• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.281-295
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• 2010

A new, automated apparatus is proposed for calculating the Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC), representing a simple and easily applied testing device for continuous measurements of the volumetric water content and suction of unsaturated soils. The use of this apparatus helps to avoid the errors that arise when performing experiments. Consequently, the apparatus provides greater accuracy in calculating the SWCC of unsaturated soils. The apparatus is composed of a pressure panel, flow cell, water reservoir, air bubble trap, balance, sample-preparation accessories, and measurement system, among other components. The air pressure can attain 300 kPa, and a general test can be completed in a short time. The apparatus can simply control the drying process and wetting process. The changes in volumetric water content that occur during the drying and wetting processes are shown directly in the SWRC program, in real time. As a case study, we performed an SWCC test of Joomunjin sand (75% relative density) to measure matric suction and volumetric water content during both the drying and wetting processes. The test revealed hysteresis behavior, whereby the water content on the wetting curve is always lower than that on the drying curve for a specific matric suction, during the wetting and drying processes. Based on the test results, SWCCs were estimated using the Brooks and Corey, van Genuchten, and Fredlund and Xing models. The van Genuchten model performed best for the given soil conditions, as it yielded the highest coefficient of determination.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.145-155
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• 2012

The matric suction and volumetric water content of Jumunin standard sand with a relative density of 60% were measured using an Automated Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC) apparatus during both drying and wetting processes. The test time for the drying process was longer than that for the wetting process, because the flow of water is likely to be protected by air trapped in voids within the soils during the drying process. Based on the matric suction and volumetric water content, the SWCC was estimated using the model proposed by van Genuchten (1980). For the drying process, the unsaturated fitting parameters ${\alpha}$, n, and m were 0.399, 8.586, and 0.884, respectively; for the wetting process, the values were 0.548, 5.625, and 8.220, respectively. The hysteresis phenomenon occurred in the SWCCs, which means the SWCC of the drying process is not matched with the SWCC of the wetting process. Using these unsaturated parameters, we estimated the Suction Stress Characteristic Curve (SSCC), based on the relationship between suction stress and the effective degree of saturation. The suction stress showed a rapid decrease when the matric suction exceeds the Air Entry Value (AEV). Therefore, the effective stress of unsaturated soils is different from that of saturated soils when the matric suction exceeds the AEV. The suction stress of the drying process exceeds that of the wetting process for a given effective degree of saturation. The hysteresis phenomenon was also recognized in SSCCs. The hysteresis phenomenon of SSCCs arises from that of SWCCs, which is induced by the ink bottle effect and the contact angle effect. In the case of a sandy slope, the suction stress is positive and acts to enhance the slope stability as the water infiltrates the ground, but is negative when the suction stress exceeds the AEV. The results obtained for the wetting process should be applied in analyses of slope stability, because the process of water infiltration into ground is similar to the wetting process.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.115-118
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• 2009

The use of dolomite refractories has increased during the past several years in the manufacturing of clean steel during the stainless steelmaking process. However, at the same time, the use of dolomite refractories has led to what is known as the skull formation. In the present work, to understand the skull formation, the wetting characteristics of dolomite substrates by liquid Fe-19wt%Cr-10wt%Ni alloys in various oxygen partial pressures were initially investigated at 1753K using the sessile drop technique. For comparison, the wetting characteristics of alumina substrates were investigated with the same technique. It was found that the wetting index, (1+$cos{\theta}$), of dolomite is approximately 40% higher compared to those of alumina. In addition, the oxygen partial pressure to generate the surface oxide, which may capture the liquid metal on the refractory surface, for dolomite is much lower than that for alumina. From this study, it was concluded that the use of dolomite is much more closely associated with the skull formation compared to the use of alumina due to the stronger wettability and the surface oxide formation at a lower oxygen partial pressure of dolomite.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.30-34
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• 2014

Membrane distillation (MD) is a thermal driven separation process in which separation a hydrophobic membrane is a barrier for the liquid phase, letting the vapor phase pass through the membrane pores. Therefore, a porous and hydrophobic membrane should be used in membrane distillation. MD cannot work if water penetrates into the pores of the membrane (membrane wetting). Accordingly, it is necessary to prevent wetting of MD membranes and to remove water inside the pores of the wetted membranes if possible. In this context, our study aimed to develop methods to recover wetted membranes in MD processes. Poly-vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were used in this study. A laboratory-scale direct contact MD (DCMD) system was used to examine the effect of operating parameters on wetting. For dewetting the wetted membranes, specific techniques including the use of high temperature air were applied. The performances of the membranes before and after dewetting were compared in terms of flux, salt rejection and liquid entry pressure(LEP). The surface morphology of dewetted membrane was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.80 no.5
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• pp.523-538
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• 2021

The mechanical behaviour and stability of coal mining engineering underground is significantly affected by ground water. In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) technique was employed to determine the water distribution characteristics in coal specimens during saturation process, based on which the functional rule for water distribution was proposed. Then, using discrete element method (DEM), an innovative numerical modelling method was developed to simulate water-weakening effect on coal behaviour considering moisture content and water distribution. Three water distribution numerical models, namely surface-wetting model, core-wetting model and uniform-wetting model, were established to explore the water distribution influences. The feasibility and validity of the surface-wetting model were further demonstrated by comparing the simulation results with laboratory results. The investigation reveals that coal mechanical properties are affected by both water saturation coefficient and water distribution condition. For all water distribution models, micro-cracks always initiate and nucleate in the water-rich area and thus lead to distinct macro fracture characteristics. With the increase of water saturation coefficient, the failure of coal tends to be less violent with less cracks and ejected fragments. In addition, the core-wetting specimen is more sensitive to water than specimens with other water distribution models.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.893-900
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• 1999

Silica films were prepared on Si single crystal substrates by sol-gel process using TEOS as starting materials. Films were fabricated by a spin coating technique. Sol solutions were prepared by varying the compositions of CH3OH, H2O and DMF with fixed molar ratio of TEOS=1, HCl=0.05(mol). Wetting behavior viscosity of solutions gelation time thickness of films and cracking behavior were investigated with the various solution compositions. Wetting behaviors of solutions depended on the solution compositions mixing method and mixing rate. The optimum composition of sol was TEOS : DMF ; CH3OH: H2O :HCl=1:2:4:4:0.05(mol) and the mixing rate of solution was optimized at 1 ml/min. Viscosity of solutions were controlled by choosing a reaction time(elapsed time after mixing) at a room temperature so that we could get up to 800nm thick film The surface roughness was getting poor when thickness of films was thicker than 500nm. Thickness of coated films were increased with decreasing amount of CH3OH. The best surface roughness was obtained at the content of CH3OH 4 mol. The shortest gelation time was obtained with the content of CH3OH 8 mol. Crack-free filkms were fabricated when sintered at 500$^{\circ}C$ for 1 hr with heating rate of 0.6$^{\circ}C$/min.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2011

It is, in general, believed that during the activation process, the proton conductivity increases due to wetting effect and the electrochemical resistance reduction, resulting in an increase in the fuel cell performance with time. However, until now, very scant information is available on the understanding of activation processes. In this study, dominant variables that effect on the performance increase of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) during the activation process were investigated. Wetting, pore restructuring and active metal utilization were analyzed systematically. Unexpectedly, the changes for both ohmic and reaction resistance characterized by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) after initial wetting process were much smaller when considering the degree of cell performance increases. However, the EIS spectra represents that the pore opening of electrode turns into gas transportable structure more easily. The increase in the performance with activation cycles was also investigated in a view of active metals. Though the particle size was grown, the number of effective active sites might be exposed more. The impurity removal and catalytic activity enhancement measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) could be a strong evident. The results and analysis revealed that, not merely wetting of membrane but also restructuring of electrodeand catalytic activity increase are important factors for the fast and efficient activation of the polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.483-489
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to propose useful suggestions for enhancing reliability to determine the resistance against surface wetting, KS K 0590, by an imaging process. We validated the standard spray test rating chart for determining quantification standard using JAVA script-based imaging process program. All of the acquired images were processed with the image software, Image J (NIH, Nethesda, MD, USA). The study results are as follows. We established the surface area measurement-based quantitative criteria for determining resistance to surface wetting. The standard spray test rating chart was converted into a numerical standard which leads easy-to-determine ratings. We also validated the procedure for imaging treatment by analyzing quantitative data. We introduced the fluorescence image for determining ratings by enabling threshold settings and binary image conversion as an optimal imaging process. It is expected that imaging-based determination for resistant to surface wetting will serve as an accurate and reliable method for KS K 0590.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.186-190
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• 2006

The application of a degassing system to mercerization process was investigated. It was found that the physical properties of cotton fabrics mercerized in the degassed NaOH solution were superior to those mercerized in NaOH solution. The degree of penetration of the degassed water was examined by measuring wicking height. The wicking height in the degassed water without the wetting agent is higher than that of the saturated water with 0.1 % of wetting agent.

• Journal of the Korean Graphic Arts Communication Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.133-142
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• 2011

We produce a photosensitive convex plate to research a Nickel metal relief printing plate using galvanic process. A Method for preparing DLC convex plate that is metalized on Nickel metal relief printing plate using CVD(Chemical Vapor Deposition) process and $N_2DLC$-convex plate that is DLC metalized thin film layer of $N_2$ plasma surface treatment are comprised. DLC thin film layers on Nickel surface are fragile. The results of the research indicate that the coefficient of friction on DLC metalized thin film layer is relatively low than Nickel surface and the durability of Nickel surface coated DLC metalized thin film layer is superior to Nickel surface. A relative evaluation of three form plate wetting properties using varnish liquid-drop plate indicates superior printing aptitudes for $N_2DLC$, DLC, Nichel plate order as above.