• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.343-352
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• 2007

This paper proposes a modularized charge equalization converter for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) lithium-ion battery cells, in which the intra-module and the inter-module equalizer are Implemented. Considering the high voltage HEV battery pack, over approximately 300V, the proposed equalization circuit modularizes the entire $M^*N$ cells; in other words, M modules in the string and N cells in each module. With this modularization, low voltage stress on all the electronic devices, below roughly 64V, can be obtained. In the intra-module equalization, a current-fed DC/DC converter with cell selection switches is employed. By conducting these selection switches, concentrated charging of the specific under charged cells can be performed. On the other hand, the inter-module equalizer makes use of a voltage-fed DC/DC converter for bi-directional equalization. In the proposed circuit, these two converters can share the MOSFET switch so that low cost and small size can be achieved. In addition, the absence of any additional reset circuitry in the inter-module equalizer allows for further size reduction, concurrently conducting the multiple cell selection switches allows for shorter equalization time, and employing the optimal power rating design rule allows fur high power density to be obtained. Experimental results of an implemented prototype show that the proposed equalization scheme has the promised cell balancing performance for the 7Ah HEV lithium-ion battery string while maintaining low voltage stress, low cost, small size, and short equalization time.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1143-1150
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate of aerobic granulation by using sequencing batch reactor(SBR). To make aerobic granular sludge in short period of time, we used polymer. In case of SBR, we have studied on physicochemical characteristics of particle size, settling velocity, surface charge, and specific oxygen utilization rate(SOUR) depending on aerobic particle's formation. The results of running SBR with $5.4kg{\cdot}COD/m^3{\cdot}d$ of COD loading rate and 20 days reaction time showed that aerobic particle size, settling velocity, SOUR, surface charge, polysaccharide/protein(PS/PN) ratio were 2.6 mm, 1.7 cm/s, $346mg{\cdot}O_2/g{\cdot}MLVSS{\cdot}hr,\;(-)0.26{\cdot}meq/g{\cdot}MLVSS$, and 2.06 mg/mg respectively.

• Advances in Energy Research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.219-226
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• 2017

Electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) have received a tremendous interest due to their suitability for diverse applications. They have been fabricated using different carbon based electrodes including activated carbons, single walled/multi walled carbon nano tubes. But, graphite which is one of the natural resources in Sri Lanka has not been given a considerable attention towards using for EDLCs though it is a famous carbon material. On the other hand, EDLCs are well reported with various liquid electrolytes which are associated with numerous drawbacks. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPE) are well known alternative for liquid electrolytes. In this paper, it is reported about an EDLC fabricated with a nano composite polyethylene oxide based GPE and two Sri Lankan graphite based electrodes. The composition of the GPE was [{(10PEO: $NaClO_4$) molar ratio}: 75wt.% PC] : 5 wt.% $TiO_2$. GPE was prepared using the solvent casting method. Two graphite electrodes were prepared by mixing 85% graphite and 15% polyvinylidenefluoride (PVdF) in acetone and casting n fluorine doped tin oxide glass plates. GPE film was sandwiched in between the two graphite electrodes. A non faradaic charge discharge mechanism was observed from the Cyclic Voltammetry study. GPE was stable in the potential windows from (-0.8 V-0.8 V) to (-1.5 V-1.5 V). By increasing the width of the potential window, single electrode specific capacity increased. Impedance plots confirmed the capacitive behavior at low frequency region. Galvanostatic charge discharge test yielded an average discharge capacity of $0.60Fg^{-1}$.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.1085-1089
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• 2003

In the present study effects of SnO$_2$-impregnation on the cell performance of Mesocarbon Microbeads (MCMB) electrode in the Li-ion battery have been investigated. Sn element was impreganted into MCMB powders by the chemical titration, and then post annealed at 250$^{\circ}C$ for 1 h in ambient atmosphere to be transformed as tin-oxide. From the measurement for the cell performance with the half cell in which the SnO$_2$-impregnated MCMB was used as an anode, the SnO$_2$-impregnated MCMB showed higher charge/discharge capacities, higher reversible specific charge capacity and better cycleability than a raw MCMB. As the amount of impregnated SnO$_2$ increased, both reversible and irreversible capacities increased.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.710-718
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• 2021

Recently, due to high theoretical capacitance and excellent ion diffusion rate caused by the 2D layered crystal structure, transition metal hydroxides (TMHs) have generated considerable attention as active materials in supercapacitors (or electrochemical capacitors). However, TMHs should be designed using morphological or structural modification if they are to be used as active materials in supercapacitors, because they have insulation properties that induce low charge transfer rate. This study aims to modify the morphological structure for high cycling stability and fast charge storage kinetics of TMHs through the use of nickel cobalt hydroxide [NiCo(OH)₂] decorated on nickel foam. Among the samples used, needle-like NiCo(OH)₂ decorated on nickel foam offers a high specific capacitance (1110.9 F/g at current density of 0.5 A/g) with good rate capability (1110.9 - 746.7 F/g at current densities of 0.5 - 10.0 A/g). Moreover, at a high current density (10.0 A/g), a remarkable capacitance (713.8 F/g) and capacitance retention of 95.6% after 5000 cycles are noted. These results are attributed to high charge storage sites of needle-like NiCo(OH)₂ and uniformly grown NiCo(OH)₂ on nickel foam surface.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.110-116
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• 1981

Soil surface charge which manipulates some important soil physico-chemical properties such as nutrient and water holding abilities, colloidal stability and soil erosion was investigated in wide range of soil pH, using soils developed originally from same volcanic ash deposit but under different rainfall condition in Hawaii. The results can be summarized as follows : 1. Ustollic Camorthid (Kawaihae soil) which was developed under the lowest rainfall (less than 500 mm/yr) revealed low Z.P.C. (4.5-5.0) and less dependence of net charge on concentration of indifferent electrolytes. 2. Typic Hydrandepts (Akaka and Hilo soils) which were developed under the high rainfall (3050-7600 mm/yr) showed the Z.P.C. in between 5.5-7.0 and high dependence of net charge on concentration of indifferent electroytes. 3. It was found by X-ray diffraction together with total chemical analysis that amorphous materials were dominant (above 6.0%) in Typic Hydrandepts while dehydrated halloy-site (1 : 1 clay minerals) was dominant (45-50%) in Ustollic Camorthid. 4. In spite of little difference in particle size distribution of the soils, the difference of specific surface area was remarkable showing the order of Akaka (289) > Hilo (268) > Kawaihae (93). 5. It was evident, taking account of apparent field pH values, 5.2 of Akaka, 5.5 of Hilo and 7.0 of Kawaihae soil, respectively, that Akaka, and Hilo soils would show either positive or near zero (+ or 0) of ${\Delta}pH$ while Kawaihae soil would exhibit negative (-) of ${\Delta}pH$ at natural field condition.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.566-571
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• 2010

This paper describes the sorption behaviors of aqueous uranium ions on the K-birnessite. K-birnessite was synthesized by adding a concentrated HCl to an aqueous solution of $KMnO_4$. Physicochemical characteristics of the K-birnessite, such as structure, specific surface area and surface charge, were investigated. K-birnessite is a layered material and the $K^+$ ions exist in the interlayer of layered K-birnessite. BET specific surface area of the K-birnessite was 38.30 m2/g. The surface charge of K-birnessite was $-1.65\;C/m^2$ at pH 5.00 and ionic strength of 0.010 M $NaClO_4$, at which the sorption experiments of uranium ions were carried out. Uranium ions were incorporated into the interlayer of the K-birnessite by cation-exchange reaction with $K^+$ ions, and the distribution coefficient is quite similar to those of common ion-exchange materials. The results might be applicable in the retardation of migration of radioactive materials from the underground disposal site of high-level radioactive waste.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.107-112
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• 2006

Si-C composites were prepared by the carbonization of silicon powder covered by polyaniline(PAn). Physical and electrochemical properties of the Si-C composites were characterized by the particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscope, and electrochemical test of battery. The average particle size of the Si was increased by the coating of PAn and somewhat reduced by the carbonization to give silicone-carbon composites. XRD analysis' results were confirmed co-existence of crystalline silicon and amorphous-like carbon. SEM photos showed that the silicon particle were well covered with carbonacious materials depend on the PAn content. Si-C|Li cells were fabricated using the Si-C composites and were tested using the galvanostatic charge-discharge test. Si-C|Li cells gave better electrochemical properties than that of Si|Li cell. Si-C|Li cell using the Si-C from HCl undoped PAn Precursor showed better electrochemical properties than that from HCl doped PAn Precursor. Using the electrolyte containing FEC as an additive, the initial discharge capacity was increased. After that the galvanostatic charge-discharge test with the GISOC(gradual increasing of the state of charge) condition was carried out. Si-C(Si:PAn:50:50 wt. ratio)|Li cell showed 414 mAh/g of the reversible specific capacity, 75.7% of IIE(initial intercalation efficiency), 35.4 mAh/g of IICs(surface irreversible specific capacity).

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.394-401
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• 2022

Two polymer precursors, polyvinylidene chloride-resin (PVDC-resin) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), are assembled into the microporous carbon by pyrolysis. Microporous carbon is advantageous as an electrode for supercapacitors that store electric charges through ion adsorption/desorption. The pyrolysis also turns the various heteroatoms of two precursors into functional groups, contributing to the additional charge storage. The analysis of the porous structure and function group during carbonization are important to develop the carbon for energy storage. Here, we analyzed the functional groups of two polymer-derived carbons through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of the functional groups were explored in various pH electrolytes. The specific capacitance of two carbons in the acidic electrolyte (1 M H₂SO₄) was improved compared to that in the neutral electrolyte (0.5 M Na₂SO₄) due to the faradaic charge/discharge reaction of the quinone functional group. In particular, the carbon electrode derived from PVDC-resin exhibits a lower capacity than the carbon from PVDF due to the small micropores. In the alkaline electrolyte (6 M KOH), the highest specific capacitance and rate capability were obtained among the three electrolytes for both electrodes based on the facile adsorption of the constituent electrolyte ions (K⁺, OH^-).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.367-374
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• 2018

RNA interference provides an effective tool for developing antitumor therapies. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are delivery vectors widely used to efficiently transport small-interfering RNA (siRNA) to intracellular targets. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of the cancer-specific CPP carrier BR2 to specifically transport siRNA to cancer-target cells. Our results showed that BR2 formed a complex with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor siRNA (siVEGF) that exhibited the appropriate size and surface charge for in vivo treatment. Additionally, the BR2-VEGF siRNA complex exhibited significant serum stability and high levels of gene-silencing effects in vitro. Moreover, the transfection efficiency of the complex into a cancer cell line was higher than that observed in non-cancer cell lines, resulting in downregulated intracellular VEGF levels in HeLa cells and comprehensively improved antitumor efficacy in the absence of significant toxicity. These results indicated that BR2 has significant potential for the safe, efficient, and specific delivery of siRNA for diverse applications.