• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.222-227
• /
• 2008

In this work we have studied the antifouling properties of the hydrophobic sol-gel modified sensing membrane and its optical properties for sensor application. E. coli JM109, B. cereus 318 and P. pastoris X-33 were cultivated in confocal cultivation dishes with glass surface, respectively. The glass surface was coated with the hydrophobic sol-gels prepared by the dimethoxy-dimethyl-silane (DiMe-DMOS) and tetramethyl-orthosilicate (TMOS). After cultivation, microorganisms adhered on the surface coated with sol-gels and glass surface were dyed by gram-staining method and the numbers of microorganisms were analyzed based on the image data of the scanning electronic microscope (SEM). A great number of microorganisms, about $2{\sim}3{\times}10^4/mm^2$, was adhered on the glass surfaces which no hydrophobic sol-gels were coated. However, the antifouling effect of the hydrophobic sol-gels was large, that microorganisms of less than $200{\sim}300/mm^2$ were adhered on the coated glass surface. The performance of the sensing membranes for detection of pH and dissolved oxygen was enhanced by recoating the light insulation layer prepared with the mixture of the hydrophobic sol-gel and graphite particles.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2012

In this article, I will introduce recent developments of environmental-friendly materials fabricated using atomic layer deposition (ALD). Advantages of ALD include fine control of the thin film thickness and formation of a homogeneous thin fim on complex-structured three-dimensional substrates. Such advantages of ALD can be exploited for fabricating environmental-friendly materials. Porous membranes such as anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) can be used as a substrate for $TiO_2$ coating with a thickness of about 10 nm, and the $TiO_2$-coated AAO can be used as filter of volatile organic compound such as toluene. The unique structural property of AAO in combination with a high adsorption capacity of amorphous $TiO_2$ can be exploited in this case. $TiO_2$ can be also deposited on nanodiamonds and Ni powder, which can be used as photocatalyst for degradation of toluene, and $CO_2$ reforming of methane catalyst, respectively. One can produce structures, in which the substrates are only partially covered by $TiO_2$ domains, and these structures turns out to be catalytically more active than bare substrates, or complete core-shell structures. We show that the ALD can be widely used not only in the semiconductor industry, but also environmental science.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.16 no.8
• /
• pp.5728-5735
• /
• 2015

This study attempts to verify the applicability of ceramic membrane as a separator by comparing the power generation characteristics in single-chamber MFCs using ceramic membranes to those in the MFCs using nafion membrane. The generated power in MFCs by using acetate as a substrate was more stable than that by using formate, propionate and butyrate, respectively. It was shown that the generated power by using formate substrate in MFCs was unstable and a little higher than that by using acetate, and the power generated by using propionate and butyrate were lower than that by using acetate. In order to find out the Pt catalyst effect, it was compared the power generated in MFCs using Pt-coated carbon cloth as electrode to that power using normal carbon cloth. The power generated in MFCs using Pt-coated carbon cloth as electrode was 1.2 times higher than that using normal carbon cloth. The Pt-coated carbon cloth was about 5 times more expensive than normal carbon cloth. It is suggested that both power generation efficiency and cost together should be considered in selecting electrodes of MFCs. It was found that the ceramic membrane was superior to nafion membrane by comparing to the power generation characteristics obtained. It was shown that average voltage values were $523.67mV{\pm}49.41mV$ by using synthetic wastewater, in MFCs of ceramic membrane as a separator. While average voltage values were $424.09mV{\pm}79.95mV$ by using synthetic wastewater, in MFCs of nafion membrane as a separator. The organic removal efficiency, 41.7% by using ceramic membrane was a little bit higher than 40.8% by using nafion membrane. This research implies ceramic membrane can be a valid alternative to nafion membrane as a separator when considering the power generation and the efficiency of organics removal.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.15-29
• /
• 1992

The gallbladder is known to have the function of the storage and the concentration of the bile produced by the liver. This function is carried out by the removal of water and inorganic electrolytes. Extrahepatic cholestasis or the impairment of excretion of the bile leads to the distension and loss of the function of the gallbladder. The purpose of this study was to examine the ultrastructural characteristics of the normal gallbladder epithelial cells, and their structural changes induced by the ligation of common bile duct of the rabbit. Common bile duct ligation was performed under ether anesthesia. The rabbits were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 14th day, respectively after operations. The tissue blocks of the gallbladder were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde prior to fixation in 1% osmium tetroxide, and embedded in the araldite mixture, and observed with JEM 100 CX-II electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1. The normal gallbladder epithelium of adult rabbit demonstrated two cell types, the ordinary epthelial cell and the dark cell. The dark cells have electron dense cytoplasm, and were found much infrequently, whereas ordinary epthelial cells were found quite numerous. 2. The ordinary epthelial cells of normal gallbladder were provided with the regular microvilli at the free surface and the images of pinocytotic activities in the apical cytoplasm, and exhibit highly convoluted lateral surfaces with elaborated microfolds. These figures of the cells suggest that they are resorptive in functional activity. 3. In the early stages (1st, 3rd, 5th day groups) following the ligation, the apical cytoplasm of some cells is protruding from the free surface and lost their microvilli. Numerous mucous granules filled in the apical and supranuclear cytoplasm compactly. 4. In the late stages (7th, 14th day groups) following the ligation, many light cells containing mumerous mucous granules are seen, between the ordinary epthelial cells. Mucous granules are fused each other, and are discharged into the lumen from the apical cytoplasm. The lateral membranes are straight or undulating without any interdigitations. From the above results, it was concluded that in the cholestasis induced by the common bile duct ligation, there is a tendency for the mucosal epithelium of the rabbit gallbladder to have secretory rather than an absorptive function.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.51-59
• /
• 1995

Stress-balanced flat 150 nm-$Si_{3}N_{4}$/300 nm-$SiO_{2}$/150 nm-$Si_{3}N_{4}$ dielectric membrane on silicon substrate has been fabricated. Analyses of stress-deflection and stress-temperature, and visual inspection for the strain diagnostic test patterns were performed in order to characterize stress properties of the membrane. The $SiO_{2}$ layers sandwiched between two $Si_{3}N_{4}$ layers were deposited by three different techniques(PECVD, LPCVD, and APCVD) for the purpose of investigating the dependence of stress on the deposition methods. Some extent of tensile stress in the membrane was always observed regardless of the deposition methods, however it could be balanced against silicon substrate by post-wet oxidation in $1,150^{\circ}C$. Stress-temperature characteristics of the membranes showed that APCVD-LTO was better as mid-$SiO_{2}$ layer than PECVD - or LPCVD - $SiO_{2}$ when there was no oxidation process.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.458-464
• /
• 2006

The Pd-Ni-Ag alloy composite membrane using modified porous stainless steel (PSS) as a substrate was prepared by a electroless plating technique. In this work, we have introduced the intermediate layer between Pd-based alloy and a metal substrate. As an intermediate layer, the mixtures of nickel powder and inorganic sol such as $SiO_{2}$ sol, $Al_{2}O_{3}$ sol, and $TiO_{2}$ sol were used. The intermediate layers were coated onto a PSS substrate according to various membrane preparation conditions and then $N_{2}$ fluxes through the membranes with different intermediate layers were measured. The surface morphology of the intermediate layer in the mixture of nickel powder and inorganic sol was analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Finally, the Pd-Ni-Ag alloy composite membrane using the support coated with the mixture of nickel powder and silica as an intermediate layer was fabricated and then the gas permeances for $H_{2}$ and $N_{2}$ through the Pd-based membrane were investigated. The selectivity of $H_2/N_2$ was infinite and the $H_{2}$ flux was $1.39{\times}10^{-2}mol/m^2{\cdot}s$ at the temperature of $500^{\circ}C$ and trans-membrane pressure difference of 1 bar.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.401-408
• /
• 2014

In membrane bio-reactor (MBR), the aeration control is one of the important independent variables to decrease fouling and to save energy with shear stress change on the membrane surface. The paper was carried out for numerical simulation of 3-dimensional fluid flow phenomena of the cylindrical bioreactor with submerged flat membranes equipped in the center and supplied the air from the bottom by using the COMSOL program. The viscosity and temperature of solution were assumed to be constant, and the specific air demand based on permeate volume ($SAD_p$) defined as scouring air per permeate rates was used as a variable. The calculated CFD velocities were compared with those of the velocity meter measurement and video image analysis, respectively. The results were good agreement each other within 11% error. For fluid flow in the reactor the liquid velocity increased rapidly between the air diffuser and membrane module, but the velocity decreased during flowing of the membrane module. Also, the velocity increased as it was near from the reactor wall to the central axis. The calculated shear stress on the membrane surface showed the highest value at the center part of the module bottom side and increased as aeration rate increased. Especially, the wall shear stress increased dramatically as the aeration rate increased from 0.15 to 0.25 L/min.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.448-457
• /
• 1999

Citrus fruits are consumed worldwide due to their unique flavor and nutrition value. It is necessary to remove the haze material as well as to minimize the loss of major compounds such as organic acids, sugars, and ascorbic acid in membrane processes for clarification of juice. The objective of our research was to select the best membrane among one surface filter (Whatman No.4) and five microfiltration filters (GF/A, GF/D, GF/F, Gelman, and SM). Tangerine fresh blended with three times of water was partially clarified with 170 mesh followed by prefiltration in a Samduck filtration system. The best membrane was selected by measuring the amounts of major compounds in the permeates as well as the flux which were statistically analyzed with SAS program. The foulants on the membrane surface were observed by SEM. The flux of GF/A and GF/F decreased with time at probability 0.10. Gelman, SM, and GF/D maintained the stable flux. Gelman showed the highest total scores including nutritive value (the amounts of citrate, malate, and ascorbic acid) and purchasing need (brix and color). Therefore, the microfiltration membrane process was a very effective method in tangerine juice clarification and Gelman type A/E was proved to be the best membrane among the five microfiltration membranes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.386-392
• /
• 2003

Physicochemical and microbiological changes of grape wine fermented and aged at 25 and $15^{\circ}C$ for 2 and 14 weeks, respectively, were investigated. Viable bacterial cell number, $3.3{\times}10^2\;CFU/mL$ at the beginning of fermentation, increased to $2.3{\times}10^6\;CFU/mL$ after 2 weeks, then decreased to $1.9{\times}10^3\;CFU/mL$ after 14 weeks. Viable yeast cell number increased from $2.8{\times}10^2\;to\;2.2{\times}10^7\;CFU/mL$ during fermentation, then decreased to $1.6{\times}10^4\;CFU/mL$ after aging. Turbidity, pH, total sugar content, reducing sugar content, and solid content of grape wine decreased during fermentation, whereas acidity and alcohol content increased to 0.64 and 8.4%, respectively. Most physicochemical properties did not change significantly during aging. When grape wine was filtered through $0.45-{\mu}m$ nitrocellulose membrane, followed by various ultrafiltration membranes with different molecular weight cut-off values, Biomax 100K membrane with $100\;L/m^2/hr$ (LMH) of initial flux was chosen for ultrafiltration process. These membrane filtration treatments resulted in complete removal of microorganisms and decreases in turbidity, reducing sugar, and solid content. Physicochemical properties of wine did not change, and no microorganisms were found during storage at $30^{\circ}C$ for 12 weeks.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.20 no.2 s.91
• /
• pp.93-99
• /
• 2005

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, that is PUFAs, are important constituents of membranes particularly found in the retina and central nervous system. In microorganism-based PUFAs biosynthesis, the genus Thraustochytrids is well evaluated for their potential as a promising candidate in the practical production of PUFAs, such as AA and DHA. In this study, we attempted to optimize a method of total nucleic acid extraction from this microorganism as a preliminary experiment. Using the extracted nucleic acid and degenerated primers for direct PCR, we isolated a $\Delta5$ desaturase gene that contained 1320-nucleotide and encoded 439 amino acids. This gene exhibited an expected function, when expressed in P. pastoris in the presence of appropriate exogenous substrate, as an evidence for $\Delta5$ desaturase activity (conversion of DGLA to AA). These results and information could provide a basis for the construction of engineered strains suitable for the practical production of PUFAs.