• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.103-110
• /
• 2019

Cu(In,Ga)₃Se₅ (β-CIGS) has a band gap of 1.35 eV, which is an optimum value for high solar-energy conversion efficiency. The effects of Cu and Ga content on the cell performance were investigated previously. However, the effect of Se content on the cell performance is not well understood yet. In this work, β-CIGS films were fabricated by three-stage co-evaporation of elemental sources with various Se fluxes at the third stage instead of at all stages. The average composition of five samples was Cu_1.05(In_0.59,Ga_0.41)3Se_y, where the stoichiometric y value is 5.03 and the stoichiometric Se/metal (Se/M) ratio is 1.24. We varied the Se/metal ratio in a range from 1.18 to 1.28. We found that the best efficiency was achieved when the Se/M ratio was 1.24, which is exactly the stoichiometric value where the CIGS grains on the CIGS surface were tightly connected and faceted. With the optimum Se/M ratio, we were able to enhance the cell efficiency of a β-CIGS solar cell from 9.6% to 12.0% by employing a Na₂S post deposition treatment. Our results indicate that Na₂S post deposition treatment is very effective to enhance the cell efficiency to a level on par with that in α-CIGS cell.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.39-44
• /
• 2015

$Cu(In,Ga)_3Se_5$ (${\beta}-CIGS$) has a band gap of 1.35 eV which is an optimum value for high solar-energy conversion efficiency. However, ${\beta}-CIGS$ film was not well characterized yet due to lower efficiency compared to $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ (${\alpha}-CIGS$). In this work, ${\beta}-CIGS$ films were fabricated by a three-stage co-evaporation of elemental sources with various Se fluxes. As the Se flux increased, the crystallinity of ${\beta}-CIGS$ phase was improved from the analysis of Raman spectroscopy and a deep-level defect was reduced from the analysis of photoluminescence spectroscopy. A Se treatment of the ${\beta}-CIGS$ film at $200^{\circ}C$ increased Ga content and decreased Cu content at the surface of the film. With the Se treatment at $200^{\circ}C$, the cell efficiency was greatly improved for the CIGS films prepared with low Se flux due to the increase of short-circuit current and fill factor. It was found that the main reason of performance improvement was lower Cu content at the surface instead of higher Ga content.

• Atmosphere
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.163-175
• /
• 2017

The global terrestrial ecosystems have shown a large spatial variability in recent decades and represented a carbon sink pattern at mid-to-high latitude in Northern Hemisphere. However, there are many uncertainties in magnitude and spatial distribution of terrestrial carbon fluxes due to the effect of climate factors. So, it needs to accurately understand the spatio-temporal variations on carbon exchange flux with climate. This study focused on the effects of climate factors, .i.e. temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation, to terrestrial biosphere carbon flux. We used the terrestrial carbon flux that is simulated by a CarbonTracker, which performs data assimilation of global atmospheric $CO_2$ mole fraction measurements. We demonstrated significant interactions between Net Ecosystem Production (NEP) and climate factors by using the partial correlation analysis. NEP showed positive correlation with temperature at mid-to-high latitude in Northern Hemisphere but showed negative correlation pattern at $0-30^{\circ}N$. Also, NEP represented mostly negative correlation with precipitation at $60^{\circ}S-30^{\circ}N$. Solar radiation affected NEP positively at all latitudes and percentage of positive correlation at tropical regions was relatively lower than other latitudes. Spring and summer warming had potentially positive effect on NEP in Northern Hemisphere. On the other hand as increasing the temperature in autumn, NEP was largely reduced in most northern terrestrial ecosystems. The NEP variability that depends on climate factors also differently represented with the type of vegetation. Especially in crop regions, land carbon sinks had positive correlation with temperature but showed negative correlation with precipitation.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.18-33
• /
• 2018

A new eddy covariance-based flux tower has been established since June 2016 in a dry direct-seeding rice paddy field in southwestern Korea - Haenam Paddy field KoFlux site (HPK). To assess the competitiveness of direct-seeding agricultural technique in the context of climate-smart agriculture, we have been monitoring the $CO_2$, $CH_4$ and energy fluxes continuously. In this communication, we (1) introduce the HPK site and (2) explain the structure and processes of the HPK-specific data processing and quality control. The latter consists of 10-steps data processing and quality control procedures following the KoFlux standardized protocol and explained each step in layman's term. The final data produced during the data processing were stored in NCAM-DAPS (National Center for AgroMeteorology-Data Acquisition and Processing System, http://daps.ncam.kr). We hope that the introduction of new HPK KoFlux site would serve as a platform to facilitate transdisciplinary efforts in the research and education associated with climate-smart agriculture toward sustainability.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.403-409
• /
• 2005

For transdermal delivery of large molecular drugs such as vaccine and protein drugs, novel microneedle treatment device with roll was designed. The roll dimension is 1.43 cm diameter and 2.8 cm perimeter. Total number of microneedle on the roll is 3,360 with $230\;{\mu}m$ height and $740\;{\mu}m$ distance. The pore with $150\;{\mu}m$ depth and $35\;{\mu}m$ diameter on the skin was made by the designed microneedle device. This system could be achieved without pain. The permeation rates of FITC labelled ovalbumin (FITC-OVA, molecular weight: 45,000 g/mol) as a model protein were determined by modified Franz diffusion cells using skins of hairless mice or SD rats which were treated by using microneedle device two or four times. The average penetration fluxes of model protein increased from 674 to $872\;{\mu}g/cm^{2}{\cdot}hr$ as the number of treatment to make pore increased from two to four times. In conclusion, we confirmed the possibility of using the designed microneedle treatment device for transdermal delivery of the large molecular drugs.

• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
• /
• 2009.10a
• /
• pp.36.2-36.2
• /
• 2009

We present GALEX (Galaxy Evolution Explorer) far (FUV) and near (NUV) ultraviolet imaging of 34 nearby early-type galaxies from the SAURON representative sample of 48 E/S0 galaxies, all of which have ground-based optical imaging from the MDM Observatory. The surface brightness profiles of nine galaxies (~26 per cent) show regions with blue UV-optical colours suggesting recent star formation. Five of these (~15 per cent) show blue integrated UV-optical colours that set them aside in the NUV integrated colour-magnitude relation. These are objects with either exceptionally intense and localised NUV fluxes or blue UV-optical colours throughout. They also have other properties confirming they have had recent star formation, in particular Hbeta absorption higher than expected for a quiescent population and a higher CO detection rate. This suggests that residual star formation is more common in early-type galaxies than we are used to believe. NUV-blue galaxies are generally drawn from the lower stellar velocity dispersion (sigma_e <200 km/s) and thus lower dynamical mass part of the sample. We have also constructed the first UV Fundamental Planes and show that NUV blue galaxies bias the slopes and increase the scatters. If they are eliminated the fits get closer to expectations from the virial theorem. Although our analysis is based on a limited sample, it seems that a dominant fraction of the tilt and scatter of the UV Fundamental Planes is due to the presence of young stars in preferentially low-mass early-type galaxies.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.283-296
• /
• 2014

The distribution of heavy metals in the stormwater runoffs from industrial sites around Shihwa Lake that implements the total pollutant load management system (TPLMS) was studied to characterize the temporal changes of metal concentrations and to assess the ecological risk in dissolved and particulate phases of the selected metals. The dissolved Co and Ni concentration demonstrated first flush and tended to decrease with increasing of the duration of rainfall. The intensity of precipitation was found to be the main controlling factor of particulate metals in the stromwater runoffs. The particulate concentration of Pb accounted for 97.2% so the particulate phase was its main form. Other metals followed the sequence: Pb>Cu>Cd>Co>Zn>Ni. The particulate-dissolved partitioning coefficient ($K_d$) indicated that the $K_d$ of Pb were bigger than that of other metals because the metal Pb in the stormwater runoffs is quickly removed into the particulate phase. In a single day rainfall event, total runoff fluxes for total metals as the sum of dissolved and particulate forms through only two sewer outlets were 2.21 kg for Co, 30.5 kg for Ni, 278.3 kg for Cu, 398.3 kg for Zn, 0.39 kg for Cd and 40.0 kg for Pb, respectively. Given the annual rainfall, the number of rain days and the basin area for total pollutant load management system (TPLMS) of Shihwa area, enormous amount of non-point metal pollutants were entered into Lake with any treatment. The dissolved metals (e.g., Ni, Cu and Zn) in the stormwater runoffs exceeded the acute water quality criteria. Additionally, all metals were significantly enriched in the particulate phase and exceeded the PEL criteria of sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). These results indicated that the heavy metals in the stormwater runoffs may pose a very high ecological risk to the coastal environments and ecosystem.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.151-163
• /
• 2022

This study was conducted to promote organic fertilizer(s) that sustain soil productivity for corn production and protect the environment as required by the Act on the promotion of eco-friendly agriculture. It was conducted at the research station of the Organic Agriculture Division of the National Institute of Agricultural. The treatments consisted of Compost (Com), Bokashi as fermented organic fertilizer (FOF), and mixed expeller pressed cake (PC). They were applied at 174 kg N /ha to field corn, together with a 'no fertilizer' check in Randomized Complete Block Design. At eight weeks after transplanting (WAT) corn, compost increased soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) to 7.48 and 0.76 g/kg respectively, while other fertilizers maintained the initial levels (before treatment application). At corn harvest (13 WAT), soil chemical properties (total C, total N, pH, electrical conductivity, P₂O₅, Ca, K, and Mg) were similar among all organic fertilizer treatments. For soil respiration, FOF increased soil CO₂ respiration by 31-76% above other fertilizer treatments. However, there were no prominent changes in the trends of CH₄ fluxes following the two mechanical weeding operations. Fermented organic fertilizer affected N₂O emissions between 87-96% lower than other fertilizer treatments. Compared to the initial microbial densities, FOF increased fungi and actinomycete colony foming unit by 25 and 16% at harvest. Therefore, the additional potential of improving soil biological fertility and local availability of raw materials make FOF a better option to sustain soil productivity while protecting the environment.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.100-108
• /
• 2007

The Gwangneung KoFlux supersite, located in a rugged mountain region, is characterized by a low wind speed due to a mountain-valley circulation and rolling terrain. Therefore, it is essential to understand the effect of coordinate rotation on flux measurements by the eddy-covariance method. In this paper, we review the properties of three orthogonal coordinate frames (i.e., double, triple, and planar fit rotations) and apply to flux data observed at the Gwangneung supersite. The mean offset of vertical wind speed of sonic anemometer was inferred from the planar fit (PF) coordinate rotation, yielding the diurnal variation of about $\pm0.05ms^{-1}$. Double rotation $(\bar{v}=\bar{w}=0)$ produced virtually the same turbulent fluxes of heat, water, and $CO_2$ as those from the PF rotation under windy conditions. The former, however, resulted in large biases under calm conditions. The friction velocity, an important scaling parameter in the atmospheric surface layer, was more sensitive to the choice of coordinate rotation method.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.35 no.12
• /
• pp.877-882
• /
• 2013

The application of ultrafiltration (UF) and microfiltration (MF) membranes has been increased for drinking water purification. The advantages of UF/MF membrane process compared to conventional treatment processes are stable operation under varying feed water quality, smaller construction area, and automatic operation. Most membrane treatment plants are designed with polymeric membranes. Recently, some studies suggested that the process of treating surface water with ceramic membranes is competitive to the application of polymeric membranes. Higher water flux, less frequent cleaning, and much longer lifetime are the advantages of ceramic membrane comparing to polymeric membrane. Therefore, this research focused on the application of ceramic MF membrane pilot plant at the slow sand filtration plant. The ceramic membrane pilot plant has three trains that used raw water and sand filtered water as a feed water, respectively. For optimizing the pilot plant process, the coagulation with PACl coagulant was used as a pretreatment of ceramic membrane process. In addition, CEB (Chemical Enhanced Backwash) process using $H_2SO_4$ and NaOCl was used for 1.5 days, respectively. The experimental results showed that applying the optimum coagulant dose before membrane filtration showed enhancing membrane fluxes for both raw water and sand filtered water. Also, when using raw water as a feed of membrane, minimum fouling rate was 2.173 kPa/cycle with 25 mg/L of PACl and when using sand filtered water, the minimum fouling rate was 0.301 kPa/cycle with 5 mg/L of PACl.