• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.7-12
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• 2015

In this paper, we report a non-explosive separation device for a small satellite which utilize a shape memory alloy actuator and spring clamp. In order to increase the preload, the proposed device employs spring clamp that can generate high toque when the shape memory alloy actuator makes the cylinder key unlatch a holding ball effectively. Owing to simple design of separation device configuration, we could obtain good repeatability(up to 30 times activation). Conclusively, we could develop a non-explosive separation device which can reliably activate within 1.2 sec under high preload(up to 300kgf).

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.5
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• pp.519-526
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• 2018

In this article, experimental training of the commercial available shape memory alloy fibre (SMA) fibre under the combined thermomechanical loading is reported. SMA has the ability to sense a small change in temperature (${\geq}10^{\circ}C$) and activated under the external loading and results in shape change. The thermomechanical characteristics of SMA at different temperature and mechanical loading are obtained through an own lab-scale experimental setup. The analysis is conducted for two types of the medium using the liquid nitrogen (cold cycle) and the hot water (heat cycle). The experimental data indicate that SMA act as a normal wire for Martensite phase and activated behavior i.e., regain the original shape during the Austenite phase only. To improve the confidence of such kind of behavior has been verified by inspecting the composition of the wire. The study reveals interesting conclusion i.e., while SMA deviates from the equiatomic structure or consist of foreign materials (carbon and oxygen) except nickel and titanium may affect the phase transformation temperature which shifted the activation phase temperature. Also, the grain structure distortion of SMA wire has been examined via the scanning electron microscope after the thermomechanical cycle loading and discussed in details.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.209-215
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• 2019

In order to provide a safe free-weight-training environment to people without workout trainers, we suggest a smart bench press machine with an automatic weight control system sensitive to user tiredness. Physical weight plates on the machine are replaced with a hydraulic cylinder as a press load and the cylinder knob is coupled with a step motor to change its tensile force automatically in-between lifting exercises. Three subjects participated to verify the usability of the smart bench press machine. They were asked to lift a 6-RM press load 10 times with 3 different lifting conditions: 1) no assistance, 2) a human assistance, and 3) the automatic weight control. All subjects were not able to complete the 10 sets without assistance due to tiredness, but they finished the full sets under the two assistive conditions. Average lifting speeds under the automatic weight control condition showed the most consistent level. Normalized quasi-tension data based on surface electromyogram signals of both Pectoralis Majors revealed that the subjects maintained the target muscle activation level above 50% but not more than 80% throughout the 10 sets. Therefore, the smart bench press machine is expected to both keep pace with the lifting exercise and reduce risk of injuries due to excessive muscle tensions.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.429-453
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• 2022

Numerical modeling and scenario composition are needed to characterize the geological environment of the disposal site and analyze the long-term evolution of natural barriers. In this study, processes and features of the hydro-mechanical behavior of natural barriers were categorized and represented using the interrelation matrix proposed by SKB and Posiva. A hydro-mechanical coupled model was evaluated for analyzing stress field changes and fracture zone re-activation. The processes corresponding to long-term evolution and the hydro-mechanical mechanisms that may accompany critical processes were identified. Consequently, practical numerical methods could be considered for these geological engineering issues. A case study using a numerical method for the stability analysis of an underground disposal system was performed. Critical stress distribution regime problems were analyzed numerically by considering the strata's movement. Another case focused on the equivalent continuum domain composition under the upscaling process in fractured rocks. Numerical methods and case studies were reviewed, confirming that an appropriate and optimized modeling technique is essential for studying the stress state and geological history of the Korean Peninsula. Considering the environments of potential disposal sites in Korea, selecting the optimal application method that effectively simulates fractured rocks should be prioritized.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.232-239
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• 2008

The dental orthodontic mini-screw requires good mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance for implantation in the bone. The purpose of this study was to investigate the electrochemical characteristics of TiN and ZrN coated orthodontic mini-screws, mini-screws were used for experiment. Ion plating was carried out for mini-screw using Ti and Zr coating materials with nitrogen gas. Ion plated surface of each specimen w as o bserved with f ield emission scanning e lectron microscopy ( FE-SEM), e nergy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electrochemical tester. The surface of TiN and ZrN coated mini-screw were more smooth than that of other kinds of non-coated mini-screw due to dercrease of machined defects. The corrosion current density of the TiN and ZrN coated mini-screw decreased compared to non-coated sample. The corrosion potential of TiN and ZrN coated mini-screw were higher than that of non-coated mini-screw in 0.9% NaCl solution. The pitting corrosion resistance increased in the order of ZrN coated, TiN coated and non-coated wire. Pitting potential of ZrN coated mini-screw was the highest in the other specimens.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.132-139
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• 2018

Nanocrystalline reduced activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steel samples were prepared using surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT). Un-SMATed and SMATed reduced activation ferritic/martensitic samples were irradiated by helium ions at $200^{\circ}C$ and $350^{\circ}C$ with 2 dpa and 8 dpa, respectively, to investigate the effects of grain boundaries (GBs) and temperature on the formation of He bubbles during irradiation. Experimental results show that He bubbles are preferentially trapped at GBs in all the irradiated samples. Bubble denuded zones are clearly observed near the GBs at $350^{\circ}C$, whereas the bubble denuded zones are not obvious in the samples irradiated at $200^{\circ}C$. The average bubble size increases and the bubble density decreases with an increasing irradiation temperature from $200^{\circ}C$ to $350^{\circ}C$. Both the average size and density of the bubbles increase with an increasing irradiation dose from 2 dpa to 8 dpa. Bubbles with smaller size and lower density were observed in the SMATed samples but not in the un-SMATed samples irradiated in the same conditions, which indicate that GBs play an important role during irradiation, and sink strength increases as grain size decreases.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.132-141
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• 2010

NiTi alloy has been used for orthodontic wire due to good mechanical properties, such as elastic strength and frictional resistance, combined with a high resistance to corrosion. Recently, these wire were coated by polymer and ceramic materials for aesthetics. The purpose of this study was to investigate surface characteristics of polymer coated NiTi alloy wire for orthodontics using various instruments. Wires (round type and rectangular type) were used, respectively, for experiment. Polymer coating was carried out for wire. Specimen was investigated with field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy(EDS) and atomic force microscopy(AFM). The phase transformation of non-coated NiTi wire from martensite to austenite occurred at the range of $14{\sim}15^{\circ}C$, in the case of coated wire, it occurred at the range of $16{\sim}18^{\circ}C$. Polymer coating on NiTi wire surface decreased the surface defects such as scratch which was formed at severe machined surface. From the AFM results, the average surface roughness of non-coated and coated NiTi wire was 13.1 nm, and 224.5 nm, respectively. From convetional surface roughness test, the average surface roughness of non-coated and coated NiTi wire was $0.046{\mu}m$, and $0.718{\mu}m$, respectively.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.192-197
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• 2022

Cell signals for growth factors depend on the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the cells. Microtubule acetylation is involved in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation in the soft ECM. However, the mechanism of activation of α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (α-TAT1), a major α-tubulin acetyltransferase, in the soft ECM is not well defined. Here, we found that casein kinase 2 (CK2) is required for the TGF-β-induced activation of α-TAT1 that promotes microtubule acetylation in the soft matrix. Genetic mutation and pharmacological inhibition of CK2 catalytic activity specifically reduced microtubule acetylation in the cells cultured on a soft matrix rather than those cultured on a stiff matrix. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that CK2α, a catalytic subunit of CK2, directly bound to the C-terminal domain of α-TAT1, and this interaction was more prominent in the cells cultured on the soft matrix. Moreover, the substitution of alanine with serine, the 236th amino acid located at the C-terminus, which contains the CK2-binding site of α-TAT1, significantly abrogated the TGF-β-induced microtubule acetylation in the soft matrix, indicating that the successful binding of CK2 and the C-terminus of α-TAT1 led to the phosphorylation of serine at the 236th position of amino acids in α-TAT1 and regulation of its catalytic activity. Taken together, our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the TGF-β-induced activation of α-TAT1 in a soft matrix.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.33-41
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• 2021

Feldspar, along with Quartz, are the most frequently produced minerals in Korea; however, the potential value is estimated to be significantly low because of the scarce research on the development and application of material properties, except for their limited use in manufacturing minerals, glass, and paints. In this study, we analyzed the eco-friendly material and reactivity improvement characteristics of weathered feldspar through activation technique. The joint structural features observed on the surface of the weathered feldspar show that the joint arrangements are irregularly distributed, and the cavities are interconnected. Due to the irregularly connected cavities on the surface of weathered feldspar, the reaction area of the weathered feldspar is increased; hence the weathered feldspar is considered as a highly reactive pozzolan material when combined with cement. As a result of applying the thermal, mechanical, and chemical activation techniques to improve the functionality of the weathered feldspar, the cation exchange capacity, density, and uniaxial compression strength characteristics were improved. It is considered that weathered feldspar by these porous characteristics can be used as an eco-friendly construction material with excellent physical and chemical properties.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.511-516
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• 2022

Electroless plating is widely utilized in engineering for the metallization of insulator substrates, including polymers, glass, and ceramics, without the need for the application of external potential. Homogeneous nucleation of metals requires the presence of Sn-Pd catalysts, which significantly reduce the activation energy of deposition. Therefore, rinsing conducted during Sn sensitization and Pd activation is a key variable for the formation of a uniform seed layer without the lack or excess of catalysts. Herein, we report the optimized rinsing process for the functionalization of Sn-Pd catalysts, which enables the uniform FeCo metallization of the glass fibers. Rinsing enables good deposition of the FeCo alloy because of the removal of excess catalysts from the glass fiber. Concurrently, excessive rinsing results in a complete removal of the Sn-Pd nucleus. Collectively, the comprehensive study of the proposed nanomaterial preparation and surface science show that the metallization of insulators is a promising technology for electronics, solar cells, catalysts, and mechanical parts.