• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.306-313
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• 2017

An early detection of infiltration in veins is essential to minimize the injuries caused during infusion therapy, which is one of the most important tasks for nurses in clinical settings. We report that bioelectrical impedance analysis is useful in the early detection of infiltration at puncture sites. When infiltration was intentionally induced in the vein of a rabbit's ear, impedance parameters showed significant difference before and after infiltration. In particular, the relative resistance at 20 kHz in the vein of rabbit's ear reduced largely at infiltration, decreased slowly, and then stayed at a constant value. This indicates that the vein in the ear of the rabbit is small, and hence the infiltrated intravenous (IV) solution no longer accumulates after 3 minutes of infiltration. However, when infiltration was induced in the vein of a human's forearm, the relative resistance at 20 kHz decreased gradually over time. In the $R-X_c$ graph, the positions in infiltration induced in the rabbit's ear rapidly shifted before and after infiltration whereas the positions in infiltration induced in the human's forearm changed gradually during infiltration. Our findings suggest that bioelectrical impedance analysis is an effective method to detect the infiltration early in a noninvasive and quantitative manners.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.233-239
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• 2020

We proposed a simple process of fabricating electroconductive textiles by coating conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate)) on biocompatible PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) nanofiber web for application to smart healthcare. Electroconductive textiles were obtained by a drop-coating process using different amounts of PEDOT:PSS solutions., DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) was then used as an additive in the post-treatment process to improve conductivity. The surface morphology of the specimens was observed by FE-SEM. The chemical structures of the specimens were characterized using FTIR. The electrical properties (linear and sheet resistance) of the specimens were measured. The effect of the bending angles on the electrical properties was also investigated to confirm their applicability as wearable smart textiles. FE-SEM and FTIR analysis confirmed that the deposition of PEDOT:PSS on the PLA nanofiber web surface was successful. The conductivity of the PEDOT:PSS/PLA nanofiber web was enhanced up to 1.5 ml with an increasing amount of PEDOT:PSS solutions, but there was no significant difference at 2.0 ml. The optimum condition of PEDOT:PSS deposition was established to 1.5 ml. Even when the specimen coated with 1.5 ml was bent every 30°, the change in the electrical resistance values was still low within 3.7 Ω. It confirmed that stable electrical performance was maintained and proved the applicability as a flexible textile sensor.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.546-549
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• 2011

Nano-sized $SnO_2$ thick films were prepared by a screen-printing method onto $Al_2O_3$ substrates. The sensing characteristics were investigated by measuring the electrical resistance of each sensor in a test box as a function of the detection gas. The nano-sized $SnO_2$ thick film sensors were treated in a $N_2$ atmosphere. The structural properties of the nano $SnO_2$with a rutile structure according to XRD showed a (110) dominant $SnO_2$ peak. The particle size of $SnO_2$:Ni nano powders at Ni 8 wt% was about 45 nm, and the $SnO_2$ particles were found to contain many pores according to the SEM analysis. The sensitivity of the nano $SnO_2$-based sensors was measured for 5 ppm $CH_4$ gas and $CH_3CH_2CH_3$ gas at room temperature by comparing the resistance in air with that in the target gases. The results showed that the best sensitivity of $SnO_2$:Ni and $SnO_2$:Co sensors for $CH_4$ gas and $CH_3CH_2CH_3$ gas at room temperature was observed in $SnO_2$:Ni sensors doped with 8 wt% Ni. The response time of the $SnO_2$:Ni gas sensors was 10 seconds and recovery time was 15 seconds for the $CH_4$ and $CH_3CH_2CH_3$ gases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.480-486
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• 2014

Growth restriction by antibiotics is a common feature that pathogenic bacteria must overcome for survival. The struggle of bacteria to escape from growth restriction eventually results in development of antibiotic-resistance through the expression of a set of genes. Here we found that some physiologically important transcriptional regulators of Pseudomonas aeruginosa including QscR, a quorum sensing (QS) receptor, SoxR, a superoxide sensor-regulator, and AntR, a regulator of anthranilate-related secondary metabolism, are activated by various growth-restricted conditions. We generated the growth-restricted conditions by various methods, such as overexpression of PA2537 and treatment with antibiotics or disinfectants. The overexpression of PA2537, encoding an acyltransferase homologue, tightly restricted the growth of P. aeruginosa and significantly activated QscR during the growth restriction. Similarly, treatments with gentamycin, tetracycline, and ethanol also activated QscR near their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Some non-QS regulators, such as AntR and SoxR, were also activated near the MICs in the same conditions. However, LasR and PqsR, other QS receptors of P. aeruginosa, were not activated, suggesting that only a specific set of transcriptional regulators is activated by growth restriction. Since paraquat, a superoxide generator, significantly activated QscR and AntR, we suggest that the oxidative stress generated by growth restriction may be partly involved in this phenomenon.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.472-477
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• 2012

As people are being exposed to many types of fast food, rancid oil is a factor affecting public health. Monitoring of rancidity in frying oils needs to be done adequately. The chemical methods that are currently used require long periods of time and expertise. The development of a device that quickly and easily measures rancidity would be helpful to manage rancidity in frying oils adequately. Due to the fact that carbon nanotube (CNT) is sensitive to acid value, we used CNT as a sensing material for detecting oil rancidity. Polyethylenimine (PEI) was coated on CNT for stable measurements. Experiments were conducted at $100^{\circ}C$ after samples were cooled from $180^{\circ}C$. The results showed a strong correlation between acid values and resistances using CNT sensors. As the acid value of oils increased, the resistance of CNT sensors increased. Development of sensors using CNT may make it possible to determine the rancidity of frying oils in real-time and on site.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2005.07c
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• pp.2410-2412
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• 2005

In this study, two types of PS substrate were fabricated for sensing of chemical and biological substances. For sensing of the humidity and chemical analyzes such as $CH_3OH$ or $C_2H_5OH$, PS layers are prepared by photoelectrochemical etching of silicon wafer in aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution. To evaluate their sensitivity, we measured the resistance variation of the PS diaphragm. As the amplitude of applied voltage increases from 2 to 6Vpp at constant frequency of 5kHz, the resistance variation for humidity sensor rises from 376.3 to $784.8{\Omega}$/%RH. And the sensitivities for $CH_3OH$ and $C_2H_5OH$ were 0.068 uA/% and 0.212 uA/%, respectively. For biological sensing application, amperometric urea sensors were fabricated based on porous silicon(PS), and planar silicon(PLS) electrode substrates by the electrochemical methods. Pt thin film was sputtered on these substrates which were previously formed by electrochemical anodization. Poly (3-methylthiophene) (P3MT) were used for electron transfer matrix between urease(Urs) and the electrode phase, and Urs also was by electrochemically immobilized. Effective working area of these electrodes was determined for the first time by using $Fe(CN)_6^{3-}/Fe(CN)_6^{4-}$ redox couple in which nearly reversible cyclic voltammograms were obtained. The $i_p$ vs $v^{1/2}$ plots show that effective working electrode area of the PS-based Pt thin film electrode was 1.6 times larger than the PLS-based one and we can readily expect the enlarged surface area of PS electrode would result in increased sensitivity by ca. 1.6 times. Actually, amperometric sensitivity of the Urs/P3MT/Pt/PS electrode was ca 0.91uA/$mM{\cdot}cm^2$, and that of the Urs/P3MT/Pt/PLS electrode was ca. 0.91uA/$mM{\cdot}cm^2$ in a linear range of 1mmol/L to 100mmol/L urea concentrations

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2016

The bioelectrical impedance (BI) for the young and the elderly was measured using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS). First, while applying a current of $600{\mu}A$ to the foot and hand, BI was measured at 50 frequencies ranging from 5 to 1000 kHz. The BI for young subjects was considerably lower than that for old subjects since young subjects have more lean mass (hydration). The prediction marker was 0.74 for young subjects and 0.78 for old subjects. Second, a Cole-Cole diagram was obtained for young subjects and old subjects, indicating the different characteristic frequencies. At 50 kHz, the average phase angle was $7.8^{\circ}$ for young subjects whereas that was $6.1^{\circ}$ for old subjects. Third, BIVA was analyzed for young subjects and old subjects. The vector length was 210.89 [${\Omega}/m$] for young subjects and 326.12 [${\Omega}/m$] for old subjects. At 50 kHz, the resistance (R/H) and the reactance ($X_C/H$) divided by height were 208.94 [${\Omega}/m$] and 28.68 [${\Omega}/m$] for young subject, and 324.33 [${\Omega}/m$] and 34.09 [${\Omega}/m$] for old subjects.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.333-337
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• 2013

This study proposes a simply fabricated micro stator for higher output power than previously reported micro stators. The stator has been fabricated by inserting enamel coil in silicon mold formed by micro etching process. The most merits of the proposed micro stator are the simple fabrication process and high output power. Previously reported micro stators have high resistance because the micro coil is fabricated by relatively thin-film-based deposition process such as sputtering and electroplating. In addition, the previously reported micro coil has many electrical contact points for forming the coil structure. These characteristics of the micro stator can lead to low performance in output power. However, the proposed micro stator adopts commercially available enamel coil without any contact point. Therefore, the enamel coil of the proposed micro stator has low junction resistance due to the good electrical quality compared with the deposited or electroplated metal coil. Power generation tests were performed and the fabricated stator can produce 5.4 mW in 4000 RPM, $1{\Omega}$ and 0.3 mm gap. The proposed micro stator can produce larger output power than the previously reported stator spite of low RPM and the larger gap between the permanent magnet and the stator.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.193-206
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• 2007

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has developed an advanced fast reactor concept, KALIMER-600, which satisfies the Generation IV reactor design goals of sustainability, economics, safety, and proliferation resistance. The concept enables an efficient utilization of uranium resources and a reduction of the radioactive waste. The core design has been developed with a strong emphasis on proliferation resistance by adopting a single enrichment fuel without blanket assemblies. In addition, a passive residual heat removal system, shortened intermediate heat-transport system piping and seismic isolation have been realized in the reactor system design as enhancements to its safety and economics. The inherent safety characteristics of the KALIMER-600 design have been confirmed by a safety analysis of its bounding events. Research on important thermal-hydraulic phenomena and sensing technologies were performed to support the design study. The integrity of the reactor head against creep fatigue was confirmed using a CFD method, and a model for density-wave instability in a helical-coiled steam generator was developed. Gas entrainment on an agitating pool surface was investigated and an experimental correlation on a critical entrainment condition was obtained. An experimental study on sodium-water reactions was also performed to validate the developed SELPSTA code, which predicts the data accurately. An acoustic leak detection method utilizing a neural network and signal processing units were developed and applied successfully for the detection of a signal up to a noise level of -20 dB. Waveguide sensor visualization technology is being developed to inspect the reactor internals and fuel subassemblies. These research and developmental efforts contribute significantly to enhance the safety, economics, and efficiency of the KALIMER-600 design concept.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.358-361
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• 2012

Co and Ni as catalysts in $SnO_2$ sensors to improve the sensitivity for $CH_4$ gas and $CH_3CH_2CH_3$ gas were coated by a solution reduction method. $SnO_2$ thick films were prepared by a screen-printing method onto $Al_2O_3$ substrates with an electrode. The sensing characteristics were investigated by measuring the electrical resistance of each sensor in a chamber. The structural properties of $SnO_2$ with a rutile structure investigated by XRD showed a (110) dominant $SnO_2$ peak. The particle size of the $SnO_2$:Ni powders with Ni at 6 wt% was about 0.1 ${\mu}m$. The $SnO_2$ particles were found to contain many pores according to a SEM analysis. The sensitivity of $SnO_2$-based sensors was measured for 5 ppm of $CH_4$ gas and $CH_3CH_2CH_3$ gas at room temperature by comparing the resistance in air to that in the target gases. The results showed that the best sensitivity of $SnO_2$:Ni and $SnO_2$:Co sensors for $CH_4$ gas and $CH_3CH_2CH_3$ gas at room temperature was observed in $SnO_2$:Ni sensors coated with 6 wt% Ni. The $SnO_2$:Ni gas sensors showed good selectivity to $CH_4$ gas. The response time and recovery time of the $SnO_2$:Ni gas sensors for the $CH_4$ and $CH_3CH_2CH_3$ gases were 20 seconds and 9 seconds, respectively.