• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.579-587
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• 2015

To support the use of nuclear power as a sustainable electric energy generating technology, long-term supply of uranium is very important. The objective of this research is to investigate the use of new adsorbent material for cost effective uranium extraction from seawater. An activated carbon-based adsorbent material is developed and tested through an electrosorption technique in this research. Adsorption of uranium from seawater by activated carbon electrodes was investigated through electrosorption experiments up to 300 minutes by changing positive potentials from +0.2V to +0.8V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Uranium adsorption by the activated carbon electrode developed in this research reached up to 3.4 g-U/kg-adsorbent material, which is comparable with the performance of amidoxime-based adsorbent materials. Electrosorption of uranium ions from seawater was found to be most favorable at +0.4V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The cost of chemicals and materials in the present research was compared with that of the amidoxime-based approach as part of the engineering feasibility examination.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.280-283
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• 2002

In the manufacturing of large scale composite structures, the cost-effective processing and the enhancement of structural performance are critical. One of the most effective ways for this purpose is to use stitched multiaxial warp knitted (MWK) perform in the resin transfer molding process. This study reports the effect of stitching on the mechanical properties of MWK composites, and the feasibility processing of the thick U-beam structure utilizing the stitched preforms. Permeability of the preform, viscosity and cure property of the epoxy resin have been measured. The results of resin flow analysis has been used in determining the gate/vent locations of the RTM mold. Cross-sectional observation of the channel beam prototype demonstrated that the resin impregnation was almost complete, except for some surrounding area of stitched yarns.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.7.2-7.2
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• 2011

Photoelectrochemical solar cells such as dye-sensitized cells (DSSCs), which exhibit high performance and are cost-effective, provide an alternative to conventional p-n junction photovoltaic devices. However, the efficiency of such cells plateaus at 11~12%, in contrast to their theoretical value of 33%. The majority of research has focused on improving energy conversion efficiency of DSSC by controlling nanostructure and exploiting new materials in photoelectrode consisting of semiconducting oxide nanoparticles and a transparent conducting oxide electrode (TCO). In this presentation, we introduce monodisperesed TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by forced hydrolysis method and their superiority as photoelectrode materials was characterized with aids of optical and electrochemical analysis. Inverse opal-based scattering layers containing highly crystalline anatase nanoparticles are also introduced and their feasibility for use as bi-functional light scattering layer is discussed in terms of optical reflectance and charge generation properties as a function of optical wavelength.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.02a
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• pp.28-28
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• 2010

Photoelectrochemical solar cells such as dye-sensitized cells (DSSCs), which exhibit high performance and are cost-effective, provide an alternative to conventional p-n junction photovoltaic devices. However, the efficiency of such cells plateaus at 11-12%, in contrast to their theoretical value of 33%. Improvements in efficiency can only occur through a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics, materials, and device designs of DSSCs. A photoelectrode consisting of semiconducting oxide nanoparticles and a transparent conducting oxide electrode (TCO) is a key component of DSSC and design of photoelectrode materials is one of promising strategies to improving energy conversion efficiency. We introduce monodisperesed $TiO_2$ nanoparticles prepared by forced hydrolysis method and their superiority as photoelectrode materials was characterized with aids of optical and electrochemical analysis. Multi-layered TCO materials are also introduced and their feasibility for use as photoelectrodes is discussed in terms of optical absorption and charge collecting properties.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.449-457
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• 2020

Iron and copper are practically immiscible in the equilibrium state, even though their atomic radii are similar. As non-equilibrium solid solutions, the metastable Fe-Cu alloys can be synthesized using special methods, such as rapid quenching, vapor deposition, sputtering, ion-beam mixing, and mechanical alloying. The complexity of these methods (multiple steps, low productivity, high cost, and non-eco-friendliness) is a hinderance for their industrial applications. Electrical explosion of wire (EEW) is a well-known and effective method for the synthesis of metallic and alloy nanoparticles, and fabrication using the EEW is a simple and economic process. Therefore, it can be potentially employed to circumvent this problem. In this work, we propose the synthesis of Fe-Cu nanoparticles using EEW in a suitable solution. The powder shape, size distribution, and alloying state are analyzed and discussed according to the conditions of the EEW.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.181-186
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• 2015

Many in the industrial world that consume high amounts of energy are trying to reduce energy when manufacturing their products. Energy saving during manufacturing is a cost reduction. Reduced cost is necessary for profit improvement. The Piston Under Drive Brake used in the current study is an automotive transmission part. The original machining after hot forging was changed to machining after cold forging of a plate in order to save energy and cost. Two extrusion shapes along the outer diameter caused decreased tool life because of the interrupted cut during turning. Therefore, a thickness reduction of two extrusion areas in the outer diameter was needed. The current study suggests an effective way to reduce the thickness of interrupted cut by using progressive blanking.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.164-177
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• 2020

This study aims to compare the experience of selected countries in operating separate payment system for new healthcare technology and to find implications for price setting in Korea. We analyzed the related reports, papers, laws, regulations, and related agencies' online materials from five selected countries including the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, and France. Each country has its own additional payment system for new technologies: transitional pass-through payment and new technology ambulatory payment classification for outpatient care and new technology add-on payment for inpatient care (USA), an extra payment for materials with new functions or new treatment (C1, C2; Japan), an additional payment system for new special treatment materials (Taiwan), a short-term extra funding for new diagnosis and treatment (NUB; Germany), and list of additional payments for new medical devices (France). The technology should be proven safe and effective in order to get approval for an additional payment. The price is determined by considering the actual cost of providing the technology and the cost of existing similar technologies listed in the benefits package. The revision cycle of the additional payment is 1 to 4 years. The cost or usage is monitored during that period and then integrated into the existing fee schedule or removed from the list. We conclude that it is important to set the explicit criteria to select services eligible for additional payment, to collect and analyze data to assess eligibility and to set the payment, to monitor the usage or cost, and to make follow-up measures in price setting for new health technologies in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.57-65
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• 2017

Life quality in farming areas is declining these days on account of decrease in population with the outflow of young generations, advent of aging society, and also lack of social and physical infrastructure. To reverse this, the central and local governments have been devising policies in many ways; however, the vulnerable class in farming area suffering from financial difficulty is not supported with that properly. The results of applying insulation materials applicable to rural houses, EPS, e-board, and glass wool, actually to rural houses are summed as follows. EPS is the most inexpensive among the three installations in terms of material cost and expenses. The indoor and outdoor temperature difference increased from $0.9^{\circ}C$ to $2.5^{\circ}C$, and the temperature change reduced as $0.04^{\circ}C$. With e-board, the indoor and outdoor temperature difference increased from $3.3^{\circ}C$ to $7.5^{\circ}C$; however, the temperature change increased as $0.09^{\circ}C$. Unlike the other two methods, glass wool requires the additional installation of wooden frames. The material cost is highest, and the indoor and outdoor temperature difference increased from $1.1^{\circ}C$ to $8.0^{\circ}C$, and the temperature change reduced as $0.01^{\circ}C$. According to the results of measuring temperature, glass wool's temperature difference is measured to be the highest, but temperature change is found to be the most effective in EPS. Among the three insulation methods, EPS is the most economically advantageous as the material supply is easy and the cost is low. The material is easily processible, so ordinary town residents can install it easily, and it is effective at improving insulation performance, too. But this method cannot be applied when the house has walls that are not even. Also, as the insulator is thick, after the installation, the living space may be narrower as a result.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2014

Papermaking tobacco sheet is an important reclaimed process for cigarette making. Traditionally, the pressure driven membrane was often used to isolate the effective compounds from the tobacco sheet extract. However, this method is difficult to remove small ionic compounds. Besides, membrane fouling is a major problem for effective use of these pressure driven membrane technologies. In this study, the electrodialysis process is used to removal the chloride ions and nitrate ions, thus the smoking quality of papermaking tobacco sheet extract can get improved. Three types of electrolytes ($Na_2SO_4$, NaCl and HCl) are chosen to prevent the generation of precipitation. The results indicate that 0.1mol/L HCl at current density of $30mA/cm^2$ is the optimal condition for the electrodialysis process. The removal rates of the Cland $NO{_3}^-$ in tobacco sheet extract are 97% and 98.4%, respectively. The electrodialysis process cost was estimated to be 0.11$/L. Naturally, electrodialysis is not only technological feasible, environmental-friendly and economical-attractive for tobacco extract treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.214-225
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• 2023

Piezoelectric actuators, which utilize piezoelectric crystals or ceramics, are commonly used in precision positioning applications, offering high-speed response and precise control. However, the use of low-performance ceramics and expensive single crystals is limiting their versatile use in the actuator market, necessitating the development of both high-performance and cost-effective piezoelectric materials capable of delivering higher forces and displacements. The use of textured Pb (lead)-based piezoelectric ceramics formed by so-called templated grain growth method has been identified as a promising strategy to address the performance and cost issue. This review article provides insights into recent advances in texturing Pb-based piezoelectric ceramics for improved performance in actuation applications. We discussed the relevant issues in detail focusing on current challenges and emerging trends in the textured piezoelectric ceramics for their reliability and performance in actuator applications. We discussed in detail focusing on current challenges and emerging trends of textured piezoelectric ceramics for their reliability and performance in actuator applications. In conclusion, the article provides an outlook on the future direction of textured piezoelectric ceramics in actuator applications, highlighting the potential for further success in this field.