This paper reports the effect of sintering processes and additives on the microstructures and mechanical properties of -SiC composite ceramics. We fabricated sintered bodies of -20 vol.% SiC with or without sintering additive, such as C or , densified by spark plasma sintering as well as hot pressing. While almost full densification was achieved regardless of sintering processes or sintering additives, significant grain growth was observed in the case of spark plasma sintering, especially with . With sintered bodies, mechanical properties, such as flexural strength and Vickers hardness, were also examined.

Magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate whiskers (, abbreviated 513 MHSH) were prepared using hydrothermal reaction with magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium sulfate () as the starting materials. The effects of the molar ratio of /MgO and amount of were studied. As a result, 513 MHSH whiskers co-existed with hexagonal plate at low concentration of . The molar ratio of /MgO was 7:1, uniform 513 MHSH whiskers were formed without impurity such as . Appropriate amount of has affected to formation of high quality MHSH. Their morphologies and structures were determined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA).

Homogenous silica-coated samples with controlled silica thickness were synthesized by the reverse microemulsion method. First, 7 nm size cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were prepared by thermal decomposition methods. Hydrophobic cobalt ferrites were coated with controlled using polyoxyethylene(5)nonylphenylether (Igepal) as a surfactant, and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The well controlled thickness of the silica shell was found to depend on the reaction time and the amount of surfactant used during production. Thick shell was prepared by increasing reaction time and small amount of surfactant.

Ag doped Hydroxyapatite powder in nano-scale was successfully synthesized either by co-precipitation or by ion exchange route. The fabricated powder was successfully dispersed through freeze drying due to the prevention of secondary particles. The antimicrobial effects of nano-HAp against E.coli was superior to micron ones not only in its strength but also in duration.

We compared the long-term metabolic effects of equal amounts of carbohydrate from potato, rice and buckwheat on glycemic indices and blood lipids in healthy subjects. Nine healthy volunteers-2 men and 7 women were studied. All subjects ate diets based on the same-7-day rotating menu differing only in that the major source of carbohydrate (about 50% of daily total calories) came either from buckwheat, rice or potato. The study was conducted with a triple crossover design over three 7 day periods. On the morning of the 8th day, fasting blood was drawn from each subject to determine serum glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total and HDL-cholesterol. Subjects were then asked to eat breakfast with their respective carbohydrate within a 20 min period. Blood samples were drawn at 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the start of breakfast to determine glucose and insulin levels. At 30 min the glucose response to the rice meal(7.15mmol/L) and potato meal(6.71mmol/L) were greater than the response to the buckwheat meal(5.855mmol/L) (P < 0.05). The mean area under the glucose response to the curve following the rice meal was greater than that following the buckwheat meal(P < 0.05). The insulin responses to the potato and rice meals at 30 and 60 min were greater than those to the buckwheat meal (P < 0.05). The mean area under the serum insulin response curve after the rice meal was greater than of buckwheat. Blood lipids, uric acid and glycosylated hemoglobin were not affected by the three meals. The study shows that the buckwheat meal has more beneficial effects on glycemic indices than either the rice meal or potato meal in healthy subjects.