• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2008

This paper examines the design and the performance of a PMA-RSM(permanent-magnet assisted reluctance synchronous motor) for washing machine. A FEM(finite element method) is used to analyze performance and maximum torque characteristic of the proposed PMA-RSM. The designed motor is a combination of salient poles, which is making reluctance torque, and permanent magnet which are located on the air-gap of rotor to get a enough torque during low speed resign. Typical flux barrier type reluctance synchronous motor and the effects of adding magnet into the flux barrier of the rotor of a PMA-RSM are compared and examined. Also the maximum torque point of the reluctance torque by reluctance and reaction torque by magnetic alignment torque, which is in barrier, of the proposed PMS-RSM are derived through simulation. Using this results, the characteristics analysis of a performance, an average torque and a torque ripple of flux barrier RSM and the proposed PMA-RSM are performed through FEM under the saturation effect respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.311-314
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• 2005

We investigated the composition dependence of the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) behavior and the stability of the magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with TiAlOx barrier and the microstructural evolution of TiAl alloy films. The TMR ratio increased up to $49\%$ at $5.33\;at\%$ Ti. In addition, a significant tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) value of $20\%$ was maintained after annealing at $450^{\circ}C$, and the breakdown voltage ($V_B$) of and 1.35 V were obtained in the MTJ with $5.33\;at\%$ Ti-alloyed AlOx barrier. These results were closely related to the enhanced quality of the barrier material microstructure in the pre-oxidation state. Ti alloying enhanced the barrier/electrode interface uniformity and reduced microstructural defects. These structural improvements enhanced not only the TMR effect but also the thermal and electrical stability of the MTJs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.10-26
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• 2019

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an emerging new technology with considerable potential to treat various neurological diseases. With refinement of ultrasound transducer technology and integration with magnetic resonance imaging guidance, transcranial sonication of precise cerebral targets has become a therapeutic option. Intensity is a key determinant of ultrasound effects. High-intensity focused ultrasound can produce targeted lesions via thermal ablation of tissue. MRgFUS-mediated stereotactic ablation is non-invasive, incision-free, and confers immediate therapeutic effects. Since the US Food and Drug Administration approval of MRgFUS in 2016 for unilateral thalamotomy in medication-refractory essential tremor, studies on novel indications such as Parkinson's disease, psychiatric disease, and brain tumors are underway. MRgFUS is also used in the context of blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening at low intensities, in combination with intravenously-administered microbubbles. Preclinical studies show that MRgFUS-mediated BBB opening safely enhances the delivery of targeted chemotherapeutic agents to the brain and improves tumor control as well as survival. In addition, BBB opening has been shown to activate the innate immune system in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid plaque clearance and promotion of neurogenesis in these studies suggest that MRgFUS-mediated BBB opening may be a new paradigm for neurodegenerative disease treatment in the future. Here, we review the current status of preclinical and clinical trials of MRgFUS-mediated thermal ablation and BBB opening, described their mechanisms of action, and discuss future prospects.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.185-189
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• 2010

Spin polarized tunneling through a hybrid tunnel barrier of a Spin filter (SF) based on a EuO ferro-magnetic semiconductor and an organic semiconductor (OSC) (rubrene in this case) was investigated. For quasi-magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures, such as Co/rubrene/EuO/Al, we observed a strong spin filtering effect of the EuO layer exhibiting I-V curves with high spin polarization (P) of up to 99% measured at 4 K. However, a magnetoresistance (MR) value of 9% was obtained at 4.2 K. The low MR compared to the high P could be attributed to spin scattering caused by structural defects at the interface between the EuO and rubrene, due to nonstoichiometry in the EuO.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.267-270
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• 2003

We have studied the interfacial diffusion phenomena and the role of ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$ buffer layer as a diffusion barrier in the $Ba-ferrite/SiO_2$ magnetic thin films for high-density recording media. In the interface of amorphous Ba-ferrite ($1900-{\AA}-thick)/SiO_2$ thin film during annealing, the interfacial diffusion started to occur at ${\sim}700^{\circ}C$. As the annealing temperature increased up to $800^{\circ}C$, the interfacial diffusion abruptly proceeded resulting in the high interface roughness and the deterioration of the magnetic properties. In order to control the interfacial diffusion at the high temperature, we introduced ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$ buffer layer ($110-{\AA}-thick$) in the interface of $Ba-ferrite/SiO_2$ thin film. During the annealing of $Ba-ferrite/{\alpha}-Al_2O_3/SiO_2$ thin film even at ${\sim}800^{\circ}C$, the interface was very smooth. The smooth interface of the film was also clearly shown by the cross-sectional FESEM. The magnetic properties, such as saturation magnetization 3nd intrinsic coercivity, were also enhanced, due to the inhibition of interfacial diffusion by the ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$ buffer layer. Our study suggests that the ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$ buffer layer act as a useful interfacial diffusion barrier in the $Ba-ferrite/SiO_2$ thin films.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.488-500
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• 2020

Accumulating evidence suggests that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not only caused by accumulation of abnormal proteins, including amyloid and tau, but is also closely associated with abnormalities in the microvascular environment including the blood-brain barrier (BBB), both of which lead to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Application of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently increased to assess BBB permeability in AD and related diseases. Here, we provide a narrative review of BBB permeability-related pathology in Alzheimer dementia and recent MRI research on BBB permeability changes in AD and related diseases. Furthermore, we briefly introduce the measurement of BBB permeability using MRI and its methodological issues.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2004

We studied the magnetotransport properties of tunnel junctions with AlO and AlN barriers fabricated using microwave-excited plasma. The plasma nitridation process provided wider controllability than the plasma oxidization for the formation of MTJs with ultra-thin insulating layer, because of the slow nitriding rate of metal Al layers, comparing with the oxidizing rate of them. High tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) ratios of 49 and 44% with respective resistance-area product $(R{\times}A) of 3 {\times} 10^4 and 6 {\times} 10^3 {\Omega}{\mu}m^2$ were obtained in the Co-Fe/Al-N/Co-Fe MTJs. We conclude that AlN is a hopeful barrier material to realize MTJs with high TMR ratio and low $R{\times}A$ for high performance MRAM cells. In addition, in order to clarify the annealing temperature dependence of TMR, the local transport properties were measured for Ta $50{\AA} /Cu 200 {\AA}/Ta 50 {\AA}/Ni_{76}Fe_{24} 20 {\AA}/Cu 50 {\AA}/Mn_{75}Ir_{25} 100 {\AA}/Co_{71}Fe_{29} 40 {\AA}/Al-O$ junction with $d_{Al}= 8 {\AA} and P_{O2}{\times}t_{0X}/ = 8.4 {\times} 10^4$ at various temperatures. The current histogram statistically calculated from the electrical current image was well in accord with the fitting result considering the Gaussian distribution and Fowler-Nordheim equation. After annealing at $340^{\circ}C$, where the TMR ratio of the corresponding MTJ had the maximum value of 44%, the average barrier height increased to 1.12 eV and its standard deviation decreased to 0.1 eV. The increase of TMR ratio after annealing could be well explained by the enhancement of the average barrier height and the reduction of its fluctuation.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2004

We have investigated the effect of Hf insertion in the Al oxide tunnel barrier on the properties of magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). MTJs with Hf inserted barrier show the higher tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio and less temperature and bias voltage dependence of TMR than MTJs with a conventional Al$_2$O$_3$ barrier. The enhancement of TMR ratio and the reduction of the temperature and bias voltage dependence might be due to the reduction of defects in the barrier. Al-Hf oxide was formed by depositing Al and Hf simultaneously, and oxidizing the compound films. The TMR ratio of 36% was almost the same value as that with Hf inserted barrier. This implies that the inserted Hf layers mixed with Al layers during deposition or oxidation, and they might form Al Hf oxide barriers. This compound Al Hf oxide formation may be responsible to reduction of defect concentration which enhanced the TMR ratio and reduced temperature and bias-voltage dependence.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of study was to evaluate the feasibility of brain magnetic resonance (MR) images of the rat obtained using a 1.5T MR machine in several blood-brain barrier (BBB) experiments. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. MR images were obtained using a clinical 1.5T MR machine. A microcatheter was introduced via the femoral artery to the carotid artery. Normal saline (group 1, n = 4), clotted autologous blood (group 2, n = 4), triolein emulsion (group 3, n = 4), and oleic acid emulsion (group 4, n = 4) were infused into the carotid artery through a microcatheter. Conventional and diffusion-weighted images, the apparent coefficient map, perfusion-weighted images, and contrast-enhanced MR images were obtained. Brain tissue was obtained and triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed in group 2. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran images and endothelial barrier antigen (EBA) studies were performed in group 4. Results : The MR images in group 1 were of good quality. The MR images in group 2 revealed typical findings of acute cerebral infarction. Perfusion defects were noted on the perfusion-weighted images. The MR images in group 3 showed vasogenic edema and contrast enhancement, representing vascular damage. The rats in group 4 had vasogenic edema on the MR images and leakage of dextran on the FITC-labeled dextran image, representing increased vascular permeability. The immune reaction was decreased on the EBA study. Conclusion : Clinical 1.5T MR images using a rat depicted many informative results in the present study. These results can be used in further researches of the BBB using combined clinical MR machines and immunohistochemical examinations.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.231-235
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• 2005

We studied the microstructural evolution of ZrTM-Al (TM=Nb and Ti) alloy films, MR and electrical properties of the MTJ with $ZrTM-AlO_x$ barrier as a function of Zr/TM ratio. We observed that the ternary-oxide barrier reduced the TMR ratio due mainly to the structural defects such as the surface roughness. The change in TMR ratio and $V_h$ with Zr/TM ratio exactly corresponds to the systematic changes in the microstructural variation. Although the MTJ with ternary oxide reduced the TMR and the electrical stabilities, the junction resistances decreased as the Ti and Nb concentration increased due to the band-gap reduction caused by the formation of extra bands