• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.245-249
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• 2008

This paper presents a microfluidic cell sizing method using hydrophoretic size-based separation. By exploiting slanted obstacles in a microchannel, we can generate a lateral pressure gradient so that microparticles can be deflected and arranged along lateral flows induced by the gradient. Using such movement of particles, we discriminated 8 to 15 μm-sized beads. We measured the size of U937 cells by comparing the hydrophoretic response of the cells to those of the size-standard beads whose diameters are known. Due to its simple design and fabrication, the sizing method can be easily integrated with other microfluidic components such as cell culture chambers conducting on-chip sizing and sorting.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.73-83
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• 2017

Used small household appliances have a wide variety of product types and component materials, and contain high percentage of black plastics. However, they are not being recycled efficiently as conventional sensors such as near-infrared ray (NIR), etc. are not able to detect black plastic by types. In the present study, an automatic sorting system was developed based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to promote the recycling of waste plastics. The system we developed mainly consists of sample feeder, automatic position recognition system, LIBS device, separator and control unit. By applying laser pulse on the target sample, characteristic spectral data can be obtained and analyzed by using CCD detectors. The obtained data was then treated by using a classifier, which was developed based on artificial intelligent algorithm. The separation tests on waste plastics also were carried out by using a lab-scale automatic sorting system and the test results will be discussed. The classification rate of the radial basis neural network (RBFNNs) classifier developed in this study was about > 97%. The recognition rate of the black plastic by types with the automatic sorting system was more than 94.0% and the sorting efficiency was more than 80.0%. Automatic sorting system based on LIBS technology is in its infant stage and it has a high potential for utilization in and outside Korea due to its excellent economic efficiency.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2009

This paper presents the optimal shape of microelectrode that generates dielectrophoretic(DEP) force to separate particles in homogeneous medium. The principle of the particles sorting is based on the use of the relative strengths of negative DEP (nDEP) and drag forces, as in a general DEP-activated cell sorter (DACS). To numerically calculate the DEP force and drag force, the simulation is implemented in MATLAB 7.0. The properties of particles, which are used in simulation, are similarly selected as those of cells to apply cell separation. The most optimized shape of electrode is selected by numerical simulation according to a variety of electrode shape such as rectangle, trapezoidal, and right-triangle. Through, in addition, parameter study, we found that applied frequency is more significant factor on the separation than various parameters, such as applied voltage and permittivity of medium, that decide on the strength of DEP force.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartB
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• v.10B no.4
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• pp.429-442
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• 2003

In this paper, we describe an address image recognition system for automatic processing of standard- size letter mail. The inputs to the system are gray-level mail piece images and the outputs are delivery point codes with which a delivery sequence of carrier can be generated. The system includes five main modules; destination address block location, text line separation, character segmentation, character recognition and finally address interpretation. The destination address block is extracted on the basis of experimental knowledge and the line separation and character segmentation is done through the analysis of connected components and vortical runs. For recognizing characters, we developed MLP-based recognizers and dynamical programming technique for interpretation. Since each module has been implemented in an independent way, the system has a benefit that the optimization of each module is relatively easy. We have done the experiment with live mail piece images directly sampled from mail sorting machine in Yuseong post office. The experimental results prove the feasibility of our system.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.44-50
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• 2003

Separation of mixed plastics is not a simple task due to similarities of specific gravity and limitations of sizes, etc. In this study, a new technique was developed to separate plastics selectively by a thermal adhesion method using the different softening or melting temperatures of various types of plastics. Tests were conducted to investigate softening or melting temperatures and adhesion probabilities of plastics with change in temperature. Tests also were conducted to analyze the operating variables, including contact times, size and color pigment. It was founded that LDPE, HDPE and PVC, PET, etc among mixed plastics could be separated selectively according to the change of temperature.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.72-78
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• 2012

In general, recyclable items are separately discharged from households and then, hand-sorted into different types of valuables at materials recovery facilities (MRF). However, most of residues after hand-sorting are finally end up with landfill and/or incineration due to lack of separation technologies and economical reasons. In the present study, physical properties on recyclable items obtained from an MRF are investigated to improve the recovery of valuable items. The results of physical compositions based on the sizing tests are also presented.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.65 no.8
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• pp.1466-1477
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• 2016

This paper analyzes the electrical characteristic such as the impedance(Z), inductance(L), and cable resistance($R_p$) according to the change of cable length in order to move the electrical sorting device for distinguishing between AF non-insulated track circuits from the center of railway to outside railway. The simulation is performed to check the voltage difference between the voltage of sender and the voltage of receiver and determine the possibility of the voltage restoration availability in the frequency filter band through the capacitor compensation. It was applied to the results of the simulation to the sorting devices installed in the actual field. It is proved the availability by checking the measured voltage characteristic according to the capacitor compensating change of $10{\mu}F$ and $16{\mu}F$ before, and after the length of cable is increased with 6 meters. Through this, the prevention of breakdown and damage to facilities and the prevention the safety-related accidents of line workers from the train are expected according to moving the sorting devices of AR non-insulated track circuits to outside railway.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.59-65
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• 2012

Hot pepper can be easily faded or discolored in drying process, so we need to use the sorting technique to improve the quality for dried hot pepper. Independent Component Analysis (ICA) is one of the most widely used methods for blind source separation. In this paper we use this technique to get a concentration image of the most important component which plays a role in the dried pepper. This concentration image is different from the binary image and it reflects the characteristics of major components, so that we know the distribution and quality of the component and how to sort the dried pepper. Also, the size of the concentration image can tell the relation with capsaicinoids which make hot taste. We propose a sorting method of the dried hot pepper that is faded or discolored and lacked a major component likes capsaicin in drying process using ICA concentration image.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to establish a selection process for high quality sperm in bovine semen using sperm separation by magnetic activation (MACS). For this, semen from 21 Nellore bulls was collected using an artificial vagina. To guarantee the presence of pathologies in the ejaculate, animals previously declassified in four consecutive spermiogram were used. Semen was analyzed in five statuses: (1) fresh semen (fresh); (2) density gradient centrifugation (DGC), percoll column; (3) non-apoptotic fraction after separation by MACS (MAC); (4) apoptotic fraction from the separation (MACPOOR); and (5) MAC followed by DGC (MACDGC). Using a computerized analysis system (CASA), motility was measured. The sperm morphology was evaluated by phase contrast, and the supravital test was completed with eosin/nigrosin staining. For DGC, 20 × 10⁶ cells were used in a gradient of 90% and 45% percoll. MACS used 10 × 10⁶ cells with 20 μL of nanoparticles attached to annexin V, and filtered through the MiniMACS magnetic separation column. Membrane integrity was assessed with SYBR-14/IP and mitochondrial potential with JC-1 by flow cytometry. Processing sperm by MACDGC, was more effective in obtaining samples with high quality sperm, verified by the total of abnormalities in the samples: 35.04 ± 2.29%, 21.50 ± 1.47%, 17.30 ± 1.10%, 30.68 ± 1.94% and 10.50 ± 1.46%, respectively for fresh, DGC, MAC, MACPOOR, and MACDGC. The subpopulation of non-apoptotic sperm had a high number of live cells (82.65%), membrane integrity (56.60%) and mitochondrial potential (83.98%) (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that this nanotechnological method, that uses nanoparticles, is efficient in the production of high-quality semen samples for assisted reproduction procedures in cattle.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2021

Purpose: This study seeks to develop behavior-induced automatic separation X-Bin for disposable cup speculators. Some students throw away the contents. Research design, data and methodology: Therefore, environmental beautification workers spend a lot of time sorting disposable cups at school garbage collection sites. Disposable cups that have been thrown away like this are bad in terms of appearance and smell. In addition, cleaning inside garbage affects recycling rates and is closely related to environmental problems. Results: Clean cleaning reduces the amount of garbage incinerated without being recycled and reduces the cost of recycling. According to Korean Social Trends 2020, COVID-19 began to spread, and recycling of disposable items such as disposable cups increased by about 15 percent from the same period last year. Conclusions: These are classified for recycling, and the amount of garbage thrown on the streets is estimated to be larger. In order to prevent COVID-19s, the use of disposable goods is inevitable, but facilities are needed to dispose of them properly.