• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 2006

In this study, modified DA-MMT filled NR/DA-MMT nanocomposites were manufactured by a latex method and a compounding method. Cure characteristics and mechanical properties of the Cloisite 15A, carbon black, Na-MMT filled NR compounds and the DA-MMT filled NR compound by a latex method were also evaluated. The filler content of all compounds was 10phr except the carbon black filled compound. Degree of intercalation and dispersion was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). According to the XRD diffraction pattern and TEM analysis, extensive intercalation and homogeneous dispersion of the clay were obtained after the two-roll milling. Although the layer distance was increased, some parts of DA-MMT showed the layer distance of Na-MMT after vulcanization. DA-MMT filled NR compounds showed the highest ODR torques, tensile strength, modulus, and tear energy. The NR/DA-MMT nanocomposite (by a latex method) compared with a NR/DA-MMT nanocomposite (by a compounding method) was found that the improvement of the mechanical properties was mainly due to the degree of dispersion of the clay.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2003

A vulcanization reaction characteristics of an isoprene rubber (IR)-modified natural rubber/carbon black (NR/CB) composite was studied using in-situ electrical property measuring technique. Since the electrical conductivity of the sample composite would be changed continuously during the vulcanization reaction by rearranging of the carbon black particles within the sample, volume resistivity (${\rho}$) might be obtained as a function or reaction time. A stabilization time ($t_i$), maximum reaction speed time ($t_p$), and volume resistivity at that time(${\rho}_p$) were defined from the data for the Arrhenius analysis. Volume resistivity ${\rho}$ showed a comparatively high value of ${\sim}10^8$ order before the reaction started, and dramatically decreased to be stabilized within $1{\sim}2$ minutes as soon as the reaction started. As the more time elapsed, thereafter, ${\rho}$ decreased monotonously to a certain constant value through a peak, ${\rho}_p$ at time $t_p$, which was considered as the maximum reaction rate. As a result, while $t_i$ values were comparatively constant as $1{\sim}2$ minutes, $t_p$ values showed to become shorter and shorter as the reaction temperature.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2004

Frequency dependency or electrical property stabilization during vulcanization of modified NR/IR composite materials was studied using in-situ electrical property measuring technique. Volume resistivity(p) before and after vulcanization reaction of the sample was measured as the function or frequency in the range or 1Hz to 10kHz at reaction temperatures of 130, 140, 150, and $160^{\circ}C$, respectively. A double stabilization mode of frequency dependency was observed, in which a slow stabilization process of p to a value of ca. $1.0{\times}10^7\;{\Omega}-cm$ occurred after a drastic initial decrease from ca. $9.0{\times}10^7\;{\Omega}-cm$. In addition, notable temperature dependencies of p values were also observed before and after vulcanization reaction, that is, p values at 130 and $140^{\circ}C$ after vulcanization were observed as about 1/3 of those values before vulcanization. All the observed facts were considered as the results from the interaction between the electrode and the bulk sample materials, i.e., electronic charge-discharge, and from the structure change of samples including CB rearrangement by the vulcanization.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.290-295
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• 2021

The application of lightweight structural composites to automobiles as a solution in line with global fuel economy regulations to curb global warming is recognized as a megatrend. This study was conducted to provide a technical approach that can respond to the issue of replacing parts that require conductive properties to maximize the application of thermoplastic carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs), which are advantageous in terms of repair, disposal and recycling. By utilizing the properties of the low-viscosity polymerizable oligomer matrix, it was possible to prepare a thermoplastic CFRP exhibiting excellent impregnation properties while uniformly mixing the conductive filler. Various carbon-based conductive fillers such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, graphite, and pitch-based carbon fibers were filled up to the maximum content, and electrical and thermal conductive properties of the fabricated composites were compared and studied. It was confirmed that the maximum incorporation of filler was the most important factor to control the conductive properties of the composites rather than the type or shape of the conductive carbon filler. Experimental results were observed in which it might be advantageous to apply a one-dimensional conductive carbon filler to improve electrical conductivity, whereas it might be advantageous to apply a two-dimensional conductive carbon filler to improve thermal conductivity. The results of this study can provide potential insight into the optimization of structural design for controlling the conductive properties of thermoplastic CFRPs.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.18-31
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• 2014

This study aims at identifying of characteristics and types of the pigments used for Dancheong(surface decorative and protective pigments) of Yaksajeon Hall in Gwallyoungsa Temple using a Micro-XRF, XRD, SEM-EDS and thereafter, comparing it with the pigments of the wall painting in the same building and with Dancheong pigments of Daeungjeon Hall. The results can be briefly summarized as two points. First, different types of pigments for red, green and white colours had been applied based on different parts of the building and more than two different pigments had been mixed to produce various colours in so me parts. Second, scientific analysis has confirmed that raw minerals for each colour groups are: Cinnabar, minium and Hematite for red; white clay and oyster shell white($Al_2O_3{\cdot}SiO_2{\cdot}4H_2O$) for white; Atacamite and Celadonite for green; carbon(C) for black; Yellow Ocher for yellow; and Lazulite for blue. Comparative analysis of such result with that of the wall paintings and of Dancheong of Daeungjeon Hall has revealed that similar minerals had been used in overall except that several different pigments had been added or removed for making green, white and yellow colour groups in some parts. In conclusion, the result has displayed that painters had used different ways of producing pigments by a type of painting or a building within the same period or for the buildings in the same buddhist temple compound.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.339-355
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• 2021

Background: Particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5) and black carbon contribute to poor air quality in urban areas, and can also affect indoor environments. Exposure to PM can be associated with respiratory and lung diseases. Objectives: This study investigated the indoor and outdoor concentration distribution patterns of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and black carbon at an apartment building, a typical residential space in the metropolitan areas of South Korea, by season, day of the week (weekday vs. weekend), and time of the day. It aims to obtain foundational data for the effective management of pollutants and investigate the difference in pollution levels between indoor and outdoor environments. Methods: Indoor and outdoor concentrations of PM and black carbon were measured at an apartment building located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do Province, using dust sensors and an Aethalometer AE51 (AethLabs, San Francisco, CA, USA) over the course of a year from June 2020 to May 2021. The concentration distribution patterns were analyzed by season and time of day. Results: PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations in the outdoor environment were higher than those in the indoor environment, regardless of the season. By contrast, the indoor black carbon concentration was higher than that in the outdoor environment during summer and autumn. The concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and black carbon were found to be higher on weekdays than during weekends, especially during rush hour, with concentrations of 25.92~56.58 ㎍/m³, 21.12~44.82 ㎍/m³, 0.63~3.40 ㎍/m³. Conclusions: The outdoor concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and black carbon were higher during the weekdays, especially during rush hour, than during weekends. This study is expected to provide basic data for the health management of apartment occupants because it is measured over a period of more than one year.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.77-90
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• 2022

Despite the decreasing trend of anthropogenic emissions in East Asia in recent years, haze days still frequently occur in spring. Atmospheric blocking, which occurs frequently in the northeastern Pacific, leads to persistent changes in large-scale circulation and blocks westerly flow in the East Asian region. During March 2019, frequent warm and stagnant synoptic meteorological conditions over East Asia were accompanied 6-7 days later by the Alaskan atmospheric blocking. The Alaskan atmospheric blocking over the period of March 18-24, 2019 led to high particulate matter (PM₁₀) severe haze days exceeding a daily average of 50 ㎍ m^-3 over the period of March 25-28, 2019 in South Korea. Although the high-PM₁₀ severe haze days were caused by warm and stagnant meteorological conditions, the regional contribution of anthropogenic emissions in eastern China was calculated to be 30-40% using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem). The major regional contributions of PM₁₀ aerosols in the period of high-PM₁₀ severe haze days were as follows: nitrates, 20-25%; sulphates, 10-15%; ammonium, 5-10%; and other inorganics, 15-20%. Ammonium nitrate generated via gas-to-aerosol conversion in a warm and stagnant atmosphere largely contributed to the regional transport of PM₁₀ aerosols in the high-PM₁₀ severe haze days in South Korea.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.219-225
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• 2020

Importance of touch equipment and smart learning increases and public institutions and educational facilities are applying smart devices to their daily environments. However, users of public smart devices are at risk of being exposed to the direct and indirect spread of infectious diseases. This study develops an exo-finger that wraps the fingertips of smart device users and is intended to have a disease prevention effect when used on public equipment. An exoskeletal body was fabricated by inserting a secondary material which is a mixture of the activating material, carbon black (CB) and a macromolecular polymer (elastomer) into a mold. This device was confirmed to have a touch function when the CB content was 0.030 wt% or higher, and the content of the elastomer was varied so that it could have a friction force similar to that when a person touches a smart device (a friction coefficient of 2.5). Through experiments, it was concluded that the CB content had little effect on the friction coefficient. As a result of testing the completed prototype on a smart device, it was proven that the developed exoskeletal device can be useful in situations where it is impossible to touch due to wearing protective gears, or when equipment such as gloves is used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2022

Nanoparticles are used in various fields such as chemistry, medicine, the environment, and information and communication. With the increasing use of engineered nanomaterials, exposure to nanoparticles is expected to increase in the workplace and the environmental media. However, while nanotechnology industries are expanding, research on the exposure assessment of nanomaterials to humans and the environment is only at a beginning stage. Especially, if nanoparticles with a size of 100 nm or less that are contained in nano-products are released unintentionally, they may pose potential risks to the human body through breathing or skin exposure. Therefore, in this work, the possibility of potential exposure of nanoparticles moving from the laboratory to the office was confirmed, and nanoparticle safety guidelines are proposed. A nano-collector was used to detect nanoparticles in the atmosphere, and through use of a scanning mobility particle sizer it was found that nanoparticle concentrations in the laboratory and the office tended to be similar. On the assumption that nanoparticles attached to a lab-coat move out of the laboratory, a lab-coat to which nanocarbon black was attached was shaken and the concentration of the remaining particles on the lab-coat determined. The results confirmed that sufficient amounts of nanoparticles attached to the lab-coat could move from the laboratory to the office along the path of a researcher; thus, safety guidelines for the handling of lab-coat nanoparticles are required.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.291-297
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• 2022

Background: PM_2.5 and black carbon (BC) can be generated from cooking and from vehicle operation. Street vendors may be exposed to PM_2.5 and BC due to their proximity both to roads and to cooking activities. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the PM_2.5 and BC concentrations in cooking stalls and to determine the effects of cooking activity and of types of cooking. Methods: Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 and BC concentrations, temperature, and relative humidity were measured in 32 stalls in April and May 2022. Behavioral factors such as the presence of cooking activity and types of cooking were observed. Student's T-test was performed using the difference of indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 and BC concentrations to compare the effects of cooking activity and to compare types of cooking. Results: One-hour averages of the difference in indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations for cooking stalls and non-cooking stalls were 9.7±15.7 ㎍/m³ (n=22) and -0.5±0.4 ㎍/m³ (n=10), respectively. The difference in indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations in cooking stalls was significantly higher than in non-cooking stalls (p<0.05). The indoor PM_2.5 concentration for stalls for Chinese pancakes and teokbokki exceeded the standards for indoor air quality in South Korea (50 ㎍/m³ ). The indoor PM_2.5 concentration for Korean pancake stalls exceeded the standards for outdoor air quality in South Korea (35 ㎍/m³ for 24 hours). Conclusions: The PM_2.5 concentrations in stalls with cooking activity was significantly higher than those in stalls without cooking activity. Some stalls with certain types of foods exceeded standards for indoor and outdoor air quality in South Korea. Better management of indoor air quality in stalls with cooking activities is necessary.