• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 2010

Anaerobic digestion has been widely used for the treatment of sludge, which is generated from the municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, for its volume reduction and methane production. Many researches on sludge pre-treatment have been carried out in order to enhance the performance of anaerobic digestion by increasing the hydrolysis of sludge which is the rate limiting step of anaerobic digestion. In this study, the effect of pre-treatment on sludge hydrolysis(solubilization), methane production and sludge reduction by anaerobic digestion after thermal, ultrasonic, and thermal-alkali sludge treatment were compared. Thermal-alkali treatment showed 67 and 70% solubilization with municipal and industrial wastewater sludge, respectively, while ultrasonic treatment and thermal treatment gave similar solubilization efficiency of 40% or more. Methane content of the anaerobic digestion gas reached 45~70% and pretreated sludge gave higher methane content than the control sludge. Methane production of thermal, ultrasonic, and thermal-alkali pre-treatment gave 2.6, 2.7, 3.5 times of municipal control sludge and 3.5, 4.1, 4.2 times of industrial control sludge, respectively. Sludge reduction of pre-treated sludge after anaerobic digestion gave 5~19% point higher than that of control sludge, and thermal-alkali treatment showed higher reduction efficiency than thermal and ultrasonic treatment. The results proved that pre-treatment contributed significantly not only for the methane production but also for the cost reduction of sludge treatment and disposal, and thermal-alkali treatment gave the best performance for the sludge treatment.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.1038-1048
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• 2022

Ultrasound is one of the effective methods for skin treatment. The skin penetration depth of the ultrasound depends on the ultrasonic frequency, that is, when the ultrasonic frequency is high, the depth is shallow. We have developed a transducer which can generate effectively 3 different ultrasonic frequencies removing interference between 3 types of frequencies according to impedance matching technology. The generated powers of transducer are 40.67W at 3.MHz, 17.46W at 11.7 MHz, and 14.79W at 21.5 MHz. The signal interference between the three frequencies is designed so that they do not interfere with each other by separating the signals using the SPDT (Single Pole, Double Throw) switch. The developed hybrid ultrasound transducer can be applied in skin care or skin treatment and beauty therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1115-1119
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• 2014

In this article, a 20 kHz ultrasonic waveguide for nano-surface treatment was designed and manufactured. When designing the system, finite element analysis with ANSYS software was performed to find optimal dimensions of the waveguide, which can raise energy efficiency. Consequently an anti-resonance frequency of an Al waveguide with a piezoelectric actuator was 20 kHz, which predicted the experimentally obtained value of 18 kHz well. For the assessment of the performance, Steel Use Stainless (SUS) 304 and chromium molybdenum steel (SCM) 435 specimens were tested. Cross-sectional microscopies of SUS304 were taken and they showed that the treated thickness was $30{\mu}m$. Additionally, hardness tests of SCM435 were done and the hardness before the process was 14.0 Rockwell Hardness-C scale (HRC) and after the process was 20.5 HRC, respectively, which means 46% increase. Considering these results, the developed ultrasonic system is thought to be effective in the nano-surface treatment process.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.803-807
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• 2008

A making process of DSC(dye sensitized solar cell) was presented. In general, Photo electrodes of DSC was made by using colloid paste of nano $TiO_2$ and processing of Doctor-blade printing and high temperature sintering for porous structure. These methods lead to cracks on $TiO_2$ surface and ununiform of $TiO_2$ thickness. This phenomenon is one factor that makes low efficiency to cells. After $TiO_2$ printing on TCO glass, a physical vibration was adapted for reducing ununiform of $TiO_2$ thickness. And a thermal treatment at low temperature(under $75^{\circ}C$) was adapted for reducing cracks on $TiO_2$ surface. In this paper, we have designed and manufactured an ultrasonic circuit (100W, frequency and duty variable) and a thermal equipment. Then, we have optimized forcing time, frequency and duty of ultrasonic irradiation and thermal heating for surface treatment of photo-electrode of DSC. In I-V characteristic test of DSC, ultrasonic and thermal treated DSC shows 19% improved its efficiency against monolithic DSC. And it shows stability of light-harvesting from drastically change of light irradiation test.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2014

Many techniques are available for destructive and nondestructive measurement of mechanical hardness. The ultrasonic method could be widely applicable as a nondestructive technique. Many studies have examined how changes in the mechanical hardness affect the longitudinal velocity of ultrasonic waves. This approach aims to estimate the overall velocity variations in specimens. However, proper nondestructive examination techniques are needed as effective tools for analyzing the effects of heat treatment on the surface of the specimens. Therefore, in this study, the effect on the hardness of piston rods was nondestructively measured using surface ultrasonic waves. The hardness after heat treatment was investigated at various depths in the specimens, and the velocity of the surface ultrasonic waves was measured with respect to the hardness of the piston rods. In addition, finite element method simulations were performed to confirm the behavior of the waves.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 2023

Background: Recently, a piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler based on a feedback control mechanism was introduced for pain relief. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a new ultrasonic scaler in reducing pain and discomfort in adults. Methods: A newly introduced ultrasonic scaler (Master 700^®) was used as the test device and a conventional ultrasonic scaler device (PIEZON^®) was used as the control device. Forty-one healthy adults visited the dental clinic for dental scaling but did not undergo scaling or periodontal treatment within 6 months. Intraoral examinations were performed before scaling and 3 months later; before scaling, both devices were randomly assigned on the left or right side of each dentition (split-mouth model) and scaling was performed by a registered dental hygienist. The levels of pain and discomfort during scaling were evaluated subjectively and objectively using the visual analog scale (VAS) and physiological monitoring of the heart rate (HR), respectively. Time was measured for each device. Results: All clinical indicators, except bleeding on probing, significantly improved with both devices. The treatment times were 7 minutes, 13 minutes (control) and 6 minutes, 59 minutes (test). VAS scores for pain were 4.89±2.12 (control) and 4.58±2.77 (test) points out of 10; for noise, these were 4.68±2.33 (control) and 4.55±2.55 (test), and for vibration, the values were 4.26±2.0 (control) and 4.18±2.48 (test). HR averages were 72.34±3.39 (control) and 75.97±9.78 (test) beats/min. No statistically significant differences were observed between the devices. Conclusion:The pain, discomfort levels, and scaling time of the new piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler did not differ from those of the conventional device. Further research and development are necessary for more prominent pain-relief effects of scaling devices.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.146-159
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• 2013

In the present study, stabilized rayon fabrics were prepared from fast isothermal stabilization processes, which were carried out within four minutes at $350^{\circ}C$. The effects of ultrasonic cleaning and chemical pre-treatment on the chemical composition, physical characteristics, X-ray diffraction pattern, thermal stability and shape of the stabilized rayon fabrics were investigated extensively. In order to reduce the weight loss and thermal shrinkage of rayon fabrics occurring during the stabilization process, ultrasonic cleaning was first conducted and then chemical pre-treatments using $NH_4Cl$, $Na_3PO_4$, $H_3PO_4$, and $ZnCl_2$ were performed, respectively. The results indicated that both ultrasonic cleaning and chemical pre-treatment influenced the weight loss, thermal shrinkage, microstructure, carbon content, thermal stability and fabric shape of stabilized rayon fabrics. Also the results depended on the fast-stabilization time and the type of chemical pre-treatment agents used.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.65-71
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• 2003

A new type of ultrasonic spray nozzle was fabricated employing a piezoelectric device. The spray nozzle was designed to disperse chemicals in a water treatment mixing tank. The piezoelectric properties in ultrasonic spray nozzles were optimized to improve the dispersion of chemicals. The piezoelectrics were packaged in an aluminum case with silicone resin for the aqueous solution proof packaging. Chemicals were dispersed with high efficiency and the chemicals consumption was reduced by the ultrasonic fine particle spraying. The concentration of Escherichia coli in mixing tank was decreased remarkably using ultrasonic spray nozzle dispersion compared to the conventional methods.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.657-668
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• 2008

Purpose: In this study, we compared low-power $CO_2$ laser treatment to ultrasonic scaling, which is generally approved as a power-driven mechanical instrumentation, and evaluated both of these treatments regarding their clinical effectiveness and change in the volume of in GCF. Material and methods: 20 patients who had gingivitis were selected. all of patients has no systemic problems. Randomly selected, one quadrant received ultrasonic scaling only, another quadrant received ultrasonic scaling and $CO_2$ laser irradiation, the other quadrant received $CO_2$ laser irradiation only. Clinical parameters measured at baseline, 1 weeks, 2weeks, 4weeks and 8weeks. Result: Pocket probing depth and clinical attachment level were not changed during study period. Gingival index of all group were improved after treatment. At 1 weeks after treatment, Gingival index of ultrasonic scaling group was only significantly different compared to control group. At 2 weeks after treatment, gingival index of all experimental group were significantly different compared to control group. At 4 and 8 weeks after treatment, gingival index of all group were increased, but experimental group were lower than control group. Sulcus bleeding index was similar to the results of gingival index. At 1 weeks after treatment, all experimental group were significantly different compared to control group and it maintained during study. At 2 weeks after treatment, sulcus bleeding index of all group were lowest during study. Gingival crevicular fluid were measured with $Periotron^{(R)}$ 8000($Oraflow^{(R)}$, Inc. USA). At baseline, all group were showed moderately severe condition. At 1 week after treatment, laser treatment only group was reduced quantity of gingival crevicular fluid mostly, and all group were reduced quantity of gingival crevicular fluid. At 2 weeks after treatment, all group were health state. At 4 and 8 weeks after treatment, all group were showed recurrent of inflammation, and control group was the most significantly increased. Conclusion: This study showed that the effects of $CO_2$ laser treatment were similar to conventional ultrasonic scaling and this result remained longer than plaque control only. These results suggest possibility of $CO_2$ laser treatment for altered periodontal therapy.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2009

Purpose: The aerosol generated by ultrasonic scaler can contain bacteria or virus which can penetrate into body through respiratory systems of dentists, dental hygienist or patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine digluconate as preoperative mouthrinse or lavage for ultrasonic scaler on the reduction of viable organisms in aerosol produced during periodontal treatment using ultrasonic scaler. Methods: 30 patients with moderate chronic periodontitis were included and divided into 3 groups: Control (no preoperative mouthrinse and tap water as lavage), CHG (preoperative mouthrinse with 0.1% chlorhexidine digluconate and tap water as lavage), CHL (no preoperative mouthrinse and 0.1% chlorhexidine digluconate as lavage). Each patient received scaling or subgingival curettage for 30 min. In CHG group, mouthrinse with chlorhexidine digluconate was performed for 1 min. before treatment. Before, during and after scaling or subgingival curettage, air sampling was performed for 7 min. each (1000 L/7 min.) with trypticase-soy agar plate. Agar plates were incubated in $37^{\circ}C$ aerobically. The numbers of colony-forming units (CFU) were counted and compared. Results: The numbers of CFUs of the samples obtained during treatment were $97{\pm}14.0$ in control, $73.1{\pm}14.9$ in CHG group and $44.5{\pm}9.0$ in CHL group. The difference among the 3 groups was determined to be statistically significant (one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's correction, p-value: 0.0003). In contrast, the numbers of CFU of samples obtained before and after treatment were not significantly different among the groups. Conclusions: Chlorhexidine digluconate used as preoperative mouthrinse or lavage for ultrasonic scaler can reduce the microorganisms in aerosol produced during periodontal treatment using ultrasonic scaler. Less number of microorganisms were detected when chlorhexidine was used as lavage for ultrasonic scaler.