• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.342-349
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• 2017

Polylactic acid (PLA) has been highlighted as an alternative renewable polymer for the replacement of petroleum-based plastic materials, and is considered to be biodegradable. On the other hand, the biodegradation of PLA by terminal degraders, such as microorganisms, requires a lengthy period in the natural environment, and its mechanism is not completely understood. PLA biodegradation studies have been conducted using mainly undefined mixed cultures, but only a few bacterial strains have been isolated and examined. For further characterization of PLA biodegradation, in this study, the PLA-degrading bacteria from digester sludge were isolated and identified using a polymer film-based screening method. The enrichment of sludge on PLA granules was conducted with the serial transference of a subculture into fresh media for 40 days, and the attached biofilm was inoculated on a PLA film on an agar plate. 3D optical microscopy showed that the isolates physically degraded the PLA film due to bacterial degradation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the microbial colonies to be Pseudomonas sp. MYK1 and Bacillus sp. MYK2. The two isolates exhibited significantly higher specific gas production rates from PLA biodegradation compared with that of the initial sludge inoculum.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2008

In this study, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were compounded with the poly($\varepsilon$-caprolactone) (PCL) matrix at the solution state using chloroform. For homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs in polymer matrix, oxygen-containing groups were introduced on the surface of MWCNTs. The mechanical properties of the PCL/MWCNTs composites were effectively increased due to the incorporation of MWCNTs. The composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy in order to obtain information on the dispersion of MWCNT in the polymeric matrix. In case of 1.2 wt% of MWCNTs in the matrix, strength and modulus of the composite increased by 12.1% and 164.3%, respectively. In addition, the dispersion of MWCNTs in the PCL matrix resulted in substantial decrease of the electrical resistivity of the composites as the MWCNTs loading was increased from 0 to 2.0 wt%. Furthermore, thermal stability of the PCL and PCL/MWCNTs-COOH composites were investigated using the data acquired from the thermogravimetric analysis. The detailed kinetics of the thermal degradation of the composites was investigated by analyzing their thermal behavior at different heating rates in a nitrogen atmosphere. Activation energy of thermal degradation was determined by using the equations proposed by Kissinger and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa. The apparent activation energy of PCL/MWCNTs-COOH composite was considerably higher than that of neat PCL.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.44-52
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• 2002

Composite materials are created by combining two or more component to achieve desired properties which could not be obtained with the separate components. The use of reinforcing fillers, which can reduce material costs and improve certain properties, is increasing in thermoplastic polymer composites. Currently, various inorganic fillers such as talc, mica, clay, glass fiber and calcium carbonate are being incorporated into thermoplastic composites. Nevertheless, lignocellulose fibers have drawn attention due to their abundant availability, low cost and renewable nature. In recent, interest has grown in composites made from lignocellulose fiber in thermoplastic polymer matrices, particularly for low cost/high volume applications. In addition to high specific properties, lignocellulose fibers offer a number of benefits for lignocellulose fiber/thermoplastic polymer composites. These include low hardness, which minimize abrasion of the equipment during processing, relatively low density, biodegradability, and low cost on a unit-volume basis. In spite of the advantage mentioned above, the use of lignocellulose fibers in thermoplastic polymer composites has been plagued by difficulties in obtaining good dispersion and strong interfacial adhesion because lignocellulose fiber is hydrophilic and thermoplastic polymer is hydrophobic. The application of lignocellulose fibers as reinforcements in composite materials requires, just as for glass-fiber reinforced composites, a strong adhesion between the fiber and the matrix regardless of whether a traditional polymer matrix, a biodegradable polymer matrix or cement is used. Further this article gives a survey about physical and chemical treatment methods which improve the fiber matrix adhesion, their results and effects on the physical properties of composites. Coupling agents in lignocellulose fiber and polymer composites play a very important role in improving the compatibility and adhesion between polar lignocellulose fiber and non-polar polymeric matrices. In this article, we also review various kinds of coupling agent and interfacial mechanism or phenomena between lignocellulose fiber and thermoplastic polymer.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.38-43
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• 2018

In this study, using electro-refining process and methane gas reduction, we performed studying the recovery of tin with high purity from waste tin oxide had used as a electrode rod of ceramic furnace which occurred during glass production process. We recovered the crude tin of 99% purity from a methane gas reduction process and controlled a little amount of impurities. When the electrolytic refining condition was a current density of $60A/dm^2$ and the sulfuric acid concentration of 0.75 mol, 96.8% of recovered tin (99.979% of purity) were recovered during the electrolytic refining. We confirmed that toxic impurities such as Pb, Sb included in electrode rod. could be controlled.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.13-28
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• 2021

Since transient electronic devices can operate under harsh conditions such as electrolytic solutions or inside the body, and be removed by hydrolysis after operation, they can replace conventional electronic devices in various research areas like biomedical implantable devices. Moreover, transient electronic devices that can dissolve in water and enzymes are the focus of the new concept of green technology, which can solve electrical waste issues. However, the surroundings of transient electronic devices can deteriorate internal device components. Thus, an encapsulation strategy is introduced for stable operation in solution by shielding the outside of a device with a passive barrier. This article summarizes recent research trends in transient electronic devices, including their background, dissolution behavior, and encapsulation strategies to enhance reliability by blocking water permeation.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Waste explosives such as useless ammunition discharged from the military and coproduced useless explosives during the manufacturers production process have been continuously produced. These are difficult to dispose with normal waste treatment facilities due to the dangers of fire and explosion. An open burning or an open detonation at military designated disposal facilities is a classical treatment method for the dangerous explosives. The classical method raises various environmental problems by the emission of hazardous materials. An air pollution by the emission of hazardous gases such as SO_x and NO_x, soil and water contaminations by the accumulation of non-biodegradable heavy metals, are representative pollution examples. To overcome these problems, various processes for eco-friendly waste treatment methods have been developed, and some processes have already been operated in some countries. In the current report, various eco-friendly disposal processes for waste explosives or harmful materials, and their advantages and disadvantages are documented to suggest future development directions for reducing the hazardous substances by the treatment processes.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.203-211
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• 2021

Octacalcium phosphate(OCP, Ca₈H₂(PO₄)₆·5H₂O) is one of biodegradable calcium phosphate materials with osteoconductivity and biocompatibility. It has the advantage of rapid bone formation and resorption due to the property of stimulating stromal cells to differentiate into osteoblasts. However, if OCP is inserted in body, it is immediately decomposed without maintaining of its shape as scaffolds due to their weak cohesive force between powder. On the other hand, hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂), which has a crystal structure similar to that of OCP, remains in the body without decomposition until the bone defect is restored. In this study, the degradation behavior of OCP/HA disc with different amount of HA in SBF (simulated body fluid) solution was characterized in terms of the weight loss, pH variation and microstructure change with immersion duration in SBF solution. As a result, the OCP/HA disc was not quickly decomposed and maintained its own shape for 2 weeks regardless of HA content. In particular, the surface of 40HA specimen was uniformly dissolved and then CDHA (calcium deficient hydroxyapatite) phase were formed onto the surface of disc after 7 days in SBF solution. It would be suggested that the 40HA specimen would be suitable candidate material as the scaffolds for the restoration of bone defect.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.190-199
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• 2003

Purpose: The aim of this study was to find out a clinically appliable method to insert a biodegradable solid material containing holmium-166-chitosan complex into the surgical field, and to evaluate the histological changes in the normal tissues after ${\beta}$ -ray irradiation from holmium-166 according to the dose, period and type of tissues. Materials and Methods: 3.0 mCi, 50 ${\mu}l$ of the liquid state $^{166}$Ho-chitosan complex was attached to the absorbable gelatin sponge. The radiation activity measured by dose caliberator was 1.5 mCi. These $^{166}$Ho-chitosan complex containing absorbable gelatin sponges were inserted into the thigh muscles and over the femur bones of the Wistar rats. The cases were evaluated at 2 weeks after insertion, and 4, 6 weeks with respect to the histological changes of the soft tissues and bone, the depth of the tissue necrosis, and the changes of the $^{166}$Ho-chitosan complex containing absorbable gelatin sponges. Results: At 2 weeks, the muscles showed coagulation necrosis, degenerating myocytes, regenerating myocytes, intermuscular edema, and inflammatory cells. The necrosis depth was 3.3 mm. In the bones, there was no osteocyte in the lacuna of cortex (empty lacuna), marrow fibrosis, inflammation. The necrosis depth was 2.9 mm. At 4 weeks, in the muscle, calcification and increased fibrosis with necrosis depth by 3.3 mm were the additional findings. In the bone, marrow fibrosis with necrosis depth by 3.3 mm were detected. At 6 weeks, soft tissue shrinkage, increased fibrosis and granulation tissue formation, and nearly resolving inflammatory reaction were the findings. Conclusion: The local application of the $^{166}$Ho-chitosan complex attached to biodegradable gelatin material with surgery in the laboratory animals resulted in no mortality and morbidity, and satisfactory tissue necrosis. Holmium-166 can be applied to the treatment of the malignant tumor patients.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.163-168
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• 2008

Biomedical scaffold for tissue regeneration was fabricated by one of rapid prototyping processes, bioplotting system, with a biodegradable and biocompatible poly($\varepsilon$-carprolactone)(PCL). Through dynamic mechanical test, it was observed that the PCL scaffold manufactured by the bioplotting process has the superior mechanical properties compared to the conventional scaffold fabricated by a salt-leaching process, and the plotted scaffold could be employed as a potential scaffold to regenerating hard and soft tissue. The plotted scaffold was consisted of porous structures. which were interconnected with each pore to help cells be easily adhered and proliferated in the wall of pore tunnels, and metabolic nutrients can be transported within the matrix. By using the plotting system, we could adjust the pore size, porosity, strand pitch, and, strand diameter of PCL scaffolds, which were important parameters to control mechanical properties of the scaffolds, and consequently we could determine that the mechanically controlled scaffolds could be used as a matching scaffold for any required mechanical properties of the target organ. The fabricated 3D PCL scaffold showed enough possibility as a 3D biomedical scaffold, which was cell-cultured with chondrocytes.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.25-30
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• 2011

Biogas obtained from the biodegradable organic wastes in an anaerobic digester consists of $CH_4$ and inert gases such as $CO_2$ and $N_2$. Since the composition of biogas varies by anaerobic digester conditions and the origin of wastes, it is necessary to respond to these variations so as to make stable combustion and accomplish high efficiency when it is used as a fuel for power generating SI engines. In this study, efforts have been made to investigate the effect of changes in the calorific values of biogas on the engine performance and exhaust characteristics. The biogas was simulated by supplying of $CH_4$ with $N_2$ dilution of various ratios, and ECM was developed to achieve accurate control of ignition and combustion. The results show that as the $CH_4$ concentration of the biogas decreases, the optimal spark timing is advanced due to the elevated thermal capacity and lowered $O_2$ concentration of the in-cylinder charge. Furthermore, since combustion temperature was reduced by increased inert gas, $NO_x$ emissions decreased, whereas THC emissions increased.