• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.287-294
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• 2015

Photovoltaic (PV) modules are environmentally friendly energy-conversion devices to generate electricity via the photovoltaic effect of semiconductors on solar energy. One of key elements in PV modules is "Backsheet," a multi-layered film to protect the devices from a variety of chemicals including water vapor. A representative Backsheet is composed of polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). PVF is relatively expensive, while showing excellent resistance to chemical attacks. Thus, it is necessary to develop alternatives which can lower its high production cost and guarantee lifetime applicable to practical PV modules at the same time. In this study, PET films with certain levels of crystallinity were utilized instead of PVF. Since it is well known that PET is suffering from trans-esterification and hydrolysis under a wide pH range, it is needed to understand decomposition behavior of the PET films under PV operation conditions. To evaluate their chemical decomposition behavior within a short period of times, accelerated decomposition test protocol is developed. Moreover, electrochemical long-term performances of the PV module employing the PET-based Backsheet are investigated to prove the efficacy of the proposed concept.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.85-96
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• 2019

Solar radiation is an important variable for estimation of energy balance and water cycle in natural and agricultural ecosystems. A deep neural network (DNN) model has been developed in order to estimate the daily global solar radiation. Temperature and precipitation, which would have wider availability from weather stations than other variables such as sunshine duration, were used as inputs to the DNN model. Five-fold cross-validation was applied to train and test the DNN models. Meteorological data at 15 weather stations were collected for a long term period, e.g., > 30 years in Korea. The DNN model obtained from the cross-validation had relatively small value of RMSE ($3.75MJ\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$) for estimates of the daily solar radiation at the weather station in Suwon. The DNN model explained about 68% of variation in observed solar radiation at the Suwon weather station. It was found that the measurements of solar radiation in 1985 and 1998 were considerably low for a small period of time compared with sunshine duration. This suggested that assessment of the quality for the observation data for solar radiation would be needed in further studies. When data for those years were excluded from the data analysis, the DNN model had slightly greater degree of agreement statistics. For example, the values of $R^2$ and RMSE were 0.72 and $3.55MJ\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$, respectively. Our results indicate that a DNN would be useful for the development a solar radiation estimation model using temperature and precipitation, which are usually available for downscaled scenario data for future climate conditions. Thus, such a DNN model would be useful for the impact assessment of climate change on crop production where solar radiation is used as a required input variable to a crop model.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2016.11a
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• pp.59-75
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• 2016

Reduced or black $TiO_{2-x}$ materials with oxygen-deficiency have been achieved by creating oxygen vacancies and/or defects at the surface using different methods. Fascinatingly, they exhibited an extended absorption in VIS and IR instead of only UV light with bandgap decrease from 3.2 (anatase) to ~1 eV. However, despite the dramatic enhancement of optical absorption in black $TiO_{2-x}$ materials, they have failed to show expected visible light-assisted water splitting efficiency. This was ascribed to the high concentration of the surface defects and/or oxygen vacancies, considered as an electron donor to enhance donor density and improve the charge transportation in black $TiO_2$ can also act as charge recombination centers, which eventually decrease photocatalytic activity. Therefore, a black ot reducd $TiO_2$ material with optimized properties would be highly desired for visible light photocatalysis. In this report, a new controlled magnesiothermic reduction has been developed to synthesize reduced black $TiO_{2-x}$ in the presence $H_2/Ar$ for photocatalytic $H_2$ production from methanol-water system. The material possesses an optimum band gap and band position, oxygen vacancies, and surface defects and shows significantly improved optical absorption in the visible and infrared region. The synergistic effects enable the reduced $TiO_{2-x}$ material to show an excellent hydrogen production ability along with long-term stability under the full solar wavelength range of light and visible light, respectively, in the methanol-water system in the presence of Pt as a co-catalyst. These values are superior to those of previously reported black $TiO_2$ materials. On the basis of all the results, it can be realized that the outstanding activity and stability of the reduced of $TiO_{2-x}$ NPs suggest that a balanced combination of different factors like $Ti^{3+}$, surface defects, oxygen vacancy, and recombination center is achieved along with optimized bandgap and band position during the preparation employing magnesiothermic reduction in the presence of $H_2$. The controlled magnesiothermic reduction in the presence of $H_2$ is one of the best alternative ways to produce active and stable $TiO_2-based$ photocatalyst for $H_2$ production.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2020

This study was conducted to the improvement of solar light-based artificial light supply system and effect of lettuce cultivation. The artificial light supply system was consisted of units such as light source, power, system measurement and controller. The light source supply was composed of a solar transmitter and an LED lamp. The power supply consisted of an leakage breaker, SMPS, LED controller and relay. The solar transmitter was made of a quartz optical fiber with optimal light transmission. Artificial light used white lamp among LEDs. System measurement and control consisted of touch screen, Zigbee communication module and light quantity sensor. The results of test confirmed that the LED light is automatically activated when the intensity measured by the light intensity sensor is 200 μmolm^-2s^-1 or less. Moreover, the leaf length, root length, chlorophyll content and root fresh weight of optical fiber treatment was hight than LED lamp treatment. Therefore, it can be inferred that the energy-saving solar light collector device can be effective in the indoor lettuce production. However, the use of LED lamp is also recommended to assure the availability of sufficient sunlight in cloudy and rainy days.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.75.1-75.1
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• 2010

Dye sensitized solar cells(DSSCs) have been extensively studied due to their various advantages such as low production cost, colorful design, and eco-friendly process. Long optical path length is one of the most effective method to improve light harvest efficiency for DSSCs. Multi-layered $TiO_2$ nano-structured film with scattering layer has been studied to generate scattering effect by many researchers. It was expected that the difference of refractive index between $TiO_2$ particles and glass frit would generate the light scattering effect and provide the long optical path length. Therefore, to enhance the scattering effect, the frits of $Bi_2O_3-B_2O_3$-ZnO glass system that has the different refractive index were added to $TiO_2$ pastes in this study. First of all, the absorbance and haze factor of $TiO_2$ electrode with dyes and the refractive index of glass frit and $TiO_2$ were measured, respectively. To study the effect of frits, the efficiencies of DSSCs added glass frit and without glass frit were compared. Our results showed slightly higher efficiency with the different absorbance and haze factor of $TiO_2$ and glass frit. It was considered that the light scattering effect would be improved with adding frits to $TiO_2$ paste. Our preliminary studies will be useful for increasing efficiency of DSSCs.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.57.2-57.2
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• 2011

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have recently been developed as a cost-effective photovoltaic system due to their low-cost materials and facile processing. The production of DSSC involves chemical and thermal processes but no vacuum is involved. Therefore, DSSC can be fabricated without using expensive equipment. The use of dyes and nanocrystalline $TiO_2$ is one of the most promising approaches to realize both high performance and low cost. The efficiency of the DSSC changes consequently in the particle size, morphology, crystallization and surface state of the $TiO_2$. Nanocrystalline $TiO_2$ materials have been widely used as a photo catalyst and an electron collector in DSSC. Front electrode in DSSC are required to have an extremely high porosity and surface area such that the dyes can be sufficiently adsorbed and be electronically interconnected, resulting in the efficient generation of photocurrent within cells. In this study, DSSC were fabricated by an screen printing for the $TiO_2$ thin film. $TiO_2$ nanoparticles characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) and scanning auger microscopy (SAM) and zeta potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS).In addition, DSSC module was modeled and simulated using the SILVACO TCAD software program. Improve the efficiency of DSSC, the effect of $TiO_2$ thin film thickness and $TiO_2$ nanoparticle size was investigated by SILVACO TCAD software program.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.185-185
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• 2011

ZnTe semiconductor is very attractive materials for optoelectronic devices in the visible green spectral region because of it has direct bandgap of 2.26 eV. The prototypes of ZnTe light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been reported [1], showing that their green emission peak closely matches the most sensitive region of the human eye. Another application to photovoltaics proved that ZnTe is useful for the production of high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells [2,3]. By using the pulse laser deposition system, ZnTe thin films were deposited on ZnO thin layer, which is grown on (0001) Al2O3substrates. To produce the plasma plume from an ablated ZnO and ZnTe target, a pulsed (10 Hz) YGA:Nd laser with energy density of 95 mJ/$cm^2$ and wavelength of 266 nm by a nonlinear fourth harmonic generator was used. The laser spot focused on the surface of the ZnO and ZnTe target by using an optical lens was approximately 1 mm2. The base pressure of the chamber was kept at a pressure around $10^{-6}$ Torr by using a turbo molecular pump. The oxygen gas flow was controlled around 3 sccm by using a mass flow controller system. During the ZnTe deposition, the substrate temperature was $400^{\circ}C$ and the ambient gas pressure was $10^{-2}$ Torr. The structural properties of the samples were analyzed by XRD measurement. The optical properties were investigated by using the photoluminescence spectra obtained with a 325 nm wavelength He-Cd laser. The film surface and carrier concentration were analyzed by an atomic force microscope and Hall measurement system.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.65-79
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• 2019

The study attempted to estimate the optimal facility capacity by combining renewable energy sources that can be connected with gas CHP in industrial complexes. In particular, we reviewed industrial complexes subject to energy use plan from 2013 to 2016. Although the regional designation was excluded, Sejong industrial complex, which has a fuel usage of 38 thousand TOE annually and a high heat density of $92.6Gcal/km^2{\cdot}h$, was selected for research. And we analyzed the optimal operation model of CHP Hybrid System linking fuel cell and photovoltaic power generation using HOMER Pro, a renewable energy hybrid system economic analysis program. In addition, in order to improve the reliability of the research by analyzing not only the heat demand but also the heat demand patterns for the dominant sectors in the thermal energy, the main supply energy source of CHP, the economic benefits were added to compare the relative benefits. As a result, the total indirect heat demand of Sejong industrial complex under construction was 378,282 Gcal per year, of which paper industry accounted for 77.7%, which is 293,754 Gcal per year. For the entire industrial complex indirect heat demand, a single CHP has an optimal capacity of 30,000 kW. In this case, CHP shares 275,707 Gcal and 72.8% of heat production, while peak load boiler PLB shares 103,240 Gcal and 27.2%. In the CHP, fuel cell, and photovoltaic combinations, the optimum capacity is 30,000 kW, 5,000 kW, and 1,980 kW, respectively. At this time, CHP shared 275,940 Gcal, 72.8%, fuel cell 12,390 Gcal, 3.3%, and PLB 90,620 Gcal, 23.9%. The CHP capacity was not reduced because an uneconomical alternative was found that required excessive operation of the PLB for insufficient heat production resulting from the CHP capacity reduction. On the other hand, in terms of indirect heat demand for the paper industry, which is the dominant industry, the optimal capacity of CHP, fuel cell, and photovoltaic combination is 25,000 kW, 5,000 kW, and 2,000 kW. The heat production was analyzed to be CHP 225,053 Gcal, 76.5%, fuel cell 11,215 Gcal, 3.8%, PLB 58,012 Gcal, 19.7%. However, the economic analysis results of the current electricity market and gas market confirm that the return on investment is impossible. However, we confirmed that the CHP Hybrid System, which combines CHP, fuel cell, and solar power, can improve management conditions of about KRW 9.3 billion annually for a single CHP system.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.1280-1285
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• 2011

Recently, due to the use of fossil fuels for electric power production, carbon emissions increased excessively. Thereby, in order to replace fossil fuels, many studies about fossil fuels such as solar and fuel cell energy source are progressing. Fuel cell system has high energy conversion efficiency. Also, fuel cell system is environmentally friendly system because the carbon emission is almost not occur. Therefore, the fuel cell system is considered as the core technology of in the fields of the future energy and environmental. Fuel cell system has an effect on distribution power system because another power source of other than large power plants. So, fuel cell system can be degradation reason of power quality in the power system. In this paper, we constructed the system for an assessment on harmonics effect. The system is composed with power source, harmonics generation and linear load, fuel cell system. we also performed assessment on harmonics effect in customer and the distributed power system during grid connection of residential fuel cell system. An assessment cases are divided into three. A Case 1 is state that residential load and fuel system are connected to grid, Case 2 is state that residential load and harmonics load are connected to grid, and Case 3 is state that all loads are connected to grid. As a output of fuel cell system is increase, analysis results based on assessment system showed that power quality became more aggravation as effect of harmonics.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.63-68
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• 2008

Efforts tp overcome the current challenge of global warming and abnormal temperature are being taken around the world. According to a report, average temperature of Korea has increased by about $0.8^{\circ}C$ for a century. In particular, temperature has rapidly increased since year 2000. Climate changes have brought remarkable changes in our lives. For example, agricultural field will see changes in crops and production. Energy used to maintain and manage architectures will be changed as well. In order to actively cope with rapidly changing global climate which drives changes from the basic behavior of our lives to subtle changes, international cooperation and researches are performed around the word. For instance, as a part of these global efforts, research on typical meterological data for computer simulation program to evaluate architecture energy performance is in progress in Korea. In order to conduct research on typical meterological data in format of data per time, reference regarding monthly maximum/minimum temperature time is required. Unfortunately, however, reference regarding maximum/minimum temperature time hasn't been defined in Korea. Therefore, this study aims to provide fundamental data essential for various researches by calculating maximum/minimum temperature time of major cities across Korea. According to the study, maximum temperature occurs at 3 p.m and minimum temperature occurs at 5 a.m or 6 a.m. respectively, in overall areas.