• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.105-112
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• 2023

In this paper, we propose a new method for displaying colored defects by measuring the relative density with the wide-area and local densities of X-ray. The relative density of one pixel represents a relative difference from the surrounding pixels, and we also suggest a colorization of X-ray images representing these pixels as normal and defective. The traditional method mainly inspects materials such as plastics and metals, which have large differences in transmittance to the object. Our proposed method can be used to detect defects such as sprouts or holes in images obtained by an inspection machine that detects X-rays. In the experiment, the products that could not be seen with the naked eye were colored with pests or sprouts in a specific color so that they could be used in the agricultural product selection system. Products that are uniformly filled with a single ingredient inside, such as potatoes, carrots, and apples, can be detected effectively. However, it does not work well with bumpy products, such as peppers and paprika. The advantage of this method is that, unlike machine learning, it doesn't require large amounts of data. The proposed method could be applied to a screening system using X-rays and used not only in agricultural product screening systems but also in manufacturing processes such as processed food and parts manufacturing, so that it can be actively used to select defective products.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.417-426
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• 2022

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the chemicals used in monomer epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics. The surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method is precise for identifying biological materials and chemicals at considerably low concentrations. In the present article, the substrates coated with gold nanoparticles have been studied to identify BPA and control the diseases caused by this chemical. Gold nanoparticles were made by a simple chemical method and by applying gold salt and trisodium citrate dihydrate reductant and were coated on glass substrates by a spin-coat approach. Finally, using these SERS substrates as plasmonic sensors and Raman spectroscopy, the Raman signal enhancement of molecular vibrations of BPA was investigated. Then, the molecular vibrations of BPA in some consumer goods were identified by applying SERS substrates as plasmonic sensors and Raman spectroscopy. The fabricated gold nanoparticles are spherical and quasi-spherical nanoparticles that confirm the formation of gold nanoparticles by observing the plasmon resonance peak at 517 nm. Active SERS substrates have been coated with nanoparticles, which improve the Raman signal. The enhancement of the Raman signal is due to the resonance of the surface plasmons of the nanoparticles. Active SERS substrates, gold nanoparticles deposited on a glass substrate, were fabricated for the detection of BPA; a detection limit of 10-9 M and a relative standard deviation (RSD) equal to 4.17% were obtained for ten repeated measurements in the concentration of 10-9 M. Hence, the Raman results indicate that the active SERS substrates, gold nanoparticles for the detection of BPA along with the developed methods, show promising results for SERS-based studies and can lead to the development of microsensors. In Raman spectroscopy, SERS active substrate coated with gold nanoparticles are of interest, which is larger than gold particles due to the resonance of the surface plasmons of gold nanoparticles and the scattering of light from gold particles since the Raman signal amplifies the molecular vibrations of BPA. By decreasing the concentration of BPA deposited on the active SERS substrates, the Raman signal is also weakened due to the reduction of molecular vibrations. By increasing the surface roughness of the active SERS substrates, the Raman signal can be enhanced due to increased light scattering from rough centers, which are the same as the larger particles created throughout the deposition by the spin-coat method, and as a result, they enhance the signal by increasing the scattering of light. Then, the molecular vibrations of BPA were identified in some consumer goods by SERS substrates as plasmonic sensors and Raman spectroscopy.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.262-271
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• 2023

Globally, the amount of waste plastics has been occurring to environmental problems. As a result, it is necessary to research methods that utilize waste plastic pyrolysis oil (WPPO) produced by pyrolysis. One such method being studied is utilizing WPPO as a naphtha feedstock. In this study, five types of WPPO were analyzed to determine whether they can be used as raw materials for naphtha. Because of their wide boiling point range, the WPPOs were fractionated into light and heavy fractions through vacuum distillation, and the separation and purification techniques were analyzed using GC-VUV to determine the content of paraffin, olefin, and other compounds. All WPPOs showed high olefin content regardless of the source and fraction. Aromatic and paraffin content varied depending on the source, and oxygen and other compounds also varied significantly by source and fraction. In addition, the light fraction showed a carbon distribution similar to that of naphtha, whereas the heavy fraction showed a carbon distribution of C₁₁ ~ C₁₄. In conclusion, additional processes and raw material selection are required to utilize waste plastic pyrolysis oil as a raw material for naphtha.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.515-521
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• 2023

In this study, waste carbon fiber obtained by pyrolysis of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) was used to produce carbon fluoride through vapor phase fluorination and recycled as a reducing electrode material for lithium primary batteries. First, the physicochemical properties of the waste carbon fiber obtained by pyrolysis were determined, and the structural and chemical properties of carbon fluoride were analyzed to evaluate the effect of vapor phase fluorination on the waste carbon fiber. XRD analysis confirmed that the hexagonal network carbon laminated structure (002 peak) of the waste carbon fiber was gradually converted into a carbon fluoride structure (CF_X, 001 peak) as the temperature of gas phase fluorination increased. The discharge capacity of the lithium primary battery produced using this carbon fluoride was up to 862 mAh/g. This was compared to the discharge capacity of carbon fluoride-based Li-ion batteries made of other carbon materials. These results suggest that carbon fluoride made from waste CFRP-based carbon fibers can be used as a reducing electrode material for Li-ion batteries.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.420-428
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• 2023

Crosslinking was introduced into vinylized-mesoporous silica and recycled polyethylene. By introducing a vinyl group into the mesoporous silica, it becomes a material capable of inducing cross-linking with non-polar polyethylene. By synthesizing vinylized-mesoporous silica and inducing crosslinking with recycled polyethylene, a recycled polyethylene composite with improved physical properties than existing recycled polyethylene was synthesized. In addition, even when a small amount is added according to the grade of recycled polyethylene using vinylized-mesoporous silica, the crosslinking reaction proceeds and all physical properties are improved. Four types of vinylized-mesoporous silica were synthesized, and the shape, microstructure, and functional groups were analyzed by TEM, BET, FT-IR, and XRD. Using vinylized-mesoporous silica, three types of compounds were blended by crosslinking reaction with recycled polyethylene. In order to confirm the presence or absence of crosslinking, analysis was performed using XPS and FT-IR, and physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, flexural strength, and flexural modulus were confirmed using a universal testing machine. As a result, by applying vinylized-mesoporous silica to recycled polyethylene in various grades, the weak physical properties of existing recycled polyethylene were overcome. By applying the vinylized-mesoporous silica, recycled polyethylene composite material that overcomes the weak physical properties to the normal polyethylene, it shows the optimal physical property index that can be used commercially. Therefore, it is expected that it can potentially increase the use of recycled polyethylene and recycle resources.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.2.1-2.15
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• 2023

Background: Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals that are widely used in the production of items of daily life such as in polyvinylchloride plastics, insecticides, and medical devices. This study aimed to determine the association between phthalate exposure and shellfish consumption using data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3 (2015-2017), which is a nationally representative survey. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the KoNEHS cycle 3 data of 3,333 (1,526 men and 1,807 women) adults aged more than 19 years. Data related to the variables of sociodemographic factors, health-related behaviors, dietary factors, seafood consumption frequency, and urinary phthalate metabolites concentrations were collected. The concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites of all the participants were divided into quartiles to define high and low concentration groups based on the 75th percentile concentration. A χ² test was conducted to analyze the distribution of independent variables. To analyze the relationship between shellfish consumption and phthalate exposure, the odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression analysis. Results: Total adults with shellfish consumption frequency of over once a week showed the following adjusted ORs for high concentrations of the following metabolites compared with the group that consumed shellfish once a week or less: 1.43 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-2.06) for mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), 1.43 (95% CI: 1.01-2.03) for mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), 1.57 (95% CI: 1.10-2.24) for ∑di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (∑DEHP), 2.01 (95% CI: 1.46-2.77) for mono-carboxyoctyl phthalate (MCOP), 1.56 (95% CI: 1.11-2.18) for mono-carboxy-isononly phthalate (MCNP), and 2.57 (95% CI: 1.85-3.56) for mono (3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP). Conclusions: The concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites (MEOHP, MECPP, ∑DEHP, MCOP, MCNP, and MCPP) were higher in adults with a higher frequency of shellfish consumption.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2024

Plastics are widely used in industries in human society and because of their structural stability, degradation is a serious global issue. To estimate the degradation of plastic, 31 edible mushrooms were cultured with the selected plastic films (polyethylene [PE], polystyrene [PS], and poly(ethylene terephthalate) [PET]) for 3 months at 25 ℃. Measuring the weight of the films showed that four species of mushrooms, namely Porostereum spadiceum, Ganoderma lucidum, Coprinellus micaceus, and Pleurotus ostreatus, exhibited the highest degrees of plastic degradation. In addition, the mushrooms and fungi that exhibited the most significant plastic degradation were cross-cultured to promote this degradation. As a result, cross-cultivation of G. lucidum and Aspergillus niger showed a weight loss of 2.49% for the PET film. For the PS film, Aspergillus nidulans showed a weight loss of 4.06%. Cross-cultivation of A. nidulans and C. micaceus, which showed a weight loss of 2.95%, was noted as an alternative for PS biodegradation, but is harmful to humans. These bio-degradation effects of edible mushroom will contribute to the development of alternatives for eco-friendly plastic degradation.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.91-99
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• 2009

This research were performed to evaluate co-incineration characteristics of sewage sludge and industrial waste in rotary kiln incinerator, and provide the fundamental data. Plastic portion (42.55%) in this industrial waste showed over 3 times higher than that (11.92%) of paper. Korean proximate analysis of the waste mixed with sewage sludge and industrial waste (3 : 7, volumetric basis) showed 16.3% of moisture, 70.5% of volatile solids, and 13.2% of ash, respectively. Low heating value of the mixed waste was 4,513kcal/kg. So it was thought that the mixed waste of sewage sludge and industrial waste (containing 43% of plastics and 12% papers) has enough heating value for co-incineration. The incineration of mixed waste showed the lowest SOx and NOx concentrations at $700^{\circ}C$. However, the operation at $950^{\circ}C$ was feasible in considering dioxin and the other hazardous gases. It was concluded that use of $Ca(OH)_2$ should be under investigation for the operation at $950^{\circ}C$.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.243-251
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• 2019

Microplastics (MP) are found in large quantities in the oceans, posing a major threat to the ecosystem. In Korea, MPs have been reported to be detected in sea salts. In order to analyze MPs, information on their composition, size, and shape is required. FT-IR microscopy is used frequently to measure sizes larger than 20 ㎛. Recently, however, Raman microscopy, which can analyze ultrafine plastics below 20 ㎛, has been applied extensively. In this study, 10.0 g samples of commercially available salts were dissolved and filtered through a 45 ㎛ mesh filter with a size of 25.4 mm × 25.4 mm. These filtered samples were then analyzed by both FT-IR microscopy and Raman microscopy. A total of four MPs, including three polyethylene (PE) of size 70-100 ㎛ and a polypropylene (PP) of size 170 ㎛, were detected by FT-IR microscopy, while 10 MPs, including nine PE of size 10-120 ㎛ and one polystyrene (PS) of size 40 ㎛, were detected by Raman microscopy. Approximately, 1,000 MPs/kg was estimated, which was almost two times higher than the previous reported levels (~550-681 particles/kg in sea salts); this is because Raman microscopy can detect much smaller MPs than FT-IR microscopy. A total of 113 particles were found using Raman microscopy: Carbon (35, 31.5 %), minerals (28, 25 %), and glass (16, 14.4 %) were dominant, forming around 70% of the total, but MPs (10, 8.8 %) and cellulose (5, 4.5 %) were also found. Raman microscopy has great potential as an accurate method for measuring MPs, as it can measure smaller size MPs than FT-IR microscopy. It also has a reduced sample preparation time.

• International Journal of Ocean System Engineering
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2012

A Macroscopic combination of two or more distinct materials is commonly referred to as a "Composite Material", having been designed mechanically and chemically superior in function and characteristic than its individual constituent materials. Composite materials are used not only for aerospace and military, but also heavily used in boat/ship building and general composite industries which we are seeing increasingly more. Regardless of the various applications for composite materials, the industry is still limited and requires better fabrication technology and methodology in order to expand and grow. An example of this is that the majority of fabrication facilities nearby still use an antiquated wet lay-up process where fabrication still requires manual hand labor in a 3D environment impeding productivity of composite product design advancement. As an expert in the advanced composites field, I have developed fabrication skills with the use of machinery based on my past composite experience. In autumn 2011, the Korea government confirmed to fund my project. It is the development of a composite sanding machine. I began development of this semi-robotic prototype beginning in 2009. It has possibilities of replacing or augmenting the exhaustive and difficult jobs performed by human hands, such as sanding, grinding, blasting, and polishing in most often, very awkward conditions, and is also will boost productivity, improve surface quality, cut abrasive costs, eliminate vibration injuries, and protect workers from exposure to dust and airborne contamination. Ease of control and operation of the equipment in or outside of the sanding room is a key benefit to end-users. It will prove to be much more economical than normal robotics and minimize errors that commonly occur in factories. The key components and their technologies are a 360 degree rotational shoulder and a wrist that is controlled under PLC controller and joystick manual mode. Development on both of the key modules is complete and are now operational. The Korean government fund boosted my development and I expect to complete full scale development no later than 3rd quarter 2012. Even with the advantages of composite materials, there is still the need to repair or to maintain composite products with a higher level of technology. I have learned many composite repair skills on composite airframe since many composite fabrication skills including repair, requires training for non aerospace applications. The wind energy market is now requiring much larger blades in order to generate more electrical energy for wind farms. One single blade is commonly 50 meters or longer now. When a wind blade becomes damaged from external forces, on-site repair is required on the columns even under strong wind and freezing temperature conditions. In order to correctly obtain polymerization, the repair must be performed on the damaged area within a very limited time. The use of pre-impregnated glass fabric and heating silicone pad and a hot bonder acting precise heating control are surely required.