• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.55-71
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• 2013

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is vital for detecting the onset of damage and for preventing catastrophic failure of civil infrastructure systems. In particular, piezoelectric transducers have the ability to excite and actively interrogate structures (e.g., using surface waves) while measuring their response for sensing and damage detection. In fact, piezoelectric transducers such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) have been used for various laboratory/field tests and possess significant advantages as compared to visual inspection and vibration-based methods, to name a few. However, PZTs are inherently brittle, and PVDF films do not possess high piezoelectricity, thereby limiting each of these devices to certain specific applications. The objective of this study is to design, characterize, and validate piezoelectric nanocomposites consisting of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles assembled in a PVDF copolymer matrix for sensing and SHM applications. These films provide greater mechanical flexibility as compared to PZTs, yet possess enhanced piezoelectricity as compared to pristine PVDF copolymers. This study started with spin coating dispersed ZnO- and PVDF-TrFE-based solutions to fabricate the piezoelectric nanocomposites. The concentration of ZnO nanoparticles was varied from 0 to 20 wt.% (in 5 % increments) to determine their influence on bulk film piezoelectricity. Second, their electric polarization responses were obtained for quantifying thin film remnant polarization, which is directly correlated to piezoelectricity. Based on these results, the films were poled (at 50 $MV-m^{-1}$) to permanently align their electrical domains and to enhance their bulk film piezoelectricity. Then, a series of hammer impact tests were conducted, and the voltage generated by poled ZnO-based thin films was compared to commercially poled PVDF copolymer thin films. The hammer impact tests showed comparable results between the prototype and commercial samples, and increasing ZnO content provided enhanced piezoelectric performance. Lastly, the films were further validated for sensing using different energy levels of hammer impact, different distances between the impact locations and the film electrodes, and cantilever free vibration testing for dynamic strain sensing.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제24권9호
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• pp.1204-1210
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• 2011

Objective of this study was to examine the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor on steroid synthesis, growth and apoptosis of buffalo granulosa cells (GCs) in vitro. Follicular fluid of antral follicles (3-5 mm diameter) was aspirated and GCs were cultured in 0 (control), $10^{-3}$, $10^{-5}$, $10^{-7}$, $10^{-9}\;M$ of SNP for 48 h. To evaluate whether this effect was reversible, GCs were cultured in presence of $10^{-5}\;M$ SNP+1.0 mM $N^{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor or hemoglobin (Hb, $1.0{\mu}g$) as NO scavenger. Nitrate/nitrite concentration was evaluated by Griess method, progesterone and estradiol concentrations by RIA and apoptosis by TUNEL assay. SNP ($10^{-3}$, $10^{-5}$, $10^{-7}\;M$) significantly (p<0.05) inhibited estradiol and progesterone synthesis, growth, disorganized GCs aggregates and induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. However, $10^{-9}\;M$ SNP induced the progesterone synthesis and stimulated GCs to develop into a uniform monolayer. Combination of SNP $10^{-5}$ M+L-NAME strengthened the inhibitory effect while, SNP+Hb together reversed these inhibitory effects. In conclusion, SNP at greater concentrations ($10^{-3}$, $10^{-5}$ and $10^{-7}\;M$) has a cytotoxic effect and it may lead to cell death whereas, at a lower concentration ($10^{-9}\;M$) induced progesterone synthesis and growth of GCs. These findings have important implications that NOS derived NO are involved at physiological level during growth and development of buffalo GCs which regulates the steroidogenesis, growth and apoptosis.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 2003년도 Annual Meeting of KSAP : International Symposium on Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences on Obesity
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• pp.101-101
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• 2003

Prostaglandins (PGs) and nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible cyclooygenase (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), respectively, have been implicated as important mediators in the process of inflammation and carcinogenesis. On this line, the potential COX-2 or iNOS inhibitors have been considered as anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents. In our continuing efforts of searching for novel cancer chemopreventive agents from natural products, we isolated natural sesquiterpenoids as potential COX-2 and iNOS inhibitors in cultured lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Alantolactone, a natural eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, exhibited a potent inhibition of COX-2 (IC50 = 0.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) and iNOS activity (IC50 = 0.08 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) in the assay system determined by PGE2 and NO accumulation, respectively. The inhibitory potential of alantolactone on the PGE2 and NO production was well coincided with the suppression of COX-2 and iNOS protein and mRNA expression in LPS-induced macrophages. Furthermore, alantolactone inhibited NF-kB but not AP-l binding activity on nuclear extracts evoked by LPS-stimulated macrophage cells, suggesting the possible involvement of NF-kB in the regulation of COX-2 and iNOS expression. In further study with COX-2-expressing human colon HT-29 cells, alantolactone inhibited the cell proliferation, down-regulated COX-2, and inhibited the ERK phosphorylation in the early time. These results suggest that a natural sesquiterpenoid alantolactone might be a potential lead candidate for further developing COX-2 or iNOS inhibitor possessing cancer chemopreventive or anti-inflammatory activity

• 한국진공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국진공학회 2014년도 제46회 동계 정기학술대회 초록집
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• pp.278.1-278.1
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• 2014

Organic materials have been explored as the gate dielectric layers in thin film transistors (TFTs) of backplane devices for flexible display because of their inherent mechanical flexibility. However, those materials possess some disadvantages like low dielectric constant and thermal resistance, which might lead to high power consumption and instability. On the other hand, inorganic gate dielectrics show high dielectric constant despite their brittle property. In order to maintain advantages of both materials, it is essential to develop the alternative materials. In this work, we manufactured nanocomposite gate dielectrics composed of organic material and inorganic nanoparticle and integrated them into organic TFTs. For synthesis of nanocomposite gate dielectrics, polyimide (PI) was explored as the organic materials due to its superior thermal stability. Candidate nanoprticles (NPs) of halfnium oxide, titanium oxide and aluminium oxide were considered. In order to realize NP concentration dependent electrical characteristics, furthermore, we have synthesized the different types of nanocomposite gate dielectrics with varying ratio of each inorganic NPs. To analyze gate dielectric properties like the capacitance, metal-Insulator-metal (MIM) structures were prepared together with organic TFTs. The output and transfer characteristics of organic TFTs were monitored by using the semiconductor parameter analyzer (HP4145B), and capacitance and leakage current of MIM structures were measured by the LCR meter (B1500, Agilent). Effects of mechanical cyclic bending of 200,000 times and thermally heating at $400^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour were investigated to analyze mechanical and thermal stability of nanocomposite gate dielectrics. The results will be discussed in detail.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.7-14
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• 2017

The effect of high temperature-moisture on corrosion and mechanical properties for Sn-0.7Cu, Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) solders on flexible substrate was studied using Highly Accelerated Temperature/Humidity Stress Test (HAST) followed by three-point bending test. Both Sn-0.7Cu and SAC305 solders produced the internal $SnO_2$ oxides. Corrosion occurred between the solder and water film near flexible circuit board/copper component. For the SAC305 solder with Ag content, furthermore, octahedral corrosion products were formed near Ag3Sn. For the SAC305 and Sn-0.7Cu solders, the amount of internal oxide increased with the HAST time and the amount of internal oxides was mostly constant regardless of Ag content. The size of the internal oxide was larger for the Sn-0.7Cu solder. Despite of different size of the internal oxide, the fracture time during three-point bending test was not significantly changed. It was because the bending crack was always initiated from the three-point corner of the chip. However, the crack propagation depended on the oxides between the flexible circuit board and the Cu chip. The fracture time of the three-point bending test was dependent more on the crack initiation than on the crack propagation.

• 한국식품저장유통학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2018

본 연구에서는 불등풀가사리(홍조류) 다당류를 기능성 소재로의 활용 가능성을 확인하기 위하여 분자량이 다른 다당류 3종을 제조하여 다양한 면역증강 효과를 확인하였다. GPA-III(${\geq}100kDa$)는 nitric oxide 및 cytokine(TNF-a 및 IL-6)분석에서 농도 유의적으로 함량이 증가하였으며, RT-PCR 분석을 통한 유전자 발현에서 iNOS 및 COX-2에서 높은 발현을 유도하여 면역증강 효과를 확인하였다. 따라서, GPA-III는 기능성식품 및 의약품의 잠재적 응용 가능성을 가지는 면역 증강제임을 나타내었다.

• 한국토양비료학회지
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.530-537
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• 2017

Composted animal manure added for improving soil quality and enhancing crop productivity can lead to greenhouse gas emissions such as nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) by processes of nitrification and denitrification. In addition, the amount of $N_2O$ emission from composted manure amended soils can vary greatly with composted manure type or different soil type. Therefore, the influence of cattle composted manure on $N_2O$ emissions was evaluated during growth of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). The treatments included control, conventional fertilization (CF), and CF + cattle composted manure (CCM) $10Mg\;ha^{-1}$ were applied in the spring. $N_2O$ emissions were significantly affected by composted manure and chemical fertilizer and the CCM had greater N2O emissions compared with other treatments. The majority of $N_2O$ emissions occurred shortly after composted manure and chemical fertilizer application compared with the rest of the growing seasons for all treatments. Also, $N_2O$ flux was associated with water-filled pore space (WFPS) at all treatments. On average of $N_2O$ emission accumulation, the CCM was 1.5 times greater than control treatment while there was no difference between CF and control.

• 대한금속재료학회지
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• 제56권12호
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• pp.893-899
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• 2018

In the present study, we investigated the sulfur poisoning of the Ni anode in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) as a function of operating conditions. Anode supported cells were fabricated, and sulfur poising tests were conducted as a function of current density, $H_2S$ concentration and humidity in the anode gas. The voltage drop was significant under the higher current density (${\sim}714mA/cm^2$) condition, while it was much reduced under the lower current density (${\sim}389mA/cm^2$) condition, at 100 ppm of $H_2S$. A secondary voltage drop, which occurred only at the high current density, was attributed to Ni oxidation in the anode. Thus, operation at high current density with high $H_2S$ concentration may lead to permanent deterioration in the anode. The effect of water content (10%) on the sulfur poisoning was also investigated through a constant current test (${\sim}500mA/cm^2$) at 10 ppm of $H_2S$. The cell operating with 10% wet anode gas showed a much smaller initial voltage drop, in comparison with a dry anode gas. The present study indicates that operating conditions, such as gas humidity and current density, should be carefully taken into account, especially when fuel cells are operated with $H_2S$ containing fuel.

• 한국분말재료학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.50-56
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• 2024

We report the effect of plastic deformation on the thermoelectric properties of n-type Bi₂Te_2.5Se_0.5 compounds. N-type Bi₂Te_2.5Se_0.5 powders are synthesized by an oxide-reduction process and consolidated via spark-plasma sintering. To explore the effect of plastic deformation on the thermoelectric properties, the sintered bodies are subjected to uniaxial pressure to induce a controlled amount of compressive strains (-0.2, -0.3, and -0.4). The shaping temperature is set using a thermochemical analyzer, and the plastic deformation effect is assessed without altering the material composition through differential scanning calorimetry. This strategy is crucial because the conventional hot-forging process can often lead to alterations in material composition due to the high volatility of chalcogen elements. With increasing compressive strain, the (00l) planes become aligned in the direction perpendicular to the pressure axis. Furthermore, an increase in the carrier concentration is observed upon compressive plastic deformation, i.e., the donor-like effect of the plastic deformation in n-type Bi₂Te_2.5Se_0.5 compounds. Owing to the increased electrical conductivity through the preferred orientation and the donor-like effect, an improved ZT is achieved in n-type Bi₂Te_2.5Se_0.5 through the compressive-forming process.

• 한국재료학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국재료학회 2009년도 추계학술발표대회
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• pp.31.1-31.1
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• 2009

In an approach to acclimate ourselves torecent ecological consciousness trend, a lead-free piezoelectric material, bismuth sodium titanate (abbreviated as BNT) based bismuth sodium barium titanate (abbreviated as BNT-BT), was considered as an environment-friendly alternative for a lead based piezoelectric system. Ceramic specimens of0.94[(BixNa0.5)TiO3]-0.06[BaTiO3] (x = 0.500~0.515) compositions were prepared by a modified mixed oxide method. To increase the chemical homogeneity andre action activity, high energy mechanical milling machine and pre-milled nanosized powder has been used. In this method (BixNa0.5)TiO3 (x=0.500~0.515) andBaTiO3 were prepared separately from pre-milled constituent materials at low calcination temperature and then separately prepared BNTX (X=1, 2, 3 and 4) and BT were mixed by high energy mechanical milling machine. Without further calcination step the mixed powders were pressed into disk shape and sintered at $1110^{\circ}C$. Microstructures, phase structures and electrical properties of the ceramic specimens were systematically investigated. Highly dense ceramic specimens with homogenous grains were prepared in spite of relatively low sintering temperature. Phase structures were not significantly influenced by the excess amount Bi. Large variation on the piezoelectric and dielectric properties was detected at relative high excess Bi amounts. When $x{\leq}0.505$, the specimens exhibit insignificant variation in piezoelectric and dielectric constant though depolarization temperature is found to be decreased. Considerable amount of decrease in piezoelectric and dielectric properties are observed with higher excess of Bi amounts ($x{\geq}0.505$). This research indicates the advantages of high energy mechanical milling and importance of proper maintenance of Bi stoichiometry.