• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.220-228
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• 2018

The internal resistance of microbial fuel cell (MFC) using stainless steel skein for oxidizing electrode was investigated and the factors affecting the voltage generation were identified. We also investigated the effect of power management system (PMS) on the usability for MFC and the removal efficiency of organic pollutants. The performance of a stack microbial fuel cell connected with (PMS) or PMS+LED was analyzed by the voltage generation and organic matter reduction. The maximum power density of the unit cells was found to be $5.82W/m^3$ at $200{\Omega}$. The maximum current density was $47.53A/m^3$ without power overshoot even under $1{\Omega}$. The ohmic resistance ($R_s$) and the charge transfer resistance ($R_{ct}$) of the oxidation electrode using stainless steel skein electrode, were $0.56{\Omega}$ and $0.02{\Omega}$, respectively. However, the sum of internal resistance for reduction electrode using graphite felts loaded Pt/C catalyst was $6.64{\Omega}$. Also, in order to understand the internal resistance, the current interruption method was used by changing the external resistance as $50{\Omega}$, $300{\Omega}$, $5k{\Omega}$. It has been shown that the ohm resistance ($R_s$) decreased with the external resistance. In the case of a series-connected microbial fuel cell, the reversal phenomenon occurred even though two cells having the similar performance. However, the output of the PMS constantly remained for 20 hours even when voltage reversal occurred. Also the removal ability of organic pollutants (SCOD) was not reduced. As a result of this study, it was found that buffering effect for a certain period of time when the voltage reversal occurred during the operation of the microbial fuel cell did not have a serious effect on the energy loss or the operation of the microbial fuel cell.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.614-618
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• 2001

Low-threshold T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels are distinctive voltage-operated gates for external $Ca^{2+}$ entry around a resting membrane potential due to their low voltage activation. These phenomena have already been extensively studied due to their relevance in diverse physiological functions. Recently, three T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel ${\alpha}$$_1$subunits were cloned and their biophysical properties were characterized after expression in mammalian expression systems. In this study, ${\alpha_IG} and {\alpha_IH}$ low-threshold $Ca^{2+}$ channels were expressed and characterized in Xenopus oocytes after adding 5' and 3'untranslated portions of a Xenopus ${\beta}$ globin to improve their expression levels. The added portions dramatically enhanced the expression levels of the ${\alpha_IG} and {\alpha_IH}$ T-type channels. When currents were recorded in 10 mM $Ba^{2+}$ as the charge carrier, the activation thresholds were about -60 mV, peak currents appeared at -20 mV, and the reversal potentials were between +40 and +45. The activation time constants were very similar to each other, while the inactivation time constants of the ${\alpha_IG}$ currents were smaller than those of ${\alpha_IH}$. Taken together, the electrophysiological properties of the ${\alpha_IG} and {\alpha_IH}$ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes were similar to the previously reported characteristics of low-threshold $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.70-75
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• 2010

Asp66his, Asp54Lys, and Asp50Asn are mutations in connexin 26 that are observed in the clinic and give rise to autosomal dominant syndromes. They are the result of point mutations in the human gap junction ${\beta}-2$ gene. In order to investigate the structural mechanism of Bart-Pumphrey Syndrome, Keratitis-Ichthyosis-Deafness Syndrome, and Vohwinkel Syndrome, homology modeling was carried out. Asp66 has direct contact with Asn62 by two hydrogen bonds in the wild-type protein, and in Asp66His, the biggest change observed is a tremendous energy increase caused by hydrogen bond breakage to Asn62. Shifts in the side chain and new hydrogen bond formation are observed for Lys54 compared to the wild-type protein (Asn54) and result in closer contact to Val84. Asp50Asn causes a significant decrease in bond energy, and residual charge reversal repels the ion and metabolites and, hence, inhibits their transportation. Such perturbations are likely to be a factor contributing to abnormal functioning of ion channels, resulting cell death and disease.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2010

We introduce a novel and versatile approach for preparing self-assembled nanoporous multilayered films with antireflective properties. Protonated polystyrene-block-poly (4-vinylpyrine) (PS-b-P4VP) and anionic polystyrene-block-poly (acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) block copolymer micelles (BCM) were used as building blocks for the layer-by-layer assembly of BCM multilayer films. BCM film growth is governed by electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions between the oppositely BCMs. Both film porosity and film thickness are dependent upon the charge density of the micelles, with the porosity of the film controlled by the solution pH and the molecular weight (Mw) of the constituents. PS7K-b-P4VP28K/PS2K-b-PAA8K films prepared at pH 4 (for PS7K-b-P4VP28K) and pH 6 (for PS2K-b-PAA8K) are highly nanoporous and antireflective. In contrast, PS7K-b-P4VP28K/PS2K-b-PAA8K films assembled at pH 4/4 show a relatively dense surface morphology due to the decreased charge density of PS2K-b-PAA8K. Films formed from BCMs with increased PS block and decreased hydrophilic block (P4VP or PAA) size (e.g., PS36K-b-P4VP12K/PS16K-b-PAA4K at pH 4/4) were also nanoporous. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the nanostructured electrochemical sensors based on patterning methods show the electrochemical activities. Anionic poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) layers were selectively and uniformly deposited onto the catalase (CAT)-coated surface using the micro-contact printing method. The pH-induced charge reversal of catalase can provide the selective deposition of consecutive PE multilayers onto patterned PSS layers by causing the electrostatic repulsion between next PE layer and catalase. Based on this patterning method, the hybrid patterned multilayers composed of platinum nanoparticles (PtNP) and catalase were prepared and then their electrochemical properties were investigated from sensing $H_2O_2$ and NO gas. This study was based on the papers reported by our group. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128, 9935 (2006); Adv. Mater. 19, 4364 (2007); Electro. Mater. Lett. 3, 163 (2007)).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.455-462
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• 2000

The objective of this study was to examine the physicochemical characteristics of coagulation reaction between loess and red tide organisms (RTO) and its feasibility, in developing a technology for the removal of RTO bloom in coastal sea. The physicochemical characteristics of loess were examined for a particle size distribution, surface characteristics by scanning electron microscope, zeta potential, and alkalinity and pH variations in sea water. Two kinds of RTO that were used in this study, Cylindrothen closterium and Skeietonema costatum, were sampled in Masan bay and were cultured in laboratory. Coagulation experiments were conducted using various concentrations of loess, RTO, and a jar tester. The supernatant and RTO culture solution were analyzed for pH, alkalinity, RTO cell number. A negative zeta potential of loess increased with increasing pH at $10^(-3)M$ NaCl solution and had -71.3 mV at pH 9.36. Loess had a positive zeta potential of +1,8 mV at pH 1.98, which resulted in a characteristic of material having an amphoteric surface charge. In NaCl and $CaCl_2$, solutions, loess had a decreasing negative zeta potential with increasing $Na^+\;and\;Ca^(+2)$ ion concentration and then didn't result in a charge reversal due to not occurring specific adsorption for $Na^+$ ion while resulted in a charge reversal due to occurring specific adsorption for $Ca^(+2)$ ion. In sea water, loess and RTO showed the similar zeta potential values of -112,1 and -9.2 mV, respectively and sea sand powder showed the highest zeta potential value of -25.7 mV in the clays. EDLs (electrical double-layers) of loess and RTO were extremely compressed due to high concentration of salts included in sea water, As a result, there didn't almost exist EDL repulsive force between loess and RTO approaching each other and then LVDW (London-yan der Waals) attractive force was always larger than EDL repulsive force to easily form a floe. Removal rates of RTO exponentially increased with increasing a loess concentration. The removal rates steeply increased until $800 mg/l$ of loess, and reached $100{\%}$ at 6,400 mg/l of loess. Removal rates of RTO exponentially increased with increasing a G-value. This indicated that mixing (i.e., collision among particles) was very important for a coagulation reaction. Loess showed the highest RTO removal rates in the clays.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 1985

Orbital interactions between two nonbonding orbitals have been investigated for heteroatom analogues of trimethylene diradical using MINDO/3 and STO-3G methods. The results showed that the conformers in which significant ${\sigma}$-aromatic stabilization is involved exhibited level order reversal to $n_-$ below $n_+$ as it was found for trimethylene diradical. Lone pair orbitals (LPO) were found to be stabilized by charge dispersion accompanying vicinal trans $n-{\sigma}^*$ interaction and hydrogen bonding. In systems with different heteroatoms, N and O, the contribution of the LPO of oxygen, $n_O$ was always greater in the lower level whereas that of nitrogen, nN, was greater in the higher level as can be expressed as : $n_{\pm}$(lower) = $n_O{\pm}{\lambda}_Nn_N.\;n_{\pm}(higher)\;=\;n_N{\pm}{\lambda}_On_O$. where ${\lambda}_i$< 1.0

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2002

Dispersion stability of nano-sized rutile TiO$_2$powder with acicular typed primary particle produced by homogeneous precipitation process at low temperatures was studied in aqueous and non-aqueous media in the presence of various electrolytes. The zeta potential measurements have shown that the addition of electrolytes to aqueous and non-aqueous dispersion media leads to charge reversal on TiO$_2$particle surface. The electrostatic repulsive forces acting on between TiO$_2$particles dispersed in non-aqueous media were found to be significantly greater than that in aqueous media, which relate closely to the physical properties of the organic solvents, such as viscosities and dielectric constants. The pH values, the concentration of electrolytes and the valence of the ions have changed greatly the surface potential of TiO$_2$ particles and have governed the dispersion behavior of TiO$_2$particles virtually.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.288-294
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• 2009

Various polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) startup procedures were tested to explore possible techniques for reducing performance decay and improving durability during repeated startup-shutdown cycles. The effects of applying a dummy load, which prevents cell reversal by consuming the air at the cathode, on the degradation of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) were investigated via single cell experiments. The electrochemical results showed that application of a dummy load during the startup procedure significantly reduced the performance decay, the decrease in the electrochemically active surface area (EAS), and the increase in the charge transfer resistance ($R_{ct}$), which resulted in a dramatic improvement in durability. After 1200 startup-shutdown cycles, post-mortem analyses were carried out to investigate the degradation mechanisms via various physicochemical methods including FESEM, an on-line $CO_2$ analysis, EPMA, XRD, FETEM, SAED, FTIR. After 1200 startup-shutdown cycles, severe Pt particle sintering/agglomeration/dissolution and carbon corrosion were observed at the cathode catalyst layer when starting up a PEMFC without a dummy load, which significantly contributed to a loss of Pt surface area, and thus to cell performance degradation. However, applying a dummy load during the startup procedure remarkably mitigated such severe degradations, and should be used to increase the durability of MEAs in PEMFCs. Our results suggest that starting up PEMFCs while applying a dummy load is an effective method for mitigating performance degradation caused by reverse current under a repetition of unprotected startup cycles.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.9 no.10
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• pp.1032-1036
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• 1999

The electron emission and degradation of the ferroelectric Pb($\textrm{Zr}_{0.5}\textrm{Ti}_{0.5}$)$\textrm{O}_3$ ceramics by the pulse electric field have been investigated as a function of the upper electrode diameter. Polarization increased with the decrease of the upper electrode diameter due to the increase of the volume fraction participated in the polarization reversal near the electrode edge. Simulation using ANSYS 5.3 for the electric field distribution showed that the electric field increased near the upper electrode edge of the asymmetric electrode structure. The ferroelectric volume near the upper electrode edge which contributed to the increase of the polarization and the emission charge per electrode diameter were independent on the upper electrode diameter. Polarization and dielectric constant were decreased due to the erosion of the upper electrode with repeating the emission cycles, but they were recovered by the electrode regeneration. The degradation of the ferroelectric surface resulted in the increase of the coercive field and dielectric loss.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1379-1384
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• 2004

Rearrangements of 1,3-oxathiolane sulfoxides 8 and 9 in the presence of base are described from a mechanistic viewpoint of sigmatropic and elimination reactions. In the presence of triethylamine the (Z)-sulfoxide 8 gave the corresponding thiolsulfinate 10 by way of dimerization of the sulfenic acid intermediate 2 at room temperature while the (E)-sulfoxide 9 was recovered even after refluxing in ethyl acetate by the reversal of the [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of the sulfenic acid 4. Triethylamine promoted the developing charge separation in the transition state of the sigmatropic rearrangement of the (Z)-sulfoxide 8 to facilitate the ring opening to the sulfenic acid 2. The reason for more facile ring opening of the (Z)-sulfoxide 8 in comparison with the corresponding (E)-sulfoxide 9 is attributable to the differences in the reactivity of the hydrogen adjacent to the carbonyl group. Triethylamine was not strong base to deprotonate the carbonyl-activated methylene hydrogen of the (E)-sulfoxide 9 but enough to catalyze the sigmatropic process of the sulfoxides. The sulfenic acid 2 dimerized to the thiolsulfinate 10 while the sulfenic acid 4 proceeded the sigmatropic ring closure. In the presence of strong base such as potassium hydroxide, the elimination reaction was predominant over the sigmatropic rearrangement. In this reaction condition, both sulfoxides 8a and 9a gave a mixture of the disulfide 12, the isomeric disulfide 14, and the sulfinic acid 13. Under the strong alkaline condition an elimination of activated hydrogen from the carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group to furnish the sulfenic acid 2a and the isomeric sulfenic acid 18. The formation of the transient intermediate in the reaction was proven by isolation of the isomeric disulfide 14. The reactive entity was regarded as the sulfenic acid rather than sulfenate anion under these reaction conditions.