• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2021

With recent innovations in the ICT industry, the demand for wearable sensing devices to recognize and respond to biological signals has increased. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) spacer fabric was embedded in a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) dispersive solution through a simple penetration process to develop a monolayer piezoresistive pressure sensor. To induce electrical conductivity in the 3D spacer fabric, samples were immersed in the SWCNT dispersive solution and dried. To determine the electrical properties of the impregnated specimen, a universal testing machine and multimeter were used to measure the resistance of the pressure change. Moreover, to examine the changes in the electrical properties of the sensor, its performance was evaluated by varying the concentration, number of penetrations, and thickness of the specimen. Samples that penetrated twice in the SWCNT distributed solution of 0.1 wt% showed the best performance as sensors. The 7-mm thick sensors showed the highest GF, and the 13-mm thick sensors showed the widest operating range. This study confirms the effectiveness of the simple process of fabricating smart textile sensors comprising 3D spacer fabrics and the excellent performance of the sensors.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.83-90
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• 2011

A series of centrifugal model test was conducted to investigate the distribution of vertical earth pressure on circular ductile underground corrugated steel plate waterway culvert with considering the compaction degree of the backfill in the high landfilled embankment section. The compaction degree of backfill was varied to 80, 85, 90, and 95% at the 53g-level gravity considering the similarity of the site. As a result of this test, the load reduction factor by the arching effect of the top of corrugated steel plate showing ductile behavior nearly agreed with the load reduction factor according to the compaction degree of backfill specified in the AISI(2002) design method. The vertical earth pressure measured at the top of the corrugated steel plate was linearly decreased as the compaction degree increased. The greater the compaction degree of backfill was, the greater the reduction of surface loading on the top of the corrugated steel plate by arching effect. The load decreased by arching effect on top of the corrugated steel plate was transferred to the side backfill of the corrugated steel plate(EP 1) and the outside of backfill(EP 3).

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.719-730
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• 2021

We have demonstrated a sandwich-type ZnO-based piezoelectric energy harvesting nanogenerator, namely ZCZ-NG device, composed of symmetrically stacked layers of ZnO/carbon tape/ZnO structure. Especially, we have adopted a conductive double-sided adhesive carbon tape in an effort to fabricate a high-quality ZCZ-NG device, leading to its superior output performance in terms of the peak-to-peak output voltage. Effects of the device size, ZnO layer thickness, and bending strain rate on the device performance have been investigated by measuring the output voltage. Moreover, to evaluate the effectiveness of the fabricated ZCZ-NG devices, we have experimentally implemented a sensor network testbed which can utilize the output voltages of ZCZ-NG devices. This sensor network testbed consists of several components such as Arduino-based transmitter and receiver nodes, wirelessly transmitting the sensed information of each node. We hope that this research combining the ZnO-based energy harvesting devices and IoT sensor networks will contribute to the development of more advanced energy harvester-driven IoT sensor networks in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.175-182
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• 2022

Rare-earth elements were doped with Mg to enhance the temperature stability of dielectric properties of BaTiO₃ for its application to MLCC (Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor). The additives strongly affect both grain growth and densification behaviors during sintering, and hence dielectric properties. The additive effects therefore should be examined in each system with different additives. This study investigated the crystal structure, grain growth and densification behaviors and related variations in dielectric constant with respect to sintering temperature. Dielectric constant appears to be varied with grain size in a temperature range between 1200 and 1300℃, suggesting the importance of grain size control. The temperature dependence of grain size variation was well explained by an established theory correlating the grain growth behavior with grain boundary structure. This accordance provides a basis for sintering technique to control grain growth thus to improve dielectric constant in rare-earth doped BaTiO₃.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.451-458
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• 2022

Through the crystal alignment research based on the magnetic properties of LiNi_xMn_yCo_1-(x+y)O₂ such as magnetic susceptibility and related anisotropy, a crystal aligned LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ electrode is obtained, in which the (00l) plane is frequently oriented perpendicular to the surface of a current collector. The crystal aligned LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ electrode steadily exhibits low electrode polarization properties during the charge/discharge process in a lithium-ion battery, thus affording an improved capacity compared to a pristine LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ electrode. The aligned LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ electrode may have an appropriate structural nature for fast lithium-ion transport due to the oriented (00l) plane, and thus it contributes to enhancing the battery performance. This enhancement is analyzed in terms of various electrochemical theories and experiment results; thus, it is verified to occur because of the considerably fast lithium-ion transport in the aligned LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ electrode.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.108-117
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• 2023

Background: When particles are absorbed into the human body, they penetrate deep into the lungs and interact with the tissues of the body. Heavy metals in PM_2.5 can cause various diseases. The main source of PM_2.5 emissions in South Korea's atmosphere has been surveyed to be places of business. Objectives: The concentration of heavy metals in PM_2.5 near the Ulsan Industrial Complex was measured and a health risk assessment was performed for residents near the industrial complex for exposure to heavy metals in PM_2.5. Methods: Concentrations of heavy metals in PM_2.5 were measured at four measurement sites (Ulsan, Mipo, Onsan, Maegok) near the industrial complexes. Heavy metals were analyzed according to the Air Pollution Monitoring Network Installation and Operation Guidelines presented by the National Institute of Environmental Research. Among them, only five substances (Mn, Ni, As, Cd, Cr⁶⁺) were targeted. The risk assessment was conducted on inhalation exposure for five age groups, and the excess cancer risk and hazard quotient were calculated. Results: In the risk assessment of exposure to heavy metals in PM_2.5, As, Cd, and Cr⁶⁺ exceeded the risk tolerance standard of 10^-6 for carcinogenic hazards. The highest hazard levels were observed in Onsan and Mipo industrial complexes. In the case of non-carcinogenic hazards, Mn was identified as exceeding the hazard tolerance of 1, and it showed the highest hazard in the Ulsan Industrial Complex. Conclusions: This study presented a detailed health risk from exposure to heavy metals in PM_2.5 by industrial complexes located in Ulsan among five age groups. It is expected to be utilized as the basis for preparing damage control and industrial emission reduction measures against PM_2.5 exposure at the Ulsan Industrial Complex.

• Journal of Service Research and Studies
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.113-130
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• 2023

This study is a single case study of the application of service design in a regional emergency medical centre of a senior general hospital, focusing on the experiences of patients and medical staff. It aims to measure and improve the experience of healthcare services using service design techniques and to verify their effectiveness. A qualitative case study centred on ethnography and design workshops was conducted to collect in-depth experience data from patients and medical staff. The study identified key experiential differences between patients and healthcare workers, with a particular focus on the challenges faced in emergency medical services. The qualitative data collected through patient and healthcare worker interviews and design thinking workshops were analysed and incorporated into the design in order to understand the complex dynamics of the regional emergency medical centre environment. The results of the study highlighted the need to improve communication, manage patient flow, and improve the environment in three main aspects of the current state of design reflecting the needs of patients and medical staff. By analysing the differences in the specific needs of the two groups of patients and medical staff, a design-led implementation process can be applied to improve the services of the regional emergency medical centre. This study highlights the role and importance of design in healthcare and provides an efficient way to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical design implementation. This will contribute to creating a faster, more effective, and more satisfying healthcare experience. It is hoped that this will be a new opportunity to see service design as a key to a new innovation process for the satisfaction of both patients and medical staff.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.91-97
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• 2023

Electrochemical (EC) CO₂ reduction is a promising method to convert CO₂ into valuable hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals ecofriendly. Here, we report on a facile method to synthesize surface-controlled SnO₂/Cu(OH)₂ nanowires (NWs) and its EC reduction of CO₂ to HCOOH and CO. The SnO₂/Cu(OH)₂ NWs (-16 mA/cm²) showed superior electrochemical performance compared to Cu(OH)2 NWs (-6 mA/cm²) at -1.0 V (vs. RHE). SnO₂/Cu(OH)₂ NWs showed the maximum Faradaic efficiency for conversion to HCOOH (58.01 %) and CO (29.72 %). The optimized catalyst exhibits a high C1 Faradaic efficiency stable electrolysis for 2 h in a KHCO₃ electrolyte. This study facilitates the potential for the EC reduction of CO₂ to chemical fuels.

• Journal of Advanced Technology Convergence
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.13-19
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• 2023

Following the signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (UNFCCC, 2015), the world is expanding greenhouse gas reduction activities through comprehensive participation that includes not only developed countries but also developing countries. Major countries around the world are placing high expectations on the effectiveness of total carbon emissions regulation through the carbon emissions market. However, in order to obtain carbon credits, third-party verification is required based on quantitative carbon reduction data. Accordingly, in this paper, we developed an AIoT high-efficiency street light for carbon emissions and conducted a performance analysis study to measure the luminous efficiency of the lighting fixture. To obtain carbon emissions rights, we used high-efficiency LED PKG, developed our own high-voltage PFC, and developed high-efficiency lighting fixtures capable of communication. For communication, the 2.4GHz LoRa method was adopted between the lighting fixture and the gateway. Lens design was conducted through simulation of Korea Expressway Corporation's standard streetlight types A, B, and C. The performance of the streetlight was verified as being more efficient than other existing products through the measurement of luminous efficiency by an accredited rating agency, and it is expected that carbon emissions rights will be obtained by reducing electrical energy through this.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

The health benefits associated with consumption of fresh produce have been clearly demonstrated and encouraged by international nutrition and health authorities. However, since fresh produce is usually minimally processed, increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has also led to a simultaneous escalation of foodborne illness cases. According to the report by the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 10 people suffer from foodborne diseases and 420,000 die every year globally. In comparison to other processed foods, fresh produce can be easily contaminated by various routes at different points in the supply chain from farm to fork. This review is focused on the identification and characterization of possible sources of foodborne illnesses from chemical, biological, and physical hazards and the applicable methodologies to detect potential contaminants. Agro-chemicals (pesticides, fungicides and herbicides), natural toxins (mycotoxins and plant toxins), and heavy metals (mercury and cadmium) are the main sources of chemical hazards, which can be detected by several methods including chromatography and nano-techniques based on nanostructured materials such as noble metal nanoparticles (NMPs), quantum dots (QDs) and magnetic nanoparticles or nanotube. However, the diversity of chemical structures complicates the establishment of one standard method to differentiate the variety of chemical compounds. In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables contain high nutrient contents and moisture, which promote the growth of unwanted microorganisms including bacterial pathogens (Salmonella, E. coli O157: H7, Shigella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus) and non-bacterial pathogens (norovirus and parasites). In order to detect specific pathogens in fresh produce, methods based on molecular biology such as PCR and immunology are commonly used. Finally, physical hazards including contamination by glass, metal, and gravel in food can cause serious injuries to customers. In order to decrease physical hazards, vision systems such as X-ray inspection have been adopted to detect physical contaminants in food, while exceptional handling skills by food production employees are required to prevent additional contamination.