Understanding the behavior of soil under cyclic loading conditions is essential for assessing its response to seismic events and potential liquefaction. This study investigates the effect of non-plastic fines content (FC) on excess pore pressure generation in medium-density sand-silt mixtures subjected to strain-controlled cyclic direct simple shear (CDSS) tests. The investigation is conducted by analyzing excess pore pressure (EPP) ratios and the number of cycles to liquefaction (Ncyc-liq) under varying shear strain levels and FC values. The study uses Jumunjin sand and silica silt with FC values ranging from 0% to 40% and shear strain levels of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0%. The findings indicate that the EPP ratio increases rapidly during loading cycles, with higher shear strain levels generating more EPP and requiring fewer cycles to reach liquefaction. At 1.0% and 0.5% shear strain levels, FC has a limited effect on Ncyc-liq. However, at a lower shear strain level of 0.2%, increasing FC from 0 to 10% reduces Ncyc-liq from 42 to 27, and as FC increases further, Ncyc-liq also increases. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the behavior of soil under cyclic loading conditions. It highlights the significance of shear strain levels and FC values in excess pore pressure generation and liquefaction susceptibility.

This study investigates the behavior of bentonite, used as a buffer material in deep geological disposal systems, in the context of pore morphology under the influence of field-collected groundwater conditions. The bentonite was processed into block form using cold isostatic press (CIP) and subsequently analyzed for its pore morphology in situ using synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (CT) within the field-collected groundwater environment. Bentonite buffers play a critical role in deep geological disposal systems by preventing contact between disposal containers and groundwater. Bentonite typically exhibits swelling upon contact with water, forming few layers of water molecules between its structural layers. However, the presence of ions such as K+ and Cl- can lead to a sharp reduction in swelling pressure. Loss of swelling pressure could negatively impact the integrity of future deep geological disposal systems, making its assessment crucial. This study involves processing various types of bentonite, including natural Na-type bentonite, into block forms and subjecting them to exposure in both deionized water and field-collected groundwater conditions. Internal pore morphology changes were measured using Xray CT technology.

Globally, the operation of nuclear power plants results in the production of a tremendous quantity of spent nuclear fuel. The methods for handling spent nuclear fuel can be categorized into three: storage, direct disposal and recycling. A technology designed to recycle accumulated spent nuclear fuel is pyropocessing. In pyroprocessing, various fission products (FPs) such as C-14, H-3, I-129 and Cs-137 are generated. Among these FPs, technetium (Tc-99) is a gaseous nuclear isotope with a long half-life and high mobility in the form of TcO4 - in aqueous solutions, making it essential to capture strictly in order to prevent radioactive contamination of the environment. In previous studies, ion-exchange or adsorption using MOFs (Metal Organic Frameworks) have been used to remove Tc-99. These methods, however, involve separation in aqueous solutions, not in the gaseous state. In this study, we developed a CaO-based adsorbent for capturing Re as a surrogate for radioactive Tc-99. Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) was employed as a pore-forming agent during the preparation of the adsorbents, and its effects on characteristics and adsorption performance were investigated. The size of the pores were analyzed from nitrogen (N2) adsorption isotherm analysis and mercury (Hg) intrusion curves. As a result, it was confirmed that the addition of IPA had a significant impact on the formation of macro-pores. Furthermore, this macroporous structure was found to enhance the adsorption performance of Re.

미세구조 특성의 불확실성은 재료 특성에 많은 영향을 준다. 시멘트 기반 재료의 공극 분포 특성은 재료의 역학적 특성에 큰 영향을 미치며, 재료에 랜덤하게 분포되어 있는 많은 공극은 재료의 물성 예측을 어렵게 한다. 공극의 특성 분석과 재료 응답 간의 상관관계 규명에 대한 기존 연구는 통계적 관계 분석에 국한되어 있으며, 그 상관관계가 아직 명확히 규명되어 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 합성곱 신경망(CNN, convolutional neural network)을 활용한 이미지 기반 데이터 접근법을 통해 시멘트 기반 재료의 역학적 응답을 예측하 고, 공극분포와 재료 응답의 상관관계를 분석하였다. 머신러닝을 위한 데이터는 고해상도 마이크로-CT 이미지와 시멘트 기반 재료의 물성(인장강도)로 구성하였다. 재료의 메시 구조 특성을 분석하였으며, 재료의 응답은 상장균열모델(phase-field fracture model)에 기 반을 둔 2D 직접 인장(direct tension) 유한요소해석 시뮬레이션을 활용하여 평가하였다. 입력 이미지 영역의 기여도를 분석하여 시편 에서 재료 응답 예측에 가장 큰 영향을 미치는 영역을 CNN을 통하여 식별하였다. CNN 과정 중 활성 영역과 공극분포를 비교 분석하 여 공극분포특성과 재료 응답의 상관관계를 분석하여 제시하였다.

본 연구에서는 낮은 막 저항과 높은 수산화 이온 전도성을 가지는 세공 충진 이온교환막 제조법으로 연구하였다. 알칼리 내구성을 향상하기 위해 폴리 테트라 플로오 에틸렌 소재인 다공성 지지체를 사용하였고 세공에는 단량체 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC)를 이용하여 copolymer를 제조했다. 가교제는 divinylbenzene (DVB)를 사용하였고 가교제 함량별로 이온교환막을 제조하여 DMAEMA-DVB와 VBC-DMAEMA-DVB copolymer에서 가교제 함량이 미치는 영향에 관해 연구하였다. 그 결과, PTFE 소재 지지체를 이용하여 화학적 안정성이 향상 했고 저압 UV 램프를 사용하여 낮은 온도에서 빠른 광중합이 가능하여 생산성을 높일 수 있는 장점이 있다. 음이온교환 막 연료전지에 요구되는 이온교환막의 물리적 및 화학적 안정성을 확인하기 위해서 인장강도와 내알칼리성 테스트를 진행하였 다. 그 결과, 가교도가 증가할수록 인장강도 대략 40 MPa가 증가하였고, 최종적으로 이온전도도와 내알칼리성 테스트를 통해 가교제 함량이 증가할수록 알칼리 안정성이 증가하는 것을 확인하였다.

This research studied the electrical characteristics, IR transmission characteristics, stealth functions, and thermal characteristics of infrared thermal-imaging cameras of copper-sputtered samples. Nylon samples were prepared for each density as a base material for copper-sputtering treatment. Copper-sputtered NFi, NM1, NM2, NM3, NM4, and NM5, showed electrical resistance of 0.8, 445.7, 80.7, 29.7, 0.3, and 2.2 Ω, respectively, all of which are very low values; for the mesh sample, the lower the density, the lower the electrical resistance. Measuring the IR transmittance showed that the infrared transmittance of the copper-sputtered samples was significantly reduced compared to the untreated sample. Compared to the untreated samples, the transmittance went from 92.0–64.1%. When copper sputtered surface was directed to the IR irradiator, the IR transmittance went from 73.5 to 43.8%. As the density of the sample increased, the transmittance tended to decreased. After the infrared thermal imaging, the absolute values of △R, △G, and △B of the copper phase increased from 2 to 167, 98 to 192, and 7 to 118, respectively, and the closer the density of the sample (NM5→NFi), the larger the absolute value. This proves that the dense copper phase-up sample has a stealth effect on the infrared thermal imaging camera. It is believed that the copper-sputtered nylon samples produced in this study have applications in multifunctional uniforms, bio-signal detection sensors, stage costumes, etc.

역전기투석(reverse electrodialysis, RED)은 이온교환막을 격막으로 이용하여 해수와 담수의 농도차로부터 발전하 는 유망한 친환경 재생에너지 기술 중 하나이다. 이온교환막은 RED의 성능을 좌우하는 핵심 구성요소로 낮은 전기적 저항, 높은 이온선택투과도, 우수한 내구성 및 저렴한 제조 비용 등의 요구조건을 만족시켜야 한다. 본 연구에서는 다양한 두께 및 기공율을 갖는 다공성 고분자 지지체를 이용하여 세공충진 음이온교환막을 제조하고 이온교환 고분자의 조성과 막 두께가 RED의 발전 성능에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 이온교환막의 전기적 저항이 충분히 낮은 경우 RED 발전 성능은 주로 막의 apparent permselectivity에 의해 좌우됨을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 막의 apparent permselectivity는 IEC, 가교도, 막 두께, 표면 개질 등을 통해 향상시킬 수 있으며 전기적 저항과의 trade off 관계를 고려하여 최적 조건을 찾아야 함을 확인하였다.

In view of the activated carbon pore-forming mechanism, the fractal hypothesis of pore interior growth was proposed by optimizing the structure of Sierpinski sponge. Based on the hypothesis and the definition of fractal dimension, the function relationship between the reaction degree, reaction step length, specific surface area and pore volume was deduced, and the pore fractal growth model of activated carbon activation process was established. Semi-coke, apple charcoal and lychee charcoal were used to prepare activated carbon. The pore size distributions of the activated carbons are in accordance with the fractal growth hypothesis. Further, the reaction degree and reaction step length can be determined by the experimental data of pore and surface structure, which verified the feasibility of the pore fractal growth model.

The present study analyzed the pore formation and development process in carbon black that was activated by CO2 gas and the effect of the burn-off (BO) ratio on the process, particularly based on changes in the surface shape and internal microstructure. The activation process was performed as follows. Carbon blacks were injected into a horizontal tube furnace when the inside temperature reached 1000 °C. Carbon black samples with different BOs, i.e., 7.2%, 15.4%, 30.4%, 48.2%, 59.9%, and 83.2%, were prepared by varying the activation time. The microstructure of the activated samples was observed and examined using SEM and TEM. The results showed that pore passages were first created on the surface of the primary particles of the carbon black, and then the inner portion of the carbon black with a lower degree of crystallinity started to be activated, thereby causing inner pores to be formed. These inner pores then started to grow and coalesce into larger pores, thereby causing the crystallite layers in the inner portion of the carbon black to be activated. The changes in the microstructure of the carbon black during the activation reaction were attributable to the carbon black manufacturing process, in which the nucleation and growth of the primary particles of the carbon black occurred within a very short period of time. Thus, the crystallization of the inner portion was suppressed, and therefore, the degree of crystallinity was lower in the inner portion than in the outer portion.