• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.215-220
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• 2016

A new immobilization technique of nanoscale $TiO_2$ powder to expanded polystyrene (EPS) balls with temperature-controlled melting method was developed, and the photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ powder-embedded EPS balls were evaluated using methylene blue (MB) solution under ultraviolet irradiation (${\lambda}=254nm$). Based on the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and associated energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis, the components of the intact EPS balls were mainly carbon and oxygen, whereas those of $TiO_2$-immobilized EPS balls were carbon, oxygen, and titanium, indicating that relatively homogenous patches of $TiO_2$ and glycerin film were coated on the surface of EPS balls. Based on the comparison of degradation efficiencies of MB between intact and $TiO_2$-immobilized EPS balls under UVC illumination, the degradation efficiencies of MB can be significantly improved using $TiO_2$-immobilized EPS balls, and surface reactions in heterogeneous photocatalysis were more dominant than photo-induced radical reactions in aqueous solutions. Thus, $TiO_2$-immobilized EPS balls were found to be an effective photocatalyst for photodegradation of organic compounds in aqueous solutions without further processes (i.e., separation, recycling, and regeneration of $TiO_2$ powder). Further study is in progress to evaluate the feasibility for usage of buoyant $TiO_2$-immobilized EPS to inhibit the excessive growth of algae in rivers and lakes.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.118-124
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• 2021

Many previous studies have focused on revealing the harmfulness of microplastic particles, whereas very few studies have focused on the effects of chemicals, particularly photooxidation product. In this study, products of photodegradation from expanded polystyrene (EPS), compounds produced by photolysis by ultraviolet (UV) light, were investigated. EPS was directly irradiated and photolyzed using a UV lamp, and then the extracted sample was analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Multiple ionization techniques, including electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, and atmospheric pressure photoionization, were used. In total, >300 compounds were observed, among which polystyrene monomer, dimer, and oxidized products were observed. In this work, the data presented clearly demonstrate that it is necessary to identify and monitor oxidized plastic compounds and assess their effect on the environment.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2000

This study was measured weight loss, total ascorbic acid, titratable acidity, and soluble solids content to investigate the effect of EPS(expanded polystyrene foam) box, LDPE film pouches and double wall corrugated fiberboard box during storage at $20^{\circ}C$. Weight loss of apple packed with corrugated paperboard box after 40 days storage was 5.7%, and those of LDPE, CE film and EPS box were 0.2-0.5%. Ascorbic acid content of apple packed with LDPE, CE, EPS was higher than that of control. Titratable acidity and total soluble solid content of control were changed 40% and 10%, and the EPS were changed 27% and 4%, respectively. Overall appearances of 'Fuji' apple packed with LDFE, CE and EPS were better than that of control.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1996.12a
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• pp.117-140
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• 1996

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 1999

Use of soils with crushed expanded polystyrene(EPS) satisfied both recycling of industrial waste and development of new light-weight fill materials. Objectives of the study were to make the mixed the mixed soils with the crushed EPS and to suggest the most rational mixing ration as a fill material. A series of laboratory tests was performed to investigate the relationship between miximum dry density and optimum moisture contenr and to find the variation of CBR for mixtures with 3 soils and 2 sizes of the crushed EPS. Results of the test showed that the sizes fo the curshed EPS had a little effect on the properties of mixed soils. But gradatiion of soils and mixing ration with the crushed EPS were important factors to characterize compaction properties of the mixed soils.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2002

Recycling of dredged soils as construction materials is experimently discussed in this paper. The strength of light-weighted soils(LWS) consisting of expanded polystyrene(EPS), dredged soils and cement is characterized by uniaxial and triaxial compression tests with varying initial water contents of dredged soils, the EPS volume and cement contents, and expanded ratio of EPS. Test results show that the strength of light-weighted soils increases with adding cement contents, whereas the strength increases with decreasing initial water contents of dredged soils and expanded ratio of EPS. It was, however, found that increasing the EPS volume makes a lower the strength of light-weighted soils.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.174-179
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• 2018

$TiO_2$-embedded expanded polystyrene (TiEPS) balls with powdered $TiO_2$ particles embedded on the surface of EPS were developed, and the growth inhibition of Chlorella ellipsoidea, a green algae, was evaluated. The experiment was conducted using four reactors with various conditions of (A) natural sunlight, (B) natural sunlight + TiEPS balls, (C) dark, and (D) dark + TiEPS balls on the roof of the building during five days. Based on the analysis of cell number, cell morphology, concentrations of chlorophyll-a and phaeopigments, both surface reactions in heterogeneous photocatalysis and light shielding could inhibit the growth of C. ellipsoidea. The highly reactive hydroxyl radicals ($OH{\cdot}$) from TiEPS balls degraded the lipid cell membrane through the peroxidation reaction with the light shielding, eventually resulting in cell inactivation. Although dominant inhibitory effects on the growth of C. ellipsoidea were ambiguous, TiEPS balls were feasible to prevent and inhibit the excessive growth of algae in eutrophic water body.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.88-93
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• 2000

The reduction of the cushion material such as Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is one of the urgent tasks of the package design process in home electrical appliances considering environmental protection. EPS reduction often causes the structural damage of products, which must be protected in the environment of transportation. CAE simulation can help the efficient package design with low material cost. The mechanical drop simulation of packaged product was performed with commercial FEM code and Taguchi approach was used partially to determine the dominant design parameters. As results of this study, about 20% reduction of EPS was accomplished in the monitor package design.

• Composites Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.64-68
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• 2010

Expanded polystyrene(EPS) foams are often used in packaging to protect electrical appliances from impact loads. The energy absorbing performances of the EPS foams depend on several parameters such as density, microstructure and strain rate. Thus, the effects of the parameters on the strength of the EPS foams need to be investigated for an optimized packaging design by FEM. In this study, various EPS foams which have different densities were quasi-statically and dynamically loaded in order to obtain the stress-strain curves. EPS foams of various densities from 18.5 to 37.0kg/m3 were considered in the experiments. A drop-mass type apparatus was developed for the intermediate strain rate tests up to several hundreds/second. It was found from the experimental results that the strength of the EPS foams increase about 170% as the strain rate increases from 0.06/s to 60/s. Experimental results also showed that the strain rate sensitivity increases as the strain increases.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2001

Generally, polymer mortar made with unsaturated polyester(UP) resin has a high curing shrinkage. This is an inadequate as repair material and construction products that have been widely used for years recently. To overcome these problems, polymer researchers and engineers have used shrinkage-reducing additives, which are usually specific thermoplastic polymers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of shrinkage-reducing additive on the curing shrinkage and strengths of UP mortar. UP mortars are prepared with expanded polystyrene(EPS) ratio in styrene monomer(SM), (EPS/PS, PS=EPS+SM), and the ratio of total polystyrene resin(PS) to UP resin, (PS/UP). And it is tested for viscosity of UP resin, slump-flow, working life, flexural and compressive strengths, and curing shrinkage tests. From the test results, viscosity of resin for UP mortar increases with increasing PS content. Curing shrinkage of UP mortar is considerably smaller than that of plain UP mortar, nevertheless, reduction in the strengths is not recognized according to adding PS resin. In this study, we can obtain the optimum mix proportions of UP mortar using PS resin which made of waste expanded polystyrene.