• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2013

Polymer exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells have multifunctional properties, and bipolar plates are one of the key components in these fuel cells. Generally, a bipolar plate has a gas flow path for hydrogen and oxygen liberated at the anode and cathode, respectively. In this study, the influence of iodine applied to a bipolar plate was investigated. Accordingly, we compared bipolar plates with and without iodine coating, and the performances of these plates were evaluated under operating conditions of $75^{\circ}C$ and 100% relative humidity. The membrane and platinum-carbon layer were affected by the iodine-coated bipolar plate. Bipolar plates coated with iodine and a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) were investigated by electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Polarization curves showed that the performance of a coated bipolar plate is approximately 19% higher than that of a plate without coating. Moreover, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis revealed that charge transfer resistance and membrane resistance decreased with the influence of the iodine charge transfer complex for fuel cells on the performance.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.813-818
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• 1998

A simple method to measure the elastic modulus E and Poisson's ratio v of diamod-like carbon (DLC) films deposited on Si wafer was suggested. Using the anisotropic etching technique of Si we could make the edge of DLC overhang free from constraint of Si substrate. DLC film is chemically so inert that we could not on-serve any surface damage after the etching process. The edge of DLC overhang free from constraint of Si substrate exhibited periodic sinusoidal shape. By measuring the amplitude and the wavelength of the sinu-soidal edge we could determine the stain of the film required to adhere to the substrate. Since the residual stress of film can be determine independently by measurement of the curvature of film-substrate com-posite we could calculated the biaxial elastic modulus E/(1-v) using stress-strain relation of thin films. By comparing the biaxial elastic modulus with the plane-strain modulus E/(1-{{{{ { v}^{2 } }}) measured by nano-in-dentation we could further determine the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio independently. This method was employed to measure the mechanical properties of DLC films deposited by {{{{ { {C }_{6 }H }_{6 } }} rf glow discharge. The was elastic modulus E increased from 94 to 169 GPa as the {{{{ { V}_{ b} / SQRT { P} }} increased from 127 to 221 V/{{{{ {mTorr }^{1/2 } }} Poisson's ratio was estimated to be abou 0.16∼0.22 in this {{{{ { V}_{ b} / SQRT { P} }} range. For the {{{{ { V}_{ b} / SQRT { P} }} less than 127V/{{{{ {mTorr }^{1/2 } }} where the plastic deformation can occur by the substrate etching process however the present method could not be applied.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.110-115
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• 2019

Graphene oxide has been gathering interests as a way to exfoliate graphene. Since the oxidation group of graphene oxide can hydrogen bond with various functional groups, tremendous efforts have been actively conducted to apply various applications. However, graphene oxide alone cannot substantially possess the mechanical properties required for the practical application. Therefore, in this study, polydopamine, which is a bio-mimetic mussel protein-inspired material, was combined with graphene oxide to form a large-area composite membrane at the liquid-gas interface. In addition, the morphology of the polydopamine-graphene oxide composite thin film was also controlled to obtain a composite membrane having a nano-wrinkle structure. It can be expected to be used in the next generation seawater desalination membranes or carbon composites because it can form mechanically superior and sophisticated nanostructures.

• Nano
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1850124.1-1850124.12
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• 2018

$TiO_2$ films were deposited from oxygen/titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) plasmas at low temperature by Helicon-PECVD at floating potential ($V_f$) or substrate self-bias of -50 V. The influence of titanium precursor partial pressure on the morphology, nanostructure and optical properties was investigated. Low titanium partial pressure ([TTIP] < 0.013 Pa) was applied by controlling the TTIP flow rate which is introduced by its own vapor pressure, whereas higher titanium partial pressure was formed through increasing the flow rate by using a carrier gas (CG). Then the precursor partial pressures [TTIP+CG] = 0:027 Pa and 0.093 Pa were obtained. At $V_f$, all the films exhibit a columnar structure, but the degree of inhomogeneity is decreased with the precursor partial pressure. Phase transformation from anatase ([TTIP] < 0.013 Pa) to amorphous ([TTIP+CG] = 0:093 Pa) has been evidenced since the $O^+_2$ ion to neutral flux ratio in the plasma was decreased and more carbon contained in the film. However, in the case of -50 V, the related growth rate for different precursor partial pressures is slightly (~15%) decreased. The columnar morphology at [TTIP] < 0.013 Pa has been changed into a granular structure, but still homogeneous columns are observed for [TTIP+CG] = 0:027 Pa and 0.093 Pa. Rutile phase has been generated at [TTIP] < 0:013 Pa. Ellipsometry measurements were performed on the films deposited at -50 V; results show that the precursor addition from low to high levels leads to a decrease in refractive index.

• Nano
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.1850148.1-1850148.9
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• 2018

The interconnected three-dimensional Ni-Co-S nanosheets were successfully deposited on ZnO nanorods by a one-step potentiostatic electrodeposition. The Ni-Co-S nanosheets provide a large electrode/electrolyte interfacial area which has adequate electroactive sites for redox reactions. Electrochemical characterization of the ZnO@Ni-Co-S core-shell nanorods presents high specifc capacitance (1302.5 F/g and 1085 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g and 20 A/g), excellent rate capabilities (83.3% retention at 20 A/g) and great cycling stability (65% retention after 5000 cycles at a current density of 30 A/g). The outstanding electrochemical performance of the as-prepared electrode material also can be ascribed to these reasons that the special structure improved electrical conductivity and allowed the fast diffusion of electrolyte ions.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.412-422
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• 2019

The present study reports the morphological and molecular characterization of the fungal strain, CMSS06 and evaluates its raw starch hydrolyzing ability in four different agricultural substrates (rice bran, banana peel, cassava tubers, and coconut water). The potential use of each agricultural substrate to replace the expensive fermentation media was evaluated with six different fermentation media: rice bran (RB), banana peel (BP), cassava starch (CS), cassava in coconut water (CSCW), cassava in modified coconut water (CMCW), and pure Coconut water (CW). The fungal strain CMSS06 was identified as Thielaviopsis ethacetica by the analysis of the ITS sequences. The T. ethacetica alpha amylase enzyme exhibited maximum alpha amylase activity at 72 h, pH 7.0, and $40^{\circ}C$ on soluble starch. This species resulted in the highest enzyme activity (mU/ml) of 26.06, 10.89, 58.82, 14.2, and 54.67 with the RB, BP, CS, CSCW, and CMCW fermentation media, respectively. The results indicate that CS can be used as a carbon substrate and CMCW can be used to accelerate the fermentation by T. ethacetica. The enzyme was partially purified by 40-60% ammonium sulphate fraction, and it showed total enzyme activity, total protein content, specific activity, purification fold, and a recovery of 2400 mU, 30 mg, 80 mU/mg, 2.7, and 71.1%, respectively. The molecular mass of the T. ethacetica alpha amylase was estimated on SDS-PAGE, and two bands around 50 kDa and 70 kDa were identified. The present study implies that T. ethacetica can produce alpha amylase, and it can be used to hydrolyze raw starch during the fermentation processes.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.285-295
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• 2022

Creation of plastic deformation under seismic loads, is one of the most serious subjects in RC structures with steel bars which reduces the life threatening risks and increases dissipation of energy. Shape memory alloy (SMA) is one of the best choice for the relocating plastic hinges. In a challenge to study the seismic response of concrete moment resisting frame (MRF), this article investigates numerically a new type of concrete frames with nano fiber reinforced polymer (NFRP) and shape memory alloy (SMA) hinges, simultaneously. The NFRP layer is containing carbon nanofibers with agglomeration based on Mori-Tanaka model. The tangential shear deformation (TASDT) is applied for modelling of the structure and the continuity boundary conditions are used for coupling of the motion equations. In SMA connections between beam and columns, since there is phase transformation, hence, the motion equations of the structure are coupled with kinetic equations of phase transformation. The Hernandez-Lagoudas theory is applied for demonstrating of pseudoelastic characteristics of SMA. The corresponding motion equations are solved by differential cubature (DC) and Newmark methods in order to obtain the peak ground acceleration (PGA) and residual drift ratio for MRF-2%. The main impact of this paper is to present the influences of the volume percent and agglomeration of nanofibers, thickness and length of the concrete frame, SMA material and NFRP layer on the PGA and drift ratio. The numerical results revealed that the with increasing the volume percent of nanofibers, the PGA is enhanced and the residual drift ratio is reduced. It is also worth to mention that PGA of concrete frame with NFRP layer containing 2% nanofibers is approximately equal to the concrete frame with steel bars.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.892-901
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• 2022

The rising demand for carotenoids can be met by microbial biosynthesis as a promising alternative to chemical synthesis and plant extraction. Several species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) specifically produce C₃₀ carotenoids and offer the added probiotic benefit of improved gut health and protection against chronic conditions. In this study, the recently characterized Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum KCCP11226^T produced the rare C₃₀ carotenoid, 4,4'-diaponeurosporene, and its yield was optimized for industrial production. The one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method was used to screen carbon and nitrogen sources, while the abiotic stresses of temperature, pH, and salinity, were evaluated for their effects on 4,4'-diaponeurosporene production. Lactose and beef extract were ideal for optimal carotenoid production at 25℃ incubation in pH 7.0 medium with no salt. The main factors influencing 4,4'-diaponeurosporene yields, namely lactose level, beef extract concentration and initial pH, were enhanced using the Box-Behnken design under response surface methodology (RSM). Compared to commercial MRS medium, there was a 3.3-fold increase in carotenoid production in the optimized conditions of 15% lactose, 8.3% beef extract and initial pH of 6.9, producing a 4,4'-diaponeurosporene concentration of 0.033 A₄₇₀/ml. To substantiate upscaling for industrial application, the optimal aeration rate in a 5 L fermentor was 0.3 vvm. This resulted in a further 3.8-fold increase in 4,4'-diaponeurosporene production, with a concentration of 0.042 A₄₇₀/ml, compared to the flask-scale cultivation in commercial MRS medium. The present work confirms the optimization and scale-up feasibility of enhanced 4,4'-diaponeurosporene production by L. plantarum subsp. plantarum KCCP11226^T.

• Journal of Advanced Technology Convergence
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.43-48
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• 2023

Globally, there is a collaborative effort to achieve global carbon neutrality in response to climate change. In the case of South Korea, greenhouse gas emissions are rapidly increasing, presenting an urgent situation that requires resolution. In this context, this study developed a thermal energy collection device named a 'steam trap' and created an AI model capable of predicting future electricity usage by collecting energy usage data through steam traps. The average accuracy of electricity usage prediction with this AI model was 96.7%, demonstrating high precision. Consequently, the AI model enables the prediction and management of days with high electricity consumption and identifies which facilities contribute to elevated power usage. Future research aims to optimize energy consumption efficiency through efficient equipment operation using anomaly detection in steam traps and standardizing energy management systems, with the ultimate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.179-190
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• 2023

The effect of the particle size and silica structure on the wear behavior of Silica/Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) compounds was investigated using a blade-type abrader and the findings were compared with those obtained with an Akron abrader. The compensated characteristic parameter (Ψ_c), which was the contributory factor of the combined effect of the particle size and filler structure, was introduced. This parameter was found to exhibit a linear relationship with the Young's modulus. The Young's modulus correlated more with Ψ_c than the uncompensated characteristic parameter (Ψ) modeled for carbon black. The wear rate and volume loss measured using a blade-type abrader and Akron abrader were respectively observed to be inversely proportional to Ψ_c, that is, the wear resistance of Silica/SBR compound improved as the particle size became smaller and the silica structure became intricate. The coefficient of determination (R²) obtained from the linear relationship between Ψ_c and wear rate was higher than those between Ψ_c and volume loss for the Silica/SBR compound. Thus, the blade-type abrader exhibited high potential to be used for accurately evaluating the effect of particle size and structural properties of silica on the wear behavior of SBR compounds.