The global pet market is continuously growing as the number of single-person households increases along with the preponderance of the nuclear family, so pet-related industries are steadily growing. In addition, the market related to the health of companion animals is also increasing significantly. Regarding the health of companion animals, it is reported that the incidence of adult diseases, like humans, is growing mainly due to activities in indoor environments and the lack of exercise due to the lack of time for companion animals. This paper studies the antioxidant properties of Jerusalem Artichoke extract, which can be used as a raw material for functional foods related to adult diseases in companion animals by using substances extracted from Jerusalem Artichokes grown by the first author. Samples to be tested were extracted from hot water extraction and ethanol extraction methods according to conditions. To confirm the antioxidant properties, absorbance analysis, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis, polyphenol measurement, flavonoid measurement, and radical scavenging ability measurement by DPPH were performed to determine whether the raw materials applied in this paper could be used. It was confirmed that Jerusalem Artichoke extract is a suitable additive raw material for functional pet food.

Due to the necessity of isolating spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from the human life zone for a minimum of 106 years, deep geological disposal (DGD) has emerged as a prominent solution for SNF management in numerous countries. Consequently, the resilience of disposal canisters to corrosion over such an extended storage period becomes paramount. While copper exhibits a relatively low corrosion rate, typically measured in millimeters per million years, in geological environment, special attention must be directed towards verifying the corrosion resistance of copper canister welds. This validation becomes inevitable during the sealing of the disposal canister once SNFs are loaded, primarily because the weld zone presents a discontinuous microstructure, which can accelerate both uniform and localized corrosion processes. In this research, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the microstructural characteristics of copper welds manufactured by TIG-based wire are additive manufacturing, which is ideal for welding relatively large structures such as a disposal canister. To simulate the welds of copper canister, a 12 mm thick oxygen-free plate was prepared and Y and V grooves were applied to perform overlay welding. Both copper welding zones were very uniform, with negligible defects (i.e., void and cracks), and contained relatively large grains with columnar structure regardless of groove types. For improving microstructures at welds with better corrosion resistance, the effect of preheat temperature also investigated up to 600°C.

On a global scale, the storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) within nuclear power plants (NPP) has become an important research topic due to limited space caused by approaching capacity saturation. SNF have e been collected over decades of NPP operation, coming up to capacity limitation. In case of Korea, every reactor except Saeul 1 and 2 has reached a SNF storage saturation rate of over 75%. One of the most studied methods for enhancing storage capacity efficiency involves increasing storage density using racks with neutron absorbers. Neutron absorbers like borated stainless steel (BSS) are utilized to manage the reactivity of densely stored SNF. However, major challenges of applying BSS are manufacturing hardness from heterogenous microstructure and mechanical property degradation from helium bubble formation. This study suggests that innovative fabrication methods of 3D printing can be good candidate for easier fabrication and better structural integrity of BSS. Directed energy deposition (DED), one of the 3D printing methods have become major candidate method for various alloys. It deposits alloy powder on base melt surface by high intensity laser, similar with welding process. Powder manufacturing is already demonstrated superior performance compared to casting in ASTM-A887, such as increased mechanical properties, owing to its well distributed chemistry of alloy. Moreover, as its original microstructural property, the formation of micro-pores through DED could lead to long-term performance improvements by capturing helium generated from the neutron absorption of boron. The potential for fabricating complex structure is also among the advantages of DED-produced neutron absorbers. Expected challenge on DED application on BSS is lack of printing condition data, because the 3D printing process have to be kept very careful variables of thermal intensity, powder flux and etc. These processes may get through much of trial & error for initial condition approaching. Nonetheless, as a recommendation of improved neutron absorber for efficient SNF pool storage, the concept of 3D printed BSS stands out as an intriguing avenue for research.

Molten salt reactor (MSR) uses fluoride or chloride based molten salt as a coolant of the system, and fuel materials are dissolved in the molten salt, therefore it can be act as both coolant and nuclear fuel. A few issues have arisen from early-stage research and development program of MSR from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, including corrosion of structural materials and fission product management. For investigating the effect of additives on corrosion of structural materials, Mg(OH)2 and MgCl2*6H2O are added into the NaCl-MgCl2 eutectic salt. Prepared chloride salt is injected into the autoclave in the glove box, as well as corrosion coupons for candidate structural materials for molten chloride salt reactor, SS316, Alloy 600, and C-276 are also prepared. The temperature is set as 700°C. After 500 h corrosion experiment, the samples are taken out from the autoclave, and they are analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). SS316 samples show weight loss with all salt conditions, while Alloy 600 and C-276 show weight gain after the corrosion experiment.

본 연구는 수분함량과 미생물 첨가제가 알팔파 사일리지의 발효특성과 사료가치에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 수행되었다. 알팔파는 개화 10% 시기에서 수확되었으며 수분 함량(M60, M50, M40 및 M30)이 60, 50, 40 및 30%일 때 각각 이용하였다. 1500g을 샘플링한 후, 증류수 10mL을 첨가한 미첨가구(NAD)와 Lactococcus lactis 와 Pediococcus pentosaceus의 혼합물을 증류수(0.1g/10mL)에 1.5 x 1010cfu/g 농도로 희석한 후 접종한 미생물 균주 첨가구(ADD)를 3개월 및 6개월 발효하였다. 수분 및 미생물 첨가제에 따른 연평균 알팔파의 조단백, 중성세제 불용성 섬유 및 산성세제 불용성 섬유에서 차이가 없었다(p>0.05). 모든 발효기간에서 pH는 ADD의 M40에서 가장 낮았다(p<0.05). NAD 처리구에서는 젖산이 M50에서 가장 높았고(p<0.05), ADD 처리군에서는 M40 시험구에서 젖산이 가장 높았다(p<0.05). NAD와 ADD의 M60은 젖산 함량이 다른 수분 함량들에 비해 가장 낮으며(p<0.05) 낙산이 유일하게 검출되었다. 미생물군집의 상대적 풍부도는 ADD 처리구의 M40과 M50에서 Homo LAB (Enterococcus, Lactiplantibacillus, Lacticaseibacillus, Lactococcus, Pediococcus)의 비율이 가장 높았고, Clostridium은 M60에서 가장 높았다.

In this study, we analyzed the changes in concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA), phenols, and indoles, as well as odor contribution in pig slurry. The pig slurry was stored for approximately two months after the manure excretion of pigs which had been fed 3% level of peat moss additive. The investigation was carried out through lab-scale experiments simulating slurry pit conditions within pig house. Throughout the storage period, the concentration of VFA exhibited a tendency to be 11%-32% higher in the pig manure treated with peat moss as compared to the control group. From a concentration perspective, phenol and acetic acid accounted for the majority of the total odor compounds produced during the pig slurry storage period. However, their significance diminished when the concentration of odoros compounds are converted into odor activity value and odor contribution. Despite the odor reduction effect of the ammonia (NH3) adsorption by peat moss, if it cannot effectively reduce the high odor-contributing compounds such as indoles and p-cresol, the sole use of peat moss may not be considered an effective means of mitigating odors produced by pig slurry. According to this study, indoles, p-cresol, skatole, and valeric acid were consistently revealed as major odor-contributing substances during the two-month storage of pig slurry. Therefore, a comprehensive odor mitigation methodology should be proposed, taking into consideration the odor generation characteristics (including temporal concentration and odor contribution) of pig slurry-derived odors during storage.

Nowadays, variable materials have been investigated to find alternative lightweight conductors instead of copper because copper has a relatively high density. Carbon nanotube (CNT) is one of the most suitable materials as an alternative conductor to Cu, thanks to its high conductivity. In addition, CNT has many other great properties, such as low density, high strength, and high ampacity. However, individual CNT loses some of its performance after the assembly process. Therefore, CNT materials have been electroplated with copper to achieve lighter conductors. In this study, CNT buckypaper (CNTBP) is fabricated using a multi-walled carbon nanotube and copper electroplated using optimizing electrolyte with the help of additive chemicals such as accelerator and suppressor. Furthermore, the effect of hydrochloric acid in the electrolyte on the electroplating of CNTBP is observed. The results show that HCl in electrolyte enhances the effectiveness of additive chemicals and provide a well-plated CNTBP@Cu composite. The composite in this study is expected to be used in various areas.

Aluminum alloys are widely utilized in diverse industries, such as automobiles, aerospace, and architecture, owing to their high specific strength and resistance to oxidation. However, to meet the increasing demands of the industry, it is necessary to design new aluminum alloys with excellent properties. Thus, a new method is required to efficiently test additively manufactured aluminum alloys with various compositions within a short period during the alloy design process. In this study, a combinatory approach using a direct energy deposition system for metal 3D printing process with a dual feeder was employed. Two types of aluminum alloy powders, namely Al6061 and Al-12Cu, were utilized for the combinatory test conducted through 3D printing. Twelve types of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys were manufactured during this combinatory test, and the relationship between their microstructures and properties was investigated.

The influence of MgO addition on the densification and microstructure of alumina (Al2O3) was studied. Compacted alumina specimens were manufactured using ball-milling and one-directional pressing followed by sintering at temperatures below 1700oC. Relative density, shrinkage, hardness, and microstructure were investigated using analytical tools such as FE-SEM, EDS, and XRD. When the MgO was added up to 5.0 wt% and sintered at 1500oC and 1600oC, the relative density exhibited an average value of 97% or more at both temperatures. The maximum density of 99.2% was with the addition of 0.5 wt% MgO at 1500oC. Meanwhile, the specimens showed significantly lower density values when sintered at 1400oC than at 1500oC and 1600oC owing to the relatively low sintering temperature. The hardness and shrinkage data also showed a similar trend in the change in density, implying that the addition of approximately 0.5 wt% MgO can promote the densification of Al2O3. Studying the microstructure confirmed the uniformity of the sintered alumina. These results can be used as basic compositional data for the development of MgOcontaining alumina as high-dielectric insulators.

Aluminum alloy-based additive manufacturing (AM) has emerged as a popular manufacturing process for the fabrication of complex parts in the automotive and aerospace industries. The addition of an inoculant to aluminum alloy powder has been demonstrated to effectively reduce cracking by promoting the formation of equiaxed grains. However, the optimization of the AM process parameters remains challenging owing to their variability. In this study, the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to predict the crack density of AM-processed Al alloy samples. RSM was performed by setting the process parameters and equiaxed grain ratio, which influence crack propagation, as independent variables and designating crack density as a response variable. The RSM-based quadratic polynomial models for crack-density prediction were found to be highly accurate. The relationship among the process parameters, crack density, and equiaxed grain fraction was also investigated using RSM. The findings of this study highlight the efficacy of RSM as a reliable approach for optimizing the properties of AM-processed parts with limited experimental data. These results can contribute to the development of robust AM processing strategies for the fabrication of highquality Al alloy components for various applications.

E171, a mixture of titanium dioxide, has been widely used as a food additive due to its whitening effect and low toxicity. However, it has been proven that E171 is no longer safe for public health. So far, there are insufficient studies on the toxic effects of E171 on organisms especially using standardized test methods. In this study, toxicity assessments of E171 to two aquatic species, water flea (Daphnia magna) and zebrafish (Danio rerio), were performed using modified standardized test methods based on the physicochemical properties of E171. The hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index, and turbiscan stability index (TSI) were measured to ensure the dispersion stability of E171 in exposure media during the test period. The EC50 for immobilization of water flea was 141.7 mg L-1 while zebrafish was not affected until 100 mg L-1 of E171. Measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzyme activities confirmed that E171 induced oxidative stress, leading to the activation of superoxide dismutase and catalase in both water flea and zebrafish, although the expression of antioxidant enzyme genes differed between species. These results suggested the potential risk of E171 to aquatic organisms and provided toxicological insights into the impacts of E171 on the environment.