• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.11-19
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• 2018

This study was conducted to develop the manufacturing method of biochar using pruned stems of pear tree and its application effect on the crop growth and soil physico-chemical properties. In this study, biochar derived from pruned stems of pear tree at heating temperature of $300^{\circ}C$, $500^{\circ}C$ and $700^{\circ}C$ in heating times of 2, 3 and 4 hours, were tested in the changes of their chemical properties during biochar processing. The pH, Exch. K, Exch. Mg and cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased as the pyrolysis temperature increased during the production of biochar, and the change of these properties rapidly occurred at $500^{\circ}C$. However, as the pyrolysis temperature increased, ash content increased and total carbon (T-C), yield decreased. And the change of the properties in response to the heating time was not shown. It was thought that it would be desirable to set the production conditions of biochar at $500^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours in consideration of the change of chemical properties and the ash content and yield. And also, were conducted the experiments to establish manufacturing method of farm-made biochar using drum biochar manufacturing machine and investigate the application effects of biochar on the cultivation of chinese cabbage and tomato. Application of biochar derived from pruned stems of pear tree could enhance pH, organic matter (OM), total carbon (T-C) of soil. On the other hand, soil electrical conductivity (EC), NO3-N were lowered compared to the control which has no application. The bulk density, porosity and aggregate formation of soil were improved by biochar application. The fresh matter yields of chinese cabbage and tomato were significantly increased in proportion to the application rate of biochar. This study demonstrated the effect of the biochar derived from agricultural byproduct to be as a low cost potential soil ameliorant by physico-chemical properties in eco-friendly greenhouse cultivation.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.169-206
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• 2019

This article seeks to explore new relationships and ethics of human and technology by analyzing a cultural imaginary produced by artificial intelligence. Drawing on theoretical reflections of the Feminist Scientific and Technological Studies which understand science and technology as the matter of care(Puig de la Bellacas, 2011), this paper focuses on the fact that artificial intelligence and robots materialize cultural imaginary such as autonomy. This autonomy, defined as the capacity to adapt to a new environment through self-learning, is accepted as a way to conceptualize an authentic human or an ideal subject. However, this article argues that artificial intelligence is mediated by and dependent on invisible human labor and complex material devices, suggesting that such autonomy is close to fiction. The recent growth of the so-called 'assistant technology' shows that it is differentially visualizing the care work of both machines and humans. Technology and its cultural imaginary hide the care work of human workers and actively visualize the one of the machine. And they make autonomy and agency ideal humanness, leaving disabled bodies and dependency as unworthy. Artificial intelligence and its cultural imaginary negate the value of disabled bodies while idealizing abled-bodies, and result in eliminating the real relationship between man and technology as mutually dependent beings. In conclusion, the author argues that the technology we need is not the one to exclude the non-typical bodies and care work of others, but the one to include them as they are. This technology responsibly empathizes marginalized beings and encourages solidarity between fragile beings. Inspired by an art performance of artist Sue Austin, the author finally comes up with and suggests 'artificial intelligence in wheelchair' as an alternative figuration for the currently dominant 'autonomous artificial intelligence'.