Lithium- and manganese-rich layered oxide (LMRO) is considered a promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries owing to its high capacity and energy density. However, operation at a high voltage of 4.8 V leads to several issues including low Coulombic efficiency, poor cycle life, slow kinetics, and voltage decay due to spinel phase transition, hindering commercialization. Herein, we synthesized a cobalt-free LMRO cathode and studied the effect of Nb2O5 and Sb2O3 coating layers on electrochemical performance. The Nb2O5 coating facilitated the formation of a LiNbO3 layer, which enhanced the initial electrochemical performance, including Coulombic efficiency and energy density. Meanwhile, Sb2O3 not only coated the surface but also doped into the bulk structure, thereby increasing capacity and improving rate capability. Comparative analysis using materials with different structural solubility revealed how oxide coatings influenced lithium-ion transport and electrochemical behavior. This study highlights the importance of interfacial engineering for optimizing LMRO cathodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

Maintaining probiotic viability during storage, freeze-drying, and gastrointestinal transit is essential to ensure efficacy. The present study evaluated VitaShield Coating® (VSC), an innovative stabilization technology incorporating vitamins A, C, and E, for enhancing the viability of Bifidobacterium strains. VSC-coated B. bifidum BGN4 exhibited a significantly higher freeze-drying recovery rate (43.91±4.69%) compared to that of the uncoated group (15.31±6.53%, p<0.0001), with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirming preservation of structural integrity. Gastrointestinal stability also improved, as coated cells retained 26.21±2.41% viability in simulated gastric fluid, significantly outperforming uncoated cells (3.20±2.30%, p<0.0001). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed a significant increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in coated cells, indicating enhanced membrane stability. Furthermore, storage stability of four Bifidobacterium strains (AD011, BORI, BGN4, and RAPO) was evaluated over 16 weeks at 25℃ and 30℃. The findings indicate that the VSC coating effectively protects probiotic strains under harsh storage conditions, mitigating viability loss over time. Overall, this study showed that the VSC coating serves as a multifunctional stabilization technology that provides mechanical, osmotic, and oxidative stress protection. Its ability to improve probiotic survival under harsh conditions enables its practical and scalable use in formulations and enhances stability.

For the commercialization of bipolar plates, several properties must be considered together. Electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, contact resistance, mechanical strength, and light weight are essential evaluation factors, with corrosion resistance and durability being significant for unitized regenerative fuel cells (URFCs), which must operate in electrolysis and fuel cell mode. However, improving both properties is challenging, since corrosion resistance is largely inversely proportional to conductivity. In this study, to improve both properties together, composites composed of Pb and Zn with excellent conductivity and corrosion resistance were prepared with graphite powder and formed as a coating layer on the surface of 304 stainless steel (SS304) and evaluated for electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. Among the ZnPb/C composites prepared at various ratios, Zn8Pb2/C exhibited the lowest transmittance resistance of 1.566 Ω, and improved electrical conductivity and durability compared to bare SS304.

높은 종횡비와 원자 수준의 얇은 두께를 갖는 다공성 2D 소재는 고성능 분리막 제작에 활용된다. 이를 위해서는 다공성 2D 소재를 다공성 지지체 위에 균일하게 도포할 수 있는 코팅법이 필수이다. 본 연구는 이를 위한 제올라이트 MFI 나노막의 간단하면서도 효과적인 코팅법을 제시한다. 직접합성법으로 합성된 제올라이트 MFI 나노막은 물에 분산되면서 동 시에 표면 활성을 보여, 이 특성을 활용하여 소수성 계면에 흡착시키는 것이 가능하다. 소수성 개질을 다양한 형태의 지지체 에 적용하여, 이들 표면에 고밀도의 나노막 흡착 코팅이 가능함을 보였다. 또한, 이 흡착코팅의 반복 수행을 통해 나노막의 완전피복을 달성하고, 이를 연속적인 MFI 필름 및 멤브레인으로 성장시킬 수 있었다. 이 간단한 코팅법은 제올라이트 나노막 뿐만 아니라, 표면활성을 보이는 다른 2D 소재에도 적용 가능할 것으로 보이며, 2D 소재의 활용도를 제고할 수 있을 것이다.

본 논문에서는 다양한 기상 조건에서 시인성과 내구성을 향상시키도록 설계된 도로 표시용 UV 경화 코팅 시스템 개발을 위해 수행한 연구의 결과를 나타내었다. 제조된 UV 코팅을 사용해 차선 표시의 재귀반사도와 내마모성을 강화하고 포장가속시험(APT), 휠 트래킹 내구성 테스트 등 다양한 테스트를 통해 성능을 평가하였다. 이 결과를 바탕으로 도로 안전을 위한 야간 시인성 및 미끄럼을 개선하 고자 한다.

Organic-inorganic hybrid coating films have been used to increase the transmittance and enhance the physical properties of plastic substrates. Sol-gel organic-inorganic thin films were fabricated on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) substrates using a dip coater. Metal alkoxide precursor tetraethylsilicate (TEOS) and alkoxy silanes including decyltrimethoxysilane (DTMS), 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), phenyltrimethoxysilane (PTMS), 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPM) and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) were used to synthesize sol-gel hybrid coating solutions. Sol-gel synthesis was confirmed by the results of FT-IR. Cross-linking of the Si-O-Si network during synthesis of the sol-gel reaction was confirmed. The effects of each alkoxy silane on the coating film properties were investigated. All of the organicinorganic hybrid coatings showed improved transmittance of over 90 %. The surface hardness of all coating films on the PMMA substrate was measured to be 4H or higher and the average thickness of the coating films was measured to be about 500 nm. Notably, the TEOS/DTMS coating film showed excellent hydrophobic properties, of about 97°.

With medical use of hemp, many medicinal cultivars were bred worldwide. Propagating cultivar using seed has a high cost. On the other hand, vegetatively propagating cultivar has various merits including short breeding period and uniformity. This study aimed to determine optimal conditions for propagating hemp after cutting, including sterilizing of rooting media, rooting hormone, and mixing ratio of growing media and sand of rooting media. Korean landrace strain of hemp plant was grown in Wagner pot (size: 1/2,000 a) for 60 days. Its branches were cut to 70∼80 mm in length and used for cutting slips. The rooting medium, a horticultural nursery medium, was autoclaved for 3 hours at 120 ℃. The mixing ratio of sand and nursery media was 9:1, 7:3, 5:5, or 3:7 in weight. Cutting slips were coated with rooting hormone (1-naphthylacetamide 0.4%) just before planting. Cutting materials were planted in a tray pot of 72 cells and grown in a walk-in-chamber for 28 days with a temperature of 25 ℃ and an intensity of radiation of 800 μmol/㎡/sec. Seedling rates were 61.1%, 77.8%, and 63.0% for mixing ratios of 1:9, 3:7, and 5:5 of sand mixed with horticultural nursery medium. These seedling rates were significantly higher than a seedling rate of 31.5 % for a mixing ratio of 7:3. Root lengths were 97 mm, 91 mm, and 81 mm for mixing ratios of 1:9, 3:7, and 5:5 of sand mixed with horticultural nursery medium. These root lengths were significantly longer than a root length of 37 mm for a mixing ratio of 7:3. Rooting rates were 81.1 % and 91.2 % for slips coated with rooting hormone and sterilized rooting media, respectively. They were 40.0 % and 18.3 % for slips not coated with rooting hormone or sterilized rooting media, respectively. Thus, for vegetative propagating (cutting) of medicinal hemp, sterilizing of rooting media and coating slips with rooting hormone will be essential to conducting the propagation process.

This study comprehensively investigates three types of graphite materials as potential anodes for potassium-ion batteries. Natural graphite, artificial carbon-coated graphite, and mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) are examined for their structural characteristics and electrochemical performances. Structural analyses, including HRTEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and laser particle size measurements, reveal distinct features in each graphite type. XRD spectra confirm that all graphites are composed of pure carbon, with high crystallinity and varying crystal sizes. Raman spectroscopy indicates differences in disorder levels, with artificial carbon-coated graphite exhibiting the highest disorder, attributed to its outer carbon coating. Ex-situ Raman and HRTEM techniques on the electrodes reveal their distinct electrochemical behaviors. MCMB stands out with superior stability and capacity retention during prolonged cycling, attributed to its unique spherical particle structure facilitating potassium-ion diffusion. The study suggests that MCMB holds promise for potassium-ion full batteries. In addition, artificial carbon-coated graphite, despite challenges in hindering potassium-ion diffusion, may find applications in commercial potassium-ion battery anodes with suitable coatings. The research contributes valuable insights into potassiumion battery anode materials, offering a significant extension to the current understanding of graphite-based electrode performance.

Nano-oxide dispersion–strengthened (ODS) superalloys have attracted attention because of their outstanding mechanical reinforcement mechanism. Dispersed oxides increase the material’s strength by preventing grain growth and recrystallization, as well as increasing creep resistance. In this research, atomic layer deposition (ALD) was applied to synthesize an ODS alloy. It is useful to coat conformal thin films even on complex matrix shapes, such as nanorods or powders. We coated an Nb-Si–based superalloy with TiO2 thin film by using rotary-reactor type thermal ALD. TiO2 was grown by controlling the deposition recipe, reactor temperature, N2 flow rate, and rotor speed. We could confirm the formation of uniform TiO2 film on the surface of the superalloy. This process was successfully applied to the synthesis of an ODS alloy, which could be a new field of ALD applications.

The current study explores the possibility of graphene as a protective layer on the zinc substrate through an optimized electrophoretic deposition process. Graphene has been synthesized from H2SO4, HNO3, and HClO4 solutions by an electrochemical exfoliation route. This method is known for providing a scalable and economical approach to the synthesis of graphene. The exfoliated graphene nano-sheets were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible, and field emission scanning electron microscope to evaluate its properties. The three different synthesized forms of graphene nano-sheets were electrophoretically deposited onto Zn substrates at two different potentials. Scratch testing was employed to check the adhesion quality of the coatings. The corrosion behaviour of Zn and graphene-coated Zn substrates was studied in borate buffer and 3.5 wt% NaCl solutions through potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It

In this research, in order to increase the oxidation resistance of graphite, kaolin and alumina powder with different ratios (26A-74S, 49A-51S, 72A-28S) and slurry method were used to create an aluminosilicate coating on the graphite substrate. In order to reduce the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion of graphite with aluminosilicate coating, aluminum metaphosphate coating as an interlayer was prepared on the surface of graphite by cathodic electrochemical treatment. The isothermal oxidation test of the samples was carried out in air at a temperature of 1250 °C for 1, 3 and 5 h. The microstructure, chemical composition, and phase components of the coating were, respectively, analyzed by scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive spectrometer and X-ray diffraction. The results indicated that, by increasing the withdrawal speed of the samples in slurry method, the amount of changes in the weight of the samples has increased and therefore had a direct effect on oxidation. In addition, it was approved that, at high-temperature oxidation, AlPO4 glass phase forms on aluminum metaphosphate interlayer which retards graphite oxidation. Along with aluminum metaphosphate, aluminosilicate coating also produces a glass phase which fills and seals the voids on the surface which prevents the oxygen to reach the surface of graphite. The created double-layer coating including an interlayer of aluminum metaphosphate + slurry coating prepared with the ratio of 26A-74S as the optimal coating in this research was able to increase the oxidation resistance of graphite by 73% at a temperature of 1250 °C.

PURPOSES : The current research aims to evaluate the impact of coating materials and temperature on the percentage of bead loss in pavement markings. METHODS : Five mixtures with varying numbers of coating layers (C0, C1, C2, C3, and C4) were prepared to assess the effect of coating layers on bead loss. The effect of stripping was simulated using a modified Hamburg Wheel Tracking test. Furthermore, the influence of temperature and coating material on bead loss was examined using control mixture (without coating), YR, and SY coating mixtures. The percentage bead loss was evaluated by a developed image analysis program. RESULTS : The results demonstrated a substantial reduction in bead loss as the number of coating layers increased, with the C4 mixture showing an impressive 4.3% bead loss after 500 HWT braking cycles compared to 27.4% for the C0 mixture. Higher testing temperatures resulted in increased bead loss, with the control mixture exhibiting the highest percentage loss at 7,500 HWT rolling cycles. Conversely, the YR and SY coating mixtures displayed superior resistance to bead loss. Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of coating layers in reducing bead loss, further supporting the effectiveness of coatings in preserving bead adhesion during HWT cycles. CONCLUSIONS : The findings highlight the potential of coating materials as a key protective measure for enhancing the longevity and performance of pavement markings.

The tribology characteristics of the graphene coated PA6 were evaluated with scratch experiments. As a result, the following conclusions were obtained. The PA6 of the graphene coating shows a 0.1 improvement in friction coefficient and a lower abrasion depth than PA6 in the variable pressure-type scratch experiments. PA6 of the graphene coating showed a lower friction coefficient of 0.2 or more than PA6 in the friction coefficient in the static pressure scratch experiments, indicating that wear resistance was improved. In both the variable and the static pressure type scratch experiments, the tip depth of graphene-coated PA6 shows a thinner wear depth than PA6, showing the effect of graphene. The graphene content showed excellent tribology characteristics at 3%, and there was no difference in tribology characteristics at higher contents.