• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.152-162
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• 2024

The microbial starter used to produce kefir beverages, kefir grain, contains a microbial exopolysaccharide called kefiran. Kefir grain consisting of water-insoluble polysaccharides, proteins, and fats, which can be applied as a multi-functional biopolymer. The mass of kefir grain can increase in the fermentation process of Kefir, but it is considered very slow. The purpose of this research is to study the impact of ammonium sulfate supplementation and yeast extract on reconstituted skim milk to increase the mass kefir grain and physical properties of kefiran. Results showed that the ammonium sulfate-supplemented substrate increased the mass of kefir grain by 547% in 14 days, with the condition that the substrate must be renewed every 2 days. Refreshing the substrate is considered one of the important factors. Supplementation on substrate did not appear to affect the viability of bacterial and yeast cells. Kefir grain produced from supplemented substrate also yields better thermal stability properties and has more functional groups than without supplementation. Two Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (RAL27 and RAL43) and one Limosilactobacillus fermentum (RAL29) were found to produce EPS. The three isolates also showed good skim milk fermentation ability after purification from kefir grain. The kefir grain produced in this study has the potential for wider application. This study also showed that kefir grain can be adjusted in quantity and quality through fermentation substrate engineering.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2022

The agglomeration characteristics of coal and silica sand were investigated under various conditions using mixed samples consisting of coal, silica sand, and potassium hydroxide, which is an agglomeration accelerator. The samples were prepared by either physically mixing or using aqueous solutions. The experiments using the physically mixed powder samples were performed with a two hour reaction time. The results showed that the number of aggregates generated increased as the reaction temperature and the total potassium content increased. The experiments using aqueous solutions were performed at 880 ℃, which is the operating temperature of a fluidized bed boiler, and at 980 ℃, which assumes a local hot spot. The amount of agglomeration generated as the reaction time increased and the total potassium content increased was identified. In the experiment performed at 880 ℃, the amount of aggregate generated clearly increased with the reaction time, and in the experiment performed at 980 ℃, assuming a local hot spot, a large amount of aggregate was generated in a relatively short time. The aggregates became harder as the potassium content increased. When the total potassium content was less than 1.37 wt.%, the aggregates were weak at both temperatures and collapsed even with a slight impact. Additionally, the surface characteristics of the silica sand and ash aggregates were observed by SEM-EDS analysis. The analysis revealed a large amount of potassium at the bonding sites. This result indicates that there is a high possibility of aggregation in the form of a eutectic compound when the alkali component is increased.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.51-56
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• 2015

It has been used various pad finish materials to enhance the reliability of solder joint and recently Electroless Ni Electroless Pd Immersion Gold (the following : ENEPIG) pad has been used more than others. This study is about reliability according to being used in commercial Electrolytic Ni pad and ENEPIG pad, and was observed behavior of various Cu contents. After reflow, the inter-metallic compound (IMC) between solder and pad is composed of $Cu_6Sn_5$ (Ni substituted) by using EDS, and in case of ENEPIG, between IMC and Ni layer was observed the dark layer ($Ni_3P$ layer). Additional, it could be controlled the thickness of dark layer according to Cu contents. Investigated the different fracture mode between electrolytic Ni and ENEPIG pad after drop shock test, in case of soft Ni, accelerated stress propagated along the interface between $1^{st}$ IMC and $2^{nd}$ IMC, and in case of ENEPIG pad, accelerated stress propagated along the weaken surface such as dark layer. The unstable interface exists through IMC, pad material and solder bulk by the lattice mismatch, so that the thermal and physical stress due to the continuous exterior impact is transferred to the IMC interface. Therefore, it is strongly requested to control solder morphology, IMC shape and thickness to improve the solder reliability.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.63-72
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• 2017

This study fabricated a low-voltage 10 circuit distribution board based on the KEMC (Korea Electrical Manufacturers Cooperative) 2102-610 standard and performed a characteristics assessment of the developed 10 circuit distribution board to secure product stability. The developed 10 circuit distribution board is designed to have the characteristics of insulation materials, as well as resistance to corrosion ultraviolet radiation and mechanical impact. The developed distribution board is fabricated to have an appropriate protection class of enclosure, electric shock prevention and protection circuits, switchgear and its components, internal electrical circuits and connectors, external conduct terminal, insulation characteristics, temperature rise test, heat resistance, etc. The developed 10 circuit distribution board consists of a single phase circuit and 3-phase circuits. It is possible to measure in real time the leakage current generated from the load distribution line by installing a sensor module at the load side of each of the branched switchgears. In addition, it is possible to increase a circuit according to the use and purpose of the load and to also manage and check the load in real time. Temperature rise tests were performed on the developed 10 circuit distribution board at 18 places including the inlet connection, main circuit and distribution circuit bus bars and bus bar supports, etc. The highest temperature of $65.3^{\circ}C$ was measured at the R-Phase of the connection of the MCCB power supply for the branch circuit bus bar and a temperature rise of $61.6^{\circ}C$ was measured at the T-Phase of the load side. When applying thermal stress to an MCCB for 6 hours at $180^{\circ}C$ using a heat resistant experimental device, it was found that the actuator lever was transformed and moved in the tripped state.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.77-77
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• 2016

Thin films synthesized by plasma processes have been widely applied in a variety of industrial sectors. The structure control of thin film is one of prime factor in most of these applications. It is well known that the structure of this film is closely associated with plasma parameters and species of plasma which are electrons, ions, radical and neutrals in plasma processes. However the precise control of structure by plasma process is still limited due to inherent complexity, reproducibility and control problems in practical implementation of plasma processing. Therefore the study on the fundamental physical properties that govern the plasmas becomes more crucial for molecular scale control of film structure and corresponding properties for new generation nano scale film materials development and application. The thin films are formed through nucleation and growth stages during thin film depostion. Such stages involve adsorption, surface diffusion, chemical binding and other atomic processes at surfaces. This requires identification, determination and quantification of the surface activity of the species in the plasma. Specifically, the ions and neutrals have kinetic energies ranging from ~ thermal up to tens of eV, which are generated by electron impact of the polyatomic precursor, gas phase reaction, and interactions with the substrate and reactor walls. The present work highlights these aspects for the controlled and low-temperature plasma enhanced chemical vapour disposition (PECVD) of Si-based films like crystalline Si (c-Si), Si-quantum dot, and sputtered crystalline C by the design and control of radicals, plasmas and the deposition energy. Additionally, there is growing demand on the low-temperature deposition process with low hydrogen content by PECVD. The deposition temperature can be reduced significantly by utilizing alternative plasma concepts to lower the reaction activation energy. Evolution in this area continues and has recently produced solutions by increasing the plasma excitation frequency from radio frequency to ultra high frequency (UHF) and in the range of microwave. In this sense, the necessity of dedicated experimental studies, diagnostics and computer modelling of process plasmas to quantify the effect of the unique chemistry and structure of the growing film by radical and plasma control is realized. Different low-temperature PECVD processes using RF, UHF, and RF/UHF hybrid plasmas along with magnetron sputtering plasmas are investigated using numerous diagnostics and film analysis tools. The broad outlook of this work also outlines some of the 'Grand Scientific Challenges' to which significant contributions from plasma nanoscience-related research can be foreseen.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.321-330
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• 2011

We experimentally investigated the effect of applied DC electric fields on the flame spread over polyethylene-coated electrical wire. The flame-spread rates over electrical wire with negative and positive DC electric fields from 0 to ${\pm}7$ kV were measured and analyzed. We compared the results for DC electric fields with previous results for AC electric fields. We explored whether or not various flame shapes could be obtained with DC electric fields and the main reason for the flame-spread acceleration, particularly at the end of the electrical wire, for AC electric fields. We found that DC electric fields do not significantly affect the flame-spread rates. However, the flame shape is mildly altered by the ionic wind effect even for DC electric fields. The flame-spread rate is relevant to the flame shape and the slanted direction in spite of the mild impact. A possible explanation for the flame spread is given by a thermal-balance mechanism and fuel-vapor jet.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.423-428
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• 2016

The last stage blades of a low pressure (LP) turbine get frequently fractured because of stress corrosion cracking. This is because they operate in a severe corrosive environment that is caused by the impurities dissolved in condensed steam and high stress due to high speed rotation. To improve the reliability of the blades under severe conditions, 12% Cr martensitic stainless steel, having excellent corrosion resistance and higher strength, is widely used as the blade material. This paper shows the result of root cause analysis on a blade which got fractured suddenly during normal operation. Testing of mechanical properties and microstructure examination were performed on the fractured blade and on a blade in sound condition. The results of testing of mechanical properties of the fractured blade showed that the hardness were higher but impact energy were lower, and were not meeting the criteria as per the material certificate specification. This result showed that the fractured blade became embrittled. The branch-type crack was found to have propagated through the grain boundary and components of chloride and sulfur were detected on the fractured surface. Based on these results, the root cause of fracture was confirmed to be stress corrosion cracking.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.664-671
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of high pressure treatment and type of binding agents on the quality characteristics of restructured pork. For binding agents, 2% (w/w) isolated soy protein (SP), 0.5% (w/w) wheat flour (WF) and 0.5% (w/w) ${\kappa}$-carrageenan (KC) were incorporated into meat batter with or without 0.5% (w/w) glucono-${\delta}$-lactone (GdL). The restructured pork was pressurized at varying pressure levels (0.1-450 MPa) for 3 min under ambient temperature and thermal treated at $75^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. As quality parameters of restructured pork, pH, water binding properties, instrumental color and texture profile analysis were determined and compared with control (C, no binder). For type of binders, SP exhibited the best water binding properties, however, the impact on textural properties were lesser than KC and WF. The addition of GdL decreased the pH of restructured pork down to 0.4 unit, while high pressure processing prevented the moisture loss caused from pH decrease by GdL. In particular, meat restructuring efficiency of SP as a binder improved under the presence of GdL. Therefore, the present study demonstrated the potential advantages of low amount of GdL (0.5%, w/w) combined with protein based binder (SP) and high pressure processing in restructuring meat particles.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.27-63
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• 2007

Using the CGE model, this paper investigates economic impacts of a shortage in crude oil resulting from voluntary export restraints, OPEC's agreement of a cut in oil production, and/or a storing on speculation. Unlike most previous studies considering oil price as the unpredictable variable, this study constructs the model to determine the oil price endogenously under the condition of an insufficient supply of crude oil. According to IEA's extraordinary steps for a shortage of crude oil, we investigate an economic impact of 7~12% shortage below the level of business as usual. The results show that oil price soars by 17.3~33.5%, the rate of economic growth falls by 0.52~0.96%p, and the consumer price index(CPI) rises by 0.8~1.51%p. These results imply that increasing in 1%p of oil price results in decreasing in 0.03%p of economic growth and increasing in 0.045%p of consumer price index. The production of electricity declines because of the increase in production cost. A shortage of crude oil has an effect on sources of electricity. Most reduction in electricity generation occurs from the reduction in the thermal power generation which is highly dependent on crude oil. The shortage of crude oil causes demand for petroleum to significantly decline but demand for coal and heat to increase because of the substitution effect with petroleum. Demand for gas rise in the first year but falls from the second year.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.251-261
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• 2012

The nanocomposites containing graphene oxide flakes were prepared in order to improve the mechanical properties of artificial marbles based on poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) matrix. Graphene oxide flakes were prepared from graphite by oxidation with Hummers method followed by exfoliation with thermal treatment. Surface of graphene oxide flakes were modified with oxyfluorination in various oxygene:fluorine compositions to improve the interfacial compatibility. The nanocomposites containing graphenes modified with oxyfluorination in the oxygen content of 50% and higher showed the significant increase in flexural strength, flexural modulus, Rockwell hardness, Barcol hardness, and Izod impact strength. The morphology of fractured surface showed the improved interfacial adhesion between PMMA matrix and the graphenes which were properly treated with oxyfluorination. The mechanical properties of nanocomposite were deteriorated by increasing the content of graphene above 0.07 phr due to the nonuniform dispersion of graphenes.