• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.61.1-61.1
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• 2010

$CuIn_{1-x}-GaxSe_2$ based materials with direct bandgap and high absorption coefficient are promising materials for high efficiency hetero-junction solar cells. CIGS champion cell efficiency(19.9%, AM1.5G) is very close to polycrystalline silicon(20.3%, AM1.5G). A reduction in the price of CIGS module is required for competing with well matured silicon technology. Price reduction can be achieved by decreasing the manufacturing cost and by increasing module efficiency. Manufacturing cost is mostly dominated by capital cost. Device properties of CIGS are strongly dependent on doping, defect chemistry and structure which in turn are dependent on growth conditions. The complex chemistry of CIGS is not fully understood to optimize and scale processes. Control of the absorber grain size, structural quality, texture, composition profile in the growth direction is important to achieving reliable device performance. In the present work, CIS nanoparticles were prepared by a simple wet chemical synthesis method and their structural and optical properties were investigated. XRD patterns of as-grown nanopowders indicate CIS(Cubic), $CuSe_2$(orthorhombic) and excess selenium. Further, as-grown and annealed nanopowders were characterized by HRTEM and ICP-OES. Grain growth of the nanopowders was followed as a function of temperature using HT-XRD with overpressure of selenium. It was found that significant grain growth occurred between $300-400^{\circ}C$ accompanied by formation of ${\beta}-Cu_{2-x}Se$ at high temperature($500^{\circ}C$) consistent with Cu-Se phase diagram. The result suggests that grain growth follows VLS mechanism which would be very useful for low temperature, high quality and economic processing of CIGS based solar cells.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.52-52
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• 2010

CIS(CuInSe2)계 화합물 태양전지는 높은 광흡수계수와 열적 안정성으로 고효율 태양전지 제조가 가능하여 태양전지용 광흡수층으로 매우 이상적이다. 미국 NREL에서는 이러한 CIGS 태양전지를 Co-evaporation 방법으로 제조 20%이상의 에너지 변환 효율을 달성하였다고 보고하였다. CIGS 태양전지의 경우 기존의 유리 기판 대신 유연한 철강 기판을 사용해 태양전지를 flexible하게 제조 할 수 있다는 장점이 있다. 이러한 flexible 태양전지의 경우 기존의 rigid 태양전지의 적용분야 뿐만 아니라 BIPV, 선박, 장난감, 군용, 자동차등 더욱더 많은 분야에 활용이 가능하다. 하지만 flexible 태양전지에 사용되는 철강기판의 경우 기존의 유리 기판인 SLG에 함유되어 있는 Na이 첨가되어 있지 않아 별도의 Na 첨가가 필요하다. Na은 CIGS 광흡수층의 결정을 증가 시키며 태양전지의 전기적 특성을 향상시킨다. 이러한 Na이 없는 경우 효율이 감소한다. 따라서 flexible 태양전지 개발을 위해서는 Na 첨가에 대한 연구가 필수적이다. 본 연구에서는 Na의 증착 순서를 변화시켜서 CIGS 증착 전, 동시증착, CIGS 증착 후로 나누어 CIGS 광흡수층 결정성의 변화를 알아보고자 한다. Na의 두께를 5nm에서 500nm 까지 단계 별로 나누어 실험을 실시하였다. 이때 CIGS 광흡수층은 미국의 NREL과 같은 3 stage 방식을 이용하였다. 1st stage의 시간은 15분으로 고정하였으며 기판온도는 약 $300^{\circ}C$로 고정 하였다. 2nd stage는 실시간 온도 감지 장치를 이용하여 Cu와 In+Ga의 조성비가 1:1이 되는 시간을 기준으로 Cu의 조성을 30%더 높게 조절하였으며 기판 온도는 약 $640^{\circ}C$로 고정 후 실험을 실시하였다. 3rd stage의 경우 Cu poor 조성으로 조절하기 위해 모든 조건을 10분으로 고정 후 실험을 실시하였다. 기판은 Na의 영향만을 비교하기위하여 Na이 첨가되어있지 않은 corning glass를 사용하였다. 후면 전극으로 약 $1{\mu}m$ 두께의 Mo을 DC Sputtering 방법을 이용하여 증착 하였다. 각각의 Na 두께에 따른 CIGS 광흡수층의 특성을 분석하기 위해 FE-SEM, XRD 분석을 실시하였다.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2014

High-efficiency in $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ (CIGS) solar cells were usually achieved on soda-lime glass substrates due to Na incorporation that reduces deep-level defects. However, this supply of sodium from sodalime glass to CIGS through Mo back electrode could be limited at low deposition temperature. Na content could be more precisely controlled by supplying Na from known amount of an outside source. For the purpose, an $Na_2S$ layer was deposited on Mo electrode prior to CIGS film deposition and supplied to CIGS during CIGS film. With the $Na_2S$ underlayer a more uniform component distribution was possible at $350^{\circ}C$ and efficiency was improved compared to the cell without $Na_2S$ layer. With more precise control of bulk and surface component profile, CIGS film can be deposited at low temperature and could be useful for flexible CIGS solar cells.

• Carbon letters
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• v.24
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• pp.62-72
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• 2017

The aim of this work was to evaluate the dielectric properties of impregnated and activated palm kernel shells (PKSs) samples using two activating agents, potassium carbonate ($K_2CO_3$) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), at three impregnation ratios. The materials were characterized by moisture content, carbon content, ash content, thermal profile and functional groups. The dielectric properties were examined using an open-ended coaxial probe method at various microwave frequencies (1-6 GHz) and temperatures (25, 35, and $45^{\circ}C$). The results show that the dielectric properties varied with frequency, temperature, moisture content, carbon content and mass ratio of the ionic solids. PKSK1.75 (PKS impregnated with $K_2CO_3$ at a mass ratio of 1.75) and PKSN1.5 (PKS impregnated with NaOH at a mass ratio of 1.5) exhibited a high loss tangent ($tan{\delta}$) indicating the effectiveness of these materials to be heated by microwaves. $K_2CO_3$ and NaOH can act as a microwave absorber to enhance the efficiency of microwave heating for low loss PKSs. Materials with a high moisture content exhibit a high loss tangent but low penetration depth. The interplay of multiple operating frequencies is suggested to promote better microwave heating by considering the changes in the materials characteristics.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.138-138
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• 2009

Recently, thin-film solar cells of Cu(In,Ga)$Se_2$(CIGS) have reached a high level of performance, which has resulted in a 19.9%-efficient device. These conventional devices were typically fabricated using chemical bath deposited CdS buffer layer between the CIGS absorber layer and ZnO window layer. However, the short wavelength response of CIGS solar cell is limited by narrow CdS band gap of about 2.42 eV. Taking into consideration the environmental aspect, the toxic Cd element should be replaced by a different material. It is why during last decades many efforts have been provided to achieve high efficiency Cd-free CIGS solar cells. In order to alternate CdS buffer layer, ZnS buffer layer is grown by using chemical bath deposition(CBD) technique. The thickness and chemical composition of ZnS buffer layer can be conveniently by varying the CBD processing parameters. The processing parameters were optimized to match band gap of ZnS films to the solar spectrum and exclude the creation of morphology defects. Optimized ZnS buffer layer showed higher optical transmittance than conventional thick-CdS buffer layer at the short wavelength below ~520 nm. Then, chemically deposited ZnS buffer layer was applied to CIGS solar cell as a alternative for the standard CdS/CIGS device configuration. This CIGS solar cells were characterized by current-voltage and quantum efficiency measurement.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.106.1-106.1
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• 2011

The Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin film solar cells have been achieved until almost 20% efficiency by NREL. These solar cells include chemically deposited CdS as buffer layer between CIGS absorber layer and ZnO window layer. Although CIGS solar cells with CdS buffer layer show excellent performance, the short wavelength response of CIGS solar cell is limited by narrow CdS band gap of about 2.42 eV. Taking into consideration the environmental aspect, the toxic Cd element should be replaced by a different material. Among Cd-free candidate materials, the CIGS thin film solar cells with ZnS buffer layer seem to be promising with 17.2%(module by showa shell K.K.), 18.6%(small area by NREL). However, ZnS/CIGS solar cells still show lower performance than CdS/CIGS solar cells. There are several reported reasons to reduce the efficiency of ZnS/CIGS solar cells. Nakada reported ZnS thin film had many defects such as stacking faults, pin-holes, so that crytallinity of ZnS thin film is poor, compared to CdS thin film. Additionally, it was known that the hetero-interface between ZnS and CIGS layer made unfavorable band alignment. The unfavorable band alignment hinders electron transport at the heteo-interface. In this study, we focused on growing defect-free ZnS thin film and for favorable band alignment of ZnS/CIGS, bandgap of ZnS and CIGS, valece band structure of ZnS/CIGS were modified. Finally, we verified the photovoltaic properties of ZnS/CIGS solar cells.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.346-349
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• 2007

치밀한 $CuInSe_{2}$ (CIS) 태양전지용 광흡수층을 제조하기 위해 상용되는 출발물질을 이용하여 비진공방식인 paste coating 법으로 CIS 막을 제조하였다. 먼저 치밀한 CIS 막 제조를 위해 $Cu_{2}Se$의 액상 거동을 관찰하였다. 이러한 $Cu_{2}Se_{2}$의 액상거동을 위해 Se 분위기에서 Se 증발온도, 기판온도, 열처리시간 등을 다양하게 변화 시켰으며, Se 증발온도 $450^{\circ}C$, 기판온도 $550^{\circ}C$, 열처리시간 30분 그리고 수송가스 ($N_{2}$)를 20 sccm으로 최적조건을 형성하였다. 이러한 최적조건을 바탕으로 치밀한 CIS막을 위해 two-zone RIP (rapid temperature process) 방법으로 Se 분위기 안에서 셀렌화를 위한 열처리를 행하였다. 셀렌화를 위해 다양한 열처리시간에 따라 형성된 CIS 막은 CIS 광흡수층과 Mo 박막 사이에서 $MoSe_{2}$ 층이 형성되었지만, 균일한 CIS 막을 얻었으며 업자성장과 치밀화 거동을 관찰 하였다. 또한, CIS 막의 치밀화를 위해 Se 증발온도와 열처리시간을 고정하고 기판온도를 $600^{\circ}C$로 증가시켜 $Cu_{2}Se$의 액상거동을 관찰하였다. $600^{\circ}C$에서 형성된 CIS 막은 기판온도 $500^{\circ}C$의 시편보다 입자성장과 치밀화가 되었으나 기판으로 사용하는 soda-lime glass의 휨 현상이 발생하였다.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.265-271
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• 2016

We analyzed the interface characteristics of Zn-based thin-film buffer layers formed by a sulfur thermal cracker on a $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ (CIGS) light-absorber layer. The analyzed Zn-based thin-film buffer layers are processed by a proposed method comprising two processes - Zn-sputtering and cracker-sulfurization. The processed buffer layers are then suitable to be used in the fabrication of highly efficient CIGS solar cells. Among the various Zn-based film thicknesses, an 8 nm-thick Zn-based film shows the highest power conversion efficiency for a solar cell. The band alignment of the buffer/CIGS was investigated by measuring the band-gap energies and valence band levels across the depth direction. The conduction band difference between the near surface and interface in the buffer layer enables an efficient electron transport across the junction. We found the origin of the energy band structure by observing the chemical states. The fabricated buffer/CIGS layers have a structurally and chemically distinct interface with little elemental inter-diffusion.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.352-362
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• 1991

Recent popular trends in pressurized water reactor(PWR) fuel management are to extend the cycle length and to employ the low-leakage core designs for the optimal utilization of the uranium resources. In control strategy incorporated with the fuel management, turnable absorbers are required to control the power peaking and to ensure a negative moderator temperature coefficient during reactor operation. In this study, the nuclear characteristics and the optimal allocation of gadolinium-poisoned rods within the fuel assembly are considered using KWU SAV 79 A Code Package. First, analyses are carried out to compare the nuclear characteristics of the fuel assemblies contain-ing WABA(Wet Annular Burnable Absorber) and Gadolinium burnable absorbers respectively. The analyses show that the gadolinium-bearing fuel assembly has peculiar depletion characteristics ensuing from the very large thermal neutron absorption cross section. Peculiar characteristics of gadolinium provide basis for the optimal allocation of Gd rods in fuel assembly. Second, the methodology of an optimal allocation of gadolinium-poisoned rods within the fuel assembly is developed and applied to some nuclear designs.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.843-848
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• 2013

As the LNG demands are growing, the constructions of LNG FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Off-loading) and LNG carriers have been constantly increased, and the various design of storage tank has been tried. This paper propose that the material of inner storage tanks is made of 5~9% Ni steel plate and perlite powder insulation instead of urethane foam block. It needs essentially to obtain the proper design specifications that are the pressure of perlite, the characteristics of resilient blanket as the pressure absorber, optimum thickness of blanket and design pressure of tank wall, etc. to enable the perlite insulation system to LNG carrier, The results show that the design thickness of blanket should be between 1/4 to 1/3 of insulation width and the optimum rate becomes 30%, and the design pressure be applied below 1,500 Pa with blanket thickness.