• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2011

Many anticancer agents as well as ionizing radiation have been shown to induce autophagy which is originally described as a protein recycling process and recently reported to play a crucial role in various disorders. In HCT116 human colon cancer cells, we found that curcumin, a polyphenolic phytochemical extracted from the plant Curcuma longa, markedly induced the conversion of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-I to LC3-II and degradation of sequestome-1 (SQSTM1) which is a marker of autophagosome degradation. Moreover, we found that curcumin caused GFP-LC3 formation puncta, a marker of autophagosome, and decrease of GFP-LC3 and SQSTM1 protein level in GFP-LC3 expressing HCT116 cells. It was further confirmed that treatment of cells with hydrogen peroxide induced increase of LC3 conversion and decrease of GFP-LC3 and SQSTM1 levels, but these changes by curcumin were almost completely blocked in the presence of antioxidant, N-acetylcystein (NAC), indicating that curcumin leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which results in autophagosome development and autolysosomal degradation. In parallel with NAC, SQSTM1 degradation was also diminished by bafilomycin A, a potent inhibitor of autophagosome-lysosome fusion, and cell viability assay was further confirmed that cucurmin-induced cell death was partially blocked by bafilomycin A as well as NAC. We also observed that NAC abolished curcumin-induced activation of extracelluar signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 112 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), but not Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). However, the activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK seemed to have no effect on the curcumin-induced autophagy, since both the conversion of LC3 protein and SQSTM1 degradation by curcumin was not changed in the presence of NAC. Taken together, our data suggest that curcumin induced ROS production, which resulted in autophagic activation and concomitant cell death in HCT116 human colon cancer cell. However, ROS-dependent activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, but not JNK, might not be involved in the curcumin-induced autophagy.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.265-270
• /
• 2016

The ellipso-microscopic observation of a titanium surface undergoing anodization in $0.05mol\;dm^{-3}$ of $H_2SO_4$ was conducted. During irradiation by ultra-violet (UV) light with a wavelength of 325 nm, the titanium surface allowed for the flow of a photo-induced current and showed up as a bright, patch-like image on an ellipso-microscopic view. The brightness and patch-pattern in the image changed with flowing photo-induced current. The changes in the brightness and the image corresponded to the formation and/or degradation of titanium oxide due to the photo-electrochemical reaction of the oxide. An in situ monitoring using the ellipso-microscope revealed that the film change was dependent on the irradiation light power, by UV-light increases the anodic current and results in the initiation of pitting at lower potentials as compared with the non-irradiated condition.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.41-52
• /
• 2024

In this study, rare-earth orthoferrites LnFeO₃ were synthesized using a facile hydrothermal reaction and their visible-light-induced photo-Fenton degradation of organics was optimized through Ln variation (Ln = La, Pr, or Gd). The morphological, structural, and chemical characteristics of as-prepared samples were examined in detail by using different methods, including XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, etc. On the other side, under visible light illumination, the photo-Fenton-like catalytic activities of LnFeO₃ were assessed in terms of the removal of selected organic models, i.e., pharmaceuticals (ketoprofen and tetracycline) and dyes (rhodamine B and methyl orange). As compared with PrFeO₃ or GdFeO₃, the sample of LaFeO₃ displayed more structural distortion, larger specific surface area, and narrower band gap, resulting in its higher photo-Fenton-like catalytic activity toward the degradation of organics. In organic-containing solution, in which the initial solution pH = 5, catalyst dosage = 1 g/L and H₂O₂ concentration = 10 mM, 98.2% of rhodamine B, 31.1% of methyl orange, 67.7% of ketoprofen, or 96.4% of tetracycline was removed after 90-min exposure to simulated visible light. Our findings revealed that variation of Ln site on rare-earth orthoferrites was an effective strategy for optimizing their organic removal via visible-light-induced photo-Fenton reaction.

• Environmental Sciences Bulletin of The Korean Environmental Sciences Society
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.69-80
• /
• 1997

Effects of light on leaf senescence of Phaseolus vulgaris were investigated by measuring the disassembly of chlorophyll-protein complexes in detached leaves which had been kept in the dark or under light. The loss of chlorophyll accompanied by degradation of chlorophyll-protein complexes. PSI (photosystem I) complex containing LHCI (light harvesting complex of PSI) apoproteins was rapidly decreased after the early stage of dark-induced senescence. RC(reaction center)-Core3 was slightly increased until 4 d and slowly decreased thereafter. As disassembly of LHCII trimer progressed after the late stage of senescence, there was a steady increase in the relative amount of SC(small complex)-2 containing LHCII monomer. On the other hand, white and red light adaptation caused the structural stability of chlorophyll-protein complexes during dark-induced senescence. Particularly, red light was more effective in the retardation of LHCII breakdown than white light, whereas white light was slightly effect in protecting the disassembly of PSI complex compared to red light. These results suggest, therefore, that light may be a regulatory factor for stability of chlorophyll-protein complexes in the senescent leaves.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.16-22
• /
• 2023

In a solar cell, degradation refers to the decrease in performance parameters caused by defects originated due to various causes. During the fabrication process of solar cells, degradation is generally related to the processes such as passivation or firing. There exist sources of many types of degradation; however, the exact cause of Light and elevated Temperature Induced Degradation (LeTID) is yet to be determined. It is reported that the degradation and the regeneration occur due to the recombination of hydrogen and an arbitrary substance. In this paper, we report the deposition of Al₂O₃ and SiN_X on silicon wafers used in the Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact (PERC) solar structure and its degradation pattern. A higher degradation rate was observed in the sample with single layer of Al₂O₃ only, which indicates that the degradation is affected by the presence or the absence of a passivation thin film. In order to alleviate the degradation, optimization of different steps should be carried out in consideration of degradation in the solar cell fabrication process.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2009.04a
• /
• pp.214-219
• /
• 2009

In high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells, If high-efficiency solar cells are to be commercialized. It is need to develop superior contact formation method and material that can be inexpensive and simple without degradation of the solar cells ability. For reason of plated metallic contact is not only high metallic purity but also inexpensive manufacture. It is available to apply mass production. Especially, Nickel, Copper and Silver are applied widely in various electronic manufactures as easily formation is available by plating. The metallic contact system of silicon solar cell must have several properties, such as low contact resistance, easy application and good adhesion. Ni is shown to be a suitable barrier to Cu diffusion as well as desirable contact metal to silicon. Nickel monosilicide(NiSi) has been suggested as a suitable silicide due to its lower resistivity, lower sintering temperature and lower layer stress than $TiSi_2$. Copper and Silver can be plated by electro & light-induced plating method. Light-induced plating makes use the photovoltaic effect of solar cell to deposite the metal on the front contact. The cell is immersed into the electrolytic plating bath and irradiated at the front side by light source, which leads to a current density in the front side grid. Electroless plated Ni/ Electro&light-induced plated Cu/ Light-induced plated Ag contact solar cells result in an energy conversion efficiency of 14.68 % on $0.2{\sim}0.6{\Omega}{\cdot}cm,\;20{\times}20mm^2$, CZ(Czochralski) wafer.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.6-16
• /
• 2024

The efficiency of silicon solar cells is approaching a theoretical limit referred to as 'the state of the art'. Consequently, maintaining efficiency is more productive than pursuing improvements the last room for limiting efficiency. One of the primary considerations in silicon module conservation is the occurrence of failures and degradation. Degradation can be mitigated during the cell manufacturing stage, unlike physical and spontaneous failure. It is mostly because the chemical reaction is triggered by the carrier generation of thermal and light injection, an inherent aspect of the solar cell environment. Therefore, numerous researchers and cell manufacturers are engaged in implementing mitigation strategies based on the physical degradation mechanism.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.286-291
• /
• 2023

Perovskite materials are promising candidates for next-generation optoelectronic devices owing to their outstanding external quantum efficiency, high color purity, and ability to tune the light emission wavelength. However, conventional thermal annealing processes caused the degradation of perovskite, resulting in poor optoelectronic properties and a short lifetime. Herein, we propose a laser-induced recrystallization of perovskite thin film to enhance its light-emitting properties. Laser-induced recrystallization process was performed using rapid and instantaneous laser heating, which successfully induced grain growth of the perovskite material. The laser processing conditions were thoroughly optimized based on theoretical calculations and various material analyses such as x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and photoluminescence spectroscopy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2014.02a
• /
• pp.322.1-322.1
• /
• 2014

Many research groups have studied tandem or multi-junction cells to overcome this low efficiency and degradation. In multi-junction cells, band-gap engineering of each absorb layer is needed to absorb the light at various wavelengths efficiently. Various absorption layers can be formed using multi-junctions, such as hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:H), amorphous silicon germanium (a-SiGe:H) and microcrystalline silicon (${\mu}c$-Si:H), etc. Among them, ${\mu}c$-Si:H is the bottom absorber material because it has a low band-gap and does not exhibit light-induced degradation like amorphous silicon. Nevertheless, ${\mu}c$-Si:H requires a much thicker material (>2 mm) to absorb sufficient light due to its smaller light absorption coefficient, highlighting the need for a high growth rate for productivity. ${\mu}c$-SiGe:H has a much higher absorption coefficient than ${\mu}c$-Si:H at the low energy wavelength, meaning that the thickness of the absorption layer can be decreased to less than half that of ${\mu}c$-Si:H. ${\mu}c$-SiGe:H films were prepared using 40 MHz very high frequency PECVD method at 1 Torr. SiH4 and GeH4 were used as a reactive gas and H2 was used as a dilution gas. In this study, the ${\mu}c$-SiGe:H layer for triple solar cells applications was performed to optimize the film properties.

• Nanomaterials
• /
• v.12 no.17
• /
• pp.2945-2957
• /
• 2022

In this work, the growth of extended tri-s-triazine units (melem units) on g-C₃N₄ (CN) by hydrothermal treatment and its effect on the photodegradation efficiency of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) is investigated. The CN-180-x and CN-200-6 samples were prepared using different hydrolysis times and temperatures, and they were characterized by multiple physicochemical techniques. In addition, their photodegradation performance was evaluated under visible light irradiation. Compared to the CN, CN-180-6 possesses remarkable photocatalytic degradation efficiency at 97.17% towards TC removal in an aqueous solution. The high visible-light-induced photo-reactivity of CN-180-6 directly correlates to charge transfer efficiency, numerous structural defects with a high specific surface area (75.0 m² g^-1), and sufficient O-functional groups over g-C₃N₄. However, hydrothermal treatment at a higher temperature or during a longer time additionally induces the growth of extended melem units on the surface of g-C₃N₄, resulting in the inhibition of the charge transfer. In addition, the superoxide radical is proven to be generated from photoexcited reaction and plays a key role in the TC degradation.