• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.262-271
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• 2023

For electrode stability and the electrochemical performance of the Li-ion cell, it is essential that the active ingredients and unique additives in the polymer binder be well dispersed with the solvent-based slurry. The efficient procedure used to create the slurry affects the rheological characteristics of the electrode slurry. When successively adding different steps of Nmethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent to the cathode composition, it is evenly disseminated. The electrochemical performance of the Li-ion cells and the electrodes made with slurry formed by single step and multiple steps of addition of NMP solvent are examined. To preform rheological properties of cathode electrode slurry on Ni-rich Lithium Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum Oxide (LiNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05) (NCA). Also, we investigate different step addition of electrode formation and mechanical strength characterization like peel strength. According to the EIS study, a multi-step electrode slurry has lower internal resistance than a single-step electrode slurry, which results in better electrical characteristics and efficiency. Further, microstructure of electrodes is obtained electrochemical performance in the 18650 cylindrical cells with targeted capacity of 1.5 Ah. The slurry of electrodes prepared by single step and multiple steps of addition of NMP solvent and its effect on the fabrication of 1.5 Ah cells. A three-step solvent addition on slurry has been found to be a lower internal resistance than a single-step electrode slurry as confirmed by the EIS analysis, yielding improved electrical properties and efficiency.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.52
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• pp.5.1-5.10
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• 2022

The use of Pipelines for long-distance transportation of crude oil, natural gas and similar applications is increasing and has pivotal importance in recent times. High specific strength plays a crucial role in improving transport efficiency through increased pressure and improved laying efficiency through reduced diameter and weight of line pipes. TRIP-based high-strength and high-ductility alloys comprise a mixture of ferrite, bainite, and retained austenite that provide excellent mechanical properties such as dimensional stability, fatigue strength, and impact toughness. This study performs microstructure analysis using both Nital etching and LePera etching methods. At the time of Nital etching, it is difficult to distinctly observe second phase. However, using LePera etching conditions it is possible to distinctly measure the M/A phase and ferrite matrix. The fraction measurement was done using OM and SEM images which give similar results for the average volume fraction of the phases. Although it is possible to distinguish the M/A phase from the SEM image of the sample subjected to LePera etching. However, using Nital etching is nearly impossible. Nital etching is good at specific phase analysis than LePera etching when using SEM images.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2000.05a
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• pp.1-1
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• 2000

The results of the modification of metal materials treated by high temperature pulst:d plasma fluxes (HTlPPF) with a specific power of incident flux changing in the $(3...100)10^5{]\;}W/cm^2$ range and a pulse duration lying from 15 to $50{\;}\mu\textrm{s}$ have been presented. The results of HTPPF action were studied on the stainless steels of 18Cr-l0Ni, 16Cr- 15Ni, 13Cr-2Mo types; on the structural carbon steels of (13...35)Cr, St. 3, St. 20, St. 45 types; on the tool steels of U8, 65G, ShHI5 types, and others; on nickel and high nickel alloy of 20Cr-45Ni type; on zirconium- and vanadium-base alloys and other materials. The microstructure and properties (mechanical, tribological, erosion, and other properties) of modified materials and surface alloying of metals exposed to HTPPF action have been investigated. It was found that the modification of materials by HTPPF resulted in a simultaneous increase of several properties of the treated articles: microhardness of the surface and layers of 40...60 $\mu\textrm{m}$ in depth, tribological characteristics (friction coefficient, wear resistance), mechanical properties ({\sigma_y}, {\;}{\sigma_{0.2}}.{\;}{\sigma_r}) on retention of the initial plasticity ($\delta$), corrosion resistance, radistanation erosion under ion irradiation, and others. The determining factor of the changes observed is the structural-phase modification of the near-surface layers, in particular, the formation of the fine cellular structure in the near-surface layers at a depth of $20{\;}{\mu\textrm{m}}$ with dimension of cells changing in the range from 0.1 to $1., 5{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$, depending on the kind of material, its preliminary treatment, and the parameters of plasma fluxes. The remits obtained have shown the possibility of purposeful surface alloying of metals exposed to HTPPF action over a depth up to 20...45 $\mu\textrm{m}$ and the concentration of alloying element (Ni, Cr, V) up to 20 wt.%. Possible industrial brunches for using the treatment have been also considered, as well as some results on modifying the serial industrial articles by HTPPF.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.465-469
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• 2003

Microlens arrays were fabricated using a novel fabrication technology based on the exposure of a PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate) sheet to deep X-rays and subsequent thermal treatment. X-ray irradiation causes the decrease of molecular weight of PMMA, which in turn decreases the glass transition temperature and consequently causes a net volume increase during the thermal cycle resulting in a swollen microlens. A new physical modeling and analyses for microlens formation were presented according to experimental procedure. A simple analysis based on the new model is found to be capable of predicting the shapes of microlens which depend on the thermal treatment. For the replication of microlens arrays having various diameters with different foci on the same surface, the hot embossing and the microinjection molding processes has been successfully utilized with a mold insert that is fabricated by Ni-electroplating based on a PMMA microstructure of microlenses. Fabricated microlenses showed good surface roughness with the order of 1 nm.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2006

Sample preparation plays a critical role in microstructure analysis using TEM. Although TEM specimen has been usually prepared by jet-polishing or Ar-ion beam milling technique. these methods could not be applied to YBCO CC which is composed of IBAD or RABiTS substrates, several buffet layers, and YBCO superconducting layer because of big difference in mechanical strengths between the metallic phase and oxide phases. To obtain useful cross-sectional information such as interface between the phases or second phases in YBCO CC, it is prerequisite to secure the large area of thin section in the cross-sectional direction. The superconducting layer or the buffer layers are relatively weak and fragile compared to the metallic substrate such as Ni-5wt%W RABiTS of Hastelloy-based IBAD, and preferential removal of weak ceramic phases during polishing steps makes specimen preparation almost impossible. Tripod polisher and small jig were home-made and employed to sample preparation. The polishing angle was maintained <$1^{\circ}$ throughout the polishing steps using 2 micrometers attached to the tripod plate. TEM specimens with large and thin area could be secured and used for RABiTS/IBAD substrate analyses. In some cases, additional Ar-beam ion milling with low beam current and impinging angle was used for less than 30 sec. to remove debris or polishing media attacked to the specimens.

• International Journal of Korean Welding Society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.21-24
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• 2002

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the formation mechanisms of imperfections such as irregular humps, outer cavity and inner cavity in the laser fusion zone of diamond saw blade. Laser beam welding was conducted to join two parts of blade; mild steel shank and Fe-Co-Ni sintered tip. The variables were beam power and travel speed. The microstructure and elements distributions of specimens were analyzed with SEM, AES, EPMA and so on. It was found that these imperfections were responded to heat input. Irregular humps were reduced in 10.4∼l7.6kJ/m heat input range. However there were no clear evidences, which could explain the relations between humps formation and heat input. The number of outer cavity and inner cavity decreased as heat input was increased. Considering both possible defects formations mechanisms, it could be thought that outer cavity was caused by insufficient refill of keyhole, which was from rapid solidification of molten metal and fast molten metal flow to the rear keyhole wall at low heat input. More inner cavities were found near the interface of the fusion zone and sintered segment and in the bottom of the fusion zone. Inner cavity was mainly formed in the upper fusion zone at high heat input whereas was in the bottom at low heat input. Inner cavity was from trapping of coarsened preexist pores in the sintered tip and metal vapor due to rapid solidification of molten metal before the bubbles escaped.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.44-56
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• 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM) or three-dimensional (3D) printing of metals has been drawing significant attention due to its reliability, usefulness, and low cost with rapid prototyping. Among the various AM technologies, fused deposition modeling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication is receiving much interest because of its simple manufacturing processing, low material waste, and cost-effective equipment. FDM technology uses metal-filled polymer filaments for 3D printing, followed by debinding and sintering to fabricate complex metal parts. An efficient binder is essential for producing polymer filaments and the thermal post-processing of printed objects. This study involved an in-depth investigation of and a fabrication route for a novel multi-component binder system with steel alloy powder (45 vol.%) ranging from filament fabrication and 3D printing to debinding and sintering. The binder system consisted of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a binder and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polylactic acid (PLA) as a carrier. The PVP binder held the metal components tightly by maintaining their stoichiometry, and the TPU and PLA in the ratio of 9:1 provided flexibility, stiffness, and strength to the filament for 3D printing. The efficacy of the binder system was examined by fabricating 3D-printed cubic structures. The results revealed that the thermal debinding and sintering processes effectively removed the binder/carrier from the cubic structures, resulting in isotropic shrinkage of approximately 15.8% in all directions. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) patterns displayed the microstructure behavior, phase transition, and elemental composition of the 3D cubic structure.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

This study has utilized self-assembled monolayers technology to improve electrical property of graphene-oxide, which has been seperated graphine powder through a chemical exfoliation. Aluminum sulfate (Al₂(SO₄)₃) was applied on graphene-oxide as a reactant, and the fundamental research was carried out to apply on the self-sensing of cement-based construction structures. Electric resistance measurement result has shown that cement-composites with GO and Al-GO can be used as a conductor, electric resistance of GO and Al-GO contained composites improved by 10.2% and 15.9% respectively when compared to the standard cement-composite. Microstructure analyzation shown the formation of Al(OH)₃ gel when Al-GO was added, which is speculated to result the smooth flow of current by improving the density of cement-composite. This implies that graphene-oxide has a possibility to be utilized as smart building materials and construction structure itself rather than just a structure.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.797-809
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• 2023

Objective: Many scientists have investigated solutions to reduce microbiological risks in dry-aged meat after the dry-aging technology was revived for high quality and value-added premium meat product in the market. This study aimed to investigate the effect of scoria powder in onggi (Korean earthenware) on the meat quality of pork loins during 21 days of dry aging and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Methods: The pork loins were randomly divided into three groups: aged in vacuum-packaging, onggi containing red clay only (OR), and onggi containing 30% red clay and 70% scoria powder (OS). Microbial analyses (total plate count and Lactobacillus spp.) and physicochemical analyses (pH, shear force, volatile basic nitrogen [VBN], water activity, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, water content, water holding capacity, cooking loss, and color analysis) of aged meat were conducted. Far-infrared ray emission, quantification of immobilized L. sakei and microstructure of onggi were investigated to understand the mechanism. Results: On day 21, the meat aged in OS exhibited lower pH, shear force, VBN, and water activity than those aged in OR, along with an increase in the number of Lactobacillus spp. OS had a smaller pore diameter than OR, implying lower gas permeability, which could promote the growth of L. sakei. Conclusion: OS improved the microbiological safety and storage stability of pork loin during dry aging by increasing number of Lactobacillus spp. possibly due to low permeability of OS.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2023

Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃(LATP) is considered a promising material for all-solid-state lithium batteries owing to its high moisture stability, wide potential window (~6 V), and relatively high ion conductivity (10^-3-10^-4 S/cm). Solid electrolytes based on LATP are manufactured via sintering, using LATP powder as the starting material. The properties of the starting materials depend on the synthesis conditions, which affect the microstructure and ionic conductivity of the solid electrolytes. In this study, we synthesize the LATP powder using sol-gel and co-precipitation methods and characterize the physical properties of powder, such as size, shape, and crystallinity. In addition, we have prepared a disc-shaped LATP solid electrolyte using LATP powder as the starting material. In addition, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements are conducted to analyze the grain size, microstructures, and ion conduction properties. These results indicate that the synthesis conditions of the powder are a crucial factor in creating microstructures and affecting the conduction properties of lithium ions in solid electrolytes.