• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.612-622
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• 2023

T-cell deficiency may occur in various clinical conditions including congenital defects, cell/organ transplantation, HIV infection and aging. In this regard, the development of artificial thymus has recently been attracting much attention. To achieve this aim, the development of techniques for 3D culture of thymic stromal cells is necessary because thymocytes grown only in a 3D thymic microenvironment can be differentiated fully to become mature, immunocompetent T cells; the same cannot be achieved for thymocytes grown in 2D. This study aimed to develop a nanotechnology-based 3D culture technique using polymeric scaffolds for thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the main component of thymic stromal cells. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the pores of both PCL and PCL/PLGA scaffolds were filled with TECs. Interestingly, TECs grown in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds exhibited enhanced cell attachment and proliferation compared to those grown on non-coated scaffolds. In addition, the gene expression of thymopoietic factors was upregulated in TECs cultured in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds compared to those cultured in 2D. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate an efficient 3D culture model for TECs using polymeric scaffolds and provide new insights into a novel platform technology that can be applied to develop functional, biocompatible scaffolds for the 3D culture of thymocytes. This will eventually shed light on techniques for the in vitro development of T cells as well as the synthesis of artificial thymus.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.652-655
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• 2009

The bimodal porous carbons were synthesized by using imprinting method with templates of SBA-15 particle and silica sphere and applied as supporting materials for the electro-catalyst of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). The silica spheres with diameter size of 100 nm and SBA-15 particle having 200 nm -250 nm diameter and 700 nm -900 nm length were synthesized in this work. The bimodal porous carbons (S100) were prepared by using the silica spheres and SBA-15 as templates and mesophase pitch as a carbon source. The PtRu nanoparticle of ca. 1.9 nm were supported on the bimodal porous carbon support and the resulting PtRu/S100 catalysts was tested by the cyclic voltammetry. The use of bimodal porous carbon showed in comparable electro-catalytic activities with commercial catalyst. Though unclear effects of bimodal porosity of supports could be obtained in the scope of this study, morphological advantage in electrical conductivity can be considered on the electro-catalytic activity.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.622-627
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• 2007

Porous poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were fabricated by salt leaching method. The PCL scaffolds were treated with aqueous NaOH for 0h, 2h, 4h, 8h, and 12h at $40^{\circ}C$. The NaOH-treated PCL scaffolds were dipped in $CaCl_2$ and $K_2HPO_4{\cdot}_3H_2O$ solution alternately three times to induce apatite nuclei onto the surface of the scaffolds. The NaOH-treated PCL scaffolds were immersed into SBF solution for 1day to grow the apatite. The apatite formation were investigated as a fuction of NaOH treatment time. The hydrophilicty and surface area of the PCL scaffolds were increased with NaOH-treatment time. The NaOH-treated PCL scaffolds were successfully formed a dense and uniform bone-like apatite layer after immersion for 1 day in SBF solution.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.289-293
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• 2008

Porous HAp with three-dimensional network channels was prepared in a polymer foam process using a in-situ formation. HAp/polyol with various HAp solid contents was formed with an addition of isocyanate. Under all conditions, the obtained porous HAp had pore sizes ranging $50\;{\mu}m$ to $250\;{\mu}m$. The influence of the HAp content on the physical and mechanical properties of porous HAp scaffolds was investigated. As the solid content increased, the porosity of the porous HAp decreased from 79.3% to 77.9%. On the other hand, the compressive strength of the porous HAp increased from 0.7 MPa to 3.7 MPa. With a HAp solid content of 15 g, the obtained porous HAp had physical properties that were more suitable for scaffolds compared to other conditions.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.715-718
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• 2006

Porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds have been prepared by using the slurry including HAp and magnesia based on the replication of polymer sponge substrate. The influence of MgO content in slurry on the pore morphology and size, density, porosity, and mechanical strength of porous HAp scaffolds was investigated. The obtained scaffolds with average pore sizes ranging 150 to 300 mm had open, relatively uniform, and interconnected porous structure regardless of MgO content. As the MgO content increased, the pore network frame of scaffolds became to be relatively stronger, even though the pore size was not much changed. The compressive strength of the scaffolds increased rapidly with the increase of MgO content because of increasing the pore wall thickness and density of the scaffolds. As a result, the porosity, density, and compressive strength of the porous HAp scaffolds prepared by the sponge method were significantly affected by the addition of MgO.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.113-118
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• 2015

To improve the methanol electro-oxidation in direct methanol fuel cells(DMFCs), Pt electrocatalysts embedded on porous carbon nanofibers(CNFs) were synthesized by electrospinning followed by a reduction method. To fabricate the porous CNFs, we prepared three types of porous CNFs using three different amount of a styrene-co-acrylonitrile(SAN) polymer: 0.2 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt%, respectively. A SAN polymer, which provides vacant spaces in porous CNFs, was decomposed and burn out during the carbonization. The structure and morphology of the samples were examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy and their surface area were measured using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET). The crystallinities and chemical compositions of the samples were examined using X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties on the methanol electro-oxidation were characterized using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Pt electrocatalysts embedded on porous CNFs containing 0.5 wt% SAN polymer exhibited the improved methanol oxidation and electrocatalytic stability compared to Pt/conventional CNFs and commercial Pt/C(40 wt% Pt on Vulcan carbon, E-TEK).

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.276-288
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• 1995

A nickel mesh and an expanded nickel sheet were used as a current collector for supporting active materials of cathode in rechargeable batteries, while a porous nickel substrate was extensively studied because of its 3-dimensional structure which has high capabilities for active materials and current collection. Optimum coating conditions were studied by SEM and two step d. c. constant current electrolysis for the graphite coating and electro-plated nickel on an urethane substance which was highly porous and 3-dimensional structure. The density and the porosity of nickel support obtained by using two step current density and 80 ppi urethane substance were 0.38∼0.40 g /㎤ and 94∼96%, respectively. It was possible to fabricate a highly porous and good packable nickel substrate using two step current density and surfactants at sulfamic acid nickel plating bath.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.123-132
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• 1995

While a nickel mesh and an expanded nickel sheet are used as current collectors for supporting active anode materials in rechargeable batteries, a porous nickel substrate is studied extensively for its 3-dimensional structure which has high capabilities for active materials and current collection. Optimum plating conditions were studied by polarization measurement. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that both electroless-and electro-plated nickel on an urethane substrate were highly porous and consisted of nearly spherical pores. The diameter and the channel size of the pores were found to be 300~500 $\mu\textrm{m}$ and 50~200$\mu\textrm{m}$, respectively. The shape of skeleton resembled a triangular prism with length extending about 50~100 $\mu\textrm{m}$.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.432-448
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• 2016

In the last decade, various types of energy harvesting and conversion systems based on ion exchange membranes (IEMs) have been developed for eco-friendly power generation and energy-grid systems. In these membrane-based energy systems, high ion selectivity and conductivity properties of IEMs are critical parameters to improve efficiency of the systems such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells, anion exchange membrane fuel cells, redox flow batteries, water electrodialysis for hydrogen production, and reverse electrodialysis. This article suggests variable approaches to overcome trade-off limitation of polymeric membrane ion transport properties by reviewing various types of composite ion-exchange membranes including novel inorganic-organic nanocomposite membrane, surface modified membranes, cross-linked and pore-filled membranes.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.493-498
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• 2015

For biomaterials for skin regeneration with minimized inflammatory response, high bioactivity and biocompatibility are highly required. Also, it should have a porous microstructure to improve cell adhesion and growth. In this study, we extracted a new collagen source from duck's feet which is by-product, and made the shape of sponges from duck's feet collagen (DC) to compare with DBP and SIS. To analyze physical and chemical property of the scaffold, SEM and FTIR were used. MTT assay was used to measure the attachment and proliferation of NIH/3T3 in the scaffolds. RTPCR was used to evaluate the expression of proinflammatory cytokine. Also, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was used to measure the ability of antioxidant activity. Overall, this study shows that DC scaffold is biocompatible and has good physical property. Additionally, DC scaffold shows the potential as wound healing biomaterials.