• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.363-374
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• 2005

A heterogeneous thorium-based Kyung Hee Thorium Fuel (KTF) assembly design was assessed for application in the APR-1400 to study the feasibility of using thorium fuel in a conventional pressurized water reactor (PWR). Thermal hydraulic safety was examined for the thorium-based APR-1400 core, focusing on the Departure from Nucleate Boiling Ratio (DNBR) and Large Break Loss of Coolant Accident (LBLOCA) analysis. To satisfy the minimum DNBR (MDNBR) safety limit condition, MDNBR>1.3, a new grid design was adopted, that enabled grids in the seed and blanket assemblies to have different loss coefficients to the coolant flow. The fuel radius of the blanket was enlarged to increase the mass flow rate in the seed channel. Under transient conditions, the MDNBR values for the Beginning of Cycle (BOC), Middle of Cycle (MOC), and End of Cycle (EOC) were 1.367, 1.465, and 1.554, respectively, despite the high power tilt across the seed and blanket. Anticipated transient for the DNBR analysis were simulated at conditions of $112\%$ over-power, $95\%$ flow rate, and $2^{\circ}C$ higher inlet temperature. The maximum peak cladding temperature (PCT) was 1,173K for the severe accident condition of the LBLOCA, while the limit condition was 1,477K. The proliferation resistance potential of the thorium-based core was found to be much higher than that of the conventional $UO_2$ fuel core, $25\%$ larger in Bare Critical Mass (BCM), $60\%$ larger in Spontaneous Neutron Source (SNS), and $155\%$ larger in Thermal Generation (TG) rate; however, the radio-toxicity of the spent fuel was higher than that of $UO_2$ fuel, making it more environmentally unfriendly due to its high burnup rate.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.299-304
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• 2019

Nb-Si-B alloys with Nb-rich compositions are fabricated by spark plasma sintering for high-temperature structural applications. Three compositions are selected: 75 at% Nb (Nb0.7), 82 at% Nb (Nb1.5), and 88 at% Nb (Nb3), the atomic ratio of Si to B being 2. The microstructures of the prepared alloys are composed of Nb and $T_2$ phases. The $T_2$ phase is an intermetallic compound with a stoichiometry of $Nb_5Si_{3-x}B_x$ ($0{\leq}x{\leq}2$). In some previous studies, Nb-Si-B alloys have been prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using Nb and $T_2$ powders (SPS 1). In the present work, the same alloys are prepared by the SPS process (SPS 2) using Nb powders and hypereutectic alloy powders with composition 67at%Nb-22at%Si-11at%B (Nb67). The Nb67 alloy powders comprise $T_2$ and eutectic ($T_2+Nb$) phases. The microstructures and hardness of the samples prepared in the present work have been compared with those previously reported; the samples prepared in this study exhibit finer and more uniform microstructures and higher hardness.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.896-903
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• 2019

Objective: Qianbei-Pockmarked goats are affected by a disorder locally referred to as 'Ruanguzheng Disorder', which is characterized by emaciation, lameness, muscular relaxation, stiffness of the extremities, and abnormal curvatures of the long bones. Our objective was to determine the relationship between the disorder and phosphorus deficiency. Methods: Tissue samples were collected from affected and healthy animals, while soil and herbage samples were collected from affected and healthy pastures. Biochemical parameters were determined using an automatic biochemical analyzer (OLYMPUS AU 640, Olympus Optical Co., Tokyo, Japan). Mineral contents in soil, forage, and tissue were determined using a Perkin-Elmer AAS5000 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer, Norwalk, CT, USA). Results: The results showed that phosphorus contents in herbages from affected pastures were markedly lower than those from healthy areas (p<0.01), and the ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the affected herbages was 12.93:1. The phosphorus contents of wool, blood, tooth, and bone from affected animals were also markedly lower than those from healthy animals (p<0.01). Serum phosphorus values in affected animals were much lower than those in healthy animals, while serum alkaline phosphatase values from affected animals were markedly higher than those from healthy animals (p<0.01). Inorganic phosphorus values from affected animals were approximately half of that in the control group. Supplementation of disodium hydrogen phosphate prevented and cured the disorder. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Ruanguzheng disorder in Qianbei-Pockmarked goats is primarily caused by phosphorus deficiencies in herbage due to fenced pastures and natural habitat fragmentation.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.49 no.9
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• pp.732-738
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• 2011

Silicon oxide thin films were deposited by using a plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition technique to investigate the light emission properties. The photoluminescence characteristics were divided into two categories along the relative ratio of the flow rates of $SiH_4$ and $N_2O$ source gases, which show light emission in the broad/visible range and a light emission peak at 380 nm. We attribute the broad/visible light emission and the light emission peak to the quantum confinement effect of nanocrystalline silicon and the Si=O defects, respectively. Changes in the photoluminescence spectra were observed after the post-annealing processes. The photoluminescence spectra of the broad light emission in the visible range shifted to the long wavelength and were saturated above an annealing temperature of $900^{\circ}C$ or after 1 hour annealing at $970^{\circ}C$. However, the position of the light emission peak at 380 nm did not change at all after the post-annealing processes. The light emission intensities at 380 nm initially increased, and decreased at annealing temperatures above $700^{\circ}C$ or after 1 hour annealing at $700^{\circ}C$. The photoluminescence behaviors after the annealing processes can be explained bythe size change of the nanocrystalline silicon and the density change of Si=O defect in the films, respectively. These results support the possibility of using a silicon-based light source for Si-optoelectronic integrated circuits and/or display devices.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.64-74
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• 2021

The importance of uranium metal is growing day by day in light of its increasing global demand for fulfilling societal needs through atomic power programs. Considering the high demand for uranium, it is necessary to find innovative hydrometallurgical techniques to separate uranium from other associated elements, especially vanadium. This study deals with the separation of uranium(VI) and vanadium(V) from sulfuric acid solutions using commercial amine-based extractants diluted in kerosene. The concentrations of the sulfuric acid solutions ranged from 0.005 to 5.0 mol/L. The effect of extractant concentration ranging from 0.005 to 0.2 mol/L was studied. The temperature was maintained at 25℃ and the experiment was performed for 30 min at an aqueous: organic phase ratio of 1 (A:O = 1:1). The calculated separation factors (SFs) are presented and comparisons are made among all the experiments.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.455-460
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• 2022

Brush-like ZnO hierarchical nanostructures decorated with MgxZn1-xO (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) were fabricated and examined for application to a gas sensor. They were synthesized using vapor phase growth (VPG) on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates. To generate electronic accumulation at ZnO surface, MgZnO nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel method, and the ratio of Mg and Zn was adjusted to optimize the device for NO₂ gas detection. As the electrons in the accumulation layer generated by the heterojunction reacted faster and more frequently with the gas, the sensitivity and speed improved. When tested as sensing materials for gas sensors at 100 ppm NO₂ at 300℃, these MgZnO decorated ZnO nanostructures exhibited an improvement from 165 to 514 times compared to pristine ZnO. The response and recovery time of the MgZnO decorated ZnO samples were shorter than those of the pristine ZnO. Various analyzing techniques, including field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) were employed to confirm the growth morphology, atomic composition, and crystalline information of the samples, respectively.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.29-40
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• 2023

Xanthan gum and starch compound biopolymer (XS), an environmentally friendly soil-binding material produced from natural resources, has been suggested as a slope protection material to enhance soil strength and erosion resistance. Insufficient wet strength and the consequent durability concerns remain, despite XS biopolymer-soil treatment showing high strength and erosion resistance in the dried state, even with a small dosage of soil mass. These concerns need to be solved to improve the field applicability and post-stability of this treatment. This study explored the utilization of an alkaline-based cation crosslinking method using calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide to induce non-thermal gelation, resulting in the enhancement of the wet strength and durability of biopolymer-treated soil. Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the unconfined compressive strength and cyclic wetting-drying durability performance of the treated soil using a selected recipe based on a preliminary gel formation test. The results demonstrated that the uniformity of the gel structure and gelling time varied depending on the ratio of crosslinkers to biopolymer; consequently, the strength of the soil was affected. Subsequently, site soil treated with the recipe, which showed the best performance in indoor assessment, was implemented on the field slope at the bridge abutment via compaction and pressurized spraying methods to assess feasibility in field implementation. Moreover, the variation in surface soil hardness was monitored periodically for one year. Both slopes implemented by the two construction methods showed sufficient stability against detachment and scouring, with a higher soil hardness index than the natural slope for a year.

• Composites Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.23-31
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• 2006

We measured mechanical properties, including Young's modulus, effective bending modulus and nominal fracture strength of nanohoneycomb structures using an Atomic Force Microscope(AFM) and a Nano-Universal Testing Machine(UTM). Anodic aluminum oxide(AAO) films are well suited as nanohoneycomb structures because of the simple fabrication process, high aspect ratio, self-ordered hexagonal pore structure, and simple control of pore dimensions. Bending tests were carried out for cantilever structures by pressing AFM tips, and the results were compared with three-point bending tests and tensile tests using a Nano-UTM. One side of the AAO films is clogged by harrier layers, and looks like a face material of conventional sandwich structures. Analysis of this layer showed that it did not influence the bending rigidity, and was just a crack tip. The present results can act as a design guideline in applications of nanohoneycomb structures.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
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• v.13 no.spc2
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• pp.328-331
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• 2012

With the recent development of super-precision optical instruments, camera modules for devices, such as portable terminals and digital camera lenses, are increasingly being used. Since an optical lens is usually produced by high-temperature compression molding methods using tungsten carbide (WC) alloy molding cores, it is necessary to develop and study technology for super-precision processing of molding cores and coatings for the core surface. In this study, Rhenium-Iridium (Re-Ir) thin films were deposited onto a WC molding core using a sputtering system. The Re-Ir thin films were prepared by a multi-target sputtering technique, using iridium, rhenium, and chromium as the sources. Argon and nitrogen were introduced through an inlet into the chamber to be the plasma and reactive gases. The Re-Ir thin films were prepared with targets having a composition ratio of 30 : 70, and the Re-Ir thin films were formed with a 240 nm thickness. Re-Ir thin films on WC molding core were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and Ra (the arithmetical average surface roughness). Also, adhesion strength and coefficient friction of Re-Ir thin films were examined. The Re-Ir coating technique has received intensive attention in the coating processes field because of promising features, such as hardness, high elasticity, abrasion resistance and mechanical stability that result from the process. Re-Ir coating technique has also been applied widely in industrial and biomedical applications. In this study, WC molding core was manufactured, using high-performance precision machining and the effects of the Re-Ir coating on the surface roughness.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.2153-2162
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to develop a high-energy neutron shielding material applied in proton therapy environment. Composite shielding material consisting of 10.00 wt% boron carbide particles (B₄C), 13.64 wt% surface-modified cross-linked polyethylene (PE), and 76.36 wt% tungsten particles were fabricated by hot-pressure sintering method, where the optimal ratio of the composite is determined by the shielding effect under the neutron field generated in typical proton therapy environment. The results of Differential Scanning Calorimetry measurements (DSC) and tensile experiment show that the composite has good thermal and mechanical properties. In addition, the high energy-neutron shielding performance of the developed material was evaluated using cyclotron proton accelerator with 100 MeV proton. The simulation shows a 99.99% decrease in fast neutron injection after 44 cm shielding, and the experiment result show a 99.70% decrease. Finally, the shielding effect of replacing part of the shielding material of the proton therapy hall with the developed material was simulated, and the results showed that the total neutron injection decreased to 0.99‰ and the neutron dose reduced to 1.10‰ before the enhanced shielding. In summary, the developed material is expected to serve as a shielding enhancement material in the proton therapy environment.