• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.40.1-40.24
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• 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attractive alternatives to conventional anti-asthmatic drugs for severe asthma. Mechanisms underlying the anti-asthmatic effects of MSCs have not yet been elucidated. This study evaluated the anti-asthmatic effects of intravenously administered MSCs, focusing on macrophages and monocytes. Seven-week-old transgenic (Tg) mice with lung-specific overexpression of IL-13 were used to simulate chronic asthma. MSCs were intravenously administered four days before sampling. We examined changes in immune cell subpopulations, gene expression, and histological phenotypes. IL-13 Tg mice exhibited diverse features of chronic asthma, including severe type 2 inflammation, airway fibrosis, and mucus metaplasia. Intravenous administration of MSCs attenuated these asthmatic features just four days after a single treatment. MSC treatment significantly reduced SiglecF^-CD11c^-CD11b⁺ monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMs) and inhibited the polarization of MoMs into M2 macrophages, especially M2a and M2c. Furthermore, MSCs downregulated the excessive accumulation of Ly6c^- monocytes in the lungs. While an intravenous adoptive transfer of Ly6c^- monocytes promoted the infiltration of MoM and Th2 inflammation, that of MSC-exposed Ly6c^- monocytes did not. Ex vivo Ly6c^- MoMs upregulated M2-related genes, which were reduced by MSC treatment. Molecules secreted by Ly6c^- MoMs from IL-13 Tg mice lungs upregulated the expression of fibrosis-related genes in fibroblasts, which were also suppressed by MSC treatment. In conclusion, intravenously administered MSCs attenuate asthma phenotypes of chronic asthma by modulating macrophages. Identifying M2 macrophage subtypes revealed that exposure to MSCs transforms the phenotype and function of macrophages. We suggest that Ly6c^- monocytes could be a therapeutic target for asthma management.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.133.2-133.2
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• 2010

현재 융융탄산염 연료전지의 공기극으로 다공성의 lithiated NiO를 사용하고 있는데 이 재료의 경우 크게 두 가지의 문제점을 안고 있다. 첫 번째는 Ni이 전해질 내로 용해하는 것이고, 두 번째는 낮은 활성으로 인한 높은 공기극의 분극이다. Ni이 전해질로 용해되는 문제는 Co나 Fe를 코팅하여 공기극 표면에 $Li_x(Ni_yCo_{1-y})1-xO_2$나 $Li_x(Ni_yFe_{1-y})_{1-x}O_2$를 형성시켜 NiO의 전해질 내로 용해되는 것을 억제하는 방법이나 ZnO, MgO, $La_2O_3$ 등의 산화물을 NiO 표면에 코팅하여 전해질과 접촉을 막는 방식으로 해결하는 등 많은 연구가 이루어져 왔다. 하지만 연료극의 비해 상당히 높은 공기극의 분극으로 인해 큰 전압손실이 일어나 용융탄산염 연료전지 성능이 낮아지는 문제의 경우 이를 해결하고자 하는 연구는 상대적으로 많이 진행되지 못한 상태이다. 특히 현재 용융탄산염 연료전지의 장기수명화를 위해 기존의 작동온도인 $650^{\circ}C$ 보다 다소 낮은 온도인 $600{\sim}620^{\circ}C$에서 작동하려는 움직임이 있다. 작동 온도가 내려가면 전해질이 휘발되는 속도가 낮아져 전해질 부족에 따른 운전시간이 줄어드는 문제를 해결할 수 있어 장기 수명화를 위해서는 작동온도를 낮추는 것이 매우 유리하다. 하지만 작동 온도가 내려가면서 양 전극에서 일어나는 전기화학 반응 속도가 느려지기 때문에 각 전극에서의 활성화 분극으로 인한 전압손실은 더욱 커질 수밖에 없다. 특히 연료극의 수소산화반응 속도는 공기극의 산소환원반응에 비해 매우 빠르기 때문에 작동 온도가 내려감에 따라 연료극의 분극이 커지는 것에 비해 공기극의 분극이 급격히 커지게 된다. 따라서 운전온도가 낮아지는 상황에서는 낮은 작동온도에서도 성능감소가 적게 일어나 0.8V 이상 운전(150mA/$cm^2$, 단위전지 기준)이 가능한 공기극의 개발이 매우 필요한 실정이다. 이를 해결하고자 본 연구에서는 고체 산화물 연료전지의 공기극의 재료로 많이 연구되고 있는 혼합전도성 물질의 페로브스카이트 구조의 물질을 기존 NiO 전극에 코팅하여 새로운 공기극을 개발하였다. 페로브스카이트 구조의 물질로 대표적인 LSCF 물질을 사용하였으며 LSCF를 코팅한 공기극을 이용한 단위전지에서 150mA/$cm^2$의 전류를 흘려주었을 때 0.84V의 성능을 1000hr 유지하였다. 이는 기존의 NiO 전극을 사용했을 때보다 15~20mV 높은 값이다. 낮은 작동온도에서도 좋은 성능을 보였는데, 기존의 NiO 전극의 경우 $630^{\circ}C$에서 0.79V의 성능을 보인 반면 LSCF가 코팅된 공기극의 경우 $620^{\circ}C$에서 0.811V의 매우 좋은 성능을 보였다. 이는 LSCF의 산소이온전도성 및 전기전도성이 공기극에서의 분극을 낮추어 성능을 증가시키는 것으로 보인다.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2024

The key components of a Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) are an electrode catalyst, an electrolyte matrix and a gas diffusion layer (GDL). In this study, we introduced a microporous layer on the GDL of PAFC to enhance liquid electrolyte management and overall electrochemical performance of PAFC. MPL is primarily used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells to serve as an intermediate buffer layer, effectively managing water within the electrode and reducing contact resistance. In this study, electrodes were fabricated using GDLs with and without MPL to examine the influence of MPL on the performance of PAFC. Internal resistance and polarization curves of the unit cell were measured and compared to each other to assess the impact of MPL on PAFC electrode performance. As the results, the application of MPL improved power density from 170.2 to 192.1 mW/cm². MPL effectively managed electrolyte and water within the matrix and electrode, enhancing stability. Furthermore, the application of MPL reduced internal resistance in the electrode, resulting in sustained and stable performance even during long-term operation.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.122-134
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• 1998

In this review, we describe the electrochemical properties of spinel-type lithium manganese oxides $(Li_xMn_2O_4)$ and their failure modes encountered in 4 V lithium rechargable cells. The long-term cyclability (reversibility) of spinel electrodes is determined partly by the purity, size and distribution of spinel particles, and also by the microstructure of electrode plates. A proper selection of electrolytes is another important task in cyclability enhancements. In the spinel preparation, impurity formation and cation mixing should be minimized. The carbon content in composite cathodes should also be minimized to the extent where the cell polarization does not bring about adverse effects on cell performances. The binder content should be optimized on the basis of dispersion of component materials and mechanical strength of the plates. Cathodic capacity losses arising from solvent oxidation and spinel dissolution can be mitigated by using electrolytes composed of carbonates and/or fluorine-containing lithium salts. The carbon additives may be selected after a trade-off between the cell polarization in composite cathodes and the solvent oxidation on carbon surface.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.992-998
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• 2018

Cancer cells grow in an environment composed of various components that supports tumor growth. Major cell types in the tumor microenvironment are fibroblast, endothelial cells and immune cells. All of these cells communicate with cancer cells. Among infiltrating immune cells as an abundant component of solid tumors, macrophages are a major component of the tumor microenvironment and orchestrates various aspects of immunity. The complex balance between pro-tumoral and anti-tumoral effects of immune cell infiltration can create a chronic inflammatory microenvironment essential for tumor growth and progression. Macrophages express different functional programs in response to microenvironmental signals, defined as M1 and M2 polarization. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) secret many cytokines, chemokines and proteases, which also promote tumor angiogenesis, growth, metastasis and immunosuppression. TAM have multifaceted roles in the development of many tumor types. TAM also interact with cancer stem cells. This interaction leads to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. TAM obtain various immunosuppressive functions to maintain the tumor microenvironment. TAM are characterized by their heterogeneity and plasticity, as they can be functionally reprogrammed to polarized phenotypes by exposure to cancer-related factors, stromal factors, infections, or even drug interventions. Because TAMs produce tumor-specific chemokines by the stimulation of stromal factors, chemokines might serve as biomarkers that reflect disease activity. The evidence has shown that cancer tissues with high infiltration of TAM are associated with poor patient prognosis and resistance to therapies. Targeting of TAM in tumors is considered a promising therapeutic strategy for anti-cancer treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 2002

To investigate the electrode structural effect on the ferroelectric electron emission, the electric field distribution in a 2-dimensional structure was calculated as a function of upper electrode diameter, and the switching charge density and emission charge were measured simultaneously. The simulation of the electric field distribution showed that an asymmetric electrode structure could cause a stray field on the bare surface of the ferroelectric cathode near the edge of upper electrode. The distance of stray field from the electrode edge increased with increasing ferroelectric thickness, but it did not depend on the upper electrode diameter. The switching charge density increased more on the cathode with smaller upper electrode diameter. This was attributed to the stray field on the bare ferroelectric surface near the electrode edge, because the stray field for the asymmetric ferroelectric cathode enhanced polarization switching near the electrode edge. From the switching charge density, the distance of stray field from the electrode edge was calculated as about 11-14${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. The threshold voltage of electron emission was 61-68 kV/cm, which was almost 3 times lager than the coercive voltage. The threshold voltage was not determined just by coercive voltage, but by strength and distance of the stray-field, which largely depended on the geometrical structure of ferroelectric cathode.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.375-380
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• 2004

Pb(Ni$\_$1/3/Nb$\_$2/3/)O$_3$-PbZrO$_3$-PbTiO$_3$ thick films were screen-printed on platinized alumina substrates and fired at 800-1000$^{\circ}C$. Two kinds of powders with different particle size were prepared by attrition and ball milling methods. Effects of particle size of starting material on the microstructure and electrical properties of the thick films were investigated. Average particle size of attrition milled-powder (0.44 ${\mu}$m) was much smaller than that of ball milled-powder (2.87 ${\mu}$m). Average grain size of the thick film prepared from attrition-milled powder was smaller than that of the thick film prepared from ball-milled powder at the sintering temperature of 800$^{\circ}C$. However, the difference in average particle size became smaller with increasing the sintering temperature. Thick films prepared from attrition-milled powders showed more uniform and denser microstructures at all firing temperatures. Thick films prepared from attrition-milled powders had better electrical properties at the firing temperature above 900$^{\circ}C$ than thick films prepared from ball-milled powders. Dielectric constant, remanent polarization and coercive field of the thick film prepared from attrition-milled powders and fired at 900$^{\circ}C$ were 559, 16.3 ${\mu}$C/cm$^2$, and 51.3 kV/cm, respectively.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.931-935
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• 2012

In this study, we fabricate and investigate low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells with a ceramic substrate/porous metal/ceramic/porous metal structure. To realize low-temperature operation in solid oxide fuel cells, the membrane should be fabricated to have a thickness of the order of a few hundreds nanometers to minimize IR loss. Yttrium-doped barium zirconate (BYZ), a proton conductor, was used as the electrolyte. We deposited a 350-nm-thick Pt (anode) layer on a porous substrate by sputter deposition. We also deposited a 1-${\mu}m$-thick BYZ layer on the Pt anode using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Finally, we deposited a 200-nm-thick Pt (cathode) layer on the BYZ electrolyte by sputter deposition. The open circuit voltage (OCV) is 0.806 V, and the maximum power density is 11.9 mW/$cm^2$ at $350^{\circ}C$. Even though a fully dense electrolyte is deposited via PLD, a cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image reveals many voids and defects.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2007

We synthesized and investigated $La_{0.75}Sr_{0.25}FeO_3$ by Glycine Nitrate Process(GNP) method used as cathode materials for SOFC(solid oxide fuel cell). Optimized amount of glycine is 3.17 mol. ICP elemental composition analysis indicated that the stoichiometry of the synthesized powders have nearly nominal values. SEM images and XRD patterns reveal that the synthesized powder has uniform size distribution and high degree of crystallinity. The sample powders were isostatically pressed to form a pellet. The green body was sintered at $1200^{\circ}C$ and the relative density of the sintered specimens were measured by Archimedes mettled. We measured electrochemical performance of LSF by AC impedance spectroscopy. Resistance of LSF shows lower value than that of LSM throughout all temperature region. The anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell showed a performance of $342mW/cm^2(0.7V,\;488mA/cm^2)$ at $750^{\circ}C$. The electrochemical characteristics of the single cell were examined by at impedance method.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.405-419
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• 2002

Fracture roughness of rock specimens is observed by a new confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM; Olympus OLS1100). The wave length of laser is 488 nm, and the laser scanning is managed by a light polarization method using two galvano-meter scanner mirrors. The function of laser reflection auto-focusing enables us to measure line data fast and precisely. The system improves resolution in the light axis (namely z) direction because of the confocal optics. Using the CLSM, it is Possible to measure a specimen of the size up to $10{\;}{\times}{\;}10{\;}cm$ which is fixed on a specially designed stage. A sampling is managed in a spacing $2.5{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ along x and y directions. The highest measurement resolution of z direction is $10{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$, which is more accurate than other methods. Core specimens of coarse and fine grained granite are provided. Fractures are artificially maneuvered by a Brazilian test method. Measurements are performed along three scan lines on each fracture surface. The measured data are represented as 2-D and 3-D digital images showing detailed features of roughness. Line profiles of the coarse granites represent more frequent change of undulation than those of the fine granite. Spectral analyses by the fast Fourier transform (FFT) are performed to characterize the roughness data quantitatively and to identify influential frequency of roughness. The FFT results suggest that a specimen loaded by large and low frequency energy tends to have high values of undulation change and large wave length of fracture roughness.