• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.459-467
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• 2021

In the majority of countries, the upper limit of buffer temperature in a repository is set to below 100℃ due to the possible illitization. This smectite-to-illite transformation is expected to be detrimental to the swelling functions of the buffer. However, if the upper limit is increased while preventing illitization, the disposal density and cost-effectiveness for the repository will dramatically increase. Thus, understanding the characteristics and creating a database related to the buffer under the elevated temperature conditions is crucial. In this study, a strategy to investigate the bentonite found in Korea under the elevated temperatures from a mineral transformation and radionuclides retardation perspective was proposed. Certain long-term hydrothermal reactions generated the bentonite samples that were utilized for the investigation of their mineral transformation and radionuclide retardation characteristics. The bentonite samples are expected to be studied using in-situ synchrotron-based X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) technique to determine the smectite-to-illite transformation. Simultaneously, the 'high-temperature and high-pressure mineral alteration measurement system' based on the Diamond Anvil Cell (DAC) will control and provide the elevated temperature and pressure conditions during the measurements. The kinetic models, including the Huang and Cuadros model, are expected to predict the time and manner in which the illitization will become detrimental to the performance and safety of the repository. The sorption reactions planned for the bentonite samples to evaluate the effects on retardation will provide the information required to expand the current knowledge of repository optimization.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.507-513
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• 2022

When X-ray energy above 8 MV is used, photoneutrons are generated by the photonuclear reaction, which activates the components of linear accelerator (linac). Safely managing the radioactive material, when disposing linac or replacing components, is difficult, as the standards for the radioactive material management are not clear in Korea. We surveyed the management status of radioactive components occurred from medical linacs in Korea. And we also measured the activation of each part of the discarded Elekta linac using a survey meter and portable High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. We found that most medical institutions did not perform radiation measurements when disposing of radioactive components. The radioactive material was either stored within the institution or collected by the manufacturer. The surface dose rate measurements showed that the parts with high surface dose rates were target, primary collimator, and multileaf collimator (MLC). ⁶⁰Co nuclide was detected in most parts, whereas for the target, ⁶⁰Co and ¹⁸⁴Re nuclides were detected. Results suggest that most institutions in Korea did not have the regulations for disposing radioactive waste from linac or the management procedures and standards were unclear. Further studies are underway to evaluate short-lived radionuclides and to lay the foundation for radioactive waste management from medical linacs.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.173-187
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• 2021

In the present research, a simple electrochemical sensor based on a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with ZnO-Zn₂SnO₄-SnO₂ and graphene (ZnO-Zn₂SnO₄-SnO₂/Gr/CPE) was developed for the direct, simultaneous and individual electrochemical measurement of Acetaminophen (AC), Caffeine (Caf) and Ascorbic acid (AA). The synthesized nano-materials were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were applied for electrochemical investigation ZnO-Zn₂SnO₄-SnO₂/Gr/CPE, and the impact of scan rate and the concentration of H⁺ on the electrode's responses were investigated. The voltammograms showed a linear relationship between the response of the electrode for individual oxidation of AA, AC and, Caf in the range of 0.021-120, 0.018-85.3, and 0.02-97.51 μM with the detection limit of 8.94, 6.66 and 7.09 nM (S/N = 3), respectively. Also, the amperometric technique was applied for the measuring of the target molecules in the range of 0.013-16, 0.008-12 and, 0.01-14 μM for AA, AC and, Caf with the detection limit of 6.28, 3.64 and 3.85 nM, respectively. Besides, the ZnO-Zn₂SnO₄-SnO₂/Gr/CPE shows an excellent selectivity, stability, repeatability, and reproducibility for the determination of AA, AC and, Caf. Finally, the proposed sensor was successfully used to show the amount of AA, AC and, Caf in urine, blood serum samples with recoveries ranging between 95.8% and 104.06%.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.101-106
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• 2022

We prepared a CsPbI₂Br solution using Cesium iodide (CsI), Lead (II) bromide (PbBr₂) and Lead (II) iodide (PbI₂) materials into a polar solvent mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). A simple spin coating technique was used for the fabrication of CsPbI₂Br absorber layer in the solution process. In order to prepare uniform coating of absorber film we adopted a hot-air process in assocation with the spin coating. It was confirmed that the thin film manufactured by the hot-air process had a higher absorption rate than that without it, and the optical band gap was measured 1.93 eV. The thin film of absorber was uniformly prepared and revealed the Black α-Cubic crystal phase as proved through X-ray diffraction analysis. Finally, a perovskite solar cell having an n-i-p structure was manufactured with a CsPbI₂Br perovskite absorption layer. From the solar cell, we obtained a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.97% in a forward measurement.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.265-276
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• 2022

A long-term monitoring investigation at Sarushima Battery (Kanagawa, Japan), which is one of the modernization heritages was conducted from 2017.06 to 2020.12. The investigation of the temperature and relative humidity (RH), measurement of the amount of brick decay, and X-ray diffraction analysis of the brick decay was conducted to understand in detail the environment in which the historical brick structure, the state of deterioration, identify the factors of deterioration. Furthermore, it was discussed whether the suitability of these investigation methods for assessing the status, identifying the level of deterioration and the factors that led to deterioration at the historical brick heritages. It was found that the brick deterioration at the site progressed especially in two periods: in April, and from June to August. These periods coincided with the period when the RH inside the structure decreased, and the Toyo-gumi bricks were in the process of absorbing moisture. Several different types of salts were detected in brick decay, especially thenardite, which is considered highly hazardous and destructive during periods when the amount of brick decay increased. Therefore, the RH in the structure and the salts present in the bricks were identified as one of the factors in the deterioration of the bricks at the site. The methods used in this study are appropriate as the initial survey methods for investigating the current conditions and identifying the causes of deterioration because it is possible to understand the environment within the modernization heritages, grasp the details of deterioration progression, and identify the characteristics of deterioration progression and its factors through long-term investigation using the simple methods.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2000.02a
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• pp.163-163
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• 2000

In this research, we used the ion irradiation technique which has an advantae in improving intentionally the properties of surface and interface in a non-equilibrium, instead of the conventional annealing method which has been known to improve the material properties in the equilibrium stat. Cu/Co multilayered films were prepared on SiN4/SiO2/Si substrates by the electron-beam evaporation for the Co layers and the thermal evaporation for the Cu layers in a high vacuum. The ion irradiation with a 80keV Ar+ was carried out at various ion doses in a high vacuum. Hysteresis loops of the films were investigated by magneto-optical polar Kerr spectroscopy at various experimental conditions. The change of atomic structure of the films before and after the ion irradiation was studied by glancing angle x-ray diffraction, and the intermixing between Co and Cu sublayers was confirmed by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. The surface roughness and magneto-resistance were measured by atomic force microscopy and with a four-point probe system, respectively. During the magneto-resistance measurement, we changed temperature and the direction of magnetization. From the results of experiments, we found that the change at the interfaces of the Cu/Co multilayered film induced by ion irradiation cause the change of magnetic properties. According to the change in hysteresis loop, the surface inplane component of magnetic easy axis was isotropic before the ion irradiation, but became anisotropic upon irradiation. It was confirmed that this change influences the axial behavior of magneto-resistance. Especially, the magneto-resistance varied in accordance with an external magnetic field and the direction of current, which means that magneto-resistance also shows the uniaxial behavior.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.15-18
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• 2007

The sub micron sized spherical $MgB_2$ powders were synthesized by spray reaction method. $MgB_2$ tapes with Al addition were fabricated by Powder in Tube (PIT) method. The superconducting property and microstructure of Al doped $MgB_2$ tapes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and transport measurement under magnetic field. The $J_c$ value of $MgB_2$ tapes was increased with 10 vol. % Al addition. The $J_c$ value of 5,500 A/$cm^2$ and 11,000 A/$cm^2$ at 4.2 K and 5 T were obtained for the $MgB_2$ tape and 10 vol. % of Al added $MgB_2$ tape without heat treatment, respectively. The $J_c$ value of 8,000 A/$cm^2$ and 33,000 A/$cm^2$ at 4.2 K and 5 T were obtained for the $MgB_2$ tape and 10 vol. % of Al added $MgB_2$ tape with heat treatment, respectively. The $J_c$-B curves show enhancement in $J_c$ (B), which suggests that the microstructure and transport properties of $MgB_2$ tapes have been improved with Al addition.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.98-105
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• 2023

Background: Ultrasound-guided first sacral transforaminal epidural steroid injection (S1 TFESI) is a useful and easily applicable alternative to fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT) in lumbosacral radiculopathy. When a needle approach is used, poor visualization of the needle tip reduces the accuracy of the procedure, increasing its difficulty. This study aimed to improve ultrasound-guided S1 TFESI by evaluating radiological S1 posterior foramen data obtained using three-dimensional CT (3D-CT). Methods: Axial 3D-CT images of the pelvis were retrospectively analyzed. The radiological measurements obtained from the images included 1st posterior sacral foramen depth (S1D, mm), 1st posterior sacral foramen width (S1W, mm), the angle of the 1st posterior sacral foramen (S1A, °), and 1st posterior sacral foramen distance (S1ds, mm). The relationship between the demographic factors and measured values were then analyzed. Results: A total of 632 patients (287 male and 345 female) were examined. The mean S1D values for males and females were 11.9 ± 1.9 mm and 10.6 ± 1.8 mm, respectively (P < 0.001); the mean S1A 28.2 ± 4.8° and 30.1 ± 4.9°, respectively (P < 0.001); and the mean S1ds, 24.1 ± 2.9 mm and 22.9 ± 2.6 mm, respectively (P < 0.001); however, the mean S1W values were not significantly different. Height was the only significant predictor of S1D (β = 0.318, P = 0.004). Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided S1 TFESI performance and safety may be improved with adjustment of needle insertion depth congruent with the patient's height.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 1997

An improved technique based upon an electron beam evaporation system has been developed to prepare cubic thin films In crystalline semiconductors. Zinc blonde CdSe epilayers were grown on GaAs(100) substrate by an e-beam evaporation method. The lattice parameter obtained from (400) reflection is $6.077\AA$, which is in excellent agreement with the value reported in the literature for zinc blonde CdSe. The orientation of the as-grown CdSe epilayer is determined by electron channeling patterns. The crystallinity of epitaxial CdSe layers were investigated on the double crystal X-ray rocking curve. The carrier concentration and mobility of epilayers deduced by Hall effect measurement are about $10^{18}{\textrm}{cm}^{-3}$, $10^2\textrm{cm}^2/V{\cdot}sec$ at room temperature, respectively. The photocurrent spectrum peak of the epilayer at 30 K exhibits a sharp change at 1.746 eV due to the free exciton of cubic CdSe.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.4244-4252
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• 2022

The accuracy of Monte Carlo (MC) simulations in estimating the computed tomography radiation dose is highly dependent on the accuracy of CT scanner model. A system was developed to observe the 3D model intuitively and to calculate the X-ray energy spectrum and the bowtie (BT) filter model more accurately in Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP). Labview's built-in Open Graphics Library (OpenGL) was used to display basic surfaces, and constructive solid geometry (CSG) method was used to realize Boolean operations. The energy spectrum was calculated by simulating the process of electronic shooting and the BT filter model was accurately modeled based on the calculated shape curve. Physical data from a study was used as an example to illustrate the accuracy of the constructed model. RMSE between the simulation and the measurement results were 0.97% and 0.74% for two filters of different shapes. It can be seen from the comparison results that to obtain an accurate CT scanner model, physical measurements should be taken as the standard. The energy spectrum library should be established based on Monte Carlo simulations with modifiable input files. It is necessary to use the three-segment splicing modeling method to construct the bowtie filter model.