The inclusion of conductive carbon materials into lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is essential for constructing an electrical network of electrodes. Considering the demand for cells in electric vehicles (e.g., higher energy density and lower cell cost), the replacement of the currently used carbon black with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) seems inevitable. This review discusses how CNTs can contribute to the development of advanced LIBs for EVs. First, the reason for choosing CNTs as a conducting agent for the cathode is discussed in terms of energy density. Second, the reinforcing effect of CNTs on the anode is described with respect to the choice of silicon as the active material. Third, the development of water-based cathode fabrication as well as dry electrode fabrication with aid of CNTs is discussed. Fourth, three technical hurdles, that is, the price, dispersion issue, and entrapped metal impurities, for widespread use of CNTs in LIBs are discussed.

Background: This study was carried out to determine whether non-face-to-face physical therapy would have similar exercise effects to face-to-face physical therapy. Hence, we developed an approach for patients, unable to visit hospitals due to circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, to conduct physical therapy comfortably at home. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of a face-to-face and a non-face-to-face physical therapy treatment on improving a rounded shoulder posture. Methods: The participants with rounded shoulders were randomly divided into a face-toface group (n = 15) and a non-face-to-face group (n = 15), and each group performed exercises for four weeks. The exercise program consisted of the bare hands exercise, Thera-Band exercise, and foam roller exercise. The participants in the face-to-face group came to a designated place to perform their exercises, and those in the non-face-to-face group performed the exercises at their own home using Google Meet (Google). Acromial height, total scapular distance (TSD), shoulder pain and dysfunction index (SPADI), and pectoralis minor thickness were measured. Data analysis was performed using the R Statistical Software (R Core Team), and a normality test was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Results: There were no significant differences between the face-to-face and the non-face-toface groups (p > 0.05). When comparing the differences before and after the exercises, both the face-to-face and the non-face-to-face groups showed significant differences in acromial height, SPADI, and pectoralis minor thickness (p < 0.05), and both groups showed no significant difference in TSD before and after the exercises (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study support the results of previous studies reporting that shoulder stabilization exercise and pectoralis minor stretching training improves round shoulders. In addition, this study revealed that both the face-to-face and the non-face-to-face physical therapy treatments had therapeutic effects.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are attracting attention because of their excellent properties and functions; however, they are relatively expensive compared with commercial alloys. Therefore, various efforts have been made to reduce the cost of raw materials. In this study, MIM is attempted using coarse equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi HEA powders. The mixing ratio (powder:binder) for HEA feedstock preparation is explored using torque rheometer. The block-shaped green parts are fabricated through a metal injection molding process using feedstock. The thermal debinding conditions are explored by thermogravimetric analysis, and solvent and thermal debinding are performed. It is densified under various sintering conditions considering the melting point of the HEA. The final product, which contains a small amount of non-FCC phase, is manufactured at a sintering temperature of 1250oC.

Soft magnetic powder materials are used throughout industries such as motors and power converters. When manufacturing Fe-based soft magnetic composites, the size and shape of the soft magnetic powder and the microstructure in the powder are closely related to the magnetic properties. In this study, Fe-Si-Al-P alloy powders were manufactured using various manufacturing process parameter sets, and the process parameters of the vacuum induction melt gas atomization process were set as melt temperature, atomization gas pressure, and gas flow rate. Process variable data that records are converted into 6 types of data for each powder recovery section. Process variable data that recorded minute changes were converted into 6 types of data and used as input variables. As output variables, a total of 6 types were designated by measuring the particle size, flowability, apparent density, and sphericity of the manufactured powders according to the process variable conditions. The sensitivity of the input and output variables was analyzed through the Pearson correlation coefficient, and a total of 6 powder characteristics were analyzed by artificial neural network model. The prediction results were compared with the results through linear regression analysis and response surface methodology, respectively.

The 2-round Delphi survey and Focus Group Interview (FGI) survey method, in this study, are sequentially applied for the level analysis of the high-level radioactive waste (HLW) management technologies, that are classified into transport/storage, site evaluation, and disposal categories. The 2- round Delphi survey was conducted on domestic 56 experts in the HLW field in Korea, and survey answers were managed with questionnaires distributed by e-mail. In the FGI survey, domestic 24 experts from management field were formed into three groups to conduct in-depth interviews. Past research achievements including journal papers, intellectual properties and the expert opinions presented at expert hearing on HLW technology were used as reference materials. As a result of the survey, in this study, the average domestic technology level compared to the leading countries was 83.1% in transport area, 79.6% in storage area, 62.2% in site evaluation area, and 57.4% in disposal area, respectively. When compared to the former level analysis results in 2017, technology level of transport-storage area increased by 8.6%, and the site evaluation-disposal technology area decreased by 7.27%. The highest factor that increase the level of technology in the transport-storage field was due to the increased R&D program resulting on journal papers, intellectual properties. In addition, the decrease factor in the level of technology in the site evaluation-disposal field was mainly due to relatively low R&D program when compared to the leading countries. Suggested method for the level survey can be used to find out the basic data of the lower tech technologies, to estimate the efficient research budgets and to prepare the R&D human resources. With this regards, R&D roadmap can be matured with suggested prediction method for the domestic technology level on HLW.

기후 변화의 가속화로 국내 제주 및 남부 지방을 중심으로 열대 및 아열대 작물의 재배 및 소비가 증가하는 추세이다.오크라는 식용적 가치가 있을 뿐만 아니라, 품종별 고유의 꼬 투리와 잎의 색은 관상적 가치가 있어 조경 식물로 많이 사용 되고 있다. 본 연구는 도심 내 옥상 온실에 관상식물인 오크 라를 도입하기 위해 피트모스와 펄라이트 비율에 따른 기초 종자 발아 및 육묘기 실험을 진행하였다. 피트모스와 펄라이 트 비율은 PT:PL=1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 4:1 네 가지로 조성하였다. 발 아율은 파종 후 7일차부터 다른 처리구에 비해 피트모스:펄라 이트=1:2의 처리구에서 가장 높았다. 파종 후 28일차와 70일 차에 줄기길이, 경경, 뿌리길이, 지상부와 지하부의 생체중과 건물중 그리고 엽면적은 피트모스:펄라이트=1:2 처리구에서 가장 높았다. 그러나, 파종 후 56일 이후부터 엽수는 피트모 스:펄라이트=1:2, 2:1, 4:1 처리구에서 감소하였다. 피트모스: 펄라이트=1:1, 2:1, 4:1 처리구에서 식물이 필요로 하는 피트 모스의 비율이 지나치게 높아 높은 피트모스 비율로 인하여 수분함수량이 과도하게 높아 식물이 고사한 것으로 판단된다. 따라서 오크라를 관상식물로 활용하기 위해서는 피트모스와 펄라이트를 1:2로 혼합한 배지가 가장 적합하다.