• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.13-17
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• 2015

In superconducting coil applications particularly in wet wound coils, coated conductor (CC) tapes are subjected to different type of stresses. These include hoop stress acting along the length of the CC tape and the Lorentz force acting perpendicular to the CC tape's surface. Since the latter is commonly associated with delamination problem of multi-layered CC tapes, more understanding and attention on the delamination phenomena induced in the case of coil applications are needed. Difference on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of each constituent layer of the CC tape, the bobbin, and the impregnating materials is the main causes of delamination in CC tapes when subjected to thermal cycling. The CC tape might also experience cyclic loading due to the energizing scheme (on - off) during operation. In the design of degradation-free superconducting coils, therefore, characterization of the delamination behaviors including mechanism and strength in REBCO CC tapes becomes critical. In this study, transverse tensile tests were conducted under different loading conditions using different size of upper anvils on the GdBCO CC tapes. The mechanical and electromechanical delamination strength behaviors of the CC tapes under transverse tensile loading were examined and a two-parameter Weibull distribution analysis was conducted in statistical aspects. As a result, the CC tape showed similar range of mechanical delamination strength regardless of cross-head speed adopted. On the other hand, cyclic loading might have affected the CC tape in both upper anvil sizes adopted.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.96-103
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• 1998

Purpose : To assess the clinical utility of turbo contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography(CE MRA) in the evaluation of the aortic arch and its major branches and to compare the image quality of CE MRA among different coils used. Materials and Methods : Turbo three-phase dynamic CE MRA encompassing aortic arch and its major branches was prospectively performed after manual bolus IV injection of contrast material in 29 patients with suspected cerebrovascular diseases at 1.0T MR unit. the raw data were obtained with 3-D FISH sequence (TR 5.4ms, TE 2.3ms, flip angle 30, slab thickness 80nm, effective slice thickness 4.0mm, matrix size $100{\times}256$, FOV 280mm). Total data acquisition time was 4. to 60 seconds. We subjectively evaluated the imge quality with three-rating scheme : "good" for unequivocal normal finding, "fair" for relatively satisfactory quality to diagnose 'normal' despite intravascular low signal, and "poor" for equivocal diagnosis or non-visualization of the origin or segment of the vessels due to low signal or artifacts which needs catheter angiography. At the level of the carotid bifurcation, it was compared with conventional 2D-TOF MRA image. Overall image quality was also compared visually and quantitatively by measuring signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the ascending aorta, the innominate artery and both common carotid arteries among the three different coils used(CP body array(n=12), CP neck array(n=9), and head-and-neck(n=8). Results : Demonstration of the aortic arch and its major branches was rated as "good" in 55% (16/29) and "fair" in 34%(10/29). At the level of the carotid bifurcation, image quality of turbo CE MRA was same as or better than conventional 2D-TOF MRA in 65% (17/26). Overall image quality and SNR were significantlygreater with CP body array coil than with CP neck array or head-and-neck coil. Conclusions : Turbo CE MRA can be used as a screening exam in the evaluation of the major branches of the aortic arch from their origin to the skull base. Overall imagequality appears to be better with CP body array coil than with CP neck array coil or head-and-neck coil.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.665-672
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• 2013

In radiology department, where patients with a variety of diseases receive their tests, there is a large possibility of cross contamination of nosocomial infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests take particularly more time than other tests do, which increases the possibility of being exposed to cross contamination. Therefore, this research examines the status of MRI equipment sterilization and investigates the bacterial distribution on head coils, which have the most frequent contact with patients, patient fixation blocks, and bores, which are confined spaces. The status of MRI equipment disinfection was examined by a survey targeting 150 employees, and the distribution of bacteria was measured in ten medical facilities. The result of bacterial distribution tests on MRI equipment showed various bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Sphingomona, Pantoea agglomeranss, Micrococcus, Bacillus, Saprophyticus, Brevundimona, and Myroidesspecies. The result of examining the stat us of MRI room disinfection showed that the disinfections of the head coil, block, and bore were implemented well, and the largest proportion was carried out once a day in the morning. The time and implementation of disinfection by the disinfection manager showed that they were implemented well when the manager was the MRI room examiner. The disinfection after examining a patient using an appropriate disinfectant is mandatory to prevent cross contamination.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2009

We have investigated the characteristics of a superconductive Pb shield for hemispherical shape and plate to improving signal-to-noise ratio(SNR) of biomagnetism. We measured the shielding factor for the position of helmet shape Pb and for changing the distance from Pb surface. To make a uniform magnetic field, a $1.5m{\times}1.5m$ set of the helmholtz coils activated at several frequencies. The shielding factor of hemispherical shape Pb was from 20 to 57 dB and of Pb plate was about $6{\sim}26dB$ as a function of distance from the lead surface. The shielding factor was rapidly reduced as increasing the distance from Pb surface. The white noise of superconductive quantum interference device(SQUID) with a superconductive shield was about $12fT/Hz^{1/2}$ at 1 Hz, $7fT/Hz^{1/2}$ at 100 Hz. The white noise was more increased about two times than conventional SQUID system without Pb shielding. An auditory signal was measured by first order gradiometer and magnetometer with Pb superconductive shield and compared the SNR. The SQUID system with Pb shield had better performance at low frequency noise level.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.422-427
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of the number of acquisitions (NEX) on signal-to-noise (SNR) and artifacts in SENSE parallel imaging of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 3.0T MR System, 8 Channel sensitivity encoding (SENSE) head coils were used along with an in-vivo phantom. Reference sequence of 3D fast field echo (FFE) was consisted of NEX values of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. The T2 turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence used for exams achieved SENSE factors of 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, 3.5, 3.8 and 4.0. Exams were conducted five times for each SENSE factor to measure signal intensity of the object, the posterior phase-encode direction and frequency direction. And SNR was calculated using mean values. SENSE artifacts were identified as background signal intensity in the phase-encoded direction using MRIcro. It was found that SNR increased but SENSE artifacts reduced with NEX of 4, 8 and 12 when the NEX increased in reference scan. It is therefore concluded that image quality can be improved with NEX of 4, 8 and 12 for reference scanning.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.78-78
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• 2002

Purpose： The purpose of this study is to describe a distributed circuit approach to high frequency volume coil design illustrated with specific coils built accordingly and results obtained from animal studies at 3.0 tesla. Method： All experiments were conducted on 3T MRI system (Medinus Co., Ltd. Korea). The tuned TEM resonator measures 15cm outer diameter. by 10cm inside diameter by 30cm in length. The inside diameter and length were determined by animals body or head size (eg. rats or small dogs, etc.) while the outer diameter was chosen for compactness with some sacrifice of the optimal coil Q predicted for a larger cavity. A spin echo sequence with a TR/TE/flip angle=500/12.4ms/$75^{\circ}$was used to check image qualities with phantom. The breed of rat which used for animal images was Sprague-dawley(SD) and was anesthetic using ketamin hydrochloride 75mg/kg.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.657-665
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• 2019

In this study, we conducted a study on the transcranial magnetic electrode, a method for the study of dementia and muscle pain, a neurodegenerative disease caused by an aging society, which is becoming a problem worldwide. In particular, transcranial magnetic electrodes have been studied to improve their ability to be deteriorated by dementia symptoms such as speech, cognitive ability, and memory by outputting magnetism deep into the brain using coils on the head epidermis. In this study, simulation was performed using Maxwell 3D program for the design of coil, the core of transcranial magnetic electrode. As a result of the simulation comparison between the coil designed by the previous research and the coil through the research and development, the output was found to be superior to the conventional designed coil. The graphs of the coil outputs of B-Field and H-Field are found to be symmetrical, but the symmetry between each coil is pseudo-symmetrical and not accurate. Based on these results, an experiment was conducted to confirm whether the output of the head epidermis through both coils is possible. In the magnitude field of the reverse-coil 2-coil analysis, the maximum output was 3.3920e + 004 H [A_per_meter], and the vector field showed the strongest magnetic field around 35 to 165 degrees. It was confirmed that the magnetic output canceled due to the magnetic output. In the case of the forward 2-coil, a maximum of 3.2348e + 004H [A_per_meter] similar to the reverse coil was observed, but in the case of the vector field, the magnetic output regarding the forward output and the head skin output was confirmed. However, when the height change in the output coil, the magnetic output was reduced.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate MR image qualities we developed a new MRI phantom with the fixation structures necessary to position it into coil firmly. Materials and methods : We designed MRI phantom for eight evaluation items such as slice thickness accuracy, high contrast spatial resolution, low contrast object detectability, geometry accuracy, slice position accuracy, image intensity uniformity, percent signal ghosting and signal to noise ratio. For the positioning of phantom at coils, the fixation structures were set up on the surface of phantom. Six different MRI units were used for test the possibility for the clinical application and their image qualities were evaluated. Results : We acquired appropriate MR image qualities enough for the evaluation on all used MR units and confirmed that their evaluations were within reliable values compared to real ones for some items. The positioning of our phantom into head coils with fixation structures worked well for proper imaging. Conclusion : We found that our prototype of MRI phantom had the possibility of clinical application for MR image quality assessment.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.398-402
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• 2008

Recently, the development of superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) has been required as power demands increase in the power system. A distribution-level prototype resistive SFCL using coated conductor (CC) has been developed by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and Yonsei University for the first time in the world. The ratings of the SFCL are 13.2kV/630A at normal operating condition. A novel non-inductive winding method is used in fabricating coils so there is almost zero impedance during normal operation. The distribution SFCL is cooled by sub-cooled liquid nitrogen $(LN_2)$ of 65K and 3 bar to enhance cryo-dielectric performance, critical current density, and thermal conductivity. In order to make reliable operation of an SFCL in real power systems, we monitored and controled its operation conditions by using supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) method. Thus, a monitoring system for the SFCL employing information technology (IT) is proposed and developed to be on the lookout for the operation conditions such as inside temperature, inside pressure, $LN_2$ level, voltage and current. Since operation temperature should be kept constant, bang-bang control for temperature feedback with a heater attached to the cold head of cryo-cooler is applied to the system. Short-circuit tests with prospective fault current of 10kA and AC dielectric withstand voltage tests up to 143kV for 1 minute were successfully performed at Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute. This paper deals with the development of a distribution level SFCL and its monitoring system for reliable operation.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.27-31
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• 2004

This paper describes the development and fabrication of a high temperature superconducting motor which consists of HTS rotor and air-core stator. The machine was designed for the rated power of 100hp at 1800 rpm. The HTS field windings are composed of the double-pancake coils wound with AMSC's SUS-reinforced Bi-2223 tape conductor. These were assembled on the support structure and fixed by a bandage of glass-fiber composite. The cooling system is based on the heat transfer mechanism of the thermosyphon by using GM cryocooler as cooling source. The cold head is in contact with the condenser of a Ne-filled thermosyphon. The rotor assembly was tested independently at the stationary state and combined with stator. Characteristic parameters such as reactances, inductances, and time constants were determined to obtain a consistent overview of the machine operation properties. This motor has met all design parameters by demonstrating HTS field winding, cryogenic refrigeration systems and an air-core armature winding cooled with air. The HTS field winding could be cooled down below 30K. No-load test of open-circuit characteristics(OCC) and short-circuit characteristics(SCC) and load test with resistive load bank were conducted in generator mode. Maximum operating current of field winding at 30K was 120A. From OCC and SCC test results synchronous inductance and synchronous reactance were 2.4mH, 0.49pu, respectively. Efficiency of this HTS machine was 93.3% in full load(100hp) test. This paper will present design, construction, and basic experimental test results of the 100hp HTS machine.