• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2023

Growing environmental concerns regarding pollution caused by conventional plastics have increased interest in biodegradable polymers as alternative materials. The purpose of this study is to develop a 100% biodegradable nanocomposite material by introducing organic nucleating agents into the biodegradable and thermoplastic resin, poly(lactic acid), to improve its properties. Accordingly, cellulose nanofibers, an eco-friendly material, were adopted as a substitute for inorganic nucleating agents. To achieve a uniform dispersion of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) within PLA, the aqueous solution of nanofibers was lyophilized to maintain their fibrous shape. Then, they were subjected to primary mixing using a twin-screw extruder. Test specimens with double mixing were then produced by injection molding. Differential scanning calorimetry was employed to confirm the reinforced physical properties, and it was found that the addition of 1 wt% CNFs acted as a reinforcing material and nucleating agent, reducing the cold crystallization temperature by approximately 14℃ and increasing the degree of crystallization. This study provides an environmentally friendly alternative for developing plastic materials with enhanced properties, which can contribute to a sustainable future without consuming inorganic nucleating agents. It serves as a basis for developing 100% biodegradable green nanocomposites.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.380-385
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• 2006

To establish law-put fertilization technique and increase of fertilization efficiency during cultivation of vinyl mulching for plant, the improvement of soil properties, nutrition efficiency and yields by band spotty fertilization(BSF) using band spotty applicator was carried out at garlic(Alltuiti sativum L.) field in Honam Agricultural Research Institute from 2001 to 2002 for 2 years. The value of pH and the content of total nitrogen, organic matter, exchangeable potassium and calcium of soil after experiment were increased but the content of available phosphate was decreased than soil before experiment. Uptake amounts of nitrogen fertilized by plants were more than in BSF plots($89{\sim}111kg\;ha^{-1}$) compared to in CF(conventional fertilization) Plot ($76kg\;ha^{-1}$) and nitrogen use efficiency were high in BSF plots(42.9~58.2%) compared to in CF plot(34.9%). Also Uptake amounts of potassium fertilized by plants were more than in BSF plots($34{\sim}58kg\;ha^{-1}$) compared to in CF plot($33kg\;ha^{-1}$) and potassium use efficiency were high in BSF plots(21.6~41.2%) compared to in CF plot(19.4%). Residual amount of nitrogen fertilized on soil were more than in BSF plots($38{\sim}54kg\;ha^{-1}$) compared to in CF plot($22kg\;ha^{-1}$) while loss amount of nitrogen fertilized on soil were less than in BSF plots($32{\sim}53kg\;ha^{-1}$) compared to in CF plot($120kg\;ha^{-1}$). Also Residual amount of potassium fertilized on soil were more than in 100% BSF plot($109kg\;ha^{-1}$) compared to in CF plot($72kg\;ha^{-1}$) while loss amount of nitrogen fertilized on soil were less than in BSF plots($14{\sim}38kg\;ha^{-1}$) compared to in CF plot($113kg\;ha^{-1}$). The BSF plots were increased plant height, leaf number, leaf sheath diameter, bulb diameter and height compared to CF plot. The total yields of garlic were more increased 14~19% because of high large bulb rate, commercial yields in 70, 100% BSF plots compared to in CF plot($102.9Mg\;ha^{-1}$). It was found that 70% band spotty fertilization was more effective as fertilization method to reduce both environmental pollution and chemical nitrogen fertilizer in plastic film mulching cultivation.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2023

The worldwide effects of COVID-19 have led to a surge in online shopping and contactless services. The consumption pattern has caused the issues such as the environmental pollution together with the increase of plastic waste. Reducing the reliance on the petroleum based plastic use for the package and replacing it with environmentally friendly material are the simple ways in order to solve those problems. Paper is an eco-friendly product with high recyclability as the food packaging materials but has still poor barrier properties. A barrier coating on surface of the paper can be achieved with the proper packaging materials featuring water, gas and grease barrier. Polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) coatings which are generally laminated or coated to paper are widely used in food packaging applications to protect products from moisture and provide water or grease resistance. However, recycling of packaging containing PE or PP matrix is limited and costly because those films are difficult to degrade in the environment. This study investigated the recyclability of modified acrylic emulsion coating papers compared to PE and PP polymer matrixes as well as their mechanical and gas barrier properties. The results showed that PE or modified acrylic emulsion coated papers had better mechanical properties compared to the uncoated paper as a control. PE or PP coating papers showed strong oil resistance property, achieving a kit rating of 12. Those papers also had a significantly higher percentage of screen reject during the recycling process than modified acrylic coated paper which had a screen rejection rate of 6.25%. In addition an uncoated paper had similar value of a screen rejection rate. It may suggest that modified acrylic emulsion coating paper can be more easily recycled than PE or PP coating papers. The overall results of the study found that modified acrylic emulsion coating paper would be a viable alternative to suggest a possible solution to an environmental problem as well as enhancing the weak mechanical and poor gas barrier properties of the paper against moisture.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.291-305
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to survey the perceptions of the elementary school teachers on the smallscale chemistry(SSC) following its training session. The teachers participating in the survey were 266 teachers in the Gyeongnam province. They were given a questionnaire that focused on the nine areas of the SSC: Needs for the teacher training and its application, its benefits, issues of safety and danger as well as treatment of environmental pollution, its economic efficiency and the development of investigative skills. The designed questionnaire was checked by an authority, and the responses to each question were tallied and analyzed. The results are as follows. The biggest problems of the traditional experimental methods as rated by the teachers were, in the order of importance, the preparation time, the legal liability of teachers for the safety and accidents, financial issues, disposal of the experimental wastes and the lack of relevant data. Since most of the teachers had not experienced the SSC lab programs in the field, they responded positively to the questions of need for its introduction and training. The implementation of the experimental SSC lab programs should proceed in the following order: introduction into the textbook, teacher training program, after-school education and the invitation of instructors. The most useful materials for the SSC program were CDs, videos, books and various printed materials, in that order. The responses regarding benefits of the SSC program included its simplicity, convenience, time savings, diversity, qualitative and quantitative aspects, integration into the regular class and use of toys. In particular, the teachers mentioned the increased safety due to the small amount of experimental reagents needed and the durability of plastic instruments. The familarity from the use of everyday tools as well as easy access to and the low-cost of the instruments were other important benefits. The teachers in general rated the educational content of the program highly, but many also found it to be average. Some pointed out the lack of sufficient discussion due to the individual or pair groupings as a potential shortcoming. The potential for development of problem solving ability and improvement of skills was rated positively. The number of teacher who rated the development of creativity positively was just over the half. As for the area of improving investigative skills, many found its assessment difficult and confusing because of the lack of its systemic definition and categorization. Based on the findings of this study, I would like to recommend the application and a wider dissemination of the small-scale chemistry lab program into the elementary school science curriculum.