• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 1991

Changes of phycobiliproteins(PBP) quantity and ferredoxin-NADP reductase(FNR) activity were investigated in various light illuminated cyanobacteria, Anabaena variabilis. PBP components were increased under blue light illumination, whereas decreased under red light illumination. PBP contents were twofolds in blue light than in red light. In view of the PBP composition, allophycocyanin(APC) in red light was higher 5.5% and phycoerythrocyanin(PEC) in blue light was higher 2.2% than in white light-illuminated PBP. It was suggested that PBP changes in bule light be the results of regulation of photosysthetic efficiency and protection of photosystem, whereas PBP changes in red light be effected by adaptation of adequate harvesting of light energy in photosystem. Changes of FNR activity were highest in red light, and sequenced lower to blue light and green light. It means that light-dependent production rate of NADP is the highest in red light. The difference of values was larger than that of values in comparison of red and blue light. It was suggested that increasing of FNR activity be due not to the function of isozyme, but to the synthesis of enzymes. Because of NAD/NADP regulation-effect to metabolism, it was considered that FNR activity might influence the metabolism indirectly and explain the probability of regulation in pathways of key enzyme activation. FNR activity was directly proportional to intensity of light. Optimum temperature and pH were about 25℃ and 7.5, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.7.2-7.2
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• 2011

Photoelectrochemical solar cells such as dye-sensitized cells (DSSCs), which exhibit high performance and are cost-effective, provide an alternative to conventional p-n junction photovoltaic devices. However, the efficiency of such cells plateaus at 11~12%, in contrast to their theoretical value of 33%. The majority of research has focused on improving energy conversion efficiency of DSSC by controlling nanostructure and exploiting new materials in photoelectrode consisting of semiconducting oxide nanoparticles and a transparent conducting oxide electrode (TCO). In this presentation, we introduce monodisperesed TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by forced hydrolysis method and their superiority as photoelectrode materials was characterized with aids of optical and electrochemical analysis. Inverse opal-based scattering layers containing highly crystalline anatase nanoparticles are also introduced and their feasibility for use as bi-functional light scattering layer is discussed in terms of optical reflectance and charge generation properties as a function of optical wavelength.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.627-634
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• 2023

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) has attracted considerable attention since its discovery for its catalysis of water splitting to hydrogen and oxygen under visible light irradiation. However, pristine g-C₃N₄ confers only low photocatalytic efficiency and requires surface cocatalysts to reach moderate activity due to a lack of accessible surface active sites. Inspired by the high specific surface area and superior electron transfer of graphene, we developed a strongly coupled binary structure of graphene and g-C₃N₄ aerogel with 3D porous skeleton. The as-prepared 3D structure photocatalysts achieve a high surface area that favors efficient photogenerated charge separation and transfer, enhances the light-harvesting efficiency, and significantly improves the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate as well. The photocatalyst performance is observed to be optimized at the ratio 3:7 (g-C₃N₄:GO), leading to photocatalytic H₂ evolution of 16125.1 mmol. g^-1. h^-1 under visible light irradiation, more than 161 times higher than the rate achieved by bulk g-C₃N₄.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.364-368
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• 2021

We developed a highly efficient organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell with a poly[4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl-alt-(4-(2-ethylhexyl)-3-fluorothieno[3,4-b]thiophene-)-2-carboxylate-2-6-diyl)]:[6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester active layer for harvesting lower-intensity indoor light energy to power various self-powered sensor systems that require power in the microwatt range. In order to achieve higher power conversion efficiency (PCE), we first optimized the thickness of the active layer of the OPV cell through optical simulations. Next, we fabricated an OPV cell with optimized active layer thickness. The device exhibited a PCE of 12.23%, open circuit voltage of 0.66 V, short-circuit current density of 97.7 ㎂/cm², and fill factor of 60.53%. Furthermore, the device showed a maximum power density of 45 ㎼/cm², which is suitable for powering a low-power (microwatt range) sensor system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.662-662
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• 2013

Over the last several decades, innovative light-harvesting devices have evolved to achieve high efficiency in solar energy transfer. Research on the mechanisms for plasmon resonance is very desirable to overcome the conventional efficiency limits of photovoltaics. The influence of localized surface plasmon resonance on hot electron flow at a metal-semiconductor interface was observed with a Schottky diode composed of a thin silver layer on $TiO_2$. The photocurrent is generated by absorption of photons when electrons have enough energy to travel over the Schottky barrier and into the titanium oxide conduction band. The correlation between the hot electrons and the surface plasmon is confirmed by matching the range of peaks between the incident photons to current conversion efficiency (IPCE, flux of collected electrons per flux of incident photons) and UV-Vis spectra. The photocurrent measured on Ag/$TiO_2$ exhibited surface plasmon peaks; whereas, in contrast to the Au/$TiO_2$, a continuous Au thin film doesn't exhibit surface plasmon peaks. We modified the thickness and morphology of a continuous Ag layer by electron beam evaporation deposition and heating under gas conditions and found that the morphological change and thickness of the Ag film are key factors in controlling the peak position of light absorption.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.803-807
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• 2008

A making process of DSC(dye sensitized solar cell) was presented. In general, Photo electrodes of DSC was made by using colloid paste of nano $TiO_2$ and processing of Doctor-blade printing and high temperature sintering for porous structure. These methods lead to cracks on $TiO_2$ surface and ununiform of $TiO_2$ thickness. This phenomenon is one factor that makes low efficiency to cells. After $TiO_2$ printing on TCO glass, a physical vibration was adapted for reducing ununiform of $TiO_2$ thickness. And a thermal treatment at low temperature(under $75^{\circ}C$) was adapted for reducing cracks on $TiO_2$ surface. In this paper, we have designed and manufactured an ultrasonic circuit (100W, frequency and duty variable) and a thermal equipment. Then, we have optimized forcing time, frequency and duty of ultrasonic irradiation and thermal heating for surface treatment of photo-electrode of DSC. In I-V characteristic test of DSC, ultrasonic and thermal treated DSC shows 19% improved its efficiency against monolithic DSC. And it shows stability of light-harvesting from drastically change of light irradiation test.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2014.10a
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• pp.278-281
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• 2014

This paper presents the performance comparison of three types of full-wave rectifiers for vibration energy harvesting. The first rectifier is consisted of two active diodes and two MOSFETs, and the comparators of the active diodes are powered from the output of the rectifier. The second one is a 2-stage full-wave rectifier. It comprises the basic rectifier consisted of four MOSFETs and an active diode. The comparator is also powered from the output of the rectifier. The third one is an input powered rectifier. It has the same structure as the second rectifier, but the comparator is powered from the input of the rectifier. These rectifiers have been designed using a 0.35um CMOS process and their performances have been compared through simulations. In terms of efficiency, the first rectifier shows the best performance at heavy loads, but the second one is suitable at light loads. When the power consumption during absence of vibration is more important than efficiency, the input-powered rectifier is proper.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.432-438
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• 2018

Microalgae hold promise as a renewable energy source for the production of biofuel, as they can convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. However, cost-efficient harvest of microalgae remains a major challenge to commercial-scale algal biofuel production. We first investigated the potential of electrolytic water as a flocculant for harvesting Tetraselmis sp. Alkaline electrolyzed water (AEW) is produced at the cathode through water electrolysis. It contains mineral ions such as $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ that can act as flocculants. The flocculation activity with AEW was evaluated via culture density, AEW concentration, medium pH, settling time, and ionic strength analyses. The flocculation efficiency was 88.7% at 20% AEW (pH 8, 10 min) with a biomass concentration of 2 g/l. The initial biomass concentration and medium pH had significant influences on the flocculation activity of AEW. A viability test of flocculated microalgal cells was conducted using Evans blue stain, and the cells appeared intact. Furthermore, the growth rate of Tetraselmis sp. in recycled flocculation medium was similar to the growth rate in fresh F/2 medium. Our results suggested that AEW flocculation could be a very useful and affordable methodology for fresh biomass harvesting with environmentally friendly easy operation in part of the algal biofuel production process.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.337-344
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• 2024

This work focuses on improving the light-harvesting efficiency of thin-film silicon solar cells through innovative multi-architecture surface modifications. To create a regular optical structure, a lithographic process was performed to form it on a glass substrate through various etching processes, from Etch-1 to Etch-3. AZO was deposited on top of the structures and re-etched to create a multi-architectural surface. These surface-modified structures improved the light absorption and overall performance of the solar cell through changes in optical and physical properties, which we will analyze. In addition, we investigated the effect of post-cleaning on the etched glass structures through EDX analysis to understand the mechanism of the etching action. The results of this study are expected to provide important guidelines for the design and fabrication of solar cells and other photovoltaic devices.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.243.1-243.1
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• 2015

To replace the based on silicon solar cells, the third generation solar cells, Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), is low fabrication than silicon solar cells, environmentally friendly and can be applied to various field. For this reason, the DSSCs have been continuously researched. But DSSCs have one drawback that is the low power conversion efficiency (PCE) than silicon solar cells. To solve the problem, we used the backr-eflector the Al foil that can be easily obtained from the surrounding in order to improve the efficiency of the DSSCs. Easily detachable Al foil back-reflector increases the photocurrent by enhancing the harvesting light because the discarded light is reused. It also leads to enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE). In addition, we compared with the efficiency of the DSSCs that is applied and does not be applied with back-reflector according to the thickness of the TiO2 photoelectrode. When the back-reflector is applied to DSSCs, the photocurrent is increased. It leads to affect the efficiency. We used to solar simulator and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to confirm the PCE and resistance. The DSSCs were also measured by External Quantum effect (EQE). At the same time, FE-SEM and XRD were used to confirm the thickness of layer and crystal structural of photoelectrode.