• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.6 no.5_6
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• pp.545-559
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• 2010

This paper presents the results of a pilot study and verification of a concept of a novel methodology for damage detection and assessment of water distribution system. The unique feature of the proposed noninvasive methodology is the use of accelerometers installed on the pipe surface, instead of pressure sensors that are traditionally installed invasively. Experimental observations show that a sharp change in pressure is always accompanied by a sharp change of pipe surface acceleration at the corresponding locations along the pipe length. Therefore, water pressure-monitoring can be transformed into acceleration-monitoring of the pipe surface. The latter is a significantly more economical alternative due to the use of less expensive sensors such as MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) or other acceleration sensors. In this scenario, monitoring is made for Maximum Pipe Acceleration Gradient (MPAG) rather than Maximum Water Head Gradient (MWHG). This paper presents the results of a small-scale laboratory experiment that serves as the proof of concept of the proposed technology. The ultimate goal of this study is to improve upon the existing SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) by integrating the proposed non-invasive monitoring techniques to ultimately develop the next generation SCADA system for water distribution systems.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Computer Information Conference
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• 2019.07a
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• pp.397-400
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• 2019

급격히 증가하는 자동차 수, 발전량 증가 등으로 인하여 미세먼지로 인한 환경오염이 심각한 사회문제로 대두되고 있는 실정이다. 50개가 넘는 국가들이 권고치 이상의 미세먼지로 인해 피해를 받고 있으며 각 피해국들은 미세먼지 저감 대책 및 발생을 최소화하기 위한 방안을 연구하고 있다. 하지만 현재 고정형 미세먼지 취득 드론으로는 다양한 포인트의 미세먼지 데이터를 수집하기 힘든 상황이며, 기존 드론을 활용한 방법에서 도 회전 날개의 영향으로 인해 정확한 데이터를 수집하기 힘든 실정이다. 본 논문에서는 드론과 특정 구조물을 활용한 미세먼지 수집 방법을 제안하고 이의 효율성을 보여주고자 한다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.64-69
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• 2020

To determine the effective factors for microparticle blasting with precise sequence position control in the x-axis and y-axis directions, we conducted a statistical experimental analysis of blasted square shapes by considering five condition factors. The control input and output were operated simultaneously by rotation-linear motion conversion and fine particles were blasted onto the aluminum specimen by precise position control driving using multiple execution codes. The micro-driving device used for processing was capable of microparticle blasting and of controlling the system through contact with a limit sensor at high speed and a two-degree-of-freedom driving mechanism. Our experiments were conducted on 1,050 specimens of pure aluminum (containing <1% of other elements). The effects of several factors (e.g., particle and nozzle diameters, blasting pressure, and federate and blasting cycle numbers) on the surface roughness and blasted surface's depth were verified through a statistical experimental analysis by applying the dispersion analysis method. This statistical analysis revealed that the nozzle diameter, the blasting pressure, and the blasting cycle number were the dominant factors.

• Current Applied Physics
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1327-1337
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• 2018

This paper investigates the vibration behavior of pristine and defected triangular graphene sheets; which has recently attracted the attention of researchers and compare these two types in natural frequencies and sensitivity. Here, the molecular dynamics method has been employed to establish a virtual laboratory for this purpose. After measuring the different parameters obtained by the molecular dynamics approach, these data have been analyzed by using the frequency domain decomposition (FDD) method, and the dominant frequencies and mode shapes of the system have been extracted. By analyzing the vibration behaviors of pristine triangular graphene sheets in four cases (right angle of 45-90-45 configuration, right angle of 60-90-30 configuration, equilateral triangle and isosceles triangle), it has been demonstrated that the natural frequencies of these sheets are higher than the natural frequency of a square sheet, with the same number of atoms, by a minimum of 7.6% and maximum of 26.6%. Therefore, for increasing the resonance range of sensors based on 2D materials, nonrectangular structures, and especially the triangular structure, can be considered as viable candidates. Although the pristine and defective equilateral triangular sheets have the highest values of resonance, the sensitivity of defective (45,90,45) triangular sheet is more than other configurations and then, defective (45,90,45) sheet is the worst choice for sensor applications.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.218-227
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• 2022

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), a new green energy, that have various potential applications, such as energy harvesters and self-powered sensors. The output performance of TENGs has been improving rapidly, and their output power significantly increased since they were first reported owing to improved triboelectrification materials and interfacial material engineering. Because the operation of a TENG is based on contact electrification in which electric charges are exchanged at the interface between two materials, its output can be increased by increasing the contact area and charge density. Material surface modification with microstructures or nanostructures has increased the output performance of TENGs significantly because not only does the sharp micro/nano morphology increases the contact area during friction, but it also increases the charge density. Chemical treatment in which ions or functional groups are added has also been used to improve the performance of TENGS by modifying the work functions, charge densities, and dielectric constants of the triboelectric materials. In addition, ultrahigh output power from TENGs without using new materials or treatments has been obtained in many studies in which special structures were designed to control the current release or to collect the charge current directly. In this review, we discuss physical and chemical treatments, bulk modifications, and interfacial engineering for enhancing TENG performance by improving contact electrification and electrostatic induction.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.301-310
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• 2022

Accurate prediction of mixed ground conditions ahead of a tunnel face is of vital importance for safe excavation using tunnel boring machines (TBMs). Previous studies have primarily focused on electrical resistivity surveys from the ground surface for geotechnical investigation. In this study, an FE (finite element) numerical model was developed to simulate electrical resistivity surveys for the prediction of risky mixed ground conditions in front of a tunnel face. The proposed FE model is validated by comparing with the apparent electrical resistivity values obtained from the analytical solution corresponding to a vertical fault on the ground surface (i.e., a simplified model). A series of parametric studies was performed with the FE model to analyze the effect of geological and sensor geometric conditions on the electrical resistivity survey. The parametric study revealed that the interface slope between two different ground formations affects the electrical resistivity measurements during TBM excavation. In addition, a large difference in electrical resistivity between two different ground formations represented the dramatic effect of the mixed ground conditions on the electrical resistivity values. The parametric studies of the electrode array showed that the proper selection of the electrode spacing and the location of the electrode array on the tunnel face of TBM is very important. Thus, it is concluded that the developed FE numerical model can successfully predict the presence of a mixed ground zone, which enables optimal management of potential risks.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.366-370
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• 2022

A 12 ㎛ pixel-sized 360 × 240 microbolometer focal plane array (MBFPA) was fabricated using a complementary metaloxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible process. To release the MBFPA membrane, an amorphous carbon layer (ACL) processed at a low temperature (<400 ℃) was deposited as a sacrificial layer. The thermal time constant of the MBFPA was improved by using serpentine legs and controlling the thickness of the SiNx layers at 110, 130, and 150 nm on the membrane, with response times of 6.13, 6.28, and 7.48 msec, respectively. Boron-doped amorphous Si (a-Si), which exhibits a high-temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and CMOS compatibility, was deposited on top of the membrane as an IR absorption layer to provide heat energy transformation. The structural stability of the thin SiNx membrane and serpentine legs was observed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The fabrication yield was evaluated by measuring the resistance of a representative pixel in the array, which was in the range of 0.8-1.2 Mohm (as designed). The yields for SiNx thicknesses of SiNx at 110, 130, and 150 nm were 75, 86, and 86%, respectively.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 2022

A readout circuit for a mercury-cadmium-telluride (MCT)-amplified mid-wave infrared (IR) photodetector was realized and applied to noncontact chemical agent detectors based on a quantum cascade laser (QCL). The QCL emitted 250 times for each wavelength in 0.2-㎛ steps from 8 to 12 ㎛ with a frequency of 100 kHz and duty ratio of 10%. Because of the nonconstant QCL emission power during on-duty, averaging the photodetector signals is essential. Averaging can be performed in digital back-end processing through a high-speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC) or in analog front-end processing through an integrator circuit. In addition, it should be considered that the 250 IR data points should be completely transferred to a PC during each wavelength tuning period of the QCL. To average and minimize the IR data, we designed a readout circuit using the analog front-end processing method. The proposed readout circuit consisted of a switched-capacitor integrator, voltage level shifter, relatively low-speed analog-to-digital converter, and micro-control unit. We confirmed that the MCT photodetector signal according to the QCL source can be accurately read and transferred to the PC without omissions.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.33-42
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• 2023

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a crucial parameter for assessing environmental conditions in aquatic ecosystems. However, commercial in situ dataloggers for oxygen optodes can be relatively expensive and limited in their specifications. In this paper, we present a novel design for a DO datalogger system based on the control boards family with RP2040 MCU chipset. Our design includes two types of dataloggers: a simple logging system and a programmable system for sampling rates via magnetic switches underwater for divers. We provide detailed descriptions of the system, including the MicroPython source code and drawings to aid in construction. We also discuss the various applications of our DO datalogger system in monitoring dissolved oxygen concentration in coastal waters and assessing the benthic metabolism of aquatic ecosystems. Our DO datalogger system provides an affordable and flexible option for researchers to accurately monitor DO concentrations in aquatic environments, and thereby improve our understanding of these complex ecosystems.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.180-188
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• 1994

Error assessment and evaluation for machine for machine tool slides have been considered as essential tools for improving accuracy. In this paper, a computer aided measurement technique is proposed using photo pin diodes of quadrant type and laser source. In thedeveloped system, three photo diodes are mounted on a sensor mounting table, and the sensored signal is processed by specially designed signal conditioner to give fine resolution with minimum noise. A micro computer inputs the processed signal, and the geometric errors of five degree of freedoms are successfully evaluated. Pitch, roll, yaw, vertical and horizontal straightness errors are thus assessed simultaneously for a machine tool slide. Calibration techniques such as optics calibration, photo diode calibration are proposed and implemented, giving precise calibration for the measurement system. The developed system has been applied to a practical machine tool slide, and has been found as one of efficient and precise technique for machine tool slide.