• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.429-438
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• 2021

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is widely used in the food industry for products such as nata de coco. The mechanical properties of BC hydrogels, including stiffness and viscoelasticity, are determined by the hydrated fibril network. Generally, Komagataeibacter bacteria produce gluconic acids in a glucose medium, which may affect the pH, structure and mechanical properties of BC. In this work, the effect of pH buffer on the yields of Komagataeibacter hansenii strain ATCC 53582 was studied. The bacterium in a phosphate and phthalate buffer with low ionic strength produced a good BC yield (5.16 and 4.63 g/l respectively), but there was a substantial reduction in pH due to the accumulation of gluconic acid. However, the addition of gluconic acid enhanced the polymer density and mechanical properties of BC hydrogels. The effect was similar to that of the bacteria using glycerol in another carbon metabolism circuit, which provided good pH stability and a higher conversion rate of carbon. This study may broaden the understanding of how carbon sources affect BC biosynthesis.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.96-102
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• 2023

Sn-Pb narrow-bandgap perovskite solar cells, which is a light-harvesting layer thicker than 1.3 micrometers, is needed to enhance the low photocurrent. The fabrication of such a thick film through solution processing is a key challenge. Here, we studied and characterized the film by using a precursor solution of increased concentration, comparing it with the universally used 1-micrometer Sn-Pb perovskite film. The increase in molar concentration clearly induced thickness enhancement, but we observed that it also created numerous voids at the interface with bottom charge transporting layer. We hypothesized that these voids might hinder the increase in photocurrent associated with thickness enhancement. By introducing methylammonium chloride (MACl), we successfully fabricated Sn-Pb perovskite film with a thickness of 1.3 micrometer and no voids. Void-controlled Sn-Pb perovskite solar cells not only demonstrated superior short-circuit current density compared to those with voids but also operated smoothly under light exposure.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.156-156
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• 2022

Explicitly spatially distributed and reliable data on industrial water demand is very much important for both policy makers and researchers in order to carry a region-specific analysis of water resources management. However, such type of data remains scarce particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries. Current research is limited in using different spatially available socio-economic, climate data and geographical data from different sources in accordance to predict industrial water demand at finer resolution. This study proposes a random forest regression (RFR) model to predict the industrial water demand at 0.50× 0.50 spatial resolution by combining various features extracted from multiple data sources. The dataset used here include National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP)/Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) night-time light (NTL), Global Power Plant database, AQUASTAT country-wise industrial water use data, Elevation data, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Road density, Crop land, Population, Precipitation, Temperature, and Aridity. Compared with traditional regression algorithms, RF shows the advantages of high prediction accuracy, not requiring assumptions of a prior probability distribution, and the capacity to analyses variable importance. The final RF model was fitted using the parameter settings of ntree = 300 and mtry = 2. As a result, determinate coefficients value of 0.547 is achieved. The variable importance of the independent variables e.g. night light data, elevation data, GDP and population data used in the training purpose of RF model plays the major role in predicting the industrial water demand.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.455-461
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• 2023

We investigated the electrical characteristics of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with air exposure that is a widely used electron transport layer for quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). Upon air exposure, we observed changes in the density of states (DOS) of the trap levels of ZnO NPs. In particular, with air exposure, the concentration of deep trap energy levels in ZnO NPs decreased and electron mobility significantly improved. Consequently, the air-exposed ZnO reduced leakage current by approximately one order of magnitude and enhanced the external quantum efficiency at the low driving voltage region of the QLED. In addition, based on the excellent conductivity properties, high-brightness QLEDs could be achieved.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.511-516
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• 2023

Amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O (a-IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) with a coplanar structure were fabricated to investigate the feasibility of their potential application in large size organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Drain currents, used as functions of the gate voltages for the TFTs, showed the output currents had slight differences in the saturation region, just as the output currents of the etch stopper TFTs did. The maximum difference in the threshold voltages of the In-Ga-Zn-O (a-IGZO) TFTs was as small as approximately 0.57 V. After the application of a positive bias voltage stress for 50,000 s, the values of the threshold voltage of the coplanar structure TFTs were only slightly shifted, by 0.18 V, indicative of their stability. The coplanar structure TFTs were embedded in OLEDs and exhibited a maximum luminance as large as 500 nits, and their color gamut satisfied 99 % of the digital cinema initiatives, confirming their suitability for large size and high resolution OLEDs. Further, the image density of large-size OLEDs embedded with the coplanar structure TFTs was significantly enhanced compared with OLEDs embedded with conventional TFTs.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.28-40
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• 1994

Xerostomia and xerophthalmia are delicate or serous side effects, occuring when the radiotherapy is administered to the head and neck cancer patient. It is known that the cause of the above side effect is radiosensitivity of serous cells. In this study, the ultrastructural features of the parotid glands of the X-irradiated rats were observed. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250g each were anesthetized with sodium thiopental, and placed on the Mitsubishi linear accelerator. Only the head and neck areas of animals were exposured at the distance of 80cm, within the area of $30X30cm$, in the depth of 1cm, with the speed of 200R/min. Total doses applied were 3,000R or 6,000R depending on the experimental groups. Animals were sacrificed on the 6th hour, 2nd day and 6th day after the irradiation. Parotid glands were fixed in the 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde solution, and followed by refixation in the 1% osmium tetroxide solution. Dehydrated blocks were embedded in araldite mixture, and ultrathin sections were cut. Sections were contrasted with the solution of uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and observed with JEM 100 CX-II electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1. Normal parotid acinar cells are two types; the light and the dark acinar cells. The light acinar cell contains dense secretory granules, whereas dark acinar cells contains granules of medium density with some darker spots within them, or other cells contain granules of medium density with darker rims. 2. Six hours after the irradiation, many acinar cells were degenerated showing variable stages of cytolytic bodies, light bodies, or dense degenerations. Within the acinar cell, Golgi apparatus and granular endoplasmic reticula were most severely altered elements. Granules showed more contrasting densities and irregularities. 3. Two days after the irradiation, some cytolytic bodies, and focal lucent degeneration of cytoplasm, and fine granular alteration of cytoplasmic matrix were pronounced. But other elements including secretory granules are rather looked unlatered. 4. Six days after the irradiation, most severe alterations were seen. Many intracellular canaliculi (or secretion figures), quanta of cytoplasm containing secretion antecedants, severely irregular luminal border, and again contrasting density of secretory granules showing tigroid spots or dense rims were noted. And myoepithelial degenerations were observed not uncommonly. 5. Irregular densities of secretory granules were interpreted as abnormal components of protein or carbohydrate portion are synthesized or abnormally metabolized under severe X-irradiation. 6. Myoepithelial degeneration and related alteration of nerve endings, etc., were suggested as the other causes of xerostomia following X-irradiation. 7. It is requested that radiation doses should be arranged, considering in mind not only the sensitivity of acinar cells but also the myoepithelial and neural functions.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.228-233
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• 2013

This study was conducted to examine the effect of light intensity and photoperiod of white LEDs as the artificial light source on the growth of leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) 'Seonhong Jeokchukmyeon' in a closed-type plant production system. Seedlings, transplanted at a density of $20cm{\times}20cm$ in a completely randomized design, were grown under white LEDs (FC Poibe Co. Ltd., Korea), at one of the 3 light intensities (100, 200, or $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$), and each with one of 3 photoperiods [12/12, 18/6, or 24/0 (Light/Dark)]. Plants were cultured for 22 days under the condition of $21{\pm}2^{\circ}C$, $60{\pm}10%$ RH, and $400{\pm}50{\mu}mol{\cdot}mol^{-1}\;CO_2$. The greatest leaf length and width, fresh and dry weights, and total anthocyanin content were obtained in the 24/0 photoperiod, regardless of the light intensity. Length of the longest root, fresh and dry weights, and number of leaves were greater in light intensity of $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ than 100 or $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. Chlorophyll value was the greatest in the photoperiod 12/12 than 18/6 or 24/0. The results obtained suggest that plant grew the best kept by light intensity at 200 or $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, and photoperiod of 12/12 or 18/6.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.493-493
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• 2014

The manufacturing cost of thin-film photovoltics can potentially be lowered by minimizing the amount of a semiconductor material used to fabricate devices. Thin-film solar cells are typically only a few micrometers thick, whereas crystalline silicon (c-Si) wafer solar cells are $180{\sim}300\mu}m$ thick. As such, thin-film layers do not fully absorb incident light and their energy conversion efficiency is lower compared with that of c-Si wafer solar cells. Therefore, effective light trapping is required to realize commercially viable thin-film cells, particularly for indirect-band-gap semiconductors such as c-Si. An emerging method for light trapping in thin film solar cells is the use of metallic nanostructures that support surface plasmons. Plasmon-enhanced light absorption is shown to increase the cell photocurrent in many types of solar cells, specifically, in c-Si thin-film solar cells and in poly-Si thin film solar cell. By proper engineering of these structures, light can be concentrated and coupled into a thin semiconductor layer to increase light absorption. In many cases, silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NP) are formed either on the front surface or on the rear surface on the cells. In case of poly-Si thin film solar cells, Ag NPs are formed on the rear surface of the cells due to longer wavelengths are not perfectly absorbed in the active layer on the first path. In our cells, shorter wavelengths typically 300~500 nm are also not effectively absorbed. For this reason, a new concept of plasmonic nanostructure which is NPs formed both the front - and the rear - surface is worth testing. In this simulation Al NPs were located onto glass because Al has much lower parasitic absorption than other metal NPs. In case of Ag NP, it features parasitic absorption in the optical frequency range. On the other hand, Al NP, which is non-resonant metal NP, is characterized with a higher density of conduction electrons, resulting in highly negative dielectric permittivity. It makes them more suitable for the forward scattering configuration. In addition to this, Ag NP is located on the rear surface of the cell. Ag NPs showed good performance enhancement when they are located on the rear surface of our cells. In this simulation, Al NPs are located on glass and Ag NP is located on the rear Si surface. The structure for the simulation is shown in figure 1. Figure 2 shows FDTD-simulated absorption graphs of the proposed and reference structures. In the simulation, the front of the cell has Al NPs with 70 nm radius and 12.5% coverage; and the rear of the cell has Ag NPs with 157 nm in radius and 41.5% coverage. Such a structure shows better light absorption in 300~550 nm than that of the reference cell without any NPs and the structure with Ag NP on rear only. Therefore, it can be expected that enhanced light absorption of the structure with Al NP on front at 300~550 nm can contribute to the photocurrent enhancement.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the phototoxic effects of blue light exposure on periodontal pathogens in both planktonic and biofilm cultures. Methods: Strains of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, in planktonic or biofilm states, were exposed to visible light at wavelengths of 400.520 nm. A quartz-tungsten-halogen lamp at a power density of $500mW/cm^2$ was used for the light source. Each sample was exposed to 15, 30, 60, 90, or 120 seconds of each bacterial strain in the planktonic or biofilm state. Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) was used to observe the distribution of live/dead bacterial cells in biofilms. After light exposure, the bacterial killing rates were calculated from colony forming unit (CFU) counts. Results: CLSM images that were obtained from biofilms showed a mixture of dead and live bacterial cells extending to a depth of $30-45{\mu}m$. Obvious differences in the live-to-dead bacterial cell ratio were found in P. gingivalis biofilm according to light exposure time. In the planktonic state, almost all bacteria were killed with 60 seconds of light exposure to F. nucleatum (99.1%) and with 15 seconds to P. gingivalis (100%). In the biofilm state, however, only the CFU of P. gingivalis demonstrated a decreasing tendency with increasing light exposure time, and there was a lower efficacy of phototoxicity to P. gingivalis as biofilm than in the planktonic state. Conclusions: Blue light exposure using a dental halogen curing unit is effective in reducing periodontal pathogens in the planktonic state. It is recommended that an adjunctive exogenous photosensitizer be used and that pathogens be exposed to visible light for clinical antimicrobial periodontal therapy.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.109-115
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• 2000

This study was designed to evaluate the microhardness of restorative composite resin and dual-cured composite resin cement which were light cured through the 1.5mm thickness composite overlay. For restorative materials, Z100 and Tetric Ceram were used. For dual cured composite cements, Variolink II((VL II) of three consistency (low, high, ultra high) were used. To determine the optimal microhardness of Z100, Tetric Ceram and Variolink II, each material was packed into the 1mm thickness teflon mold without composite overlay and light cured for 60 seconds. Then the microhardnesses of each sample were measured, averaged and regarded as optimal hardness of each material. To evaluate the microhardness of restorative composite resin and dual-cured composite resin cement which were light cured through the 1.5mm thickness composite overlay, the composites were packed into 1mm thickness teflon mold, coverd with celluloid strip, and then precured composite overlay which was made of Targis(Ivoclar/Vivadent, Liechtenstein) was positioned. 2 types of visible light curing machine, the power density of one of which was 400$mW/cm^2$ and the other was 900$mW/cm^2$, and one type of argon laser were used to cure the restorative composite and dual cured cement. For each group, 10 sample were assigned. The light curing tip was positioned over the composite overlay and light cured for 1min., 2min. or 3min with visible light curing machine or 15sec, 30 sec, 45sec, and 60 sec with argon laser. The Vickers hardnesses of upper and lower surface of Z100, Tetric Ceram, and 3 types of VL II cement were measured. When the 900 $mW/cm^2$ curing light was used, 2min. was needed for optimal curing of Z100 and Tetric Ceram. Variolink II did not be cured optimally even though the curing time was extended to 3min. When 400$mW/cm^2$ curing light was used, 3min. was necessary for Z100, whereas 3min. was not enough for Tetric Ceram. Variolink II was not cured optimally even though the curing time was extended to 3min. When argon laser was used, Z100, Tetric Ceram and Variolink II were not cured optimally in 60 seconds.