• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1238-1249
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• 2023

In this study, we sought to investigate the production and optimization of biosurfactants by soil fungi isolated from petroleum oil-contaminated soil in Saudi Arabia. Forty-four fungal isolates were isolated from ten petroleum oil-contaminated soil samples. All isolates were identified using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and biosurfactant screening showed that thirty-nine of the isolates were positive. Aspergillus niger SA1 was the highest biosurfactant producer, demonstrating surface tension, drop collapsing, oil displacement, and an emulsification index (E₂₄) of 35.8 mN/m, 0.55 cm, 6.7 cm, and 70%, respectively. This isolate was therefore selected for biosurfactant optimization using the Fit Group model. The biosurfactant yield was increased 1.22 times higher than in the nonoptimized medium (8.02 g/l) under conditions of pH 6, temperature 35℃, waste frying oil (5.5 g), agitation rate of 200 rpm, and an incubation period of 7 days. Model significance and fitness analysis had an RMSE score of 0.852 and a p-value of 0.0016. The biosurfactant activities were surface tension (35.8 mN/m), drop collapsing (0.7 cm), oil displacement (4.5 cm), and E₂₄ (65.0%). The time course of biosurfactant production was a growth-associated phase. The main outputs of the mathematical model for biomass yield were Yx/s (1.18), and µ_max (0.0306) for biosurfactant yield was Y_p/s (1.87) and Y_p/x (2.51); for waste frying oil consumption the So was 55 g/l, and Ke was 2.56. To verify the model's accuracy, percentage errors between biomass and biosurfactant yields were determined by experimental work and calculated using model equations. The average error of biomass yield was 2.68%, and the average error percentage of biosurfactant yield was 3.39%.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.106-111
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• 2024

A triboelectric nanogenerator is a promising energy harvester operated by the combined mechanism of electrostatic induction and contact electrification. It has attracting attention as eco-friendly and sustainable energy generators by harvesting wasting mechanical energies. However, the power generated in the natural environment is accompanied by low frequencies, so that the output power under such input conditions is normally insufficient amount for a variety of industrial applications. In this study, we introduce a non-contact rotational triboelectric nanogenerator using pedaling and gear systems (called by P-TENG), which has a mechanism that produces high power by using rack gear and pinion gear when a large force by a pedal is given. We design the system can rotate the shaft to which the rotor is connected through the conversion of vertical motion to rotational motion between the rack gear and the pinion gear. Furthermore, the system controls the one directional rotation due to the engagement rotation of the two pinion gears and the one-way needle roller bearing. The TENG with a 2 mm gap between the rotor and the stator produces about the power of 200 ㎼ and turns on 82 LEDs under the condition of 800 rpm. We expect that P-TENG can be used in a variety of applications such as operating portable electronics or sterilizing contaminated water.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2023

In the pumping process, concrete moves along the pipe and experiences both pressure and shear. This changes the workability and flow characteristics of the concrete. However, the effect of pressure and shear on the change in properties of concrete during the pumping process has not yet been accurately identified. This study analyzed the effects of pressure and shear on the properties of concrete during pumping. For quantitative tests, lab-scale test equipment capable of simulating the pressure and shear applied to concrete during pumping was used. For one coarse aggregate type, two paste types, three mortar types, and five concrete types, the effects of pressure, shear, and shear under pressure conditions were examined by varying the maximum pressure (0 to 200 bar) and the rotational speed of the vane for shear (0 to 180 rpm). Under the maximum pressure condition of 200 bar, the water absorption of coarse aggregate increased by 0.62% and that of fine aggregate also increased. When the concrete was under pressure, significant changes (a reduction in a slump and an increase in viscosity and yield stress) compared with the effect of the elapsed time occurred owing to an increase in the water absorption of the aggregates. When both pressure and shear were applied to concrete, both the slump and viscosity decreased. As the rotational speed of the vane increased, changes in properties became significant. Shearing in the absence of pressure maintained the properties of concrete. However, shearing under pressure conditions caused a reduction in slump and viscosity.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.409-414
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• 2023

YSZ (Y₂O₃-stabilized zirconia)-based ceramics have excellent mechanical properties, such as high strength and wear resistance. In the application, YSZ is utilized in the bead mill, a fine-grinding process. YSZ-based parts, such as the rotor and pin, can be easily damaged by continuous application with high rpm in the bead mill process. In that case, adding WC particles improves the tribological and mechanical properties. YSZ-30 vol.% WC composite ceramics are manufactured via hot pressing under different pressures (10/30/60 MPa). The hot-pressed composite ceramics measure the physical properties, such as porosity and bulk density values. In addition, the phase formation of these composite ceramics is analyzed and discussed with those of physical properties. For the increased applied pressure of hot pressing, the tetragonality of YSZ and the crystallinity of WC are enhanced. The mechanical properties indicate an improved tendency with the increase in the applied pressure of hot pressing.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.64-70
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• 2023

Garlic is classified as one of the three essential seasoning vegetables in Korea. In 2023, it was reported that the area under garlic cultivation was 24,700 ha, and the production stood at 318,220 tons. Garlic harvesting mechanization currently stands at 43.8%, and garlic is still collected manually after digging out using diggers, so the process is labor intensive. To reduce garlic production costs and enhance competitiveness, it is necessary to develop a high-performance gathering type harvester in place of the digging type harvester. Therefore, in this study, a gathering-type garlic harvester that can dig and collect simultaneously was designed and manufactured, and the harvest performance by factor was analyzed through a harvest performance test. As a result of the performance test, it was analyzed to perform optimally at a driving speed of 0.11m/s and a transfer speed of 85rpm. Work performance was calculated using the results obtained from the factor performance test.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.437-442
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• 2023

This research aims to enhance the efficiency of Pt/C catalysts due to the limited availability and high cost of platinum in contemporary fuel cell catalysts. Nano-sized platinum particles were distributed onto a carbon-based support via the polyol process, utilizing the metal precursor H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O. Key parameters such as pH, temperature, and RPM were carefully regulated. The findings revealed variations in the particle size, distribution, and dispersion of nano-sized Pt particles, influenced by temperature and pH. Following sodium hydroxide treatment, heat treatment procedures were systematically executed at diverse temperatures, specifically 120, 140, and 160 ℃. Notably, the thermal treatment at 140 ℃ facilitated the production of Pt/C catalysts characterized by the smallest platinum particle size, measuring at 1.49 nm. Comparative evaluations between the commercially available Pt/C catalysts and those synthesized in this study were meticulously conducted through cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FE-SEM EDS) methodologies. The catalyst synthesized at 160 ℃ demonstrated superior electrochemical performance; however, it is imperative to underscore the necessity for further optimization studies to refine its efficacy.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.87-94
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to observed changes in the shape of dental barrels based on application time. Machinability measures the angle of alloy specimens. Polishing performance measures the surface roughness of alloy specimens. Methods: The dental barrel polishing equipment used in this study was a Snow Barrel (DK Mungyo). Three types of cobalt-chromium alloys for partial dentures were used as specimens (BC CAST R [BP]; Bukwang, Vera PDI [VP]; Aalbadent, and GM 800+ [GP]; Dentaurum). Specimens were prepared in the form of plates (10 mmx10 mmx2 mm). Dental barrel polishing was performed at 450 rpm for 60 minutes with intervals of 5 minutes. The processing angle was measured using a microscope (SZ61; Olympus). Results: For the angle measurement, the VPC specimen was measured at 78.64°, 36.00° for the VP60 specimen, 79.57° for the BP control (BPC) specimen, 28.07° for the BP60 specimen, 75.01° for the GPC specimen, and 39.92° for the GP60 specimen. For the surface roughness measurements, the average surface roughness of the VPC and VP15 specimens were 1.09 ㎛ and 0.26 ㎛, respectively. The average surface roughness of the BPC and BP20 specimens were 1.77 ㎛ and 0.29 ㎛, respectively. The average surface roughness of the GPC and GP15 specimens were 1.08 ㎛ and 0.27 ㎛. Conclusion: The results were excellent after about 20 minutes of dental barrel polishing conditions presented in this study.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.132-136
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• 2024

This study investigated the effects of revolution speed and ball size in planetary milling on the microstructure and dehydrogenation behavior of TiH₂ powder. The particle size analysis showed that the large particles present in the raw powder were effectively refined as the revolution speed increased, and when milled at 500 rpm, the median particle size was 1.47 ㎛. Milling with a mixture of balls of two or three sizes was more effective in refining the raw powder than milling with balls of a single size. A mixture of 3 mm and 5 mm diameter balls was the optimal condition for particle refinement, and the measured median particle size was 0.71 ㎛. The dependence of particle size on revolution speed and ball size was explained by changes in input energy and the number of contact points of the balls. In the milled powder, the endothermic peak measured using differential thermal analysis was observed at a relatively low temperature. This finding was interpreted as the activation of a dehydrogenation reaction, mainly due to the increase in the specific surface area and the concentration of lattice defects.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.449-456
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• 2023

Sugar or dextrose increases the cost of production of xanthan gum by Xanthomonas campestris. Brewers' Spent Grain (BSG) was chosen as a source of fermentable sugars. BSG is a significant industrial by-product generated in large quantities from the breweries. Primarily used as animal feed due to its high fiber and protein content, BSG holds great potential as an economically and ecologically sustainable substrate for fermenting biomolecules. This study explores BSG's potential as a cost-effective carbon source for producing xanthan, utilizing Xanthomonas campestris NCIM 2961. An aqueous extract was prepared from BSG and inoculated with the bacterium under standard fermentation conditions. After fermentation, xanthan gum was purified using a standard protocol. The xanthan yield from BSG media was compared to that from MGYP media (control). The fermentation parameters, including pH, temperature, agitation and duration were optimized for maximum xanthan gum yield by varying them at different levels. Following fermentation, the xanthan gum was purified from the broth by alcoholic precipitation and then dried. The weight of the dried gum was measured. The obtained xanthan from BSG under standard conditions and commercial food-grade xanthan were characterized using FTIR. The highest xanthan yields were achieved at 32 ℃, pH 6.0, and 72 h of fermentation at 200 rpm using BSG media. The FTIR spectra of xanthan from BSG media closely resembled that of commercial food-grade xanthan. The results confirm the potential of BSG as a cost-effective alternative carbon source for xanthan production, thereby reducing production costs and solid waste.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1531-1541
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• 2023

Lipase is a well-known and highly in-demand enzyme. During the last decade, several lipase optimization studies have been reported. However, production costs have always been a bottleneck for commercial-scale microbial enzyme production. This research aimed to optimize the conditions for lipase production by Limtongozyma siamensis DMKU-WBL1-3 via a One-Factor-At-a-Time (OFAT) approach combined with statistical methods while using a low-cost substrate. Results suggest that low-cost substrates can be substituted for all media components. An optimal medium was found, using response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD), to consist of 0.50% (w/v) sweet whey, 0.40% (w/v) yeast extract (food grade), and 2.50% (v/v) palm oil with the medium pH adjusted to 4 under shaking flask cultivation. From an economic point of view, this work was successful in reducing production costs while increasing lipase productivity. The medium costs were reduced by 87.5% of the original cost while lipase activity was increased by nearly 6-fold. Moreover, lipase production was further studied in a 2-L stirred-tank fermentor. Its activity was 1,055.6 ± 0.0 U/ml when aeration and agitation rates were adjusted to 1 vvm and 170 rpm, respectively. Interestingly, under this optimal lipase production, the yeast showed accumulated lipids inside the cells. The primary fatty acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) that is typically linked to health benefits. This study hence reveals promising lipase production and lipid accumulation by L. siamensis DMKU-WBL1-3 that are worthy of further study.