We produced an activated carbon using sodium-lignosulfonate, in which we investigated how the sodium salt in lignin served as the activating agent during heat treatment. Our process resulted in a product with a high specific surface area of 1324 m2/ g at 800 °C and microporous structure. During the activation process, we observed the consumption of carbon due to the dehydration reaction of NaOH and the reduction of Na2CO3 to metallic Na, which created pores through oxidation/ reduction reactions. The intercalation of metallic Na between the lattices at high temperatures formed additional pores and increased the specific surface area. Our proposed mechanism holds promise for enhancing the control of the microstructure and porosity of activated carbons through the thermal treatment of biomass.

Biomass-derived porous carbon is an excellent scientific and technologically interesting material for supercapacitor applications. In this study, we developed biomass-derived nitrogen-doped porous carbon nanosheets (BDPCNS) from cedar cone biomass using a simple KOH activation and pyrolysis method. The BDPCNS was effectively modified at different temperatures of 600 °C, 700 °C, and 800 ℃ under similar conditions. The as-prepared BDPCNS-700 electrode exhibited a high BET surface area of 2883 m2 g− 1 and a total pore volume of 1.26 cm3 g− 1. Additionally, BDPCNS-700 had the highest electrical conductivity (11.03 cm− 1) and highest N-doped content among the different electrode materials. The BDPCNS-700 electrode attained a specific capacitance of 290 F g− 1 at a current density of 1 A g− 1 in a 3 M KOH electrolyte and an excellent longterm electrochemical cycling stability of 93.4% over 1000 cycles. Moreover, the BDPCNS-700 electrode had an excellent energy density (40.27 Wh kg− 1) vs power density (208.19 W kg− 1). These findings indicate that BDPCNS with large surface areas are promising electrode materials for supercapacitors and energy storage systems.

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.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether addition of porcine epididymal fluid (pEF) into culture medium during in vitro maturation influences the nuclear maturation of porcine germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes. Porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from follicles were cultured in tissue culture medium 199 (TCM 199) containing pEF. After 48 hr of culture, oocytes were examined for evidence of GV breakdown, metaphase I, anaphase-telophase I, and metaphase II. The proportion of oocytes reaching at metaphase II (M II) stage was significantly (p<0.05) increased in oocytes cultured in the media supplemented with 10% pEF during in vitro maturation than in those without pEF regardless of cumulus presence or absence (54.6% vs 22.5%，51.7% vs 24.2%). The supplementation of pEF during maturation of oocyte enhanced oocytes maturation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Also significant differences (p<0.05) in the percentage of MII oocytes were observed according to exposure period in pEF. Present study suggests that pEF contains a enhancing component(s) for nuclear maturation of porcine immature oocytes in vitro.

Background : The Codonopsis genus belongs to the Campanulaceae, and it is recorded that there are four species of Codonopsis genus in Korea, such as Codonopsis lanceolata, Codonopsis pilosula, Codonopsis minima, and Codonopsis ussuriensis. C. lanceolata has been proved to be safety and efficacy, and has been widely used for medicinal and edible purposes for a long time in East Asian countries including Korea, China and Japan. However, little genetic research has been done. Methods and Results : Ten species of Codonopsis plants were collected and DNA was extracted using CTAB (cetyl trimethylammonium bromide) method. The extracted DNA was diluted to 5 ng/㎕ for the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) process. C. lanceolata genome was used to develop molecular markers by searching insertion and deletion regions (InDel) in the chloroplast sequence. The developed markers were applied to 4 individuals per Codonopsis species. PCR amplification was carried out using a denaturation at 94℃ for 30 sec, annealing at 58℃ for 30 sec and extension at 72℃ for 30 sec, repeated for 35 total cycles. The PCR products were separated in a 4% agarose gell at 100 V for 40 min. Conclusion : Using the molecular markers developed in this study, genetic diversity of Codonopsis genus was tested, and at the same time, a specific molecular marker was developed to differentiate C. lanceolata from the Codonopsis plants.

Background : Codonopsis is a flowering plants belong to the family Campanulaceae, and has many kinds of medicinal properties. As currently recognized, two other groups, Campanumoea and Leptocodon, are included in the Codonopsis. The enlarged genus Codonopsis is distributed in Eastern, Southern, Central, and Southeastern Asia. C. lanceolata, C. clematidea and C. pilosula has many kinds of medicinal properties and this plants are used as medicinal and edible plants. C. ovata and C. mollis are distributed in Pakistan Kashmir and Himalaya mountains at an altitude of about 3,000 m, and flowers bloom in July to August. Methods and Results : In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity of 5 Codonopsis species using 8 SSR markers base on C. lancelolata genomic sequences. Samples were obtained from fresh leaves of 5 plants from each species and genomic DNA was extracted using CTAB method. PCR was performed in total 20μl reaction volume containing 20 ng of DNA template and 5 pmole of primers. PCR conditions composed pre-denaturation at 95℃ for 5 min, then 35 cycles of 95°C for 30 sec, 60°C for 30 sec and 72°C for 30 sec, and a final extension at 72℃ for 30 min. The amplified band sizes ranged from 74 to 301 bp and clearly showed single or doble bands in eletrophoresis. From the phylogenetic analysis, C. lanceolata was grouped together, but the others were not grouped together according to the species. Conclusion : We concluded that C. lanceolata cultivated in Korea is different from the other species, and the eight SSR markers used in this study are able to distinguish C. lanceolata from the other species.

본 연구는 스탠다드 국화 ‘신마’의 절화 품질과 수명에 미치는 수 확 후 저장 온도와 기간의 영향을 알아보고자 수행되었다. 절화 국 화는 수확 후 1, 4, 7, 10, 20℃의 온도 조건에서 5, 10, 20일간 저장 한 후 절화의 생체중, 화폭, 흡수량 등의 품질과 수명을 조사하였다. 5일 동안의 단기간 저장에서는 4와 7℃에서 저장했을 때, 생체중 과 화폭 등 품질이 우수하였으며, 수명도 다른 처리에 비해 3~5일 간 연장되었다. 10일간 저장에서는 20℃ 저장처리에서 수명이 12 일 감소하였으며, 1~4℃에서 저장한 처리에서 수명과 품질이 가장 양호하였다. 절화 국화의 20일간 장기 저장은 5일과 10일 저장보 다 저장 온도에 상관없이 생체중, 화폭, 흡수량이 크게 감소하였고, 다른 처리보다 1℃ 저장한 처리가 절화수명이 6일이었고, 품질이 양호하였다. 따라서 스탠다드 국화 ‘신마’를 수확한 후 5일이나 10 일간 저장하기 위해서는 4℃가 가장 효과적이며, 20일간 장기 저 장을 위해서는 1℃에서 저장하는 것이 적합하였다.