• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.93-101
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• 2010

As the number of indispensable needs of clean energy increases due to the green new deal revolution, the possibility of heat energy harvesting from the surrounding infrastructures such as a railroad or highway was verified. In order to find more efficient usage of a heat source, the possibility of transforming heat into electricity were confirmed using Bi-Te type thermoelectric element, and electrical quality were tested with experiments of different heat source and environmental change in the surrounding infrastructures. After careful experiments, the possibility of collecting thermal energy and findings of the heat temperature change in infrastructrue are verified with a result of obtaining almost 20.82W in 70 celcius($^{\circ}C$) temperature differences and $1m^2$ surface area. Consequently, the ratio of heat temperatiure change and transforming surface area is the most crucial factor in the harvesting heat energy, and reducing thermal loss and improving thermal convection as well as transformation efficiency of thermoelectric element is required to get more efficient and durable generation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.589-589
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• 2013

열전재료는 제백효과(Seebeck effect)에 의해 폐열을 전기에너지로 변환시킬 수 있는 소재로서, 기존의 열전재료가 나노수준으로 크기가 줄어들 경우 양자제한효과에 의한 제백계수의 증가와 표면산란에 의한 열전도도 감소로 인해 벌크재료에 비해 높은 에너지변환효율을 가질 수 있을 것으로 기대되고 있다. 에너지 변환효율은 열전성능계수인 $ZT=S2{\sigma}T/k$로 정의되며 따라서 우수한 열전재료는 높은 제백계수 S와, 높은 전기전도도 ${\sigma}$ 및 낮은 열전도도 k를 갖는 재료여야 한다. 그러나 나노소재는 낮은 측정 신호와 측정소자준비가 어려워 기존 측정시스템으로는 원활한 측정이 어렵다. 특히 열전도도의 경우 나노소재 자체의 열전도 보다 나노소재 주변 구조에 의한 열전도가 큰 경우 정확한 열전도도 평가가 어렵다. 본 연구에서는 나노선의 열전물성을 평가하기 위해 MEMS기반 기술을 이용하여 열전물성 측정플랫폼(MEMS-based thermoelectric measurement platform, MTMP)을 개발하였다. 개발 된 MTMP는 얇은 Si nitride 브릿지들이 허공에 떠 있는 두 개의 아일랜드 형태의 멤브레인 구조를 지지하는 형태로 제작되었으며, 한 쪽 아일랜드구조 위에는 나노히터가 있어 두 아일랜드 구조 사이에 온도구배를 만들 수 있도록 제작되었다. 제작된 멤브레인을 이용하여 전기화학적인 방법으로 합성한 Bi-Te계 나노선의 S, ${\sigma}$ 그리고 k를 측정하였다. 측정결과 화학양론적 미세구조를 갖는 단결정 Bi2Te3 나노선은 300 K의 측정온도에서 $S=-57{\mu}V/K$, ${\sigma}=3.9{\times}10^5S/m$, k=2.0 W/m-K의 측정 값으로 ZT=0.19였다. 본 연구에서 개발한 MTMP는 나노선 뿐만 아니라 나노플레이트의 열전 측정에도 활용할 수 있는 구조로서 나노열전소재 측정에 널리 활용될 수 있다.

• Journal of Platform Technology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.38-46
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• 2018

Smart Grid is an intelligent power grid for efficiently producing and consuming electricity through bi-directional communication between power producers and consumers. As renewable energy develops, the share of renewable energy in the smart grid is increasing. Renewable energy has a problem that it differs from existing power generation methods that can predict and control power generation because the power generation changes in real time. Applying a self-adaptative framework to the Smart Grid will enable efficient operation of the Smart Grid by adapting to the amount of renewable energy power generated in real time. In this paper, we assume that smart villages equipped with photovoltaic power generation facilities are installed, and apply the self-adaptative framework, AiTES, to show that smart grid can be efficiently operated through self adaptation framework.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.847-850
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• 1996

The bi-layered films composed of Co-Cr-Ta layers and paramagnetic $Co_{67}Cr_{33}$ underlayer were deposited by suing Facing Targets Sputtering(FTS). The effects of $Co_{67}Cr_{33}$ underlayer on the crystallographic and magnetic characteristics of the Co-Cr-Ta layer deposited on the underlayer was investigated. The diffraction intensity $I_{p(002)}$ of Co-Cr-Ta layers on the $Co_{67}Cr_{33}$ layer was stronger than that of single layer and Co-Cr-Ta/Ti double layer. Therefore, the crystallinity of Co-Cr-Ta layer was imporved by the $Co_{67}Cr_{33}$ underlayer rather than Ti ones. However, te coercivity H$_{c\bot}$ of Co-Cr-Ta layers deposited on $Co_{67}Cr_{33}$ underlayer was as low as 250 Oe even at substrate temperature of $220^{\circ}C$. This H$_{c\bot}$ decrease seems to be attributed to the effect of the $Co_{67}Cr_{33}$ underlayer as well as interval time between deposition of the underlayer and the Co-Cr-Ta layer.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 2010

Bismuth-telluride based $(Bi_{0.2}Sb_{0.8})_2Te_3$ thermoelectric powders were fabricated by two-step planetary milling process which produces bimodal size distribution ranging $400\;nm\;{\sim}\;2\;{\mu}m$. The powders were reduced in hydrogen atmosphere to minimize oxygen contents which cause degradation of thermoelectric performance by decreasing electrical conductivity. Oxygen contents were decreased from 0.48% to 0.25% by the reduction process. In this study, both the as-synthesized and the reduced powders were consolidated by the spark plasma sintering process at $350^{\circ}C$ for 10 min at the heating rate of $100^{\circ}C/min$ and then their thermoelectric properties were investigated. The sintered samples using the reduced p-type thermoelectric powders show 15% lower specific electrical resistivity ($0.8\;m{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$) than those of the as-synthesized powders while Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity do not change a lot. The results confirmed that ZT value of thermoelectric performance at room temperature was improved by 15% due to high electric conductivity caused by the controlled oxygen contents present at bismuth telluride materials.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.90-93
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• 2018

In this study, n-type $Bi_2Te_3$ in thermoelectric scrap is recovered through a wet reduction process. The recovered powder (tellurium) is grafted onto gas sensor in a new application that is not a thermoelectric device. Bismuth-rich powder is prepared by adding hydrazine when pH of the solution is brought to 13 using NaOH. The pH of the filtered solution was reduced using $HNO_3$, and then hydrazine was added to perform the re-reduction reaction. The tellurium-rich powder can be obtained through this reaction. The elemental analysis for these powders is confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis ; the successful separation of bismuth and tellurium is confirmed. Separated tellurium powder is mixed with DMF solvent and ethyl cellulose binder to confirm gas sensing properties. The tellurium paste was exposed in $NO_x$ atmosphere and exhibited a rapid reaction rate and recovery rate of less than 3 minutes for the gas.

• Ceramist
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.133-145
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• 2019

Thermoelectric energy conversion has attracted much attention because it can convert heat into electric power directly through solid state device and vice versa. Current research is aimed at increasing the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT ) by improving the power factor and reducing the thermal conductivity. Although there have been significant progresses in increasing ZT of material systems composed of Bi, Te, Ge, Pb, and etc. over the last few decades, their relatively high cost, toxicity, and the scarcity have hindered further development of thermoelectrics to expand practical applications. In this paper, we review the current status of research in the fields of nanostructured thermoelectric materials with eco-friendly and low cost elements, such as skutterudites and oxides, for mid-high temperature applications, highlighting the strategies to improve thermoelectric performance.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.151-166
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• 2022

Peltier cells have low efficiency, but they are becoming attractive alternatives for affordable and environmentally clean cooling. In this line, the current article develops closed-form and semianalytical solutions to improve the temperature distribution of Bi₂Te₃ thermoelements. From the distribution, the main objective of the current work-the optimal electric intensity to maximize cooling-is inferred. The general one-dimensional differential coupled equation is integrated for linear and quadratic geometry of thermoelements, under temperature constant properties. For a general shape, a piece-wise solution based on heat flux continuity among virtual layers gives accurate analytical solutions. For variable properties, another piece-wise solution is developed but solved iteratively. Taking advantage of the formulae, the optimal intensity is directly derived with a minimal computational cost; its value will be of utility for more advanced designs. Finally, a parametric study including straight, two linear, barrel, hourglass and vase geometries is presented, drawing conclusions on how the shape of the thermoelement affects the coupled phenomena. A specially developed coupled and non-linear finite element research code is run taking into account all the materials of the cell and using symmetries and repetitions. These accurate results are used to validate the analytical ones.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.39-44
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• 2016

Determination of the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of the magnetically doped bismuth-telluride alloys are drawing lots of interest in the fields of the thermoelectric application as well as the research on magnetic interaction and topological insulator. In this study, we performed the first-principles electronic structure calculations within the density functional theory for the Gd doped bismuth-tellurides in order to study its magnetic properties and magnetic phase stability. All-electron FLAPW (full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave) method is employed and the exchange correlation potentials of electrons are treated within the generalized gradient approximation. In order to describe the localized f-electrons of Gd properly, the Hubbard +U term and the spin-orbit coupling of the valence electrons are included in the second variational way. The results show that while the Gd bulk prefers a ferromagnetic phase, the total energy differences between the ferromagnetic and the antiferromagnetic phases of the Gd doped bismuth-telluride alloys are about ~1meV/Gd, indicating that the stable magnetic phase may be changed sensitively depending on the structural change such as defects or strains.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.253-253
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• 2016

최근 세계적으로 대체 에너지는 중요한 이슈가 되고 있으며 그 중 열전 재료는 유망한 에너지 기술로서 주목 받고 있다. 특히 고 직접화 전자 소자의 발열 문제를 해결하기 위해, 소형화와 정밀 온도 제어가 가능한 박막형 열전 소자에 연구가 주목 받고 있다. 박막형 열전소자 중 산화물 반도체계에 대한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있으며, 이러한 산화물 반도체계 중 In2O3는 BiTe, PbTe 등의 기존의 재료에 비해 독성이 낮을 뿐만 아니라 내 산화성 및 고온에서 열적 안정성이 우수하여 고온에서 적용 불가능한 금속계 열전 재료의 한계를 극복 할 수 있다는 장점을 가진다. 우수한 성능 가장 낮은 캐리어 밀도를 가지기 때문에 의 열전 재료는 높은 전기 전도도 및 제백 계수 그리고 낮은 열전도도 특성을 가져야만 한다. IZO:Sn(Zn 10 wt.%, Sn 800 ppm) 박막의 경우, 높은 전기 전도성을 가지면서 비정질 구조를 가진다. 이와 같이 비정질 구조를 가지는 박막 열전 재료는 격자에 의한 열 전도도가 낮기 때문에 결정질 구조에 비해 전체 열 전도도 값이 낮을 것으로 기대된다. 따라서 높은 전기 전도도를 가지면서 동시에 낮은 열 전도도를 가지게 되어 우수한 열전 특성을 가질 것이라 예상된다. 이러한 특성을 바탕으로 본 연구에서는 비정질 구조를 갖는 Zn와 미량의 Sn을 동시에 첨가한 In2O3박막의 전기적 특성및 열전 특성을 관찰하고자 한다. 본 연구에서는 magnetron sputtering법으로 IZO:Sn(Zn 10 wt.%, Sn 800 ppm) 타깃을 이용하여 기판 가열없이 DC Power 70 W, 작업 압력 0.7 Pa으로 SiO2 기판 위에 $400{\pm}20nm$ 두께의 박막을 증착하였다. 이러한 공정으로 만들어진 박막은 대기 중 후 열처리를 각각의 200, 300, 400, 500, $600^{\circ}C$ 온도에서 진행하였다. 박막의 미세 구조는 XRD를 통해 관찰하였다. 그리고 박막의 전기적 특성은 Hall effect measurement을 통해 측정하였고, 열전 특성은 Seebeck 상수의 측정을 통하여 평가하였다. XRD 확인 결과 RT에서 증착한 박막과 후 열처리 200, 300, 400, $500^{\circ}C$ 결과 비정질 구조를 보였고, 후열처리 $600^{\circ}C$에서는 결정의 회절 피크를 보였다. 전기적 특성의 경우, 후 열처리 온도가 증가함에 따라 전기 전도도는 감소한다. 이는 공기중의 산소가 박막에 침투하여 oxygen vacancy를 막아 캐리어 밀도가 감소한것에 기인 된 것으로 판단된다. 열전 특성의 경우 제백상수는 후 열처리 $600^{\circ}C$에서 가장 높은 제백상수를 나타낸다. 제백 상수는 수식에 따라 캐리어 밀도의 -2/3승에 비례하게 된다. 수식에 따라 후 열처리 $600^{\circ}C$에서 가장 낮은 캐리어 밀도를 가지기 때문에 가장 높은 제백 상수를 가지게 된다. 열전 성능 척도인 Power factor는 제백 상수의 제곱과 전기전도도의 곱으로 나타내는데, 후 열처리 $200^{\circ}C$에서 가장 높은 Power factor를 보인다. 이는 캐리어 밀도 감소에 따라 전기 전도도는 감소하였지만 이로 인해 제백상수는 증가하였고, 또한 캐리어 밀도 감소에 따라 이온화 불순물 산란의 감소에 의해 이동도의 증가에 의한 것으로 판단된다. 박막의 경우 기판의 영향으로 인해 열 전도도 측정이 어려워 열전 성능 지수(ZT)를 계산을 할 수 없지만, 마그네트론 스퍼터링법으로 증착한 IZO:Sn 박막은 비정질 구조를 가지므로 격자진동에 의한 열 전도도가 낮아 전체 열 전도도가 결정질에 비해 낮을 것이며 이는 높은 열전 성능 지수를 가질 것으로 예상된다.