The present research focuses on the tribological behavior of the AA5083 alloy-based hybrid surface composite using aluminosilicate and multi-walled-carbon nanotube through friction stir processing for automotive applications. The friction stir processing parameters (tool rotation and traverse speed) are varied based on full factorial design to understand their influence on the tribological characteristics of the developed hybrid composite. The surface morphology and composition of the worn hybrid composite are examined using a field-emission scanning electron microscope and an energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscope. No synergistic interaction is observed between the wear rate and friction coefficient of the hybrid composite plate. Also, adhesive wear is the major wear mechanism in both base material and hybrid composite. The influence of friction stir process parameters on wear rate and the friction coefficient is analyzed using the hybrid polynomial and multi-quadratic radial basis function. The models are utilized to optimize the friction stir processing parameters for reducing the rate of wear and friction coefficient using multi-quadratic RBF algorithm optimization.

Hybrid nanocomposites of aluminium (NHAMMCs) made from AA5052 are fabricated via stir casting route by reinforcing 12 wt% Si3N4 and 0.5 wt% of graphene for usage in aeronautical and automotive applications due to the lower density and higher strength to weight proportion. The wear characteristics of the NHAMMCs are evaluated for different axial load, rotational speed, sliding distance and sliding time based on Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Orowan strengthening mechanism is identified from optical image which improves the strength of the composite. Outcomes show that with higher axial load and rotational speed, there is substantial increase in wear loss whereas with increased sliding distance and sliding time there is no considerable increase in wear loss due to the lubricating nature of the reinforced graphene particles since it has higher surface area to volume ratio. Besides, artificial intelligence approach of neuro-fuzzy (ANFIS) model is developed to predict the output responses and the results are compared with the regression model predictions. Prediction from ANFIS outplays the regression model prediction.

Thermal cutting processes that can be applied to dismantling nuclear power plants include oxygen cutting, plasma cutting, and laser cutting. According to the global trend, research projects are being carried out in various countries to upgrade laser cutting, and many studies are also being conducted in Korea with plans to apply laser cutting processes when dismantling nuclear power plants. However, with the current technology level of the laser cutting process, the maximum thickness that can be cut is limited to 250 mm. Therefore, in this study, a laser-oxygen hybrid cutting process was implemented by adding a laser heat source to the oxygen cutting process that can cut carbon steel with a thickness of 250 mm or more (RV, beam, column, beam, etc.) when dismantling the nuclear power plant. This has the advantage of improving the cutting speed and reducing the cutting width Kerf compared to conventional oxygen cutting. In this research, the laser-oxygen hybrid cutting process consisted of laser cutting to which Raycus’ 8 kW Fiber Laser power source was applied and oxygen cutting to which hydrogen was applied with Fuel Gas. The oxygen torch was placed perpendicular to the test piece, and the laser head was irradiated by tilting 35° to 70°. The effects of cutting directions on quality and performance were studied, and cutting paths were selected by comparing cutting results. Thereafter, it was confirmed that there is an optimal laser output power according to the cutting thickness by studying the effect on the cutting surface quality by changing only the laser output power under the same cutting conditions. The results of this study are expected to be helpful in the remote cutting process using laser-oxygen hybrid cutting when dismantling domestic nuclear power plants in the future.

Decontamination is one of the important processes for dismantling nuclear power plants. The purpose of decontamination is to reduce the radiation levels of contaminated nuclear facilities, ensuring the safety of workers involved in decommissioning and minimizing the amount of radioactive waste. In this study, we investigate the reaction mechanisms and their thermodynamic energies of the HyBRID (Hydrazine-Based Reductive participated metal Ion Decontamination) process for decontamination of the primary coolant system of a nuclear power plant. We computed the thermodynamic properties of HyBRID dissolution mechanisms in which corrosion metal oxides accumulated in the primary coolant systems along with radionuclides are dissolved by HyBRID decontamination agents (H2SO4/N2H4/CuSO4). The HyBRID reaction mechanism has been studied using a commercial database (HSC Chemistry®), but Cu ions have been used instead of Cu-hydrazine complexes when calculating reactions due to the absence of thermodynamic properties for Cu-hydrazine complexes. To address this limitation, we supplemented the quantum calculations with Cu-hydrazine complexes using the density functional calculations. It is intended to simulate a more practical reactions by calculating the reactions considering Cu-hydrazine complexes, and to improve understanding of the HyBRID dissolution reactions by qualitatively and quantitatively comparing the reactions without considering the complex formation.

Various types of solidifying materials are used to stabilize and solidify low and intermediatelevel radioactive dispersible waste. Portland cement is generally used to solidify various radioactive wastes because its facilities and processes are simple, less dangerous, and it has excellent compressive strength after curing compared to other materials. However, it is difficult to use Portland cement in radioactive waste containing highly water-soluble harmful substances such as sodium fluoride because it is prone to leaching harmful ingredients in immersion tests due to its low water resistance. In this study, solidification was achieved using an organic-inorganic hybrid solidifying binders consisting of inorganic binders such as Portland cement, blast furnace slag powder, silica fume, and organic binders such as epoxy resin. This material was then compared with a solidification material made of Portland cement alone. The mixing ratio of inorganic binders, water, and organic binders to simulated waste is 35%, 20%, and 25%, respectively. The mixing ratio of inorganic binders and water when using only Portland cement for simulated waste is 100% and 80%, respectively. The mixed paste was poured into a cylinder mold (Φ 5 × 10 cm) to seal the upper part, cured at room temperature for 28 days to produce a solidification specimen, and then subjected to various tests were performed, including compressive strength, immersion compressive strength, hydration peak temperature, length change, and immersion weight change. The compressive strength of the organic-inorganic hybrid solidification test was 13-17 MPa, the immersion compressive strength was 15-18 MPa, the hydration peak temperature was 33-36°C, the length change rate was -0.086%, and the immersion weight change rate was –2.359%. The compressive strength of the Inorganic solidification test using only Portland cement was 16-18 MPa, the immersion compressive strength was 20-21 MPa, the hydration peak temperature was 23-25°C, the length change rate was -0.150%, and the immersion weight change rate was -5.213%. The compressive strength and immersion compressive strength of the organic-inorganic hybrid solidification materials were slightly lower compared to those of Portland cement solidification materials, they still met the compressive strength standard of 7-12 MPa, taking into consideration the strength reduce and economic feasibility of the core drill process. Furthermore, it indicates that the rates of change in length and immersion weight decreased to about 1% and 5%, suggesting an improvement in water resistance. The above results suggest that applying the organic-inorganic hybrid solidification method to radioactive waste treatment can effectively improve water resistance and help secure long-term stability.

Conducting a TSPA (Total System Performance Assessment) of the entire spent nuclear fuel disposal system, which includes thousands of disposal holes and their geological surroundings over many thousands of years, is a challenging task. Typically, the TSPA relies on significant efforts involving numerous parts and finite elements, making it computationally demanding. To streamline this process and enhance efficiency, our study introduces a surrogate model built upon the widely recognized U-network machine learning framework. This surrogate model serves as a bridge, correcting the results from a detailed numerical model with a large number of small-sized elements into a simplified one with fewer and large-sized elements. This approach will significantly cut down on computation time while preserving accuracy comparable to those achieved through the detailed numerical model.

The Corona crisis has led to serious changes in teaching in MBA programs in recent years. Within a very short time, teaching at business schools was changed from face-to-face to online. While younger undergraduate students have sometimes had problems with this form of teaching, it has been very well received by typical MBA-students, , which are older, some of whom are working and often have families. This paper shows how the MBA market in Germany is developing and how Darmstadt Business School is positioning itself for the future in this challenging market environment.

본 연구는 우리나라에서 수수-수단그라스 교잡종 (sorghum bicolor L.: SSH)에 대해 극단기상과 정상기상 간 생산량을 비교할 목적으로 수행하였다. SSH 데이터 (n=1,025)는 농촌진흥청의 신품종 적응성 실험보고서(1979 ―2019)로부터 수집하였다. 기상자료는 기상청으로부터 평균기온, 최저기온, 최고기온, 최대 강수량, 누적 강수량, 최대풍속, 평균풍속 및 일조시간을 10일 기준으로 계산하 여 수집하였다. 극단기상과 정상기상 간 구별을 위해 상 자 그림을 이용하여 탐색하였다. 극단기상과 정상기상 간 생산량 차이는 5% 유의수준 하에서 t-검정 및 ANOVA를 통해 확인하였다. 그 결과, 극단기상은 극단적으로 강한 바람을 동반한 봄 가뭄, 극단적으로 높은 강우량을 기록 하는 여름장마와 가을장마가 두드러졌다. 예측 생산량 피 해(kg/ha)는 각각 1,961―6,541, 2,161―4,526 및 508― 5,582로 나타났다. 본 연구는 우리나라의 SSH에 대한 취 약성 및 피해 산정에 도움이 되는 기초자료로서 극단기상 과 정상기상 사이의 생산량 차이를 확인하는 데 의의가 있다.