• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.137-146
• /
• 2023

Nanosized TiO₂ has been widely investigated in photoelectrochemical or photocatalytic applications due to their intrinsic properties such as suitable band position, high photocorrosion resistance, and surface area. In this study, to achieve the high efficiency in photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performance, TiO₂ nanotubular structures were formed by anodization at various temperatures and times. The morphological and crystal structure of the anodized TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of the TiO₂ NTs were studied with different lengths and morphologies. From the detailed investigations, the optimum thickness of TiO₂ nanotubes was 3 ㎛. Moreover, we found that the optimum photocatalytic pollutant removal efficiency of TiO₂ nanotubes for photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated solar light was 5.34 ㎛ of tube length.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.206-209
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Since its implementation, flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FBS) has played an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of tracheobronchial tree and pulmonary disease. Although FBS is often performed by endoscopists, it has also been performed by surgeons, albeit rarely. This study investigated FBS from the surgeon's perspective. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent FBS performed by a single thoracic surgeon between March 2017 and December 2021. Accordingly, the epidemiology, purpose, results, and complications of FBS were analyzed. Results: A total of 47 patients received FBS, whereas 13 patients underwent repeat FBS. Their mean age was 60.7 years. The main organs injured involved the chest (n=22), brain (n=9), abdominal organ (n=7), cervical spine (n=4), extremities (n=4), and face (n=1). The average Injury Severity Score was 22.5. Indications for FBS included atelectasis or haziness on chest x-ray (n=34), pneumonia (n=17), difficult ventilator management (n=7), percutaneous dilatory tracheostomy (n=3), blood aspiration (n=2), foreign body removal (n=2), and intubation due to a difficult airway (n=1). The findings of FBS were mucous plugs (n=36), blood and blood clots (n=16), percutaneous dilatory tracheostomy (n=3), foreign bodies (n=2), granulation tissue at the tracheostomy site (n=2), tracheostomy tube malposition (n=1), bronchus spasm (n=1), difficult airway intubation (n=1), and negative findings (n=5). None of the patients developed complications. Conclusions: FBS is an important modality in the trauma field that allows for the possibility of diagnosis and therapy. With sufficient practice, surgeons may safely perform FBS at the bedside with relative ease.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.10
• /
• pp.3854-3859
• /
• 2023

Background: This study aims to develop an evaluator that can quickly and accurately evaluate the shielding of low-energy industrial radiation generators. Methods: We used PyQt to develop a graphical user interface (GUI)-based program and employed the calculation methodology reported in the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP)-49 for shielding calculations. We gathered the necessary factors for shielding evaluation using two libraries designed for Python, pandas and NumPy, and processed them into a database. We verified the effectiveness of the proposed program by comparing the results with those from safety reports of six domestic facilities. Results: After verifying the effectiveness of the program using the NCRP-49 example, we obtained an average error rate of 1.73%. When comparing the facility safety report and results obtained using the program, we found that the error rate was between 1.09% and 6.51%. However, facilities that did not use a defined shielding methodology were underestimated by 31.82% compared with the program (the final barrier thickness satisfied the shielding standard). Conclusion: The developed program provides a fast and accurate shielding evaluation that can assist personnel that work in radiation generator facilities and government officials in reviewing safety.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.387-392
• /
• 2017

When an infant has visited a hospital due to skull fracture, the rupture of a blood vessel, or skin wounds on the head resulted from an incident, accident, traffic accident, or disease, he/she becomes to undergo anterior/posterior and lateral skull imaging, which is a head test at the department of radiology. In the head test, if the adult skull imaging grid is applied to the imaging, the secondary radiation will be removed to enhance the contrast of the image. However, among the radiation exposure conditions, the tube voltage should be enhanced by 8~10 kVp leading to an increase in the patient exposure. The present study was conducted under assumption that if the same images can be obtained from infant skull imaging without using the skull imaging grid, the exposure dose will be reduced and the artifacts due to grid cut off can be prevented. The researcher measured the radiation dosage using a radiation meter and conducted the subjective evaluation (ROC, receiver operating characteristic) among medical image evaluation methods. Based on the results, when the images were taken without using the grid, the exposure dose was reduced by 0.019 mGy in the anterior/posterior imaging and by 0.02 mGy in the lateral imaging and the image evaluation score was higher by 4 points. In conclusion, if the images of the skulls of infants that visited the hospital are taken with out using the grid, the exposure dose can be reduced, the image artifacts due to grid cut off can be prevented, and the lifespan of the X-ray tube will be extended.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.115-119
• /
• 2009

I think this will be valuable reference for assuring consistency and homogeneity of clarity and managing dental radiation equipment by experimentation of dental radiation equipment permanent which based on KS C IEC 61223-3-4 standard and KS C IEC 61223-2-7. Put a dental radiation generator and experiment equipment as source and film(sensor) length within 30 em, place the step-wedge above the film(sensor). Tie up tube voltage 60 kVp, tube current 7 mA and then get an each image through CCD sensor and film by changing the exposure time as 0.12sec, 0.25sec, 0.4sec. Repeat the test 5times as a same method. Measure the concentration of each stage of film image, which gained by experiment, using photometer. And the image that gained by CCD sensor, analyze the pixel value's change by using image J, which is analyzing image program provided by NIH(National Institutes of Health). In case of film, while 0.12sec and 0.25sec show regular rising pattern of density gap as exposure time's increase, 0.4sec shows low rather than 0.12sec and 0.25sec. In case of CCD sensor density test, the result shows opposite pattern of film. This makes me think that pixels of CCD's sensor can have 0~255 value but it becomes saturation if the value is over 255. The way that getting clear reception during decreasing human's exposed radiation is one of maintaining an equipment as a best condition. So we should keeping a dental radiation equipment's condition steadily through cyclic permanent test after factor examination. Even digital equipment doesn't maintain a permanent, it can maintain a clarity by post processing of image so that hard to set it as standard of permanent test. Therefore it would be more increase the accuracy that compare a film as standard image. Thus I consider it will be an important measurement to care for dental radiation equipment and warrant homogeneity, consistency of dental image's clarity through comparing pattern which is the result from factor test against cyclic permanent test.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.311-316
• /
• 2008

Since the presence of the chemical impurities and defect at surfaces and interfaces greatly influence the properties of various semiconductor devices, an unambiguous chemical characterization of the metal and semiconductor surfaces become more important in the view of the miniaturization of the devices toward nano scale. Among the various conventional surface characterization tools, Electron-induced Auger Electron Spectroscopy (EAES), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Secondary Electron Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) are being used for the identification of the surface chemical impurities. Recently, a novel surface characterizaion technique, Positron-annihilation induced Auger Electron Spectroscopy (PAES) is introduced to provide a unique method for the analysis of the elemental composition of the top-most atomic layer. In PAES, monoenergetic positron of a few eV are implanted to the surface under study and these positrons become thermalized near the surface. A fraction of the thermalized positron trapped at the surface state annihilate with the neighboring core-level electrons, creating core-hole excitations, which initiate the Auger process with the emission of Auger electrons almost simultaneously with the emission of annihilating gamma-rays. The energy of electrons is generally determined by employing ExB energy selector, which shows a poor resolution of $6{\sim}10eV$. In this paper, time-of-flight system is employed to measure the electrons energy with an enhanced energy resolution. The experimental result is compared with simulation results in the case of both linear (with retarding tube) and reflected TOF systems.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2011.05a
• /
• pp.5-5
• /
• 2011

The research and development of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and electric vehicle (EV) are intensified due to the energy crisis and environmental concerns. In order to meet the challenging requirements of powering HEV, PHEV and EV, the current lithium battery technology needs to be significantly improved in terms of the cost, safety, power and energy density, as well as the calendar and cycle life. One new technology being developed is the utilization of composite cathode by mixing two different types of insertion compounds [e.g., spinel $LiMn_2O_4$ and layered $LiMO_2$ (M=Ni, Co, and Mn)]. Recently, some studies on mixing two different types of cathode materials to make a composite cathode have been reported, which were aimed at reducing cost and improving self-discharge. Numata et al. reported that when stored in a sealed can together with electrolyte at $80^{\circ}C$ for 10 days, the concentrations of both HF and $Mn^{2+}$ were lower in the can containing $LiMn_2O_4$ blended with $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.2}O_2$ than that containing $LiMn_2O_4$ only. That reports clearly showed that this blending technique can prevent the decline in capacity caused by cycling or storage at elevated temperatures. However, not much work has been reported on the charge-discharge characteristics and related structural phase transitions for these composite cathodes. In this presentation, we will report our in situ x-ray diffraction studies on this mixed composite cathode material during charge-discharge cycling. The mixed cathodes were incorporated into in situ XRD cells with a Li foil anode, a Celgard separator, and a 1M $LiPF_6$ electrolyte in a 1 : 1 EC : DMC solvent (LP 30 from EM Industries, Inc.). For in situ XRD cell, Mylar windows were used as has been described in detail elsewhere. All of these in situ XRD spectra were collected on beam line X18A at National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory using two different detectors. One is a conventional scintillation detector with data collection at 0.02 degree in two theta angle for each step. The other is a wide angle position sensitive detector (PSD). The wavelengths used were 1.1950 ${\AA}$ for the scintillation detector and 0.9999 A for the PSD. The newly installed PSD at beam line X18A of NSLS can collect XRD patterns as short as a few minutes covering $90^{\circ}$ of two theta angles simultaneously with good signal to noise ratio. It significantly reduced the data collection time for each scan, giving us a great advantage in studying the phase transition in real time. The two theta angles of all the XRD spectra presented in this paper have been recalculated and converted to corresponding angles for ${\lambda}=1.54\;{\AA}$, which is the wavelength of conventional x-ray tube source with Cu-$k{\alpha}$ radiation, for easy comparison with data in other literatures. The structural changes of the composite cathode made by mixing spinel $LiMn_2O_4$ and layered $Li-Ni_{1/3}Co_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}O_2$ in 1 : 1 wt% in both Li-half and Li-ion cells during charge/discharge are studied by in situ XRD. During the first charge up to ~5.2 V vs. $Li/Li^+$, the in situ XRD spectra for the composite cathode in the Li-half cell track the structural changes of each component. At the early stage of charge, the lithium extraction takes place in the $LiNi_{1/3}Co_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}O_2$ component only. When the cell voltage reaches at ~4.0 V vs. $Li/Li^+$, lithium extraction from the spinel $LiMn_2O_4$ component starts and becomes the major contributor for the cell capacity due to the higher rate capability of $LiMn_2O_4$. When the voltage passed 4.3 V, the major structural changes are from the $LiNi_{1/3}Co_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}O_2$ component, while the $LiMn_2O_4$ component is almost unchanged. In the Li-ion cell using a MCMB anode and a composite cathode cycled between 2.5 V and 4.2 V, the structural changes are dominated by the spinel $LiMn_2O_4$ component, with much less changes in the layered $LiNi_{1/3}Co_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}O_2$ component, comparing with the Li-half cell results. These results give us valuable information about the structural changes relating to the contributions of each individual component to the cell capacity at certain charge/discharge state, which are helpful in designing and optimizing the composite cathode using spinel- and layered-type materials for Li-ion battery research. More detailed discussion will be presented at the meeting.

• Journal of IKEEE
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.544-551
• /
• 2014

This paper suggests an algorithm to measure low-level radiation by radiation measuring devices, and the other algorithm to improve reaction speed of the device to better respond to dramatic changes in radiation amount. The former algorithm to improve the accuracy of measuring low-level radiation takes advantage of a dual window radiation measurement method which is based on accumulated average of pulses gathered by a radiation measuring sensor. The latter algorithm is to enhance reaction speed of a measuring device to more sensitively react to dramatic changes in radiation amount by adopting a dual window radiation measurement method which analyzes data patterns newly put into for six seconds. To verify the suggested algorithms, a hardware-which consists of sensor and high-voltage generator, controller, charger and power supply circuit, wireless communication part, and display part-was used. Tests conducted on the dual window radiation measurement method as used in the suggested algorithm have proved that accuracy improves to measure low-level radiation of 5uSv/h, and linearity also gets better. Other tests were conducted to see whether the suggested algorithm enhances the reaction speed of a radiation measuring device so that the device responds better to dramatically changing radiation amount. The experimental results have shown meaningful changes in numbers after six seconds. Therefore, the conclusions are made that the algorithm enhances the reaction speed of the device.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.512-516
• /
• 1997

We have experienced 66 cases of video assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) of spontaneous pneumothorax. The patients ranged in age from 1 Syears to 46years(mean age, 22.3years) and male patients were sixty three. The indications of video assisted thoracic surgery of spontaneous pneumothorax were recurrence, continuous air leakage, visible blabs on the chest X-ray & others. Infraoperative findings were as follows; blabs, pleural adhesion and pleural effusion. The operation was performed under general anesthesia wit double lumen endobronchial tube. Operative procedures included blebectomy and/or wedge resection of lung, vibramycin Pleurodesis with mechanical abrasion. In most cases, postoperative courses were uneventful and patients were discharged without significant complications. VATS provided the benefits of lesser postoperative pain, rapid recovery, short hospitalization, and smaller scar of wound. Conclusively VATS is a new interesting modality of surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax and also can be extensively applicable in the diagnosis and treatment of other intrathoracic disease.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.385-393
• /
• 2009

The spectroscopic characteristics of Madagascar tourmaline were investigated by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. Physical features were similar to other region's tourmalines. The green and blue samples showed strong absorption band in the 714~743 nm due to $Fe^{3+}$, pink samples showed strong absorption band in the 510~530 nm due to $Mn^{3+}$, brown samples showed strong absorption at 324 nm due to $Mn^{2+}-Ti^{4+}$ IVCT and the colorless samples only revealed weak absorption at 406~413 nm or no absorptions due to low quantity of Mn. Combination of the stretching and bending mode cationic hydroxyl units (metal-OH) are observed in the 4300~4500 $cm^{-1}$. The parallel tube-shaped inclusions which contain hematite were detected generally. This investigation revealed that Cu was not detected but Fe and Mn were detected in the Madagascar tourmalines, and the various colors appear according to the amount of those impurity elements.