• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.174-183
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• 2022

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells and water electrolysis are attracting attention in terms of high energy density and high purity hydrogen production. The catalyst layer for the polymer electrolyte fuel cell and water electrolysis is a porous electrode composed of a precious metal-based electrocatalyst and an ionomer binder. Among them, the ionomer binder plays an important role in the formation of a three-dimensional network for ion conduction in the catalyst layer and the formation of pores for the movement of materials required or generated for the electrode reaction. In terms of the use of commercial perfluorinated ionomers, the content of the ionomer, the physical properties of the ionomer, and the type of the dispersing solvent system greatly determine the performance and durability of the catalyst layer. Until now, many studies have been reported on the method of using an ionomer for the catalyst layer for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. This review summarizes the research results on the use of ionomer binders in the fuel cell aspect reported so far, and aims to provide useful information for the research on the ionomer binder for the catalyst layer, which is one of the key elements of polymer electrolyte water electrolysis to accelerate the hydrogen economy era.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.555-566
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• 2023

In this study, a composite phase change material (CPCM) produced using the SOL-GEL technique was developed as a thermal energy storage medium for low-temperature applications. Tetradecane and activated carbon (AC) were used as the core and supporting materials, respectively. The tetradecane phase change material (PCM) was impregnated into the porous structure of AC using the vacuum impregnation method, and a thin layer of silica gel was coated on the prepared composite using the SOL-GEL process, where tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was used as the silica source. The thermal performance of the CPCM was analysed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). DSC results showed that the pure tetradecane PCM had melting and freezing temperatures of 6.4℃ and 1.3℃ and corresponding enthalpies 226 J/g and 223.8 J/g, respectively. The CPCM exhibited enthalpy of 32.98 J/g and 27.7 J/g during the melting and freezing processes at 7.1℃ and 2.4℃, respectively. TGA test results revealed that the AC is thermally stable up to 500℃, which is much higher than the decomposition temperature of the pure tetradecane, which is around 120℃. Moreover, in the case of AC-PCM and CPCM thermal degradation started at 80℃ and 100℃, respectively. The chemical stability of the CPCM was studied using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and the results confirmed that the developed composite is chemically stable. Finally, the surface morphology of the AC and CPCM was analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which confirmed the presence of a thin layer of silica gel on the AC surface after the SOL-GEL process.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2008

It is interesting to note that distinct element method has been used extensively to model the response of micro and discontinuous behavior in geomechanics. Impressive advances related to response of distinct particles have been conducted and there were difficulties in considering fluid effect simultaneously. Current distinct element methods are progressively developed to solve particle-fluid coupling focused on fluid flow through soil, rock or porous medium. In this research, numerical simulations of fluid injection into particulate materials were conducted to observe cavity initiation and propagation using distinct element method. After generation of initial particles and wall elements, confining stress was applied by servo-control method. The fluid scheme solves the continuity and Navior-Stokes equations numerically, then derives pressure and velocity vectors for fixed grid by considering the existence of particles within the fluid cell. Fluid was injected as 7-step into the assembly in the x-direction from the inlet located at the center of the left boundary under confining stress condition, $0.1MP{\alpha}\;and\;0.5MP{\alpha}$, respectively. For each simulation, movement of particles, flow rate, fluid velocity, pressure history, wall stress including cavity initiation and propagation by interaction of flulid-paricles were analyzed.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2024

A fishway is an artificial waterway or device used to resolve difficulties in the movement of fish in a river. Most existing fishways are made of concrete and emit toxic substances, which has a negative impact on the river environment. Accordingly, there is a need to develop fishway construction technology that is eco-friendly and can increase movement efficiency. The technology presented in this study is an integrated porous structure that combines the aggregate with a biopolymer material extracted from castor oil, a non-toxic material. It is a fishway construction technology using eco-friendly materials that can allow vegetation to grow on the surface. In this study, an eco-friendly fishway mixed with biopolymer and aggregate was built on a real scale and the fish movement efficiency was tested and analyzed. As a result of the experiment, a total of 201 fish of 14 species were released with tags inserted, and the detection rate of released fish was confirmed to be 82.6% on average. A total of 40 fish of 6 species were transported upstream through the fishway, and the average passage rate was confirmed to be 21.7%. As a result of checking the circadian migration pattern, it was found that all fish mainly migrate during the day. It was confirmed that there was no significant functional difference between a fishway using biopolymer and a concrete fishway. It is believed that a fishway using biopolymer can be used as a replacement for a concrete fishway.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2000

In the present we.k, temperature dependence of oxygen diffusivity in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film $D_f$ formed on gold electrode was investigated using steady-state rotating disk electrode (RDE) technique and modulated electrohydrodynamic (EHD) impedance technique. Both the diffusion rate defined as the ratio of oxygen diffusivity in the PVC film to the film thickness $D_f/\delta_f$ and the time constant $\delta_f^2/D_f$ for oxygen diffusion through the PVC film were obtained from plot of the limiting current versus disk rotation speed and from filing the EHD impedance spectra experimentally measured to those theoretically calculated on the basis of the diffusion equation for mass transport through the non-conductive and porous film, respectively. By combining measured $D_f/\delta_f$ with $\delta_f^2/D_f$, we determined $\delta_f\;and\;D_f$ at room temperature separately. As temperature increased, it appeared that the $D_f$ value measured for the PVC film-covered gold RDE was enhanced more rapidly than that $D_s$ value in the solution measured for the PVC film-free gold RDE. This means that the pores glowing with increasing temperature act as effective diffusion paths within the film. The present in-situ steady-state and modulated EHD measurements prove to be effective for determining $\delta_f\;and\;D_f$, separately and at the same time the porosity of the PVC film at temperatures below glass temperature $T_g$ of the film.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.3B
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• pp.303-310
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• 2009

Natural zeolite is widely used as sorbents and bio-media materials because it is cheap as well as it has efficient porous structures and large cation exchange. In this study, the effect of metal cations $(Na^+,\;Ca^{2+},\;Mg^{2+},\;Al^{3+})$ adsorbed to natural zeolite on the microorganism attachment was investigated. Metal-modified zeolites (MMZ) were prepared with 0.01 M, 0.02 M and 0.1 M NaCl, $CaCl_2$, $MgCl_2$ and $AlCl_3$ solutions respectively, which concentrations were equivalent to 10%, 20% and 100% of cation exchange capacity (CEC) of natural zeolite. Pseudomonas putida was used as microorganism which was cultivated in Beef Extract Medium at $26^{\circ}C$. The microorganism attachment to MMZ was increased more than natural zeolite. The amount of bacterial adhesion to MMZ and natural zeolite were $Mg^{2+}>natural>Na^+>Al^{3+}>Ca^{2+}$ under 10% of CEC, $Mg^{2+}>Ca^{2+}>Al^{3+}>natural>Na^+$ under 20% of CEC and $Ca^{2+}>Mg^{2+}>natural>Al^{3+}>Na^+$ under 100% of CEC. Especially, Mg-modified zeolite (Mg-MZ) showed the highest amount of bacterial adhesion, which increased the microorganism attachment 60% higher than natural zeolite under 10% of CEC. However, the amount of bacterial adhesion was decreased as the concentration of metal cations modified to zeolite were increased, showing that the increased amounts were 60% under 10% of CEC, 50% under 20% of CEC and 10% under 100% of CEC in Mg-MZ. Additionally, the effect of $Mg^{2+}$ in solution on the bacterial adhesion was investigated in order to compare it with the effect of $Mg^{2+}$ adsorbed to zeolite. The maximum quantity of bacterial adhesion to Mg-MZ was not different from the amount of microorganism attachment to the natural zeolite when $Mg^{2+}$ solution was added.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2001

Chitosan is biodegradable natural polymer that has been demonstrated its ability to improve wound healing, and calcium metaphosphate(CMP) is a unique class of phosphate minerals having a polymeric structure. In this study, chitosan/CMP and platelet derived growth factor(PDGF-BB) loaded chitosan/CMP sponges were developed, and the effect of the sponges on bone regeneration and their possibility as scaffolds for bone formation by three-dimensional osteoblast culture were examined. PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponges were prepared by freeze-drying of a mixture of chitosan solution and CMP powder, and soaking in a PDGF-BB solution. Fabricated sponge retained its 3-dimensional porous structure with $100-200\;{\mu}m$ pores. The release kinetics of PDGF-BB loaded onto the sponge were measured in vitro with $^{125}I-labeled$ PDGF-BB. In order to examine their possibility as scaffolds for bone formation, fetal rat calvarial osteoblastic cells were isolated, cultured, and seeded into the sponges. The cell-sponge constructs were cultured for 28 days. Cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity were measured at 1, 7, 14 and 28 days, and histologic examination was performed. In order to examine the effect on the healing of bone defect, the sponges were implanted into rat calvarial defects. Rats were sacrificed 2 and 4 weeks after implantation and histologic and histomorphometrical examination were performed. An effective therapeutic concentration of PDGF-BB following a high initial burst release was maintained throughout the examination period. PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponges supported the proliferation of seeded osteoblastic cells as well as their differentiation as indicated by high alkaline phosphatase activities. Histologic findings indicated that seeded osteoblastic cells well attached to sponge matrices and proliferated in a multi-layer fashion. In the experiments of implantation in rat calvarial defects, histologic and histomorphometric examination revealed that chitosan/CMP sponge promoted osseous healing as compared to controls. PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponge further echanced bone regeneration. These results suggested that PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponge was a feasable scaffolding material to grow osteoblast in a three-dimentional structure for transplantation into a site for bone regeneration.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.199-218
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• 2005

Purpose of Study: Peripheral nerve regeneration depends on neurotrophism of distal nerve stump, recovery potential of neuron, supporting cell like Schwann cell and neurotrophic factors such as BDNF. Peripheral nerve regeneration can be enhanced by the conduit which connects the both sides of transected nerve. The conduit maintains the effects of neurotrophism and BDNF produced by Schwann cells which can be made by gene therapy. In this study, we tried to enhance the peripheral nerve regeneration by using calcium phosphate coated porous conduit and BDNF-Adenovirus infected Schwann cells in sciatic nerve of rats. Materials and Methods: Microporous filter which permits the tissue fluid essential for nerve regeneration and does not permit infiltration of fibroblasts, was made into 2mm diameter and 17mm length conduit. Then it was coated with calcium phosphate to improve the Schwann cell adhesion and survival. The coated filter was evaluated by SEM examination and MTT assay. For effective allogenic Schwann cell culture, dorsal root ganglia of 1-day old rat were extracted and treated with enzyme and antimitotic Ara-C. Human BDNF cDNA was obtained from cDNA library and amplified using PCR. BDNF gene was inserted into adenovirus shuttle vector pAACCMVpARS in which E1 was deleted. We infected the BDNF-Ad into 293 human mammary kidney cell-line and obtained the virus plaque 2 days later. RT-PCR was performed to evaluate the secretion of BDNF in infected Schwann cells. To determine the most optimal m.o.i of BDNF-Ad, we infected the Schwann cells with LacZ adenovirus in 1, 20, 50, 75, 100, 250 m.o.i for 2 hours and stained with ${\beta}$-galactosidase. Rats(n=24) weighing around 300g were used. Total 14mm sciatic nerve defect was made and connected with calcium phosphate coated conduits. Schwann cells$(1{\times}10^6)$ or BDNF-Ad infected Schwann cells$(1{\times}10^6)$ were injected in conduit and only media(MEM) was injected in control group. Twelve weeks after surgery, degree of nerve regeneration was evaluated with gait analysis, electrophysiologic measurements and histomorphometric analysis. Results: 1. Microporous Millipore filter was effective conduit which permitted the adhesion of Schwann cells and inhibited the adhesion of fibroblast. We could enhance the Schwann cell adhesion and survival by coating Millipore filter with calcium phosphate. 2. Schwann cell culture technique using repeated treatment of Ara-C and GDNF was established. The mean number of Schwann cells obtained 1 and 2 weeks after the culture were $1.54{\pm}4.0{\times}10^6$ and $9.66{\pm}9.6{\times}10^6$. 3. The mRNA of BDNF in BDNF-Ad infected Schwann cells was detected using RT-PCR. In Schwann cell $0.69\;{\mu}g/{\mu}l$ of DNA was detected and in BDNF-Adenovirus transfected Schwann cell $0.795\;{\mu}g/{\mu}l$ of DNA was detected. The most effective infection concentration was determined by LacZ Adenovirus and 75 m.o.i was found the most optimal. Conclusion: BDNF-Ad transfected Schwann cells successfully regenerated the 14mm nerve gap which was connected with calcium phosphate coated Millipore filter. The BDNF-Ad group showed better results compared with Schwann cells only group and control group in aspect to sciatic function index, electrophysiologic measurements and histomorphometric analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.498-506
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• 2019

This study is based on a coating method that provides utilization value as a micronised powder for cosmetic raw materials using natural minerals buried in Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do in Korea. The mineral powder name is called Buseok, and chemical name is pumice powder. The results of a study on the efficacy of cosmetics are reported by the development of particulate powder to assess the performance of this powder. First of all, in order to coat the surface of this powder with oil, aluminum hydroxide was coated on the particulate surface and then coated with alkylsilan. In addition, it was coated with vegetable oil to prevent condensation of the powder and increase the dispersion in the oil phase. First; the particle size of pumice powder was from 10 to 50mm having porous holes on the surface of the particles. Second; The components of this powder contained $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, $Fe_2O_3$, MgO, CaO, $K_2O_2$, $Na_2O$, $TiO_2$, $TiO_2$, MnO, $Cr_2O_3$, $V_2O_5$. Third: The particles of this powder have a planetary structure and are reddish-brown with porosity through SEM and TEM analysis. Fourth; the far-infrared radiation rate of this parabolic powder was $0.924{\mu}m$, and the radiative energy was $3.72{\times}102W/m^2$ and ${\mu}m$. In addition, the anion emission is 128 ION/cc, which shows that the coating remains unchanged. Based on these results, it is expected to be widely applied to basic cosmetics such as BB cream, cushion foundation, powderfect, and other color-coordinated cosmetics, sunblock cream, wash-off massage pack as an application of cosmetics. (Small and Medium Business Administration: S2601385)

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.435-439
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• 2019

Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy of blood mixed cement for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in reducing the complications of percutaneous vertebroplasty using conventional cement. Materials and Methods: This study was performed retrospectively in 80 patients, from January 2016 to January 2017. Porous cement was formed by mixing 2, 4, and 6 ml of blood with 20 g of cement used previously. A tube with a diameter and length of 2.8 mm and 215 mm, respectively, was used and the polymerization temperature, setting time, and optimal passing-time were measured and compared with those using only conventional cement. Radiologically, the results were evaluated and compared. Results: The polymerization temperature was 70.3℃, 55.3℃, 52.7℃, and 45.5℃ in the conventional cement (R), 2 ml (B2), 4 ml (B4), and 6 ml (B6), respectively, and the corresponding setting time decreased from 960 seconds (R) to 558 seconds (B2), 533 seconds (B4), and 500 seconds (B6). The optimal passing-time was 45 seconds (B2), 60 seconds (B4), and 78 seconds (B6) at 73 seconds (R), respectively and as the amount of blood increased, it was similar to the cement passing-time. The radiological results showed that the height restoration rates and the vertebral subsidence rates similar among the groups. Two cases of adjacent vertebral compression fractures in the R group and one in the B2 and B4 groups were encountered, and the leakage rate of the cement was approximately two times higher than that in the conventional cement group. Conclusion: In conventional percutaneous vertebroplasty, the procedure of using autologous blood with cement decreased the polymerization temperature, reduced the setting time, and the incidence of cement leakage was low. These properties may contribute to more favorable mechanical properties that can reduce the complications compared to conventional cements alone.