• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1900-1908
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• 2004

A human-friendly interactive system that is based on the harmonious symbiotic coexistence of human and robots is explored. Based on interactive technology paradigm, a robotic cane is proposed for blind or visually impaired travelers to navigate safely and quickly through obstacles and other hazards faced by blind pedestrians. Robotic aids, such as robotic canes, require cooperation between human and robots. Various methods for implementing the appropriate cooperative recognition, planning, and acting, have been investigated. The issues discussed include the interaction between humans and robots, design issues of an interactive robotic cane, and behavior arbitration methodologies for navigation planning.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.480-491
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• 2003

When Korea develop a geostationary satellite (Communication. Broadcasting. Meteorology Satellite), it is more economical and effective to make as an international cooperation program from the first phase, because Korea doesn't have any experience of manufacturing a geostationary satellite. This paper discusses why Japan is appropriate for cooperating country, and suggests cooperation of space technology between Korea and Japan and setting up of the organization for Korea and Japan joint geostationary satellite development.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

An overview of the reactor physics aspects of Generation Four(GEN-IV) advanced reactors is presented, emphasizing how their special requirements for enhanced sustainability, safety and ecoomics motivates consideration of features not thoroughly analyzed in the past. The resulting concept-specific requirements for better data and methods are surveyed, and some approaches and initiatives are suggested to meet the challenges faced by the international reactor physics community. No unresolvable impediments to successful development of any of the six major types of proposed reactors are identified, given appropriate and timely devotion of resources.

• Management & Information Systems Review
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.251-271
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• 2015

This article examines the HRD implications of using robotic technology in the workplace. Because existing literature has been primarily about the technical engineering aspects of robotics, it is difficult to understand the socio-cultural perspective about the challenges and potentials of robotization in the workplace. Especially, in order to identify the best organizational support appropriate for working with robots, this article indicates alternative perspective for observing human-robot interaction in the workplace. In addition, this article points out four implications of robotic technology in organizations for practice and research development in HRD. These implications were identified as (1) defining the components of expertise in terms of human-robot interaction, (2) coping with organizational change process resulting from robotic technology, (3) designing appropriate interventions for an organization to effectively assist human-robot interaction, and (4) establishing the code of work ethics in the robotic age. The suggested implications can contribute to shaping conceptual frameworks for further empirical social science research.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.226-237
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• 2020

As the number of reported COVID-19 cases rises around the world, regions affected by the virus are taking serious measures to contain its spread. Face shields are one of the highest-need personal protective equipment (PPE) during COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond traditional face masks, as known cases of the coronavirus soar, currently there is a significant shortage of face shields around the world. In response, the protective face shields were designed and fabricated with open-source 3D modelling software and 3D printing technology, respectively. Our face shield consisted of two parts only; a reusable 3D printed headband and a visor made of transparent plastic sheet, as barrier. The resulting 3D printed face shields are affordable, lightweight, one-size-fits-most and ready-to-wear with minimal assemblies, and go on easily over glass, goggle and face mask. To ensure being donated to the healthcare professionals without risk infected by any pathogens, the 3D printed face shields were successfully be disinfected with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI dosage of 1000 mJ/cm²) and 70% alcohol. For routine disinfection a UVGI chamber was designed and optimized to provide uniform UV-C illumination with an appreciated fluence for complete decontamination. More than 1,000 face shields were produced already and donated to the special hospitals for COVID-19 patients, quarantines, government and medical agencies in Ethiopia as well as in East-African countries. With certainty, our intention goes beyond the hospitals and other first responders, but not limited for all those who have to stay in the service or be in contact with many other people in the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.216-224
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• 2021

Purpose: Global collaboration to accelerate development and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines was launched with the name of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), and this initiative owes its expertise to the lessons learned of the global health organizations. To date, the comprehensive mechanisms and potential effects of the initiative remain largely unknown. Methods: This study reviewed the programs of Gavi, the Global Fund, Unitaid, and ACT-A, which mitigating barriers to greater use of health technology with an analytic framework. Results and conclusion: The study findings are as follows. First, programs to alleviate the absence of necessary technology include the International Finance Facility for Immunization and Covax Facility. Second, Pooled Procurement Mechanism and Accelerated Order Mechanism are examples of mitigating the inability to access technology. Third, programs to overcome reluctance to adopt accessible technology include health system strengthening efforts such as the capacity-building health workforces. Further actions of Korea are needed to collaborate with the initiatives to enhance health outcomes.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2021

Gravity-driven membrane (GDM) filtration system based on the nanofiber membrane was investigated. This system can be operated with little energy demand due to a gravitational pressure-driven filtration and biological fouling control strategy. Moreover, the optimal module configuration based on the high permeance of nanofiber membrane can provide a significantly high water productivity. In order to evaluate its applicability potential, the pilot-scale (3000-5000 L/day) systems with nanofiber membranes were operated in developing countries (Kiribati and Tuvalu). Our results showed that the 14-92 L/(m²×h) of the permeate flux was determined indicating a stabilized water productivity. In addition, the permeate water indicated a high removal rate (more than 99.99%) of turbidity and bacteria. Consequently, the system can provide a stabilized water production with safe permeate water quality during long-term operation. These findings exemplify an effective approach to decentralized drinking water treatment for developing countries.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2019

Citarum river in West Java, Indonesia plays strategic roles for Jakarta metropolitan areas. Besides it provides major source of water supply such as domestics and drinking water including Jakarta, it also provides water for hundreds of industries through its cascade reservoirs. However, recently, Citarum river basin has been seriously suffering from water and groundwater pollution as well as the lowering-down of groundwater level due to the extreme use of water resources in dry season by domestic and industrial activities. This project objectives are design and installation of industrial wastewater treatment/recycle facilities to overcome the problem of water pollution and the lowering-down of groundwater level in Bandung. For these, cyclone type dissolved air flotation (DAF), CYFLOAT, was successfully installed as the appropriate technology for the target textile industry with 100 ton/day of capacity. The CYFLOAT system can remove the 96.8% of particulates, which are known as a critical factor to recycle the wastewater, within 40 min of residence time. Furthermore, The CYFLOAT system can reduce the operational cost and land use. The project was carried out in strong partnership with local institute including UNPAR, IBT, and PUSKIM for the sustainability of the technology to textile industry complex in Indonesia.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.9-17
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• 2018

PURPOSES : The frequency and severity of natural disasters such as torrential rain or typhoons have become increasingly significant worldwide. Events such as summer typhoons and localized torrential downpour can cause severe damages to a residential area and road networks, resulting in serious harm to the daily lives of people, especially in rural areas by isolating residents from road networks. An immediate and emergency repair technology for the collapsed road networks is urgently needed. This study introduces a new technology to repair road bases or slopes. METHODS : The development of new technology for emergency and permanent repair consists of first, packing of cement paste-coated gravel, second, combining appropriate equipment, and third, conducting a field applicability test. In this research, the compressive strength of cement pastecoated gravel, gravel-netting concrete properties, and packing efficiency were determined, and a full scale field mock-up test was carried out. RESULTS : The compressive strength of the cement paste-coated gravel concrete satisfied the required limit for road base of 5 MPa after 7 days. With appropriate netting materials and packing size, gravel-netting concrete was successful up to a slope of 1:1.5. The full scale field mock-up test showed efficiency in the field and penetration resistance performance. CONCLUSIONS : The new technology of emergency and permanent repair for damaged road bases and slopes, introduced in this study, showed satisfactory performance. The technology is expected to be applied in the field when construction procedures and quality specifications are made.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.47-60
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• 2007

The rapid development of economy in China at the expense of consuming huge amount of energy and resources, water resource in particular, which has resulted in the production and discharge of increasing amount of wastewater to the water environment. In order to effectively control the increasing water pollution trend, the State Council has stipulated that all the cities with population over 500,000 should reach wastewater treatment rate of 60% by 2005, and all the cities should reach the rate of 60% by 2010, of which Capital Beijing and all the province capital cities and important tourism cities should reach 70% then. By the end of 2005, of the 661 cities in China, 393 have built and operated municipal wastewater treatments with a total number of 790 sets, total treatment capacity of $80.91{\times}106m^3/d$ and total treatment rate of > 48%. Other 73 cities have started the construction of municipal wastewater treatment plants, and other 168 cities have started to prepare, planning and design of wastewater treatment plants. Most of municipal wastewater treatment plants in big cities in China operate normally and perform well with good quality of effluent in terms of wastewater treatment train, but the sewage sludge treatment is usually poor with big problems. It has been found that the small scale WWTPs using activated sludge process in the towns are usually operated and maintained abnormally because of lack of fund, skilled operators and energy. It is therefore suggested that the small scale MWWTPs in small cities and towns adopt appropriate technologies, of which the most available ones are multi-stage ponds, constructed wetlands and the combination of them for further purification and reuse of treated wastewater.