This article reported a simple method for preparing diamond/SiC composites by polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) process, and the advantages of this method were discussed. Only diamond and SiC were contained in the diamond/SiC composite prepared by PIP process, and the diamond particles remained thermally stable up until the pyrolysis temperature was increased to 1600 °C. The pyrolysis temperature has a significant impact on the thermal conductivity and dielectric properties of composites. The thermal conductivity of the composite reaches a maximum value of 63.9 W/mK when the pyrolysis temperature is 1600 °C, and the minimum values of the real and imaginary part of the complex permittivity are 19.5 and 0.77, respectively. The PIP process is a quick and easy method to prepare diamond/SiC composites without needing expensive equipment, and it is of importance for promoting its application in the field of electric packaging substrate.
Core–shell ZIFs wrapped CuO hybrid materials (CuO@ZIF-67(Co)) were designed, synthesized, characterized, and employed as peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activators to degrade methylene blue (MB). It demonstrated outstanding catalytic activity on account of the unique structure and the synergistic effect between CuO cores and ZIF-67(Co) shells, resulting in complete degradation of MB (10 mg/L) in 1 min. Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) research showed that both SO4 − and OH were responsible for the removal of MB. The synergistic activation mechanisms in the CuO@ZIF-67(Co)/PMS system were investigated, which mainly involved the effective electron transfer of CuO and ZIF-67(Co) for accelerating the cycle of CuII/ CuI and CoIII/ CoII. This study broadens the application of MOF-derived materials for wastewater treatment.
Combination of liquid-phase exfoliation and hydrothermal method has progressed in recent years mainly on production of 2D materials. In this study, graphene was successfully synthesized via combinatorial of liquid-phase exfoliation and hydrothermal method with the aid of various conductive surfactants perylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylate (PTCA), lithium perylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylate (LiPTCA) and sodium perylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylate (NaPTCA). The effect of the lithium ( Li+) and sodium ( Na+) cations toward the efficiency of the graphene exfoliation process and its electrical properties was thoroughly investigated. Based on the characterization techniques, it is revealed that NaPTCA is the ideal conductive surfactant to exfoliate graphene sheets. X-ray diffraction spectra verified that the Na+ cation certainly can enhance the exfoliation process by expanding the interlayer spacing. The lateral size of the graphene sheets with Na-PTCA surfactant was the smallest (4.17 μm) as observed from SEM micrograph. The maximum concentration of the graphene yield was achieved up to 0.151 mgmL− 1 in NaPTCA surfactant alongside with excellent electrical conductivity of 746.27 Sm− 1 and relevant specific capacitance of 129 Fg− 1.
Carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized from phloroglucinol (PG) by simple heat treatment at 220–230 °C in the atmosphere without catalysts and solvents. PG-CDs heated at 220–230 °C could be completely dissolved in environmentally friendly water and exhibited a photoluminescence (PL) peak at 485 nm with 85 nm of the full width at half maximum (FWHM). The water-soluble polymer-dot-like PG-CDs were estimated to be 1.6–3.2 nm in size, and exhibited a wide range of PL wavelength at 370–630 nm. Since the PG-CDs are water-soluble materials, PG-CDs could be homogeneously mixed with a polymer such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in water as a solvent, and PG-CDs/PVP films were prepared. The films exhibited PL characteristics that convert ultraviolet light at 350 nm to visible light above 400 nm. Thus, using PG as the raw material which has widely been produced industrially, the water-soluble fluorescent PG-CDs/PVP films could be prepared at a low cost by environmentally friendly methods.
For practical applications of graphene sheets in a variety of fields, mass production of high-quality graphene sheets is necessary. Herein, we reported a cost-effective, green, and simple approach to synthesizing mass production exfoliated graphene (EG) flakes employing electrochemical exfoliation of pencil graphite in neutral aqueous electrolytes. Pencil graphite cores of different grades were applied as anode and cathode electrodes and exposed to the electrolyte solution at a different voltage. Several parameters were examined and optimized, including pencil grade (2,4,6,8 B), applied voltage (10, 15, 20, 30 V), different inorganic electrolytes ((NH4)2SO4, Na2SO4, NaNO3, NaCl, and CH3COONa), and the concentration of electrolytes. The optimal condition was chosen by considering the mass of produced graphene and the conductivity of the graphene solution. The optimal conditions were as follow: pencil grade: 6B; applied voltage: 10 V; electrolyte type: Na2SO4; electrolyte concentration: 0.1 M. Under these conditions, the production yield was > 95% within 3 h and 9 min. The EG was characterized by utilizing FT-IR, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FE-SEM, Cyclic Voltammetry, and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Characterization indicates that the synthesized EG had an XRD peak at 2θ = 26.6° and an ID/ IG ratio of 0.36. Furthermore, the EG showed good conductivity when tested by cyclic voltammetry and EIS whereas the R2 values were 985.8 and 76.3 Ω for bare GCE and EG/GCE, respectively. In addition, EG effectively removed cadmium (Cd(II)) with an adsorption level of 8.72 mg/g. The results from this study suggest that EG can be scaled up and commercialized in an environmentally friendly and low-cost manner, especially in low-income countries, and using it to rectify metal ions.
Recently, hollow carbon spheres (HCS) have aroused great interests in the field of energy storage and conversion owing to their unique morphology, structure and other charming properties. Nevertheless, unsatisfactory electrical conductivity and relatively poor volumetric energy density caused by inevitable gaps between discrete carbon spheres greatly impede the practical application of HCS. In this work, for the first time we propose a novel dual-template strategy and successfully fabricate interconnected 3D hollow N-doped carbon network (HNCN) by a facile and scalable pyrolysis process. By systematical characterization and analysis, it can be found that HNCN is assembled by HCS and lots of mesoporous carbon. Compared to the counterparts, the obtained HNCN exhibits unique 3D interconnected architecture, larger specific surface area, hierarchical meso/macropore structure, higher structure defects, higher N doping amount and more optimized N configurations (especially for pyridinic-N and graphitic-N). As a result, these advantageous features endow HNCN with remarkably promoted electrochemical performance for supercapacitor and oxygen reduction reaction. Clearly, our proposed dual-template strategy provides a good guidance on overcoming the intrinsic shortcomings of HCS, which undoubtedly broadens their application in energy storage and conversion.
This study evaluated how acid treatment affects the ability of customized beads of activated carbon (BAC) to remove formaldehyde from air. Two different acids (hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid) were used to modify the surface of BAC prepared from a polymer material. The acid-modified BACs were further subjected to heat treatment. Physical and chemical characteristics of modified and unmodified BACs were investigated using nitrogen adsorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Formaldehyde removal was evaluated under both dry and moist conditions. From the results, acid treatment clearly improved the adsorption performance, especially under the moist condition. Qualitative and quantitative surface analyses were conducted, mainly to examine the amount of O-bonds after acid treatment and the formation of S–O or Cl–O on BAC.
Poor mechanical properties and bacterial infection are the main problems faced by dental restorative resins in clinical use. In this study, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) grafted with imidazole groups and mesoporous silica (MSN) are co-filled in a dental resin to impart excellent antimicrobial activity and mechanical properties to the dental resin. The higher specific surface area of GQDs and MSN results in an increased contact area with the resin matrix, which enhances the strength of the dental composite resin. The introduction of GQDs significantly improves the antimicrobial activity of the resin. The inhibition efficiency of the composite resin against Streptococcus mutans reached 99.9% with the addition of GQDs at only 0.2 wt.%. When MSN and GQDs are co-filled, MSN interferes with the release of GQDs, thus reducing the antimicrobial activity of the dental resin but improving the cyto-compatibility. By reasonably adjusting the amount of GQDs and MSN, the dental composite resin can exhibit excellent antimicrobial properties, mechanical properties and cyto-compatibility at the same time.
This research examines the effect of adding aluminum on the structural, phasic, and magnetic properties of CoCrFe NiMnAlx high-entropy alloys. To this aim, the arc-melt process was used under an argon atmosphere for preparing cast samples. The phasic, structural, and magnetic properties of the samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrational magnetometry (VSM) analyses. Based on the results, the addition of aluminum to the compound caused changes in the crystalline structure, from FCC solid solution in the CoCrFeNiMn sample to CoCrFeNiMnAl BBC solid solution. It was associated with changes in the magnetic property of CoCrFeNiMnAlx high-entropy alloys, from paramagnetic to ferromagnetic. The maximum saturation magnetization for the CoCrFeNiMnAl casting sample was estimated to be around 79 emu/g. Despite the phase stability of the FCC solid solution with temperature, the solid solution phase formed in the CrCrFeNiMnAl high-entropy compound was not stable, and changed into FCC solid solution with temperature elevation, causing a reduction in saturation magnetization to about 7 emu/g.
The records system is believed to have started in Italy in the 14th century in line with trade developments in Europe. In 1491, Luca Pacioli, a mathematician, and an Italian Franciscan monk wrote the first book that described double-entry accounting processes. In many countries, including Korea, the government accounting standards used single-entry bookkeeping rather than double-entry bookkeeping that can be aggregated by account subject. The cash-based and single-entry bookkeeping used by the government in the past had limitations in providing clear information on financial status and establishing a performance-oriented financial management system. Accordingly, the National Accounting Act (promulgated in October 2007) stipulated the introduction of double-entry bookkeeping and accrual accounting systems in the government sector from January 1, 2009. Furthermore, the Korean government has also introduced International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and the System of National Accounts (SNA). Since 2014, Korea owned five national accounts. In Korea, valuation began with the 1968 National Wealth Statistics Survey. The academic origins of the valuation of national wealth statistics which had been investigated by due diligence every 10 years since 1968 are based on the 'Engineering Valuation' of professor Marston in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Iowa State University in the 1930s. This field has spread to economics, etc. In economics, it became the basis of capital stock estimation for positive economics such as econometrics. The valuation by the National Wealth Statistics Survey contributed greatly to converting the book value of accounting data into vintage data. And in 2000 National Statistical Office collected actual disposal data for the 1-digit asset class and obtained the ASL(average service life) by Iowa curve. Then, with the data on fixed capital formation centered on the National B/S Team of the Bank of Korea, the national wealth statistics were prepared by the Permanent Inventory Method(PIM). The asset classification was also classified into 59 types, including 2 types of residential buildings, 4 types of non-residential buildings, 14 types of structures, 9 types of transportation equipment, 28 types of machinery, and 2 types of intangible fixed assets. Tables of useful lives of tangible fixed assets published by the Korea Appraisal Board in 1999 and 2013 were made by the Iowa curve method. In Korea, the Iowa curve method has been adopted as a method of ASL estimation. There are three types of the Iowa curve method. The retirement rate method of the three types is the best because it is based on the collection and compilation of the data of all properties in service during a period of recent years, both properties retired and that are still in service. We hope the retirement rate method instead of the individual unit method is used in the estimation of ASL. Recently Korean government’s accounting system has been developed. When revenue expenditure and capital expenditure were mixed in the past single-entry bookkeeping we would like to suggest that BOK and National Statistical Office have accumulated knowledge of a rational difference between revenue expenditure and capital expenditure. In particular, it is important when it is estimated capital stock by PIM. Korea also needs an empirical study on economic depreciation like Hulten & Wykoff Catalog A of the US BEA.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is often associated with skin damage, sometimes very serious, and in recent times has received particular attention as a health risk. As a result, the proper use of sunscreen has long been recommended to protect against skin damage. The continued increase in the use of sunscreen may be linked to increased information about the risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays. Natural and harmless materials that block and prevent UV light have emerged as essential household items in the field of skin beauty. New materials need to be considered and evaluated in relation to ultraviolet rays and their harmful effects. This study aims to explain the effect of UV exposure on human skin, the classification of sunscreens, the application of zeolite, nano clay, and LDH in sunscreen formulations, as well as the regulation of this service in various countries around the world.
ASL estimation of public building is based on how appropriate the maximum age of the asset is derived based on the age record of the asset in the statistical data owned by public institutions. This is because we get a 'constrained' ASL by that number. And it is especially true because other studies have assumed that the building is an Iowa curve R3. Also, in this study, the survival rate is 1% as the threshold value at which the survival curve and the predictable life curve almost coincide. Rather than a theoretical basis, in the national statistical survey, the value of residual assets was recognized from the net value of 10% of the acquisition value when the average service life has elapsed, and 1% when doubling the average service life has elapsed. It is based on the setting mentioned above. The biggest constraint in fitting statistical data to the Iowa curve is that the maximum ASL is selected at R3 150%, and the 'constrained' ASL is calculated by the proportional expression on the assumption that the Iowa curve is followed. In like manner constraints were considered. First, the R3 disposal curve for the RCC(reinforced cement concrete) building was prepared according to the discarding method in the 2000 work, and it was jointly worked on with the National Statistical Office to secure the maximum amount of vintage data, but the lacking of sample size must be acknowledged. Even after that, the National Statistical Office and the Bank of Korea have been working on estimating the Iowa curve for each asset class in the I-O table. Another limitation is that the asset classification uses the broad classification of buildings as a subcategory. Second, if there were such assets with a lifespan of 115 years that were acquired in 1905 and disposed of in 2020, these discarded data would be omitted from this ASL calculation. Third, it is difficult to estimate the correct Iowa curve based on the stub-curve even if there is disposal data because Korea has a relatively shorter construction history, accumulated economic wealth since the 1980’s. In other words, “constrained” ASL is an under-estimation of its ASL. Considering the fact that Korea was an economically developing country in the past and during rapid economic development, environmental factors such as asset accumulation and economic ability should be considered. Korea has a short period of accumulation of economic wealth, and the history of 'proper' architectures faithful to building regulations and principles is short and as a result, buildings 'not built properly' and 'proper' architectures are mixed. In this study, ASL of RCC public building was estimated at 70 years.
In an automotive plant, an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) synchronizes material handling flows from a part production line to an auto-assembly line. The part production line transfers parts on small-/large-sized pallets. The products on pallets are temporarily stored on the ASRS, and the ASRS retrieves the products upon request from the auto-assembly line. Each ASRS aisle is equipped with narrow-/wide-width racks for two pallet sizes. An ASRS aisle with narrow-/wide-width racks improves both storage space utilization and crane utilization while requiring delicate ASRS aisle design, i.e., the locations of the narrow-/wide-width racks in an ASRS aisle, and proper operation policies affect the ASRS performance over demand fluctuations. We focus on operation policies involving a common storage zone using wide-width racks for two pallet sizes and a storage-retrieval job-change for a crane based on assembly-line batch size. We model a discrete-event simulation model and conduct extensive experiments to evaluate operation policies. The simulation results address the best ASRS aisle design and suggest the most effective operation policies for the aisle design.
With rapid urbanization, the importance of urban warfare is increasing, and it is also required to reflect the characteristics of cities in wargame models. However, in the military's wargame models, the urbanization factor was calculated and used without theoretical basis. In this study, we investigate techniques for estimating the urbanization factor using Fractal dimension theory. The urbanization factor we propose can suggest a logical and valid representative value when used in conjunction with Agent Based Model and other methodologies.
In recent years, there is rising conversation about animal welfare with increasing concern about animals. However, disease control is still not being carried out effectively. It is hard to discuss the specific plan of the domestic animal shelter and pet shop due to limited information about their present condition. Thus, we analyzed existing data and suggested a new disease control system. Disease management reports of pet shops and animal shelters investigated by local government and animal protection organizations were the main reference of this study. As the euthanasia rate of shelters has recently decreased, animals stay in shelters for extended periods. As a result, mortality rate from disease has increased. Also, many animals in pet shops die due to health problems. In animal shelters, there is always a certain proportion of individuals with disease, and many shelters do not treat them or vaccinate animals before infection. In pet shops, information such as each individual’s health condition and vaccination records is not properly disclosed, and contagious pathogens are detected in hygiene tests. In order to improve the condition, each animals’ information should be dealt with using a system based on ICT technology. Also, it is necessary to perform antibody tests and infectious disease kit tests provided by local governments, set up breeding environment manuals, and supervise the management of local governments.
Research and interest in sustainable printing are increasing in the packaging printing industry. Currently, predicting the amount of ink required for each work is based on the experience and intuition of field workers. Suppose the amount of ink produced is more than necessary. In this case, the rest of the ink cannot be reused and is discarded, adversely affecting the company's productivity and environment. Nowadays, machine learning models can be used to figure out this problem. This study compares the ink usage prediction machine learning models. A simple linear regression model, Multiple Regression Analysis, cannot reflect the nonlinear relationship between the variables required for packaging printing, so there is a limit to accurately predicting the amount of ink needed. This study has established various prediction models which are based on CART (Classification and Regression Tree), such as Decision Tree, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting Machine, and XGBoost. The accuracy of the models is determined by the K-fold cross-validation. Error metrics such as root mean squared error, mean absolute error, and R-squared are employed to evaluate estimation models' correctness. Among these models, XGBoost model has the highest prediction accuracy and can reduce 2134 (g) of wasted ink for each work. Thus, this study motivates machine learning's potential to help advance productivity and protect the environment.