• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.373-384
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• 2015

In the past few decades, polymeric membrane has played an important role in gas separation applications. For the separation of $CO_2$, one of greenhouse gases, high permselectivity, long-term stability and scale-up are needed. However, conventional polymeric membranes have shown a trade-off relation between permeability and selectivity while inorganic materials are highly permeable but expensive. Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) combining the advantages of both polymeric and inorganic materials have become a possible breakthrough for the next-generation gas separation membranes. The MMMs could be either symmetric or asymmetric but the latter is more preferred to improve the permeance. Important factors influencing the MMM fabrication include homogeneous distribution of inorganic particles and good interfacial contact between inorganic filler and organic matrix. Recently, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have received much attention as a new class of porous crystalline materials and a potential candidate for $CO_2$ separation. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), a sub-branch of MOFs, are the most widely used in MMMs due to small particle size and appropriate pore size for $CO_2$ separation. One of the major issues associated with the incorporation of porous particles in a polymeric membrane is to control the microstructure of the porous particle materials such as particle size, orientation, and boundary conditions etc. In this review, major challenges surrounding MMMs and the strategies to tackle these challenges are given in detail.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2006

Recently, spillways are need to control stable water level for supporting main dams because of floods by unusual change of weather such as Typhoon Rusa. This study has been focused on the amount of leakage through the rock mass distributed fractures and joints under the opened emergency spillway. It is very important to evaluate the amount of leakage as these affect stability of spillway by interaction between effective stress and pore pressure. The commercial program MAFIC has been used for analyzing groundwater flow in fractured rock mass. The results showed that the values of range, average and deviation of leakage were 2.85∼ 3.79×10-1, 3.32×10-1 and 1.70×10-2 m3/day/m2 respectively. Secondary, we have estimated the effect of grouting after the transmissivity(Tf) of joint 1 as main pathway of leakage known from above results was changed from 1.78×10-7 to 1.59×10-9 m2/s. The results showed that the values of range, average and deviation of leakage were 7.80×10-4∼1.53×10-3, 1.18×10-3 and 1.32×10-4 m3/day/m2 respectively. As the result, the amount of leakage after grouting has been decreased by a ratio of 1 to 277.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.223-231
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• 2021

In order to address many issues associated with large volume changes of silicon, which has very low electrical conductivity but offers about 10 times higher theoretical capacity than graphite (Gr), a silicon nanoparticles/hollow carbon (SiNP/HC) composite having bimodal-mesopores was prepared using silica nanoparticles as a template. A control SiNP/C composite without a hollow structure was also prepared for comparison. The physico-chemical and electrochemical properties of SiNP/HC were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements for surface area and pore size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, galvanostatic cycling, and cyclic voltammetry tests to compare them with those of the SiNP/C composite. The SiNP/HC composite showed significantly better cycle life and efficiency than the SiNP/C, with minimal increase in electrode thickness after long cycles. A hybrid composite, SiNP/HC@Gr, prepared by physical mixing of the SiNP/HC and Gr at a 50:50 weight ratio, exhibited even better cycle life and efficiency than the SiNP/HC at low capacity. Thus, silicon/carbon composites designed to have hollow spaces capable of accommodating volume expansion were found to be highly effective for long cycle life of silicon-based composites. However, further study is required to improve the low initial coulombic efficiency of SiNP/HC and SiNP/HC@Gr, which is possibly because of their high surface area causing excessive electrolyte decomposition for the formation of solid-electrolyte-interface layers.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.172-178
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Composted animal manure applied to the arable soil for improving soil quality and enhancing crop productivity causes greenhouse gas emissions such as nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) by processes of nitrification and denitrification. However, little studies have been conducted on determining effect of application ratio of composted animal manure on $N_2O$ emission rate and its annual emission pattern from upland soil in South Korea. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine $N_2O$ emission rate and its annual emission pattern from upland soil supporting for sweet potato. METHODS AND RESULTS: Composted animal manure was applied at the ratio of 0, 10, and 20 Mg/ha to an upland soil supporting for sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). Nitrous oxide emission was examined during growing season and non-growing season from May 2016 through May 2017. Daily $N_2O$ fluxes showed peaks right after applications of composted animal manure and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer. Precipitation and soil water content affected daily $N_2O$ flux during non-growing season. Especially, $N_2O$ flux was strongly associated with water filled pore space (WFPS). We assumed that the majority of $N_2O$ measured during growing season of sweet potato was produced from nitrification and subsequent denitrification. Annual cumulative $N_2O$ emission rate significantly increased with increasing application ratio of composted animal manure. It increased to 12.0 kg/ha/yr from 8.73 kg/ha/yr at control with 10 Mg/ha of composted animal manure and to 14.0 kg/ha/yr of $N_2O$ emission with 20 Mg/ha of the manure. CONCLUSION: To reduce $N_2O$ emission from arable soil, further research on developing management strategy associated with use of the composted animal manure and soil moisture is needed.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.305-312
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• 2017

We aimed at investigating the difference in $N_2O$ emission factors of chemical and organic fertilizers and identifying the main factors influencing annual fluctuations in $N_2O$ emission. We conducted two-year experiments in 2016 and 2017 in an agricultural field planted with sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). Treatments included chemical NPK fertilizer (NPK) and chicken compost application at $10\;ton\;ha^{-1}$, $20\;ton\;ha^{-1}$, and $30\;ton\;ha^{-1}$ rates (CK1, CK2 and CK3). Control was also employed with no addition. Results showed that $N_2O$ emission rates were significantly related with soil water status and soil available N contents. Significant correlation between % water filled pore space (WFPS) and $N_2O$ emission was observed only when the %WFPS was greater than 40% and during the initial stage of the experiment (<60 d). Comparison of the emission factors in 2016 and 2017 showed us that the emission factor was greater in 2016 when the %WFPS was maintained higher by 16.5% compared to that in 2017. In 2016, the emission factor of organic fertilizer was higher than that of chemical fertilizer, while in 2017, the pattern was reversed. Annual variability in $N_2O$ emission could also be originated from the available N contents remaining in soil after being taken up by plants. If we apply excessive N fertilizer, the soil would contain excess amount of N which was not uptaken by plants, leading to a huge increase in $N_2O$ emission. This case would overestimate emission factor, which was the case for the organic fertilizer in 2016. Over-fertilization should be avoided when we set up an experiment to determine $N_2O$ emission factor.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.125-132
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• 2023

In this study, we compared the performance of machine learning models for predicting Vapor Pressure Deficits (VPD) in greenhouses that affect pore function and photosynthesis as well as plant growth due to nutrient absorption of plants. For VPD prediction, the correlation between the environmental elements in and outside the greenhouse and the temporal elements of the time series data was confirmed, and how the highly correlated elements affect VPD was confirmed. Before analyzing the performance of the prediction model, the amount and interval of analysis time series data (1 day, 3 days, 7 days) and interval (20 minutes, 1 hour) were checked to adjust the amount and interval of data. Finally, four machine learning prediction models (XGB Regressor, LGBM Regressor, Random Forest Regressor, etc.) were applied to compare the prediction performance by model. As a result of the prediction of the model, when data of 1 day at 20 minute intervals were used, the highest prediction performance was 0.008 for MAE and 0.011 for RMSE in LGBM. In addition, it was confirmed that the factor that most influences VPD prediction after 20 minutes was VPD (VPD_y__71) from the past 20 minutes rather than environmental factors. Using the results of this study, it is possible to increase crop productivity through VPD prediction, condensation of greenhouses, and prevention of disease occurrence. In the future, it can be used not only in predicting environmental data of greenhouses, but also in various fields such as production prediction and smart farm control models.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.170-174
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• 2023

CO₂ is known as one of the causes of global warming, and various studies are being conducted to capture it. In this study, a tetrafluoromethane (CF₄) plasma reaction was performed to improve the CO₂ adsorption of activated carbons (ACs) through changes in surface characteristics, and the adsorption characteristics according to the reaction time were considered. After the reaction, the micropore volume increased up to 1.03 cm³/g. In addition, as the reaction time increased, the fluorine content on the surface increased to 0.88%. It was possible to simultaneously control the pore properties and surface functional groups of the ACs through this experiment. Also, the CO₂ uptake of surface-treated ACs improved up to 7.44% compared to untreated ACs, showing the best performance at 3.90 mmol/g when the reaction time was 60 s. This is due to the synergy effect of the fluorine functional groups introduced on the surface of the ACs and the increased micropore volume caused by the etching effect. It was found that the micropore volume had a greater effect on CO₂ adsorption in the region where the CO₂ uptake was less than 3.67 mmol/g, while the added fluorine content had a greater effect in the region above that.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.1C
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• pp.43-52
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• 2006

Despite several constitutive models have been proposed and applied, it is still difficult to choose a suitable model and to estimate adequate analysis parameters. Furthermore, a cyclic shear behavior under the volume change caused by the seepage is more complex. None of the constitutive model is available at present in the expression of the cyclic behavior of soil under an additional volume change condition by seepage. Therefore, a new geotechnical hybrid simulation system which can control the pore water immigration was developed. The system enables a quantitative evaluation of the residual deformation such as lateral spreading and settlement caused by the liquefaction. The seismic responses in a one-dimensional slightly inclined multilayered soil system are taken into consideration, and the soils are governed by both equation of motion and the continuity equation. Furthermore, the estimation and the selection of the soil parameter for the representation of the strong nonlinearity of the material are not required, because soil behaviors under the earthquake motions are directly introduced instead of a numerical soil constitutive model. This paper presents the concept and specifications of the system. By applying the system to an example problem, the permeability effect on the seismic response during cyclic shear is studied. The importance of the volume change characteristics of sandy soil during and after cyclic shear is shown in conclusion.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2024

In this study, the applicability of replacing DG(Desulfurized Gypsum) from oil refinery with CCCMs(Carbon dioxide Conversion Capture Materials) as an ALC(Auto-claved LIghtweight Concrete) raw material was examined, and basic properties of ALC was measured. The main chemical components of DG and CCCMs were CaO and SO₃, and an increase in LOI(Loss of ignition) due to mineral carbonation reaction was verified. The crystalline phases of CCCMs were CaCO₃, CaSO₄, Ca(OH)₂, and CaSO₄·2H₂O. When DG, a raw material for ALC production, was replaced with CCCMs, foaming height, pore shape, absolute dry gravity, and compressive strength results measured similar for all binders. In addition, the formation of tobermorite which is main crystalline phase of ALC was shown for all specimens in microstructural analysis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.370-385
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• 2023

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (Cyano-HABs) are an international environmental problem that negatively affects the ecosystem as well as the safety of water resources by discharging cyanotoxins. In particular, the discharge of microcystins (MCs), a highly toxic substance, has been studied most actively, and various water treatment methods have been proposed for this purpose. In this paper, we reviewed adsorption technology, which is recognized as the most feasible, economical, and efficient method among suggested treatment methods for removing MCs. Activated carbons (AC) are widely used adsorbents for MCs removal, and excellent MCs adsorption performance has been reported. Research on alternative adsorption materials for AC such as biochar and biosorbents has been conducted, however, their performance was lower compared to activated carbon. The impacts of adsorbent properties(characteristics of pore surface chemistry) and environmental factors (solution pH, temperature, natural organic matter, and ionic strength) on the MCs adsorption performance were also discussed. In addition, toward effective control of MCs, the possibility of the direct removal of harmful cyanobacteria as well as the removal of dissolved MCs using adsorption strategy was examined. However, to fully utilize the adsorption for the removal of MCs, the application and optimization under actual environmental conditions are still required, thereby meeting the environmental and economic standards. From this study, crucial insights could be provided for the development and selection of effective adsorbent and subsequent adsorption processes for the removal of MCs from water resources.