• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1995.05a
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• pp.662-667
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• 1995

An internal gelation process was adopted for the fabrication of carbon-dispersed UO$_3$ microspheres which will be fed to the fabrication for uranium nitride microsphere fuels by the carbothermic reduction. For investigating the proper process conditions, a composition range of feed solution for preparing good UO$_3$ gel spheres was firstly defined by observing the gelation behavior. Within the defined solution compositions, carbon-dispersed microspheres were prepared and carbon distribution in microspheres were observed by SEM. The results showed that production of good carbon-dispersed microspheres was possible, and the most of carbon were evenly distributed in the microspheres although large carbon-rich aggregates were sparsely existent.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.369-374
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• 2005

In this work, the calcium alginate microcapsules containing lemon oil were prepared by emulsification-internal gelation and their potential use as aromatherapy was examined by the controlled release system. The lemon oil encapsulated in the alginate was successfully observed by Fourier transform (FT-IR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements. Analysis of the diameters and shapes of microcapsules was conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mean diameters ranging from 4 to 7 um and encapsulation yield ranging from 50 to $85\%$ were obtained. The controlled release of the lemon oil at $37^{circ}$ was demonstrated by the infrared moisture determination (IMDB). It was found that the amount of released lemon oil decreased with increasing concentrations of alginate and $CaCl_2$ due to the higher the cross-linking density of the capsules prepared. The oil release from the capsule was measured as a function of physical force. We confirmed that the external factor could control the collapse of capsule wall and the release rate.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2024

By introducing curing kinetics and chemo-rheology for the epoxy resin formulation for ultra-high voltage gas insulated switchgear (GIS) Insulating Spacers, a study was conducted to simulate the curing behavior, flow and warpage analysis for optimization of the molding process in automatic pressure gelation. The curing rate equation and chemo-rheology equation were set as fixed values for various factors and other physical property values, and the APG molding process conditions were entered into the Moldflow software to perform optimization numerical simulations of the three-phase insulating spacer. Changes in curing shrinkage according to pack pressure were observed under the optimized process conditions. As a result, it was confirmed that the residence time in the solid state was shortened due to the lowest curing reaction when the curing holding pressure was 3 bar, and the occurrence of deformation due to internal residual stress was minimized.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 2020

A combination of simultaneous thermal analysis, evolved gas analysis and non-ambient XRD techniques was used to characterise and investigate the conversion reactions of ammonium uranates into uranium oxides. Two solid phases of the ternary system NH₃ - UO₃ - H₂O were synthesised under specified conditions. Microspheres prepared by the sol-gel method via internal gelation were identified as 3UO₃·2NH₃·4H₂O, whereas the product of a typical ammonium diuranate precipitation reaction was associated to the composition 3UO₃·NH₃·5H₂O. The thermal decomposition profile of both compounds in air feature distinct reaction steps towards the conversion to U₃O₈, owing to the successive release of water and ammonia molecules. Both compounds are converted into α-U₃O₈ above 550 ℃, but the crystallographic transition occurs differently. In compound 3UO₃·NH₃·5H₂O (ADU) the transformation occurs via the crystalline β-UO₃ phase, whereas in compound 3UO₃·2NH₃·4H₂O (microspheres) an amorphous UO₃ intermediate was observed. The new insights obtained on these uranate systems improve the information base for designing and synthesising minor actinide-containing target materials in future applications.

• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.761-769
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Bioprinting has recently appeared as a powerful tool for building complex tissue and organ structures. However, the application of bioprinting to regenerative medicine has limitations, due to the restricted choices of bio-ink for cytocompatible cell encapsulation and the integrity of the fabricated structures. METHODS: In this study, we developed hybrid bio-inks based on acrylated hyaluronic acid (HA) for immobilizing bio-active peptides and tyramine-conjugated hyaluronic acids for fast gelation. RESULTS: Conventional acrylated HA-based hydrogels have a gelation time of more than 30 min, whereas hybrid bio-ink has been rapidly gelated within 200 s. Fibroblast cells cultured in this hybrid bio-ink up to 7 days showed >90% viability. As a guidance cue for stem cell differentiation, we immobilized four different bio-active peptides: BMP-7-derived peptides (BMP-7D) and osteopontin for osteogenesis, and substance-P (SP) and Ac-SDKP (SDKP) for angiogenesis. Mesenchymal stem cells cultured in these hybrid bio-inks showed the highest angiogenic and osteogenic activity cultured in bio-ink immobilized with a SP or BMP-7D peptide. This bio-ink was loaded in a three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting device showing reproducible printing features. CONCLUSION: We have developed bio-inks that combine biochemical and mechanical cues. Biochemical cues were able to regulate differentiation of cells, and mechanical cues enabled printing structuring. This multi-functional bio-ink can be used for complex tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.165-170
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• 2013

An external gelation method in place of an internal gelation method applied to the fabrication process of an intermediated compound of Uranium Oxy-Carbide (UCO) kernel spheres for Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) fuel preparation is under development in Korea. For the preliminary experiments of the UCO kernel sphere preparation using an external gelation method, the carbon black dispersion experiments were carried out using a simulated broth solution. From the selection experiments of various kinds of carbon black through dispersion experiments in a viscous metal salt solution, Cabot G carbon black was selected owing to its dispersion stability, and the homogeneous dispersing state of carbon black particles in our system. For the effective dispersion of nano-size aggregated carbon black particles in a high viscous liquid, the carbon black particles in a metal salt solution were first de-aggregated with ultrasonic force. The mixed solution was then dispersed secondly by the use of the extremely high-speed agitation with a mechanical mixer of 6000 rpm after feeding the Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) in the solution. This results in the broth solution with good stability and homogeneity alongside no further changes in physical properties.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.303-314
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• 2020

Gambir is a non-wood forest product with a potential of being used as wood adhesive, due to about 33% catechin in it. Meanwhile, catechins and sucrose have not been studied as adhesives. Therefore, basic characteristics of gambir-sucrose adhesives were investigated. In this research, adhesives were prepared by dissolving gambir and sucrose in distilled water, at different blending ratios of the gambir/sucrose such as 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, and 25/75 wt%. Furthermore, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to determine the gambir chemical compositions, and Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was carried out to identify chemical bonds. Particleboards with a target density of 0.8 g/㎤ were then manufactured by hot-pressing for 10 min at 200℃. The internal bond (IB) strength of particleboard was subsequently measured. Based on the GC-MS analysis, 31.11% of catechin was identified. In addition, the viscosity, density, solid content, and gelation time of the adhesives, and insoluble matter content (IMC) in boiling water were 7.30~33.24 mPa.s, 1.2~1.3 g/㎤, 25.56~28.44%, 73~420 min, and 29.75~62.10%, respectively. Adding sucrose to the adhesive was observed to raise the IMC from 49.05 to 62.10%, at 180℃ and 200℃. FT-IR analysis showed that the gambir absorption peaks occurred at approximately 1620 cm^-1, assigned to the C=O stretching of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, which tended to increase with the addition of sucrose. The reaction between gambir and sucrose was observed in the form of the dimethylene ether bridge. The 25/75 wt% gambir-sucrose adhesives and 200℃ hot-pressed temperature resulted in the highest IB strength (0.89 MPa), and met the requirement of JIS A5908-2003 type 18. Consequently, the gambir-sucrose adhesive could be used as a particleboard adhesive.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.267-274
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• 2016

The purposes of this study were to investigate the impacts of concentration levels of whey protein isolate (WPI) and inulin on the formation and physicochemical properties of WPI/inulin nano complexes and to evaluate their potential prebiotic effects. WPI/inulin nano complexes were produced using the internal gelation method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and particle size analyzer were used to assess the morphological and physicochemical characterizations of nano complexes, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency of resveratrol in nano complexes was studied using HPLC while the potential prebiotic effects were investigated by measuring the viability of probiotics. In TEM micrographs, the globular forms of nano complexes in the range of 10 and 100 nm were successfully manufactured. An increase in WPI concentration level from 1 to 3% (w/v) resulted in a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the size of nano complexs while inulin concentration level did not affect the size of nano complexes. The polydispersity index of nano complexes was below 0.3 in all cases while the zeta-potential values in the range of -2 and -12 mV were observed. The encapsulation efficiency of resveratrol was significantly (p<0.05) increased as WPI and inulin concentration levels were increased from 1 to 3% (w/v). During incubation at 37℃ for 24 h, WPI/inulin nano complexes exhibited similar viability of probiotics with free inulin and had significantly (p<0.05) higher viability than negative control. In conclusions, WPI and inulin concentration levels were key factors affecting the physicochemical properties of WPI/inulin nano complexes and had potential prebiotic effect.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.321-325
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• 2010

Fibroin is a biopolymer available in large quantity from silk fiber and has a long history of use as a suture proving biocompatibility. In this report, fibroin microspheres has been fabricated for biomaterial applications. W/O emulsion of regenerated fibroin droplets in a continuous phase of decane with mixed surfactants was dried to facilitate fibroin gelation and the condensed fibroin microspheres were harvested. The ratio of mixed surfactants and their proportions to decane were determined to prepare a stable W/O emulsion. A spherical form of fibroin gels was obtained from the W/O emulsion agitated at 600 rpm. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that number average sizes of the fibroin microspheres were 21.6 and 8.5 ${\mu}m$ when dried under ambient conditions or under vacuum, respectively. Tomography of the spheres revealed that their internal structures are packed or hollowed. Hollow and hemispherical forms of microspheres were also prepared by using porogen.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.188-198
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• 2021

A modern approach to nuclear energy involves reprocessing like transmutations of spent nuclear fuel products to reduce their radiotoxicity and time needed for their storage. For this purpose, they are immobilized in inert matrices made of zirconia and can be "burned" in fast neutron reactor or Accelerator Driven System. These matrices in spherical form can be obtained by sol-gel process. The paper presents a method of microspheres fabrication based on the combined Complex Sol-Gel Process and double extraction process consisting in the preparation of zirconium-ascorbate sol and simultaneous extraction of water and nitrates. The procedure allows obtaining gel microspheres with a diameter of 50 ㎛, which after heat treatment are processed into the final product. The synthesis of zirconia microspheres with Yttrium by internal gelation process is well known for over a decade now. However, the explanation and characterization of synthesis of such material by extraction of water process is rarely found. Parameters such as: pH, viscosity, shape, sphericity and crystal structure have been determined for synthesized products and semi-products. In addition, preliminary research consisting in irradiation of the obtained materials in fast and thermal neutron flux was carried out. The obtained results are presented and described in this work.