• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.104-115
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• 2019

Since the Fukushima Daiichi accident, there has been an emphasis on the risk resulting from multi-unit accidents. Human reliability analysis (HRA) is one of the important issues in multi-unit probabilistic safety assessment (MUPSA). Hence, there is a need to properly identify all the human and organizational factors relevant to a multi-unit incident scenario in a nuclear power plant (NPP). This study identifies and categorizes the human and organizational factors relevant to a multi-unit incident scenario of NPPs based on a review of relevant literature. These factors are then analyzed to ascertain all possible unit-to-unit interactions that need to be considered in the multi-unit HRA and the pattern of interactions. The human and organizational factors are classified into five categories: organization, work device, task, performance shaping factors, and environmental factors. The identification and classification of these factors will significantly contribute to the development of adequate strategies and guidelines for managing multi-unit accidents. This study is a necessary initial step in developing an effective HRA method for multiple NPP units in a site.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.205-215
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• 2019

A flexible polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite prototype with high piezoelectricity and force sensitivity was constructed, and its huge potential for applications such as biomechanical energy harvesting, self-powered health monitoring system, and pressure sensors was proved. The crystallization, piezoelectric, and electrical properties of the composites were characterized using an X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiment and customized experimental setups. The composite can sustain up to 100% strain, which is a huge improvement over monolithic PVDF fibers and other PVDF-based composites in the literature. The Young's modulus is 1.64 MPa, which is closely matched with the flexibility of the human skin, and shows the possibility for integrating PVDF/PDMS composites into wearable devices and implantable medical devices. The $300{\mu}m$ thick composite has a 14% volume fraction of PVDF fibers and produces high piezoelectricity with piezoelectric charge constants $d_{31}=19pC/N$ and $d_{33}=34pC/N$, and piezoelectric voltage constants $g_{31}=33.9mV/N$ and $g_{33}=61.2mV/N$. Under a 10 Hz actuation, the output voltage was measured at 190 mVpp, which is the largest output signal generated from a PVDF fiber-based prototype.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.450-457
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• 2021

From measured thermal conductivity and modeling by simulation, this study suggests that U-factors are highly related to materials used between steel and polymer. The objective and prospective point of this study are to relate the relationship between the U-factor and the thermal conductivity of the materials used. For the characterization, EDX, SEM, a thermal conductive meter, and computer simulation utility are used to analyze the elemental, surface structural properties, and U-factor with a simulation of the used material between steel and polymer. This study set out to divide the curtain wall system that makes up the envelope into an aluminum frame section and entrance frame section and interpret their thermal performance with U-factors. Based on the U-factor thermal analysis results, the target curtain wall system is divided into fix and vent types. The glass is 24 mm double glazing (6 mm common glass +12 mm Argon +6 mm Low E). The same U-factor of 1.45 W/m²·K is applied. The interpretation results show that the U-factor and total U-value of the aluminum frame section are 1.449 and 2.343 W/m²·K, respectively. Meanwhile, those of the entrance frame section are 1.449 and 2.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.23-31
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• 2021

Surface texturing is a promising route to reduce the friction forces between two surfaces in sliding contact. To this end, the fabrication of micro dimples is one of the most widely used surface texturing methods. According to published results, textured surfaces with elliptical micro dimples offer the best friction performance. Therefore, we fabricated elliptical micro dimples on carbon steel (SM45C) by using dual frequency vibration assisted machining. High and low frequencies of 16.3 kHz and 230 Hz were applied to the 3D resonant elliptical vibrator. The 3D resonant elliptical vibrator with a triangular cubic boron nitride insert was assembled on a computer numerically controlled turning lathe. Oval micro dimples of various profiles were manufactured on carbon steel. In terms of the profile of the elliptical micro dimples, the experimental results indicated that the average micro dimple width and depth were 112 ㎛ and 7.7 ㎛. These dimensions are closely related to the cutting conditions and can be easily controlled.

• Journal of the Korea Management Engineers Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.87-103
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• 2018

This paper introduces the method to develop two main types of the fuzzy OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) models via triangular membership function for measuring uncertainty. The fuzzy OEE includes model type 1 and model type 2. The model type 1 is used when the theoretical machine speed only reflects the time loss whereas model type 2 is used when the actual machine speed reflects both time and speed loss. Model type 2 has shown to perform a lower availability rate and a higher performance rate compared to model type 1. In addition, the fuzzy UPH (Unit Per Hour) which is derived from using the fuzzy OEE is presented to satisfy demand uncertainty. The fuzzy UPH can easily measure the fuzzy tact time and cycle time by reciprocating itself. Finally, this study demonstrates the fuzzy OEE models using IVIFS (Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set) based on the characterization via membership function, non-membership function and hesitant function. For the purpose of analyzing the fuzzy system OEE, the OEE for each machine of plant structure is considered triangular interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy number. Regardless of plant structure, the validity degree of fuzzy membership function of system OEE decreases when the number of machine with worst value of the validity degree increases. Corresponding examples are presented in this paper for practitioner to understand the applicability and practicability of the proposed fuzzy OEE methods.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.82-89
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• 2020

A systematic isolation and characterization study for Cassia auriculata (CA) seeds resulted in identifying antidiabetic compounds 1,3,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone and quercetin, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and ellagic acid. The ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography based triple quadrupole mass spectrometry methodology was developed and validated for simultaneous identification and confirmation of these compounds from CA seeds. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) based quantification method was developed with MRM optimizer software for MS1 and MS2 mass analysis. The method was optimized on precursor ions and product ions with the ion ratio of each compound. The calibration curves of seven bioactive analytes showed excellent linearity (r2 ≥ 0.99). The quantitation results found precise (RSD, < 10 %) with good recoveries (84.58 to 101.42%). The matrix effect and extraction recoveries were found within the range (91.66 to 102.11%) for the CA seeds. This is the first MS/MS-based methodology applied to quantifying seven antidiabetic compounds in CA seeds and its extract for quality control purposes.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.601-607
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• 2022

In recent years, monitoring of spent nuclear fuel inside dry cask storage has become an important area of national security. Muon tomography is a useful method for monitoring spent nuclear fuel because it uses high energy muons that penetrate deep into the target material and provides a 3-D structure of the inner materials. We designed a muon tomography system consisting of four 2-D position sensitive detector and characterized and optimized the system parameters. Each detector, measuring 200 × 200 cm², consists of a plastic scintillator, wavelength shifting (WLS) fibers and, SiPMs. The reconstructed image is obtained by extracting the intersection of the incoming and outgoing muon tracks using a Point-of-Closest-Approach (PoCA) algorithm. The Geant4 simulation was used to evaluate the performance of the muon tomography system and to optimize the design parameters including the pixel size of the muon detector, the field of view (FOV), and the distance between detectors. Based on the optimized design parameters, the spent fuel assemblies were modeled and the line profile was analyzed to conduct a feasibility study. Line profile analysis confirmed that muon tomography system can monitor nuclear spent fuel in dry storage container.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.366-371
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• 2022

Recently many efforts have been made to develop a novel class of non-fullerene electron acceptor materials for high-performance organic solar cells. In this work, anthraquinone derivatives, TMAQ and THAQ, were prepared and their availability as electron acceptor materials for organic solar cells were investigated in terms of optical, thermal, electrochemical properties, and solar cell devices. Compared to TMAQ, a significant bathochromic shift of absorption band was observed for THAQ owing to intramolecular hydrogen-bond-assisted CT interactions. Thanks to the fused aromatic ring structure and benzoquinone unit, both TMAQ and THAQ exhibited a high thermal stability and an efficient electron reduction process. In particular, the intramolecular O-H---O=C hydrogen bond of THAQ plays an important role in improving the thermal stability and electron reduction properties. In the P3HT:acceptor solar cell system, THAQ-based devices had more than ca. 6 times higher power conversion efficiency than TMAQ -based devices. These results serve as a guide for developing high-efficient anthraquinone-based electron acceptor materials.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.412-417
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• 2022

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) provide zero emission power sources for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices. Although significant progresses for the widespread application of electrochemical energy technology have been achieved, some drawbacks such as catalytic activity, durability, and high cost of catalysts still remain. Pt-based catalysts are regarded as the most efficient catalysts for sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, their prohibitive cost limits the commercialization of PEMFCs. Therefore, we proposed a NiCo@Au core shell structure as Pt-free ORR electrocatalyst in PEMFCs. NiCo alloy was synthesized as core to introduce ionization tendency and autoxidation reaction. Au as a shell was synthesized to prevent oxidation of core NiCo and increase catalytic activity for ORR. Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, electrochemical properties, and PEMFCs performance of the novel NiCo@Au core-shell as a catalyst for ORR in PEMFCs application. Based on results of this study, possible mechanism for catalytic of autoxidation core@anti-oxidation shell in PEMFCs is suggested.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.291-305
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• 2022

The present investigation deals with the production of the innovative lightweight fly ash angular aggregates (FAA) first time in India using local class 'F' fly ash, its characterization, and exploring the potential for its utilization as alternative coarse aggregates in structural concrete applications. Two types of aggregates are manufactured using two different kinds of binders. The manufacturing process involves mixing fly ash, binder, and water, followed by the briquetting process, sintering and crushing them into suitable size aggregates. Tests are conducted on fly ash angular aggregates to measure their physical properties such as crushing value, impact value, specific gravity, water absorption, bulk density, and percentage of voids. Study shows that the physical parameters are significantly enhanced as compared to commercially available fly ash pellets (FAP). The developed FAA are used in concrete vis-à-vis conventional granite aggregates and FAP to determine their compressive, split tensile and flexural strengths. Although being lightweight, the strength parameters for concrete containing FAA are well compared with conventional concrete. This might be due to the high pozzolanic reaction between fly ash angular aggregates and cement paste. Also, RCC beams are cast and the load-deflection behaviour and ultimate load carrying capacity signify that FAA can be suitably used for RCC construction. Hence, the utilization of fly ash as angular aggregates can reduce the dead load of the structure and at the same time serves as a solution for fly ash disposal and mineral depletion problem.