Recently, high electrochemical performance anode materials for lithium ion secondary batteries are of interest. Here, we present silicon-carbon-graphene (Si-C-GR) composites for high performance anode materials of lithium ion secondary battery (LIB). Aerosol process and heat-treatment were employed to prepare the Si-C-GR composites using a colloidal mixture of silicon, glucose, and graphene oxide precursor. The effects of the size of the silicon particles in Si-C-GR composites on the material properties including the morphology and crystal structure were investigated. Silicon particles ranged from 50 nm to 1 ㎛ in average diameter were employed while concentration of silicon, graphene oxide and glucose was fixed in the aerosol precursor. Morphology of as-fabricated Si-C-GR composites was generally the shape of a crumpled paper ball and the Si particles were well wrapped in carbon and graphene. The size range of composites was about from 2.2 to 2.9 ㎛. The composites including silicon particles larger than 200 nm in size exhibited higher performance as LIB anodes such as capacity and coulombic efficiency than silicon particles less than 100 nm, which were about 1500 mAh/g at 100 cycles in capacity and 99% in coulombic efficiency, respectively.

This study was performed for the application of a high-speed centrifugal cyclone to shale gas mining process. This device uses the centrifugal force to control particles similar to typical cyclones, and the disk located inside the cyclone is forced to rotate using a motor. The pressure difference occurred during the rotating of disk. Hence, inflow rate was generated without a blower fan. In addition, flow rate increased with elevating rpm of motor. The installing the disk in multiple stages on the inner rotor increased the instantaneous disk outlet flow. Hence, the control efficiency of oil particle increased from 1.05% to 31.2%. By modifying the structure of the disk so that the air flow to the opposite direction of the cyclone, the control efficiency of oil particles increased to 81.5%. By increasing the capacity of the motor and the size of the disk, the flow rate was increased to 2.5 ㎥/min because the rpm of motor and pressure difference increased. As rpm of motor increased, the cut-off diameter (d_pc) became smaller. Unlike the Lapple's equation, d_pc was inversely proportional to the effective number of rotations (N_e). The control efficiency was maintained even if the concentration of oil particles increased, for this reason, the higher the oil concentration, the more particles were accumulated and controlled.

Infiltration characteristics of airborne particulate matter had been investigated in real-life for about 90 days over 2 years in a Korean apartment building where a 3-person household had lived and the exclusive private area was 84.9 ㎡. Airtightness was measured by fan depressurization, and the ACH₅₀ was 2.41 times per hour. In and outdoor particle concentrations were measured by optical particle counters. Infiltration factors and filtration efficiencies of the house, which reflect the removal of outdoor particles penetrating building envelope and the deposition inside a building, were obtained from data screened based on an empirical evaluation process. Infiltration factor of fine particles showed a range from about 42% at 0.4 m/s of wind speed to 72% at 4.2 m/s of wind speed with closed windows and doors. Filtration efficiency was like a MERV 13 grade filter with an open window outside at a balcony at low outdoor wind speed under 1 m/s. The grade decreased to MERV 11 by opening another outside window at the other balcony. Filtration efficiencies decreased as much as 29% in average at a range of 0.3~2.5 ㎛.

The cap-and-trade system against the air pollutants in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA), Korea has been implemented since 2008 and will be implemented other areas in Korea on 2020. In this study, to identify the outcome and effectiveness of the cap-and-trade system in the SMA, (1) the rate of change for NOx and SOx emissions, (2) differences between the real emission and allocated amount, and (3) the status of trading are reviewed. It was found that the NOx and SOx emissions from the sources under the cap-and-trade system decreased in the SMA but the reduction was mainly due to the reduction of fuel usage not related to the system. It was found that the average percentage of annual emission in the SMA to the allocated amount between 2008 and 2018 was 66.9% for NOx and 69.3% for SOx, respectively. It suggests that there was over allocation of the emission amounts. The average trading prices in the SMA were 0.193 $/kg for NOx and 0.128 $/kg for SOx, far lower than those in RECLAIM, 131.942 $/kg and 81.677 $/kg, respectively. It was suggested that (1) the cap system for NOx and SOx emissions should be implemented only for the area with high emission ratio from large point sources, (2) the trade system is not suitable for the effective implementation of the cap system, and (3) Korean government should not allow over allocation in order to ensure sound market function without delaying the introduction of technology.

Since airborne viruses have been known to aggravate indoor air quality, studies on the development of anti-viral air filter increase recently. In this study, the pressure drop and anti-viral efficiency of TiO₂ coated ceramic ball filter were evaluated. After the filter being inserted into a commercial room air cleaner, chamber test with aerosolized bacteriophage MS2 was performed. The porosity of TiO₂ coated ceramic ball filter was 0.85, and pressure drop was about 13 Pa for 1 m/s of air velocity. The anti-viral efficiency was about 93% when the reaction time was 25 minutes in a 1 ㎥ chamber.

Here, we introduce porous graphene balls (PGB) showing superior electrochemical properties as supercapacitor electrode materials. PGB was fabricated via activation of graphene oxides (GO) by H₂O₂ and aerosol spray drying in series. Effect of activation on the morphology, specific surface area, pore volume, and electrochemical properties were investigated. As-prepared PGB showed spherical morphology containing pores, which lead to the effective prevention of restacking in graphene sheets. It also exhibited a large surface area, unique porous structures, and high electrical conductivity. The electrochemical properties of the PGB as electrode materials of supercapacitor are investigated by using aqueous KOH under symmetric two-electrode system. The highest specific capacitance of PGB was 279 F/g at 0.1 A/g. In addition, the high rate capability (93.8% retention) and long-term cycling stability (92.2%) of the PGB were found due to the facilitated ion mobility between the porous graphene layers.

In this study, performance (particle removal efficiency and breathing resistance) of several commercially available face masks (electrostatic filter masks (KF80 certified), a nanofiber filter mask (KF80 certified), and an uncertified mask) with their filter structure and composition were evaluated. Also, effects of relative humidity (RH) of incoming air, water and alcohol exposure, and reusability on performance of face masks were examined. Monodisperse and polydisperse sodium chloride particles were used as test aerosols. Except the uncertified mask filter, PM_2.5 removal efficiency was found to be higher than 90%, and the nanofiber filter mask had the highest quality factor due to the low pressure drop and high removal efficiency (nanofibers were arranged in a densely packed pore structure and contained a significant amount of fluorine in addition to carbon and oxygen). In the case of the KF80 certified mask, the removal efficiency was little affected when the RH of incoming air increased. When the mask filters were soaked in water, the removal efficiency of mask filters was degraded. In particular, the uncertified mask filter showed the highest removal efficiency degradation (26%). When the mask was soaked in alcohol, the removal efficiency also decreased with the greater degree than the water soaking case. The nanofiber mask filter showed the strongest resistance to alcohol exposure among tested mask filters. During evaluation of reusability of masks in real life, the removal efficiency of certified mask filter was less than 4% for 5 consecutive days (2 hours per day), while the removal efficiency of uncertified mask filter significantly decreased by 30% after 5 days.