• Resources Recycling
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.3-18
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• 2019

Due to the increasing demand for clean energy, the consumption of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) is expected to grow steadily. Therefore, stable supply of lithium is becoming an important issue globally. Commercially, most of lithium is produced from the brine and minerals viz., spodumene, although various processes/technologies have been developed to recover lithium from other resources such as low grade ores, clays, seawaters and waste lithium ion batteries. In particular, commercialization of such recycling technologies for end-of-life LIBs being generated from various sources including mobile phones and electric vehicles(EVs), has a great potential. This review presents the commercial processes and also the emerging technologies for exploiting minerals and brines, besides that of newly developed lithium-recovery-processes for the waste LIBs. In addition, the future lithium-supply is discussed from the technical point of view. Amongst the emerging processes being developed for lithium recovery from low-grade ores, focus is mostly on the pyro-cum-hydrometallurgical based approaches, though only a few of such approaches have matured. Because of low recycling rate (<1%) of lithium globally compared to the consumption of lithium ion batteries (56% of lithium produced currently), processing of secondary resources could be foresighted as the grand opportunity. Considering the carbon economy, environment, and energy concerns, the hydrometallurgical process may potentially resolve the issue.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.2539-2545
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• 2012

In the present study, we suggest a new way to reactivate performance of direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) and explain its mechanism by employing electrochemical analyses like chronoamperometry (CA) and cyclic voltammogram (CV). For the evaluation of DFAFC performance, palladium (Pd) and platinum (Pt) are used as anode and cathode catalysts, respectively, and are applied to a Nafion membrane by catalyst-coated membrane spraying. After long DFAFC operation performed at 0.2 and 0.4 V and then CV test, DFAFC performance is better than its initial performance. It is attributed to dissolution of anode Pd into $Pd^{2+}$. By characterizations like TEM, Z-potential, CV and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, it is evaluated that such dissolved $Pd^{2+}$ ions lead to (1) increase in the electrochemically active surface by reduction in Pd particle size and its improved redistribution and (2) increment in the total oxidation charge by fast reaction rate of the Pd dissolution reaction.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.673-676
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• 2003

We have investigated $Al_{x}$ $Ga_{l-x}$ N/GaN epilayers (x = 0.08, 0.15) grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy on sapphire with photoluminescence(PL), and persistent photoconductivity(PPC) experiments. An anomalous S-shaped shift behavior of temperature dependencies of PL peak energy is observed for the x = 0.15 sample. In PPC measurement, showed that the dark current recovery time of $Al_{x}$$Ga_{l-x}$ N/GaN epilayers mainly depends on the Al content. These behaviors are usually attributed to the presence of carrier localization states. All these phenomena are explained based on the alloy compositional fluctuations in the $Al_{x}$ /$Ga_{l-x}$ N/ epilayers. The photocurrent quenching observed in PPC measurements for $Al_{x}$ $Ga_{l-x}$ N/ epilayers less than 0.2 $\mu\textrm{m}$ thickness indicates that the presence of metastable state in the bandgap of GaN layer, and that the excess holes in the valence band recombine with free electrons.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.421-437
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• 2020

This study provides an assessment on a proposed method for separation of cesium, strontium, and barium using electrochemical reduction at a liquid bismuth cathode in LiCl-KCl eutectic salt, investigated via cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS). CV studies were performed at temperatures of 723-823 K and concentrations of the target species up to 4.0wt%. Redox reactions occurring during potential sweeps were observed. Concentration of BaCl2 in the salt did not seem to influence the diffusivity in the studied concentration range up to 4.0wt%. The presence of strontium in the system affected the redox reaction of lithium; however, there were no distinguishable redox peaks that could be measured. Impedance spectra obtained from EIS methods were used to calculate the exchange current densities of the electroactive active redox couple at the bismuth cathode. Results show the rate-controlling step in deposition to be the mass transport of Cs+ ions from the bulk salt to the cathode surface layer. Results from SEM-EDS suggest that Cs-Bi and Sr-Bi intermetallics from LiCl-KCl salt are not thermodynamically favorable.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.11-23
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• 2023

In Korea, open burning of agricultural residues is prevalent due to inadequate collection systems, which have caused environmental impacts such as GHGs and particulates. This illegal treatment of agricultural residues also results in economic loss, considering that agricultural residues can be utilized as resources such as pellets and energy sources. To understand the effect of avoiding open burning, this study evaluated the economic, environmental, and social effects of two alternative management options for agricultural residues: incineration and pelletizing. The study estimates the potential amount and dry weight by region for 18 items, taking various factors into account. Regarding the economic aspect, pelletizing facilities in all regions in Korea create economic benefits. This study shows that most regions have an environmental advantage by pelletizing residues. However, incineration creates more environmental benefits than pelletizing in metropolitan cities with relatively low density of residues. It is expected that the environmental, economic, and social findings of this study can be used to inform policies for bioenergy as the need for agricultural residue increases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.87-91
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• 2024

Gunshot-induced chest trauma is exceedingly rare among civilians in South Korea due to strong firearm control policies. In contrast to military reports emphasizing the use of emergent open thoracotomy to increase chances of survival, most penetrating non-cardiac injuries in civilian settings are managed conservatively, such as through chest tube insertion, as they typically result from lower-energy bullets. However, early surgical intervention for penetrating gunshot wounds can help reduce delayed fatalities caused by septic complications from pneumonia or empyema. The advent of minimally invasive thoracic surgery has provided cost-effective and relatively non-invasive treatment options, aided in the prevention of potential complications from undrained hematomas, and facilitated functional recovery and reintegration into society. We successfully treated a patient with a penetrating gunshot wound to the chest using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.942-948
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• 2010

To predict the potential reduction of $CH_4$ by recovering several types of wastes as of reusable energy sources like RDF, the $CH_4$ emission for each type of waste from Landfill Site 3 of SUDOKWON Landfill was estimated for the period of 2017 to 2024. Without any recovering effort on types of wastes being disposed of at the Landfill, there are producing a total of $526{\times}10^6\;Nm^3$ of $CH_4$; municipal waste of $337{\times}10^6\;Nm^3$, construction waste of $178{\times}10^6\;Nm^3$, and facility waste of $11{\times}10^6\;Nm^3$. It composed of 41.5% to that observed from 2002 to 2009. With properly retrieved by MT(Mechanical Treatment), it released a total of $158{\times}10^6\;Nm^3$ $CH_4$; $127{\times}10^6\;Nm^3$, $28{\times}10^6\;Nm^3$, and $4{\times}10^6\;Nm^3$, respectively. Additionally, when biologically degradable residues can be fully treated by MBT (Mechanical & Biological Treatment) system, the total amount of $CH_4$ emitted from the site will be lowered down as low as $115{\times}10^6\;Nm^3$, which is comparably lower showing only 21.8% to that for without any energy recovery practice. Futhermore, it is far less showing 9.1% to that obtained from 2002 to 2009. It can be decided that predictable amount of $CH_4$ emission reduced could be successfully accomplished and enhanced through ways of energy recovery efforts such as further scale adjustment of LFG treatment capacity in association with currently implemented practices in the landfill site.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.243-248
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• 2013

Internal combustion engines typically expel 30%-40% of the energy supplied by fuel to the environment through their exhaust system. Therefore, further significant improvements in the thermal efficiency of IC engines are possible by recovering the waste heat from the engine exhaust gas. With this fact in mind, a numerical simulation was carried out to investigate the potential of using thermoelectric generation with an internal combustion engine for waste heat recovery. Physical parameters such as the exhaust temperature and mass flow rate were evaluated in the exhaust system, and the optimum location for inserting a thermoelectric generator (TEG) into the system was determined. The TEG will be located in the exhaust system and will use the energy flow between the warmer exhaust gas and the external environment. The optimum position of the temperature distribution and the TEG performance were predicted through numerical analysis. The experimental results obtained showed that the power output significantly increases with the temperature difference between the cold and hot sides of the TEG.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1483-1490
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• 2011

Electro-hydrostatic actuators(EHAs), which are usually composed of a direct motor-driven hydraulic pump and a cylinder, have been widely adopted as aircraft actuation systems because of their benefits in terms of improved efficiency, weight savings and the fact that they use a standalone power source. Since the recent trend in construction vehicles has been focus on energy savings in their hydraulic systems, EHAs are expected to be potential substitutes for conventional power transmission, since they are capable of energy recovery as well as highly efficient pump control. In this paper, the start and stop characteristics of EHAs were investigated through cracking pressure analysis of the pilot-operated check valve(PCV), which enables the cylinder to standstill against an external load with no holding effort from the hydraulic pump. A mathematical model that includes the load dynamics and the EHA's internal hydraulic circuit was derived for simulation with the MATLAB Simulink package. This model verified the PCV's opening and closing sequence, which in turn affects the EHA's start and stop characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2012

Oxygen is the final acceptor of electron transport from fat and carbohydrate oxidation, which is the rate-limiting factor for cellular ATP production. Under altitude hypoxia condition, energy reliance on anaerobic glycolysis increases to compensate for the shortfall caused by reduced fatty acid oxidation [1]. Therefore, training at altitude is expected to strongly influence the human metabolic system, and has the potential to be designed as a non-pharmacological or recreational intervention regimen for correcting diabetes or related metabolic problems. However, most people cannot accommodate high altitude exposure above 4500 M due to acute mountain sickness (AMS) and insulin resistance corresponding to a increased levels of the stress hormones cortisol and catecholamine [2]. Thus, less stringent conditions were evaluated to determine whether glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity could be improved by moderate altitude exposure (below 4000 M). In 2003, we and another group in Austria reported that short-term moderate altitude exposure plus endurance-related physical activity significantly improves glucose tolerance (not fasting glucose) in humans [3,4], which is associated with the improvement in the whole-body insulin sensitivity [5]. With daily hiking at an altitude of approximately 4000 M, glucose tolerance can still be improved but fasting glucose was slightly elevated. Individuals vary widely in their response to altitude challenge. In particular, the improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity by prolonged altitude hiking activity is not apparent in those individuals with low baseline DHEA-S concentration [6]. In addition, hematopoietic adaptation against altitude hypoxia can also be impaired in individuals with low DHEA-S. In short-lived mammals like rodents, the DHEA-S level is barely detectable since their adrenal cortex does not appear to produce this steroid [7]. In this model, exercise training recovery under prolonged hypoxia exposure (14-15% oxygen, 8 h per day for 6 weeks) can still improve insulin sensitivity, secondary to an effective suppression of adiposity [8]. Genetically obese rats exhibit hyperinsulinemia (sign of insulin resistance) with up-regulated baseline levels of AMP-activated protein kinase and AS160 phosphorylation in skeletal muscle compared to lean rats. After prolonged hypoxia training, this abnormality can be reversed concomitant with an approximately 50% increase in GLUT4 protein expression. Additionally, prolonged moderate hypoxia training results in decreased diffusion distance of muscle fiber (reduced cross-sectional area) without affecting muscle weight. In humans, moderate hypoxia increases postprandial blood distribution towards skeletal muscle during a training recovery. This physiological response plays a role in the redistribution of fuel storage among important energy storage sites and may explain its potent effect on changing body composition. Conclusion: Prolonged moderate altitude hypoxia (rangingfrom 1700 to 2400 M), but not acute high attitude hypoxia (above 4000 M), can effectively improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance for humans and antagonizes the obese phenotype in animals with a genetic defect. In humans, the magnitude of the improvementvaries widely and correlates with baseline plasma DHEA-S levels. Compared to training at sea-level, training at altitude effectively decreases fat mass in parallel with increased muscle mass. This change may be associated with increased perfusion of insulin and fuel towards skeletal muscle that favors muscle competing postprandial fuel in circulation against adipose tissues.