The radiological characterization of SSCs (Structure, Systems and Components) plays one of the most important role for the decommissioning of KORI Unit-1 during the preparation periods. Generally, a regulatory body and laws relating to the decommissioning focus on the separation and appropriate disposal or storage of radiological waste including ILW (intermediate level waste), LLW (low level waste), VLLW (very low level waste) and CW (clearance waste), aligned with their contamination characteristics. The result of the preliminary radiological characterization of KORI Unit-1 indicated that, apart from neutron activated the RV (reactor vessel), RVI (reactor vessel internals), and BS (biological shielding concrete), the majorities of contamination were sorted to be less than LLW. Radiological contamination can be evaluated into two methods. Due to the difficulties of directly measuring contamination on the interior surfaces of the pipe, called CRUD, the assessment was implemented by modeling method, that is measuring contamination on the exterior surfaces of the pipes and calculating relative factors such as thickness and size. This indirect method may be affected by the surrounding radiation distribution, and only a few gamma nuclides can be measured. Therefore, it has limitation in terms of providing detailed nuclide information. Especially, α and β nuclides can only be estimated roughly by scaling factors, comparing their relative ratios with the existing gamma results. To overcome the limitation of indirect measurement, a destructive sampling method has been employed to assess the contamination of the systems and component. Samples are physically taken some parts of the systems or components and subsequently analyzed in the laboratory to evaluate detailed nuclides and total contamination. For the characterization of KORI Unit-1, we conducted the radiation measurement on the exterior surfaces of components using portable instruments (Eberline E-600 SPA3, Thermo G20-10, Thermo G10, Thermo FH40TG) at BR (boron recycle system) and SP (containment spray system) in primary system. Based on these results, the ProUCL program was employed to determine the destructive sample collection quantities based on statistical approach. The total of 5 and 8 destructive sample quantities were decided by program and successfully collected from the BR and SP systems, respectively. Samples were moved to laboratory and analyzed for the detail nuclide characteristics. The outcomes of this study are expected to serve as valuable information for estimating the types and quantities of radiological waste generated by decommissioning of KORI Unit-1.

This study investigates the optical characteristics of InGaN multiple quantum wells(MQWs) light emitting diodes(LEDs) on planar sapphire substrates(PSSs), nano-sized PSS(NPSS) and micro-sized PSS(MPSS). We obtain the results as the patterning size of the sapphire substrates approach the nanometer scale: The light from the back side of the device increases and the total light extraction becomes larger than the MPSS- and planar-LEDs. The experiment is conducted by Monte Carlo ray-tracing, which is regarded as one of the most suitable ways to simulate light propagation in LEDs. The results show fine consistency between simulation and measurement of the samples with different sized patterned substrates. Notably, light from the back side becomes larger in the NPSS LEDs. We strongly propose that the increase in the light intensity of NPSS LEDs is due to an abnormal optical distribution, which indicates an increase of extraction probability through NPSS.

It is necessary to understand the amount of snowfall and area of snow cover of Mt. Halla to ensure the safety of mountaineers and to protect the ecosystem of Mt. Halla against climate change. However, there are not enough related studies and observation posts for monitoring snow load. Therefore, to supplement the insufficient data, this study proposes an analysis of snow load and snow cover using normalized-difference snow index. Using the images obtained from the Sentinel2 satellite, the normalized-difference snow index image of Mt. Halla could be acquired. This was examined together with the meteorological data obtained from the existing observatory to analyze the change in snow cover for the years 2020 and 2021. The normalized-difference snow index images showed a smaller snow pixel number in 2021 than that in 2020. This study concluded that 2021 may have been warmer than 2020. In the future, it will be necessary to continuously monitor the amount of snow and the snow-covered area of Mt. Halla using the normalized-difference snow index image analysis method.

Global warming affects forests and their ecology. Diversity in the forest is a buffer that reduces the damage due to global warming. Mixed forests are ecologically more valuable as versatile habitats and are effective in preventing landslides. In Korea, most forests were created by simple afforestation with trees of evergreen species. Typically, evergreen trees are shallow-rooted, and deciduous trees are deep-rooted. Mixed forest tree roots grip the soil effectively, which reduces the occurrence of landslides. Therefore, improving the distribution of tree types is essential to reduce damage due to global warming. For this improvement, the investigation of tree types of the forest is needed. However, determining the tree type distribution of forests that are spread over wide areas is labor-intensive and time-consuming. This study suggests effective methods for determining the distribution of tree types in a forest that is spread across a relatively wide area. Using normalized difference vegetation index and RGB images from unmanned aerial vehicles, each evergreen and deciduous tree, and grassland area can be distinguished. The distinguished image determines the distribution of tree type. This method is effective compared to directly determining the tree type distribution in the forest by the use of manpower. The data from these methods could be applied to plan a mixed forest or to prepare for future damage due to global warming.

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaudich.) is a hardy perennial herbaceous plant of the Urticaceae family and has been grown as a fiber crop in several countries including Korea for many centuries. Ramie leaves also have been traditionally used as a major ingredient of a type of rice cake called ‘Song-pyun’ in the Southwest area of Korea, especially Yeong-Gwang province. Despite its economic importance, the molecular genetics of ramie have not been studied in detail yet. Genetic resources of ramie were widely collected from domestic local sites by Bioenergy Crop Research Center (RDA) and Yeong-Gwang Agricultural Technology Center. For the systematic and efficient management of the genetic resources, we developed microsatellite molecular markers of ramie. To do this, we generated microsatellite-enriched genomic DNA libraries using magnetic bead hybridization selection method. 216 contigs containing microsatellite repeat motif were generated using nucleotide sequences of 376 clones from the libraries. Primer sets were designed from the flanking sequences of the repeat motif. Finally, we selected 26 microsatellite markers, possibly showing polymorphism among the genetic resources. Results on the genotype analysis of the ramie genetic resources using the microsatellite markers will be presented.