• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2016

Objectives: Alumina nanoparticles ($Al_2O_3$, Al-NPs) are used for various purposes, including as coating agents and paint additives. Their potential toxicity has raised concern for human health. This study focuses on exploring the toxic effects on the brain and kidneys caused by Al-NPs exposure in rats. Methods: The animals were orally administered Al-NPs at 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight for 28 days following OECD TG 407. To determine the targeted toxicity of Al-NPs, histopathological examination and gene expression analysis were conducted on the rats. Results: The Al-NPs treatment induced kidney tubular dilatation. In the rat cerebrums, the expression levels of 126 genes experienced two-fold or greater increases in response to Al-NPs, including other genes encoding proteins involved in cell differentiation, transcription and signal transduction. In the rat kidneys, the expression levels of 152 genes also showed two-fold or greater increases in response to Al-NPs, including other genes encoding proteins involved in apoptosis, transcription and signal transduction. Conclusion: These results suggest that exposure to Al-NPs influences cellular signal pathways of kidney and cerebrum, and it can be a toxic indicators of nanometrials.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.29 no.10 s.241
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• pp.1407-1415
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• 2005

Strength change of an over-aged A12024 material was studied after being subjected to stages of severe plastic deformation by ECAP (Equal Channel Angular Pressing). Various kinds of strength value were measured using the conventional tensile test, Rockwell and Vickers hardness and the SP (small punch) test Due to limitation of the specimen size, tension test in transverse direction could not be conducted. Hence, SP test was employed for assessing the strength in transverse direction. Based on TEM observation the measured strength characteristics were explained based on the relation between microstructure, dislocation and strength. As the number of ECAP pass increases, the strength of A12024 was also increased. However, considerable change of strength, which is generally predicted, was not observed in this study. For the strength in transverse direction even decrease of the strength was observed after 6 passes of ECAP. It was argued that this decrease was due to dynamic recovery of dislocation density during or after ECAP processes at $150^{\circ}C$. The strength assessment equation proposed by the authors in the previous paper was shown to be very accurate. This argument was supported by comparing the results of conventional tensile test with those of SP test. It was also pointed that the Rockwell har(3ness value seemed to be able to represent the strength in the transverse direction.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.102-109
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• 2019

The material constitution of multi-layered thin film coated on the PET base film was analyzed using ATR FT-IR and pyro GC/MS combination. The cross section of the film was acquired by cracking the film after dipping in liquid nitrogen and was observed using optical microscope. Total thickness of the coated film was $70{\mu}m$ and three layers were observed. Since each layers were too thin to analyze directly except the surface layer, analyzable area of each layers were exposed by using a proper solvent and were investigated using ATR FT-IR and pyro GC/MS. Results shows that three layers were commonly consisted of urethane-acrylate copolymers. Also, inorganic and/or metal inclusions detected by XPS and SEM-EDAX were exhibited by nano size $SiO_2$ particles in layer(1) and aluminum flakes in layer(2).

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.95-100
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• 2021

If we know the location of the hull block and the welding feeder in the shipyard, we can easily obtain the location information of the worker. That data is very useful for implementing a workplace safety monitoring system. However, it is difficult to apply a fixed communication network to the workplace due to the specificity of the hull structure and welding process. In this study, inductive power line communication, which can replace dedicated communication line, was reviewed. A ferrite core was used as an inductive coupler to be installed on the power cable of the welding machine, and a nano-crystalline core was applied as a coupler to be fastened to the support rod of the metal block. In order to visualize the operating principle of the proposed couplers, 3D modeling and finite element analysis were performed with the COMSOL AC/DC module. In the communication performance test using an aluminum profile, when the communication channel was formed by the contact of the welding electrode, the bandwidth was kept above 6 Mbps.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.356-362
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• 2023

Inorganic-organic composites find extensive application in various fields, including electronic devices and light-emitting diodes. Notably, encapsulation technologies are employed to shield electronic devices (such as printed circuit boards and batteries) from stress and moisture exposure while maintaining electrical insulation. Polymer composites can be used as encapsulation materials because of their controllable mechanical and electrical properties. In this study, we propose a polymer composite that provides good electrical insulation and enhanced mechanical properties. This is achieved by using aluminum borate nanowhiskers (ABOw), which are fabricated using a facile synthesis method. The ABOw fillers are created via a hydrothermal method using aluminum chloride and boric acid. We confirm that the synthesis occurs in various morphologies based on the molar ratio. Specifically, nanowhiskers are synthesized at a molar ratio of 1:3 and used as fillers in the composite. The fabricated ABOw/epoxy composites exhibit a 48.5% enhancement in mechanical properties, similar to those of pure epoxy, while maintaining good electrical insulation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.601-607
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• 2024

The discharge of oily wastewater into water bodies and soil poses a serious hazard to the environment and public health. Various conventional techniques have been employed to treat oil-water mixtures and emulsions; Unfortunately, these approaches are frequently expensive, time-consuming, and unsatisfactory outcomes. Porous materials and adsorbents are commonly used for purification, but their use is limited by low separation efficiencies and the risk of secondary contamination. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have driven the development of innovative materials and technologies for oil-contaminated wastewater treatment. Nanomaterials can offer enhanced oil-water separation properties due to their high surface area and tunable surface chemistry. The fabrication of nanofiber membranes with precise pore sizes and surface properties can further improve separation efficiency. Notably, novel technologies have emerged utilizing nanomaterials with special surface wetting properties, such as superhydrophobicity, to selectively separate oil from oil-water mixtures or emulsions. These special wetting surfaces are promising for high-efficiency oil separation in emulsions and allow the use of materials with relatively large pores, enhancing throughput and separation efficiency. In this study, we introduce a facile and scalable method for fabrication of superhydrophobic-superoleophilic felt fabrics for oil/water mixture and emulsion separation. AlN nanopowders are hydrolyzed to create the desired microstructures, which firmly adhere to the fabric surface without the need for a binder resin, enabling specialized wetting properties. This approach is applicable regardless of the material's size and shape, enabling efficient separation of oil and water from oil-water mixtures and emulsions. The oil-water separation materials proposed in this study exhibit low cost, high scalability, and efficiency, demonstrating their potential for broad industrial applications.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.181-189
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• 2020

In the present study, a biomimetic alumina membrane was fabricated by using selenic acid as an electrolyte to overcome the asymmetry limit of the square pulse anodization process. The prepared membrane has conical channels with a minimum diameter of 10 nm, a maximum diameter of 50 nm, and a length of 5 ㎛. The rectification property was higher than membranes fabricated by sulfuric acid. It showed 2.9 times larger current at +1 V than -1 V. Also, the membrane, which sulfonic acid group was introduced by surface modification, showed 4.2 times larger rectification property at -1 V than +1 V. Theoretical verifications were supported by the numerical analyses of 2D models. The results of the present study present a convenient method to fabricate two type membranes with different rectification properties and are expected to be used to control ion transport.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2013

Objective: The use of nanoparticle products is expected to present a potential harmful effect on consumers. Also, the lack of information regarding inhaled nanoparticles may pose a serious problem. In this study, we addressed this issue by studying pulmonary toxicity after nasal instillation of Al-NPs in SD rats. Methods: The animals were exposed to Al-NPs at 1 mg/kg body weight (low dose), 20 mg/kg body weight (medium dose) and 40 mg/kg body weight (high dose). To determine pulmonary toxicity, bronchoalveolar lavage (ts.AnBAL) fluid analysis and histopathological examination were conducted in rats. In addition, cell viability was investigated at 24 hours after the treatment with Al-NPs. Results: BAL fluid analysis showed that total cells (TC) count and total protein (TP) concentrations increased significantly in all treatment groups, approximately two to three times. Also, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6 dose-dependently increased following nasal instillation of Al-NPs. However, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) levels showed no significant changes in a dose dependant manner in BAL fluid. In the cytotoxicity analysis, the treatment of Al-NPs significantly and dose-dependently induced cell viability loss (20 to 30%) and damage of cell membrane (5 to 10%) in rat normal lung epithelial cells (L2). Conclusions: Our results suggest that inhaled Al-NPs in the lungs may be removed quickly by alveolar macrophages with minimal inflammatory reaction, but Al-NPs have the potential to affect lung permeability. Therefore, extensive toxicity evaluations of Al-NPs are required prior to their practical application as consumer products.