accordingly, many types of transport vehicles are being developed and sold, and in the early days, most of them are powered transport vehicles using fossil fuels. However, it is paying attention to next-generation eco-friendly energy such as hydrogen, fuel cells, solar power, and bio due to the strengthening of international environmental regulations such as global warming and the Convention on Climate Change and the depletion of fossil fuels. Therefore, in this study, the ultimate goal is to develop an eco-friendly, easy-to-operate, safe agricultural electric vehicle that replaces fossil fuels. It was designed with a focus on controlling a wide range of vehicle speeds and securing stability of electric agricultural vehicles. Considering the performance and design, it is composed of a frame, a driving part, a steering part, and a controller system, and we are going to review and manufacture each part. It is believed that the manufactured electric vehicle for agriculture can be easily and conveniently operated in an agricultural society where young manpower is scarce, and can be helpful to the agricultural society through high efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1124-1128
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• 2021

As regulations of emissions from ships become more stringent, electric propulsion systems have been increasingly used to solve this problem in vessels ranging from large merchant ships to small and medium-sized ships. Methods for improving the efficiency of the electric propulsion system include the improvement of power sources; the use of a system linked to environmentally friendly power sources, such as batteries, fuel cells, and solar power; and the development of hardware and control methodology for rectifiers, power conversion devices, and propulsion motors. The method using a phase-shifting transformer with diodes has been widely used for rectification. Power semiconductor devices with grid connection to an environmentally friendly power source using DC distribution, a variable speed power source, and the application of small and medium-sized electric propulsion systems have been developed. Accordingly, the demand for active front-end (AFE) rectifiers is increasing. In this study, a method using a neural network rather than a conventional proportional-integral controller was proposed to control the AFE rectifier. Tested controller data were used to design a neural network controller trained through MATLAB/Simulink. The neural network controller was applied to a rectification system designed using PSIM software. The results indicated the effectiveness of improving the waveform and power factor DC output stage according to the load variation. The proposed system can be applied as a rectification system for small and medium-sized environmentally friendly ships.