• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.198-206
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• 2024

Given the high theoretical capacity (1,675 mAh g^-1) and the inherent affordability and ubiquity of elemental sulfur, it stands out as a prominent cathode material for advanced lithium metal batteries. Traditionally, sulfur was sequestered within conductive porous carbons, rooted in the understanding that their inherent conductivity could offset sulfur's non-conductive nature. This study, however, pivots toward a transformative approach by utilizing diatom shell (DS, diatomite)-a naturally abundant and economically viable siliceous mineral-as a sulfur host. This approach enabled the development of a sulfurlayered diatomite/S composite (DS/S) for cathodic applications. Even in the face of the insulating nature of both diatomite and sulfur, the DS/S composite displayed vigorous participation in the electrochemical conversion process. Furthermore, this composite substantially curbed the loss of soluble polysulfides and minimized structural wear during cycling. As a testament to its efficacy, our Li-S battery, integrating this composite, exhibited an excellent cycling performance: a specific capacity of 732 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles and a robust 77% capacity retention. These findings challenge the erstwhile conviction of requiring a conductive host for sulfur. Owing to diatomite's hierarchical porous architecture, eco-friendliness, and accessibility, the DS/S electrode boasts optimal sulfur utilization, elevated specific capacity, enhanced rate capabilities at intensified C rates, and steadfast cycling stability that underscore its vast commercial promise.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.248-257
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• 2009

The inhibitors against Vibrio harveyi quorum sensing (QS) signaling were developed by modifying the molecular structure of the major signal, N-3-hydroxybutanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (3-OH-$C_4$-HSL). A series of structural derivatives, N-(3-hydroxysulfonyl)-L-homoserine lactones (HSHLs) were synthesized by the solid-phase organic synthesis method. The in vivo QS inhibition by these compounds was measured by a bioassay system using the V. harveyi bioluminescence, and all showed significant inhibitory effects. To analyze the interaction between these compounds and LuxN, a 3-OH-$C_4$-HSL receptor protein of V. harveyi, we tentatively determined the putative signal binding domain of LuxN based on the sequence homology with other acyl-HSL binding proteins, and predicted the partial 3-D structure of the putative signal binding domain of LuxN by using ORCHESTRA program, and further estimated the binding poses and energies (docking scores) of 3-OH-$C_4$-HSL and HSHLs within the domain. In comparison of the result from this modeling study with that of in vivo bioassay, we suggest that the in silica interpretation of the interaction between ligands and their receptor proteins can be a valuable way to develop better competitive inhibitors, especially in the case that the structural information of the protein is limited.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.185-194
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• 2004

In recent years, construction company makes inroads into the world construction market, and receives the order of extra-large concrete structure under marine environment in south-east asia specially. At this point of time, to enhance the quality of concrete, we research the High Strength Concrete (HSC) containing mineral admixtures. In this study, therefore, HSC with various combination of ordinary portland cement(OPC), blast-furnace slag(SG), silica fume(SF), and expansion admixture(SS) are cured 23 and $35^{\circ}C$ considering the site weather, and are cured in water for 3, 7 or 56 days respectively. Test results show that the HSC cured at $35^{\circ}C$ gains higher early-age strength but eventually gains lower later-age strength compare with the HSC cured at $23^{\circ}C$. Especially, HSC with combination of OPC+SG+SF+SS or OPC+SG+SF show very excellent resistance of chloride penetration. The permeability of HSC was therefore enhanced as because of containing the proper content of SG, SF, and SS and making dense micro-structure of HSC.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.125-133
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• 2011

The requirement for durability of concrete bridge deck is increasing as the deterioration for the concrete bridge deck exposed to severe environment has been increased. For this reason, the concern about high-durable concrete is being high. Recently, a metakaolin is highly spotlighted as new admixture because its strength and durability are equivalent to silica fume. On the other hands, there are few researches for the metakaolin concrete bridge deck in domestic. So many various long-term data on the mechanical property and durability is needed to apply metakaolin concrete at the concrete bridge deck construction field. This study is aim to evaluate the long-term mechanical properties and durability of metakaolin concrete bridge deck with curing age. Mechanical properties are estimated by the compressive and flexural strength, and the drying shrinkage, the chloride resistance, the scaling, and freezing and thawing characteristics are compared with curing age. According to the results, when the metakaolin concrete is used, the development of compressive and flexural strength proceed in both the early and old ages. It is also improved the resistance of chloride penetration, freezing and thawing in concrete. It was showed that replacement of metakaolin was efficient for the reduction of the drying shrinkage.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.83-91
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• 2015

Porous concrete consists of cement, water and coarse aggregate and has been used for the purpose of decreasing the earth environmental load such as air and water permeability, sound absorption, etc. However, the physical and mechanical properties of porous concrete changes due to compaction load during construction. For such a reason, the purpose of this study is to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of porous concrete according to the kinds of binder, the ratio of water to binder and target void ratio. In particular, this study has been carried out to investigate the influence of compaction load on the void ratio, strength and coefficient of permeability. Aggregate used in this study are by-products generated during production of crushed gravel with a maximum size of 13mm. The results of this study showed that the target void ratio, the coefficient of permeability and compressive strength of porous concrete had a close relationship with the void ratio, and it will be possible that the void ratio is suggested by the mix design of porous concrete. The compressive strength of porous concrete was the highest at the content of the expansive admixture of 5% and compared to non-mixture, 10% mixture of silica fume improved compressive strength about 32%. And in the result of the study to change the compaction load, the compressive strength increased from the load of 15kN, the void ratio decreased from the load of 0.8kN, the coefficient of permeability decreased from the load 35kN, respectively.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.88-94
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• 2013

The hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is well known as a hazardous ion, presumably inducing dermatic diseases and if serious cancer. The present study concerns the binding capacity of Cr(VI) ions in the cement powder and matrix for a quantitative technique of Cr(VI) ions in cement to influence human health. Both the water-soluble and acid-soluble Cr(VI) ions present in 3 types of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), pulverised fuel ash (PFA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and silica fume (SF) were measured using the spectrophotometer. As a result, it was found that the concentration of water-soluble Cr(VI) ion in cement ranged from 10.5 to 18.9mg/kg-cement, and in the additional materials a very low value of Cr(VI) ion was measured. Acid-soluble Cr(VI) ion was even higher than water-soluble Cr(VI) ion, ranging from 172.4 to 318.2mg/kg-cement. Nevertheless, the concentration of acid-soluble Cr(VI) ion is not proportional to addition of acid. It depends rather the variable pH of solvent involving cement paste. As enough cement hydration occurs, the binding capacity of Cr(VI) ion increases, inhibiting this ions from leaching out in the presence of hydration products such as ettringite or tri-calcium aluminate which bind Cr(VI) ion by ion-exchange.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.124-134
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• 2013

This study investigated the effect of surface water on concrete substrate on adhesive strength in tension of very high flowable SBR-modified cement mortar. The specimens were prepared with proportionally mixing SBR latex, ordinary portland cement, silica sand, superplasticizer and viscosity enhancing agent. Polymer cement ratio (P/C) were 10, 20, 30, 50 and 75% and the weight ratio of fine aggregate to cement were 1:1 and 1:3. The specimens obtained with different P/C and C:F were characterized by unit weight, flow test, crack resistance and adhesion test. After basic tests, two mixtures of P/C=20% and 30% in case of C:F=1:1, and one mixture of P/C=50% in case of C:F=1:3 were selected, respectively. These three selected specimens were studied about the effect of surface water evenly sprayed on concrete substrate by a amount of 0, 0.006, 0.012, 0.017, 0.024g per unit area ($cm^2$) of concrete substrate surface The results show that surface water on concrete substrate increases the adhesive strength in tension of high flowable SBR-modified cement mortar and improve the flowability compared to the non-sprayed case.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.315-322
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• 2012

Alkali-activated slag (AAS) is the most obvious alternative materials that can replace OPC. But, AAS industrial usage as a structural material should be evaluated for its durability. Carbonation resistance is one of the most important factors in durability evaluation. Test results for 18 slag-based mortars activated by sodium silicate and 6 OPC mortars were obtained in this study to verify the carbonation property. Main variables considered in the study were flow, compressive strength before and after carbonation, and carbonation depth. Mineralogical and micro-structural analysis of OPC and AAS specimens prior to and after carbonation was conducted using XRD, TGA, FTIR FE-SEM. Test results showed that CHS was major hydration products of AAS and, unlike OPC, no other hydration products were found. After carbonation, CSH of hydration product in AAS turned into an amorphous silica gel, and alumina compounds was not detected. From the analysis of the results, it was estimated that the micro-structures of CSH in AAS easily collapsed during carbonation. Also, the results showed that this collapse of chemical chain of CSH lowered the compressive strength of concrete after carbonation. By increasing the dosage of activators, carbonation resistance and compressive strength were effectively improved.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.295-301
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• 2011

Recently, the use of UHPC made of superplasticizers, silica fume, and steel fibers has been increasing worldwide. Although UHPC has a very high strength as well as an excellent durability performance due to its dense microstructures, earlyage cracks may occur due to the high heat of hydration and autogenous shrinkage caused by low W/B and high unit cement content. The early-age shrinkage cracking of UHPC can be controlled by using the shrinkage reducers and expansive admixtures having autogenous shrinkage compensation effect. In this paper, ultrasonic pulse velocity of UHPC containing shrinkage reducers and expansive agents was measured to predict its stiffness change. Also, the effect of shrinkage reducers and expansive agents on the autogenous shinkage of UHPC was investigated through the shrinkage test of UHPC specimens. Furthermore, the material coefficients of autogenous shrinkage prediction model were determined using the autogenous shrinkage values of UHPC with age. Consequently, the test results showed that, by adding shrinkage reducers and expansive agents, the stiffness of UHPC was rapidly developed at early-ages and the autogenous shrinkage was considerably reduced.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.94-104
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• 2013

Experiments were divided into two parts; one part is to understand the basic properties of high flowable VA/VeoVa-modified cement mortar with different polymer cement ratio (P/C) and the weight ratio of fine aggregate to cement (C:F) and the other part is to investigate the effect of surface water spread on the concrete substrate on adhesion in tension. To understand the basic performance, the specimens were prepared with proportionally mixing VA/VeoVa redispersible powder, ordinary portland cement, silica sand, superplasticizer and viscosity enhancing agent. Here, P/C were 10, 20, 30, 50 and 75% and C:F were 1:1 and 1:3. As the change of P/C and C:F unit weight, flow test, crack resistance and adhesion in tension were measured. Three specimens with good adhesion properties were selected among specimens with different P/C and C:F. The effect of surface water evenly sprayed on concrete substrate on adhesive strength is investigated. The results show that surface water on concrete substrate increases the adhesion in tension of high flowable VA/VeoVa-modified cement mortar and additionally improves the flowability compared to the non-sprayed case.