• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.3
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• pp.116-123
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• 2014

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from bone marrow or adipose tissue can successfully repair emphysematous animal lungs, which is a characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Here, we describe the cellular distribution of MSCs that were intravenously injected into mice with elastase-induced emphysema. The distributions were also compared to the distributions in control mice without emphysema. Methods: We used fluorescence optical imaging with quantum dots (QDs) to track intravenously injected MSCs. In addition, we used a human Alu sequence-based real-time polymerase chain reaction method to assess the lungs, liver, kidney, and spleen in mice with elastase-induced emphysema and control mice at 1, 4, 24, 72, and 168 hours after MSCs injection. Results: The injected MSCs were detected with QD fluorescence at 1- and 4-hour postinjection, and the human Alu sequence was detected at 1-, 4- and 24-hour postinjection in control mice (lungs only). Injected MSCs remained more in mice with elastase-induced emphysema at 1, 4, and 24 hours after MSCs injection than the control lungs without emphysema. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results show that injected MSCs were observed at 1 and 4 hours post injection and more MSCs remain in lungs with emphysema.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.281.2-281.2
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• 2013

Since heavy metal ions included in water or food resources have critical effects on human health, highly sensitive, rapid and selective analysis for heavy metal detection has been extensively explored by means of electrochemical, optical and colorimetric methods. For example, quantum dots (QDs), such as semiconductor QDs, have received enormous attention due to extraordinary optical properties including high fluorescence intensity and its narrow emission peaks, and have been utilized for heavy metal ion detection. However, the semiconductor QDs have a drawback of serious toxicity derived from cadmium, lead and other lethal elements, thereby limiting its application in the environmental screening system. On the other hand, Graphene oxide (GO) has proven its superlative properties of biocompatibility, unique photoluminescence (PL), good quenching efficiency and facile surface modification. Recently, the size of GO was controlled to a few nanometers, enhancing its optical properties to be applied for biological or chemical sensors. Interestingly, the presence of various oxygenous functional groups of GO contributes to opening the band gap of graphene, resulting in a unique PL emission pattern, and the control of the sp2 domain in the sp3 matrix of GO can tune the PL intensity as well as the PL emission wavelength. Herein, we reported a photoluminescent GO array on which heavy metal ion-specific DNA aptamers were immobilized, and sensitive and multiplex heavy metal ion detection was performed utilizing fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the photoluminescent monolayered GO and the captured metal ion.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.213-213
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• 2013

화합물 반도체 양자점(Quantum dots; QDs)은 높은 효율의 광전자 소자에 적용할 수 있기 때문에 이분야에 대한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있지만 주로 III-V 족 화합물 반도체에 대한 연구가 주를 이룬 반면 II-VI 족 화합물 반도체에 대한 연구는 아직 미흡하다. 하지만 II-VI 족 화합물 반도체는 III-V 족 화합물 반도체와 비교했을 때 더 큰 엑시톤 결합에너지(exciton binding energy)를 가지는 우수한 특성을 보이고 있으며 이러한 성질을 가지는 II-VI 족 화합물 반도체 중에서도 넓은 에너지 갭을 가지는 $Cd_xZn_{1-x}Te$ 양자점은 녹색 영역대의 광전자 소자로서 활용되고 있다. 현재 대부분의 $Cd_xZn_{1-x}Te$ 양자점 구조는 기판과 완충층 (buffer layer) 사이의 작은 격자 부정합(lattice mismatch) 때문에 GaAs 기판을 이룬 반면 Si기판을 이용한 연구는 미흡하다. 하지만 Si 기판은 GaAs 기판에 비해 값이 싸고, 여러 분야에 응용이 가능하며 대량생산이 가능하다는 이점을 가지고 있어 초고속, 초고효율 반도체 광전소자의 제작을 가능케 할 것으로 기대된다. 또한 양자점의 고효율 광전소자에 응용을 위해서는 Si 기판 위에 양자점의 크기를 효율적으로 조절하는 연구 뿐 아니라 양자점의 크기에 따른 운반자 동역학에 대한 연구도 중요하다. 본 연구에선 분자선 에피 성장법(Molecular Beam Epitaxy; MBE)을 이용하여 Si 기판위에 성장한 $Cd_xZn_{1-x}Te/ZnTe$ 양자점의 크기에 따른 광학적 특성을 연구하였다. 저온 광 루미네센스 (PhotoLuminescence; PL) 측정 결과 양자점의 크기가 증가함에 따라 더 낮은 에너지영역으로 피크가 이동하는 것을 확인하였다. 그리고 시분해 광루미네센스 측정 결과 $Cd_xZn_{1-x}Te/ZnTe$ 양자점의 크기가 증가함에 따라 소멸 시간이 긴 값을 갖는 것을 관찰 하였는데, 이는 양자점의 크기가 증가함에 따라 엑시톤 진동 세기가 감소하였기 때문이다. 또한 온도 의존 광루미네센스 측정 결과 양자점의 크기가 증가함에 따라 열적 활성화 에너지가 증가하는 것을 관찰 하였는데, 이는 양자점의 운반자 구속효과가 증가하였기 때문이다. 이와 같은 결과 Si 기판 위에 성장한 $Cd_xZn_{1-x}Te/ZnTe$ 양자점의 크기에 따른 광학적 특성에 대해 이해 할 수 있었다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2019.05a
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• pp.477-478
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• 2019

We have investigated the experiments in which fabrication and characterization of single-electron transistors were conducted due to easy fabrication and high functionality. In the Fe-MgF2 granular film, in which Fe grains are distributed between insulators instead of the conventional quantum dots, it can be easily fabricated by EB deposition alone, and various output values can be expected by applying two or more gate voltages. The tunneling thickness of the film for single-electron operation was investigated and it was confirmed that the tunneling occurred at 2.1 nm.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2022

Drug self-delivery systems can easily realize combination drug therapy and avoid carrier-induced toxicity and immunogenicity because they do not need non-therapeutic carrier materials. So, designing appropriate drug self-delivery systems for specific diseases can settle most of the problems existing in traditional drug delivery systems. Retinal pigment epithelium is very important for the homeostasis of retina. However, it is vulnerable to oxidative damage and difficult to repair. Worse still, the antioxidants can hardly reach the retina by non-invasive administration routes due to the ocular barriers. Herein, the targeted group (folic acid) and antioxidant (melatonin) have been grafted on the surface of ZnO quantum dots to fabricate a new kind of drug self-delivery systems as a protectant via eyedrops. In this study, the negative nanoparticles with size ranging in 4~6 nm were successfully synthesized. They could easily and precisely deliver drugs to retinal pigment epithelium via eyedrops. And they realized acid degradation to controlled release of melatonin and zinc in retinal pigment epithelium cells. Consequently, the structure of retinal pigment epithelium cells were stabilized according to the expression of ZO-1 and β-catenin. Moreover, the antioxidant capacity of retinal pigment epithelium were enhanced both in health mice and photic injury mice. Therefore, such new drug self-delivery systems have great potential both in prevention and treatment of oxidative damage induced retinal diseases.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2022

Fluorescence imaging is widely used to image cells or small animals due to its high temporal and spatial resolution. Because conventional fluorescence imaging uses visible light, the penetration depth of light within the tissue is low, phototoxicity may occur due to visible light, and the detection sensitivity is lowered due to interference by background autofluorescence. In order to overcome this limitation, long-wavelength light should be used, and fluorescence imaging using near-infrared-I (NIR-I) in the region of 700~900 nm has been developed. To further improve imaging quality, researchers are interested in using a longer wavelength light, near-infrared-II (NIR-II) ranging from 1000 to 1700 nm. In the NIR-II region, light scattering is further minimized, and the penetration depth of light in the tissue is improved up to about 10 mm, and autofluorescence of the tissue is reduced, enabling high sensitivity and resolution fluorescence imaging. In this review, among various NIR-II fluorescence imaging probes, inorganic nanoparticle-based probes with excellent photostability and easily tunable emission wavelength were described, focusing on single-walled carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, and lanthanide nanoparticles.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.285-289
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• 2023

Recently, the demand for lidar systems for autonomous driving is increasing, and research on Shortwave Infrared(SWIR) photodetectors for this purpose is being actively conducted. Most SWIR photodetectors currently being developed are based on InGaAs, and have the disadvantages of complex processes, high prices, and limitations in research due to monopoly. In addition, current SWIR photodetectors use lasers in the 905 nm wavelength band, which can pass through the pupil and cause damage to the retina. Therefore, it is required to develop a SWIR photodetector using a wavelength band of 1400 nm or more to be safe for human eyes, and to develop a material that can replace the proprietary InGaAs. PbS QDs are group 4-6 compound semiconductors whose absorption wavelength band can be adjusted from 1000 to 2700 nm, and have the advantage of being simple to process. Therefore, in this study, PbS QDs having an absorption wavelength peak of 1415 nm were synthesized, and a SWIR photodetector was fabricated using this. In addition, the photodetector's responsivity was improved by applying P3HT and ZnO NPs to improve electron hole mobility. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that the synthesized PbS QDs had excellent FWHM characteristics compared to commercial PbS QDs, and it was confirmed that the photodetector had a maximum current change of about 1.6 times.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.49-53
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• 2008

Magnetic and crystallographic properties of patterned media fabricated by nanoimprint lithography and Co-Pt electroplating were studied. Thin films of Ru(20 nm)/Ta(5 nm)/$SiO_2$(100 nm) were deposited on Si(100) wafer and then 25 nm hole pattern was fabricated by nanoimprint lithography on substrate. The electroplated Co-Pt nano-dots have the diameter of 35 nm and the height of 27 nm. Magnetic dot patterns of Co-Pt alloy were created using electroplated Co-Pt alloy and then their properties were measured by MFM, SQUID, SEM, TEM and AFM. We observed single domain with perendicular anisotropy for each dot and achieved optimum coercivity of 2900 Oe. These results mean that patterned media fabricated by nanoimprint lithography and electroplating have good properties in view of extending superparamagnetic limit while satisfying the writability requirements with the present write heads.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.305-305
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• 2014

양자점(Quantum dots)은 3차원적 운반자 구속과 낮은 전류와 높은 온도에서 작동하는 나노 크기의 전기적, 광학적 소자로 응용이 적합하기 때문에 그 특성을 이용한 단전자 트랜지스터, 적외선 검출기, 레이저, LED, 태양전지 등 반도체 소자로의 응용연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. 특히 양자점의 낮은 임계전류밀도와 높은 차동 이득(differential gain), 그리고 고온에서 작동이 용이하여 양자점 레이저로 활용되고 있다. 이러한 분야에 양자점을 응용하기 위해서는 양자점의 운반자 동역학을 이해하고 양자점의 모양, 크기, 크기 분포와 같은 특성 조절이 필요하다. 또한 기존의 연구들은 III-V족 화합물 반도체 양자점에 대한 연구가 대부분이며, II-VI족으로 구성된 연구가 미흡한 상황이기 때문에 II-VI족 화합물 반도체 양자점에 대한 많은 연구가 필요한 상황이다. II-VI 족 화합물 반도체 양자점은 기존의 III-V 족 양자점보다 더 큰 엑시톤 결합에너지(exciton binding energy)를 가지고 있으며, 이러한 특성을 가지는 II-VI 족 화합물 반도체 양자점 중에서도 CdTe 양자점은 높은 엑시톤 결합에너지와 녹색 스펙트럼 영역을 필요로 하는 광학적 장치들에 응용 가능성이 높기 때문에 더욱 주목받고 있다. 본 연구에서는 분자 선속 에피 성장법(Molecular Beam Epitaxy; MBE)과 원자 층 교대 성장법(Atomic Layer Epitaxy; ALE)으로 CdTe/ZnTe 나노구조에서 ZnTe 완충층의 두께에 따른 운반자 동역학 및 광학적 특성을 연구 하였다. 저온 광루미네센스 측정(Photoluminescence; PL) 을 통하여 ZnTe 완충층 두께가 증가할수록 양자점의 광루미네센스 피크가 낮은 에너지로 이동함을 알 수 있었는데, 이는 ZnTe 완충층의 두께가 증가할수록 ZnTe 완충층과 CdTe 양자점의 격자 불일치(lattice mismatch)로 인한 구조 변형력이 감소하고 이에 따라 CdTe 양자점으로 가해지는 변형(Strain)이 감소하여 CdTe 양자점의 크기가 증가했기 때문이다. 그리고 ZnTe 완충층의 두께가 증가할수록 PL 세기가 증가함을 알 수 있었는데, 이는 ZnTe 완충층의 두께가 증가할수록 양자 구속 효과로부터 electronic state와 conduction band edge 사이의 에너지 차이의 증가 때문이다. 또한 시분해 광루미네센스 측정 결과 ZnTe의 두께가 증가할수록 양자점의 소멸 시간이 더 길게 측정되었는데, 이는 더 큰 양자점 일수록 엑시톤 오실레이터 강도가 감소하기 때문에 더 긴 소멸 시간을 나타내는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 결과적으로 본 연구는 ZnTe 두께 변화를 통해 양자점의 에너지 밴드를 제어할 수 있으며, 양자점의 효율 향상을 할 수 있는 좋은 방법임을 제시하고 있다.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.200-205
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• 2016

A drug transport carrier could be used for safe send of drugs to the affected region in a human body. The chitosan is adequate for the drug delivery carrier because of adaptable to living body. The gold, a metallic nanoparticles, tends to form a nano complex at rapidly when it combined with chitosan because of its negative charge. having energy from the other, outer gold nano-complex make heat due to its property to release the contained drugs to the target area. Silver could be also formed an useful biocompatible nano-composites with chitosan which should be used as an useful drug transfer carrier because its special ability to protect microbial contamination. Being one of the oxidized nano metals, $Fe_3O_4$ is nontoxic and has been used for its magnetic characteristics. In this study, the control of catalyst, reducing agent, and solvent amount. The chitosan-$Fe_3O_4$-gold & silver nanoshell have been changed to form about 100 nm size by ionic bond between the amine group, an end group of chitosan, and the metal. It was observed the change in order to seek for its optimum reaction condition as a drug transfer carrier.