• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.735-750
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: The major challenge of tissue engineering is to develop constructions with suitable properties which would mimic the natural extracellular matrix to induce the proliferation and differentiation of cells. Poly(${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL, PCEC), chitosan (CS), nano-silica ($n-SiO_2$) and nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) are biomaterials successfully applied for the preparation of 3D structures appropriate for tissue engineering. METHODS: We evaluated the effect of n-HA and $n-SiO_2$ incorporated PCEC-CS nanofibers on physical properties and osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis, contact angle and mechanical test were applied to evaluate the physicochemical properties of nanofibers. Cell adhesion and proliferation of hDPSCs and their osteoblastic differentiation on nanofibers were assessed using MTT assay, DAPI staining, alizarin red S staining, and QRT-PCR assay. RESULTS: All the samples demonstrated bead-less morphologies with an average diameter in the range of 190-260 nm. The mechanical test studies showed that scaffolds incorporated with n-HA had a higher tensile strength than ones incorporated with $n-SiO_2$. While the hydrophilicity of $n-SiO_2$ incorporated PCEC-CS nanofibers was higher than that of samples enriched with n-HA. Cell adhesion and proliferation studies showed that n-HA incorporated nanofibers were slightly superior to $n-SiO_2$ incorporated ones. Alizarin red S staining and QRT-PCR analysis confirmed the osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs on PCEC-CS nanofibers incorporated with n-HA and $n-SiO_2$. CONCLUSION: Compared to other groups, PCEC-CS nanofibers incorporated with 15 wt% n-HA were able to support more cell adhesion and differentiation, thus are better candidates for bone tissue engineering applications.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.427-438
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• 2023

We carried out a geological survey to classify the types of mass movement in Danyang Geopark (where various rock types are distributed) and analyzed the mechanical and hydraulic characteristics of landslide materials using a series of laboratory tests. Debris flows occurred in areas of limestone/marble, shale, and porphyroblastic gneiss, and limestone/marble landslides were distinguished from the others through the presence of karren topography. Soil tests showed that soil derived from weathered gneiss, which has a higher proportion of coarse grains, has a higher friction angle, lower cohesion, and larger hydraulic conductivity than soils from areas of limestone/marble, and shale. Rock failure mass movements occurred in areas of phyllite, sandstone, and conglomerate and were subdivided into plane failure, block-fall, and boulder-fall types in areas of phyllite, sandstone, and conglomerate, respectively. The shear strength of phyllite is much lower than that of the other types of rock, which have similar rock quality. The slake durability index of the conglomerate is similar to that of the other rock types, which have similar degrees of weathering, but differential weathering of the matrix and clasts was clearly observed when comparing the samples before and after the test. This study can help establish appropriate reinforcement and disaster prevention measures, which depend on the type of mass movement expected given the geological characteristics of an area.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.7-15
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• 2020

The high-temperature stability of Mg-8.0Zn-1.6Y (wt.%) alloys upon the addition of Ca has been investigated by characterizing the ignition temperature, microstructure, tensile and creep properties. The ignition temperature increases with an increase in the Ca content, indicating that an addition of Ca enhances the ignition resistance of the Mg-Zn-Y alloy. The as-cast microstructures of all tested alloys mainly consisted of the dendritic α-Mg matrix and I-phase (Mg₃Zn₆Y) at the grain boundaries. In the Ca-added Mg-8.0Zn-1.6Y alloys, the Ca₂Mg₆Zn₃ phase forms, with this phase fraction increasing with an increase in the Ca contents. However, a high volume fraction of the Ca₂Mg₆Zn₃ phase rather deteriorates the mechanical properties. Therefore, a moderate amount of Ca element in Mg-8.0Zn-1.6Y alloys is effective for improving the tensile and creep properties of the Mg-Zn-Y alloy. The Mg-8.0Zn-1.6Y-0.3Ca alloy exhibits the highest tensile strength and the lowest creep strain among the alloys investigated in the present study. The creep resistance of Mg-Zn-Y-Ca alloys depends on the selection of the secondary solidification phase; i.e., when Ca₂Mg₆Zn₃ forms in an alloy containing a high level of Ca, the creep resistance deteriorates because Ca₂Mg₆Zn₃ is less stable than the I-phase at a high temperature.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.63-69
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• 2008

The mechanical properties and morphologies of cellulose blends with two different additives were compared. Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) of ethylene glycol (EG) were used as additives in the formation of cellulose blends through the solution blending. The properties of blends were varied with the additive content in the polymer matrix. The ultimate tensile strength and initial modulus of the cellulose blends were highest for a blend PVA content of 30 wt% and for a blend EG content of 10 wt%, respectively. Ternary blended systems of composition of cellulose/PVA (70/30=w/w)/EG were also prepared by the solution blending method with different EG contents. The mechanical properties of these systems were found to be optimal for EG contents of up to 40 wt%. The mechanical properties of the cellulose ternary blend films were superior to those of the cellulose binary blend films. The oxygen permeability transmission rate ($O_2TR$) monotonically decreased with increasing EG content in the ternary blend films. Overall, the mechanical properties of the cellulose blend films were found to be better than those of pure cellulose films.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제33권1호통권129호
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• pp.29-37
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• 2005

The main objective of this research was conducted to evaluate the impacts on the thermoplastic polymer which is a matrix polymer and the rice husk flour (RHF) which is a reinforcing filler relative to the manufacturing temperature and time when bio-composites were manufactured. In order to evaluate the impacts on the rice husk flour relative to the manufacturing temperature, the rice husk flour was persevered for 10 minutes to 2 hours period at $220^{\circ}C$ temperature which was then added with the polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to complete the manufacturing process of the bio-composites and measure the corresponding mechanical properties. As preserving time increased at $220^{\circ}C$, the tensile and impact strength were decreased due to the thermal degradation of the main components within the rice husk flour. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to measure weight loss caused by the actual manufacturing temperature and the result was that the thermoplastic polymer had not scarcely occurred weight change, but there had been increasing rate of weight loss relative to time for the rice husk flour and the bio-composites under the consistent temperature of $220^{\circ}C$ for 2 hour time period. Therefore, the proper manufacturing temperature and time settings are significantly important features in order to prevent the reduction of mechanical properties which were induced throughout the manufacturing process under the high manufacturing temperature.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.121-127
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• 2013

With the continuing demand for lightweight bicycles, carbon fiber composite materials have been widely used in manufacturing bicycle frames and components. Unlike general isotropic materials, the structural characteristics of composite materials are strongly influenced by the staking directions and sequences of composite laminates. Thus, to verify the design process of bicycles manufactured using composites, structural analysis is considered essential. In this study, a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) bicycle frame was designed and its structural behavior was investigated using finite element analysis (FEA). By measuring the failure indices of the fiber and matrix under various stacking sequences and loading conditions, the effect of the stacking condition of composite laminates on the strength of the bicycle structure was examined. In addition, the structural safety of the bicycle frame can be enhanced by reinforcing weak regions prone to failure using additional composite laminates.

• Journal of Life Science
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.437-446
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• 2014

Problems appear when triptans are taken orally. For example, the bioavailability of triptan is reduced by the digestive system, and the drug level in the blood reduces rapidly over time; there is also a possibility of gastrointestinal disorder. To improve side effects, a transdermal patch has been prepared in hydrogel form. The polymer matrix that makes up the hydrogel uses PVA; PEG is used as an additive to induce inter/intra hydrogen bonding of the PVA and almotriptan drug is added. In addition, to accelerate micro-phase separation between PVA chains, liquid nitrogen is used. In FT-IR analysis, the absorption bands of PVA, PEG, and almotriptan were found. The degree of crystallinity, the water uptake ability and tensile strength were increased with increasing PEG content. In drug release tests, the amount of drug released increased depending on the PEG content. In this study, hydrogels with 10 wt% PEG showed better performance in drug release. Approximately 60% of the total drug amount was released in 2 hr, and the drug continued to release for 1 day. Thus, the prepared hydrogel patch is suitable as a transdermal formulation for the second dose administration of triptans to patients who require recurrent migraine treatment within 24 hr after the first administration.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.114-121
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• 2015

Mutli-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were surface-modified by a hydrofluoric acid solution to remove impurities and improve interfacial bonding and dispersion of nanotubes in an epoxy matrix. The crystallinity on the surface of treated MWCNTs was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The mechanical properties were characterized by tensile test, and the enhancement of mechanical properties of the modified MWCNTs/epoxy composites was indicated by a 33% increase in tensile strength. The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI-SE) of modified MWCNTs/epoxy composites was improved with an increase in concentration of hydrofluoric solution, and EMI-SE showed the maximum increase with 25% HF. However, mechanical and EMI-SE properties didn't show further increase with over 50% HF concentration because the properties of MWCNTs were influenced by degradation of crystallinity and intrinsic properties of MWCNTs. The mechanical and electrical property enhancements of the polymer composites are attributed to the modification of MWCNTs which improve crystallinity of MWCNTs and dispersion in the epoxy resin.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• 제58권4호
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• pp.770-776
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• 2009

The composites were fabricated by adding 0, 15, 30, 45[vol.%] $ZrB_2$ powders as a second phase to SiC matrix. The physical, mechanical and electrical properties of electroconductive SiC ceramic composites by spark plasma sintering(SPS) were investigated. Reactions between ${\beta}$-SiC and $ZrB_2$ were not observed in the XRD and the phase analysis of the electroconductive SiC ceramic composites. The relative density of mono ${\beta}$-SiC, ${\beta}$-SiC+15[vol.%]$ZrB_2$, ${\beta}$-SiC+30[vol.%]$ZrB_2$ and ${\beta}$-SiC+45[vol.%]$ZrB_2$ composites are respectively 99.24[%], 87.53[%], 96.41[%] and 98.11[%] Phase analysis of the electroconductive SiC ceramic composites by XRD revealed mostly of ${\beta}$-SiC, $ZrB_2$ and weakly of $ZrO_2$ phase. The flexural strength showed the lowest of 114.44[MPa] for ${\beta}$-SiC+15[vol.%]$ZrB_2$ powders and showed the highest of 210.75[MPa] for composite no added with $ZrB_2$ powders at room temperature. The trend of the mechanical properties of the electroconductive SiC ceramic composites is accorded with the trend of the relative density. The electrical resistivity of the electroconductive SiC ceramic composites decreased with increased $ZrB_2$ contents. The electrical resistivity of mono ${\beta}$-SiC, ${\beta}$-SiC+15[vol.%]$ZrB_2$, ${\beta}$-SiC+30[vol.%]$ZrB_2$ and ${\beta}$-SiC+45[vol.%]$ZrB_2$ composites are respectively $4.57{\times}10^{-1},\;2.13{\times}10^{-1},\;2.68{\times}10^{-2}\;and\;1.99{\times}10^{-2}[{\Omega}{\cdot}cm]$ at room temperature. The electrical resistivity of mono ${\beta}$-SiC and ${\beta}$-SiC+15[vol.%]$ZrB_2$ are negative temperature coefficient resistance(NTCR) in temperature ranges from $25[^{\circ}C]\;to\; 100[^{\circ}C]$. The electrical resistivity of ${\beta}$-SiC+30[vol.%]$ZrB_2$ and ${\beta}$-SiC+45[vol.%]ZrB_2$ are positive temperature coefficient resistance(PTCR) in temperature ranges from $25[^{\circ}C]\;to\;100[^{\circ}C]$. It is convinced that ${\beta}$-SiC+30[vol.%]$ZrB_2$ composites by SPS for heater or ignitors can be applied.

• Composites Research
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.40-44
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• 2016

Nuclear fuel cladding used in a nuclear power plant must possess superior oxidation resistance in the coolant atmosphere of high temperature/high pressure. However, as was the case for the critical LOCA (loss-of-coolant accident) accident that took place in the Fukushima disaster, there is a risk of hydrogen explosion when the nuclear fuel cladding and steam reacts dramatically to cause a rapid high-temperature oxidation accompanied by generation of a huge amount of hydrogen. Hence, an active search is ongoing for an alternative material to be used for manufacturing of nuclear fuel cladding. Studies are currently aimed at improving the safety of this cladding. In particular, ceramic-based nuclear fuel cladding, such as SiC, is receiving much attention due to the excellent radiation resistance, high strength, chemical durability against oxidation and corrosion, and excellent thermal conduction of ceramics. In the present study, cladding with $SiC_f/SiC$ protective films was fabricated using a process that forms a matrix phase by polymer impregnation of polycarbosilane (PCS) after filament-winding the SiC fiber onto an existing Zry-4 cladding tube. It is analyzed the oxidation and microstructure of the metal cladding with $SiC_f/SiC$ composite protective films using a drop tube furnace for thermal shock test.