• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.320-320
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• 2014

Amorphous silicon alloy (a-Si) solar cells and modules have been receiving a great deal of attention as a low-cost alternate energy source for large-scale terrestrial applications. Key to the achievement of high-efficiency solar cells using the multi-junction approach is the development of high quality, low band-gap materials which can capture the low-energy photons of the solar spectrum. Several cell designs have been reported in the past where grading or buffer layers have been incorporated at the junction interface to reduce carrier recombination near the junction. We have investigated profiling the composition of the a-SiGe alloy throughout the bulk of the intrinsic material so as to have a built-in electrical field in a substantial portion of the intrinsic material. As a result, the band gap mismatch between a-Si:H and $a-Si_{1-x}Ge_x:H$ creates a barrier for carrier transport. Previous reports have proposed a graded band gap structure in the absorber layer not only effectively increases the short wavelength absorption near the p/i interface, but also enhances the hole transport near the i-n interface. Here, we modulated the GeH4 flow rate to control the band gap to be graded from 1.75 eV (a-Si:H) to 1.55 eV ($a-Si_{1-x}Ge_x:H$). The band structure in the absorber layer thus became like a U-shape in which the lowest band gap was located in the middle of the i-layer. Incorporation of this structure in the middle and top cell of the triple-cell configuration is expected to increase the conversion efficiency further.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.37C no.12
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• pp.1328-1336
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• 2012

Compared to terrestrial RF communications, underwater acoustic communications have several limitations such as limited bandwidth, high level of fading effects, and a large underwater propagation delay. In this paper, in order to tackle those limitations of underwater communications and to make it possible to form a large underwater monitoring systems, we propose a hierarchical underwater network architecture, which consists of underwater sensors, clusterheads, underwater/surface sink nodes, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). In the proposed architecture, for the maximization of packet delivery ratio and the minimization of underwater sensor's energy consumption, a hybrid routing protocol is used. More specifically, cluster members use Tree based routing to transmit sensing data to clusterheads. AUVs on optimal trajectory movements collect the aggregated data from clusterhead and finally forward the data to the sink node. Also, in order to minimize the maximum travel distance of AUVs, an Integer Linear Programming based algorithm is employed. Performance analysis through simulations shows that the proposed architecture can achieve a higher data delivery ratio and lower energy consumption than existing routing schemes such as gradient based routing and geographical forwarding. Start after striking space key 2 times.

• Clean Technology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.269-274
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• 2018

In this study, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of wet tissue manufacturing process was performed. The wet tissue manufacturing process consists of preparation of wetting agent (chemical liquid), impregnation of nonwoven fabric into wetting agent and primary and secondary packaging. Data and information were collected on the input and output of the actual process from a certain company and the database of the Korea Ministry of Environment and some foreign countries (when Korean unavailable) were employed to connect the upper and the lower process flow. Based on the above and the potential environmental impacts of the wet tissue manufacturing process were calculated. As a result of the characterization, Ozone Layer Depletion (OD) is 3.46.E-06 kg $CFC_{11}$, Acidification (AD) is 5.11.E-01 kg $SO_2$, Abiotic Resource Depletion (ARD) is $3.52.E+00\;1yr^{-1}$, Global Warming (GW) is 1.04.E+02 kg $CO_2$, Eutrophication (EUT) is 2.31.E-02 kg ${PO_4}^{3-}$, Photochemical Oxide Creation (POC) was 2.22.E-02 kg $C_2H_4$, Human Toxicity (HT) was 1.55.E+00 kg 1,4 DCB and Terrestrial Ecotoxicity (ET) was 5.82.E-04 kg 1,4 DCB. In order to reduce the environmental impact of the manufacturing process, it is necessary to improve the overall process as other general cases and change the raw materials including packaging materials with less environmental impact. Conclusively, the energy consumed in the manufacturing process has emerged as a major issue, and this needs to be reconsidered other options such as alternative energy. Therefore, it is recommended that a process system should be redesigned to improve energy efficiency and to change to an energy source with lower environmental impact. Due to the nature of LCA, the final results of this study can be varied to some extent depending on the type of LCI DB employed and may not represent of all wet tissue manufacturing processes in the current industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.23-27
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• 2008

The new conjunctive surface-subsurface flow model at a large scale was developed by using a 1-D Diffusion Wave (DW) model for surface flow interacting with the 3-D Volume Averaged Soil-moisture Transport (VAST) model for subsurface flow for the comprehensive terrestrial water and energy predictions in Land Surface Models (LSMs). A selection of numerical implementation schemes is employed for each flow component. The 3-D VAST model is implemented using a time splitting scheme applying an explicit method for lateral flow after a fully implicit method for vertical flow. The 1-D DW model is then solved by MacCormack finite difference scheme. This new conjunctive flow model is substituted for the existing 1-D hydrologic scheme in Common Land Model (CLM), one of the state-of-the-art LSMs. The new conjunctive flow model coupled to CLM is tested for a study domain around the Ohio Valley. The simulation results show that the interaction between surface flow and subsurface flow associated with the flow routing scheme matches the runoff prediction with the observations more closely in the new coupled CLM simulations. This improved terrestrial hydrologic module will be coupled to the Climate extension of the next-generation Weather Research and Forecasting (CWRF) model for advanced regional, continental, and global hydroclimatological studies and the prevention of disasters caused by climate changes.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.348-356
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• 2016

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) gases concentration in atmosphere has been growing since preindustrial times. By sequestering a large amount of atmospheric carbon (C), terrestrial ecosystems are thought to offer a mitigation strategy for reducing global warming. Woody agro-ecosystems such as fruit tree are among the least quantified and most uncertain elements in the terrestrial carbon cycle. $CO_2$ and energy fluxes were measured by the eddy covariance method on a 15-year old apple orchard of South Korea in 2006. Environmental parameters (net radiation, precipitation, etc.) were measured along with fluxes. The results showed that during late June, the ability to sequestrate C was significant at an apple orchard ecosystem and it reached on the peak of $-6.5g\;C\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$. We found that in the apple orchard, the daily average of net ecosystem exchange of $CO_2$ (NEE) and cumulative NEE on a yearly basis were $-1.1g\;C\;m^{-2}$ and $-396.9g\;C\;m^{-2}$, respectively. These results reveal that there is high carbon sequestration in the apple orchard of South Korea, which is the same magnitude with repect to that of a natural forested ecosystem of the same biome rank (temperate-humid deciduous forest).

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.272-281
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• 2023

Ecosystem observatories are burgeoning globally in an endeavour to detect national and global scale trends in the state of biodiversity and ecosystems in an era of rapid environmental change. In this paper we highlight the additional importance of regional scale outcomes of such infrastructure, through an introduction to the Great Western Woodlands TERN (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network) SuperSite, and key findings from three gradient plot networks that are part of this infrastructure. The SuperSite was established in 2012 in the 160,000 km² Great Western Woodlands region, in a collaboration involving 12 organisations. This region is globally significant for its largely intact, diverse landscapes, including the world's largest Mediterranean-climate woodlands and highly diverse sandplain shrublands. The dominant woodland eucalypts are fire-sensitive, requiring hundreds of years to regrow after fire. Old-growth woodlands are highly valued by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and managing impacts of climate change and the increasing extent of intense fires are key regional management challenges. Like other TERN SuperSites, the Great Western Woodlands TERN SuperSite includes a core eddy-covariance flux tower measuring exchanges of carbon, water and energy between the vegetation and atmosphere, along with additional environmental and biodiversity monitoring around the tower. The broader SuperSite incorporates three gradient plot networks. Two of these represent aridity gradients, in sandplains and woodlands, informing regional climate adaptation and biodiversity management by characterising biodiversity turnover along spatial climate gradients and acting as sentinels for ecosystem change over time. For example, the sandplains transect has demonstrated extremely high spatial turnover rates in plant species, that challenge traditional approaches to biodiversity conservation. The third gradient plot network represents a 400-year fire-age gradient in Eucalyptus salubris woodlands. It has enabled characterisation of post-fire recovery of vegetation, birds and invertebrates over multi-century timeframes, and provided tools that are directly informing management to reduce stand-replacing fires in eucalypt woodlands. By building regional partnerships and applying globally or nationally consistent methodologies to regional scale questions, ecological observatories have the power not only to detect national and global scale trends in biodiversity and ecosystems, but to directly inform environmental decisions that are critical at regional scales.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2011

High resolution seismic profiles (chirp and sparker system) were analyzed for the interpretation of nearshore sedimentary environments of Suyeong Bay, Busan. The sedimentary sequence is classified into three seismic units (SU1a, SU1b, and SU2), overlying acoustic basement, and each units can be defined as erosional and disconformable strata. The lowermost SU1a is characterized by the acoustically parallel and prolonged inner reflections, compared with the upper SU1b displays irregular internal reflectors. The uppermost unit, SU2, is acoustically transparent. The acoustic basement is incised with channels, probably due to the active erosion during the early period of transgression. The acoustic basement deepens eastward in the study area, suggesting primary association with the Suyeong River. The upper SU1a and SU1b units constitute lowland-fill strata. SU2 is widely distributed over the study area. High resolution seismic profiles of Suyeong Bay provide significant information crucial to the interpretation of sedimentary environmental history, which is closely related to the sea level change, estuarine environment and influx of terrestrial sediments from the adjacent rivers.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.236-245
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• 2016

Because microalgae represent high growth rate than terrestrial plants, and it can accumulate significant lipid and carbohydrate content, and other bioactive compounds such as carotenoid and polyphenol in their body, it has been considered as one of the promising resources in bio-energy, and other industries. Although many studies has been performed about the microalgae-derived biochemical accumulation under various abiotic conditions such as different temperatures, salinities and light intensities, the studies about simultaneous effect of those parameters has rarely been performed. Therefore, this study focused on evaluation of simultaneous effect of different salinity (10, 30, 50 psu) and temperatures (20, 25, $30^{\circ}C$) on the changes of biomass, lipid, starch and photosynthetic pigment accumulation. As results, the highest growth rate was achieved at $30^{\circ}C$ and 30 psu in the both algal cultures, and the photosynthetic pigment, chlorophyll a and total carotenoid content, were increased in a temperature-dependent manner. The accumulation of lipid and starch contents exhibited different aspects under different combinations of temperature and salinity. From the results, it is suggested that the changes of microalgal lipid and starch accumulation under different salinities may be affected by the different temperatures.

• Atmosphere
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.53-66
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to describe the roles of carbon dioxide in the climate change, and carbon dioxide reduction policies in some countries. In addition, ways to cope with climate change in Korea are also discussed. Currently, global temperatures are rising due to the carbon dioxide produced by human beings. Global temperatures will rise approximately $6^{\circ}C$ until 2100 if we emit carbon dioxide at a present rate. Temperature rise will affect the terrestrial and oceanic resources, and ultimately influence the socio-economic structures including political stability. Most of the carbon dioxide comes from fossil fuels. Therefore, it is urgent to reduce the use of energy, which comes from fossil fuels. Solving the climate change due to the increases in carbon dioxide is a global problem. Korea should participate in the international community and cooperate with each other in order to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration. No policy was announced for the reduction of carbon dioxide so far. Korea should make a policy for the reduction of carbon dioxide in a specific year compared to that of certain standard year such as 1990 or 2005. Making policy should be based on the scientific result of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted and absorbed. Germanwatch announced the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) in order to evaluate an effort to reduce the carbon dioxide for 56 countries which emits 90 % of global carbon dioxide. Ranking for Korea is 51 among 56 countries. This clearly indicates that the appropriate carbon dioxide reduction has not been exercised yet in Korea. Researchers have a moral responsibility to provide updated new ideas and knowledges regarding climate change. Politicians should have a sharp insight to judge the ideas provided by researchers. People need an ethics to reduce the carbon dioxide in every day's life. Scientific research should not be influenced by stress caused by external budget and negative impact of capitalism. Science should be based on the pure curiosity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1261-1271
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• 2020

Cytochrome c_L (Cytc_L) is an essential protein in the process of methanol oxidation in methylotrophs. It receives an electron from the pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) cofactor of methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) to produce formaldehyde. The direct electron transfer mechanism between Cytc_L and MDH remains unknown due to the lack of structural information. To help gain a better understanding of the mechanism, we determined the first crystal structure of heme c containing Cytc_L from the aquatic methylotrophic bacterium Methylophaga aminisulfidivorans MP^T at 2.13 Å resolution. The crystal structure of Ma-Cytc_L revealed its unique features compared to those of the terrestrial homologues. Apart from Fe in heme, three additional metal ion binding sites for Na⁺, Ca⁺, and Fe²⁺ were found, wherein the ions mostly formed coordination bonds with the amino acid residues on the loop (G93-Y111) that interacts with heme. Therefore, these ions seemed to enhance the stability of heme insertion by increasing the loop's steadiness. The basic N-terminal end, together with helix α4 and loop (G126 to Y136), contributed positive charge to the region. In contrast, the acidic C-terminal end provided a negatively charged surface, yielding several electrostatic contact points with partner proteins for electron transfer. These exceptional features of Ma-Cytc_L, along with the structural information of MDH, led us to hypothesize the need for an adapter protein bridging MDH to Cytc_L within appropriate proximity for electron transfer. With this knowledge in mind, the methanol oxidation complex reconstitution in vitro could be utilized to produce metabolic intermediates at the industry level.