The development of high specific surface area and mesoporous activated carbons is required to improve the electrochemical performance of EDLC. In this study, kenaf-derived activated carbons (PK-AC) were prepared for high-power-density EDLC via phosphoric acid stabilization and steam activation. The pyrolysis behavior of kenaf with respect to the phosphoric acid stabilization conditions were examined via TGA and DTG. The textural properties of PK-AC were studied with N2/ 77 K adsorption–desorption isotherms. In addition, the crystalline structure of PK-AC was observed via X-ray diffraction. The specific surface area and mesopore volume ratio of PK-AC were determined to be 1570–2400 m2/ g and 7.7–44.5%, respectively. In addition, PK-AC was observed to have a high specific surface area and mesopore volume ratio than commercial coconut-derived activated carbon (YP-50F). The specific capacitance of PK-AC was increased from 77.0–99.5 F/g (at 0.1 A/g) to 49.3–88.9 F/g (at 10.0 A/g) with activation time increased. In particular, K-P-15-H-9–10 observed an approximately 35% improvement in specific capacitance at a higher current density of 10.0 A/g compared to YP-50F. As a result, the phosphoric acid stabilization method was confirmed to be an efficient process for the preparation of high specific surface area and mesoporous biomass-derived activated carbons, and the kenaf-derived activated carbons prepared by this process have great potential for application as electrode active materials in high-power EDLC.
It is addressed that the challenges of poor cyclic stability and low conductivity in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) hinder their application in energy storage. Here, we synthesized binary metal MOFs through a one-step hydrothermal process, subsequently calcined to produce Co–Mn/reduced graphene oxide (rGO). This approach not only carbonized the organic framework but also enhanced its electrical conductivity and stability. Our findings demonstrated that the synergistic effects of Co and Mn within the assembled electrode resulted in remarkable performance, achieving a specific capacitance of 3558.65 F g− 1 at 1 A g− 1 and a rate capability of 1000 F g− 1 at 30 A g− 1. The Co–Mn/rGO anode in the asymmetric supercapattery exhibited a broadened operating potential window of 1.5 V, delivering an energy density of 54.65 W h kg− 1 at a power density of 125 W kg− 1, and maintaining 11.375 W h kg− 1 at a high power density of 12,500 W kg− 1. Notably, the capacitance retention rate reached 99.99% after 10,000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g− 1. These results suggest that the developed Co–Mn/rGO composite represents a promising candidate for advanced energy storage systems, offering both high performance and stability.
The thermal management of high-density electronics within military shelters is a critical challenge for ensuring operational reliability, particularly under harsh field conditions involving significant solar radiation. This study presents a numerical investigation using three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to optimize an air-cooling system for an electronics rack housed in a military shelter. Four distinct cooling configurations were analyzed and compared: (1) a baseline model relying on natural convection, (2) a fan-assisted forced convection model, (3) a direct cold air supply model using an insulated duct, and (4) a hybrid model integrating both fans and the duct. Boundary conditions were established based on the high temperature and solar radiation criteria of the MIL-STD-810G standard. To quantitatively evaluate the cooling efficiency of each system, a normalized performance index derived from a weighted sum of the average temperature and temperature standard deviation was employed. The results demonstrate that the baseline configuration leads to critical overheating, with component temperatures reaching up to 124℃. In contrast, the hybrid fan-duct system exhibited the most superior performance, effectively reducing the maximum temperature to 59℃. This is attributed to a powerful synergistic effect, where the qualitative supply of low-temperature air via the duct is combined with the quantitative distribution of flow rate throughout the system by the fans. This study elucidates an effective thermal management strategy for electronics in military shelters exposed to severe environments, identifying the integrated fan-duct system as the most robust and optimal air-cooling solution.
Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), is a major threat to Pinus thunbergii forests in South Korea. Although climatic conditions are known to affect the spread of PWD, the specific influences of temperature and geography on nematode density and tree mortality remain unclear. This study assessed monthly PWN density and black pine mortality across three regions—two coastal (Geoje and Sacheon) and one inland (Jinju)—from 2021 to 2023. Nematode density and tree mortality consistently peaked in autumn across all regions. A strong positive correlation was observed between nematode density and tree mortality (r = 0.7468, p < 0.01), while temperature showed no significant correlation with either variable. These results indicate that PWD severity is more closely tied to nematode activity than to temperature alone, and that regional and seasonal variability must be considered in disease assessment. The findings highlight the need for region-specific monitoring and management strategies that prioritize high-risk periods, particularly autumn, when nematode activity and disease expression are most pronounced. This research provides essential data to support adaptive PWD control programs under changing climatic conditions.
Tracing the water snowline in low-mass young stellar objects (YSOs) is important because dust grain growth is promoted and the chemical composition varies at the water snowline, which influences planet formation and its properties. In protostellar envelopes, the water snowline can be estimated as a function of luminosity using a relation derived from radiative transfer models, and these predictions are consistent with observations. However, accurately estimating the water snowline in protoplanetary disks requires new relations that account for the disk structure. We present the relations between luminosity and water snowline using the dust continuum radiative transfer models with various density structures. We adopt two-dimensional density structures for an envelope-only model (Model E), an envelope+disk+cavity model (Model E+D), and a protoplanetary disk model (Model PPD). The relations between the water snowline, where Tdust = 100 K, and the total luminosity, ranging 0.1–1,000 L⊙, are well fitted by a power-law relation, Rsnow = a × (L/L⊙)p au. The factor a decreases with increasing disk density, while the power index p has values around 0.5 in all models. As the disk becomes denser, the water snowline forms at smaller radii even at the same luminosity, since dense dust hinders photon propagation. We also explore the effect of viscous heating on the water snowline. In Model PPD with viscous heating, the water snowline shifts outward by a few au up to 15 au, increasing the factor a and decreasing the power index p. In Model E+D with lower disk mass, the effect of viscous heating is negligible, indicating that the disk mass controls the effect. The discrepancy between our models and direct observations provides insights into the recent outburst event and the presence of a disk structure in low-mass YSOs.
This study is a fundamental investigation aimed at applying HDPE(High-Density Polyethylene), a promising alternative to FRP(Fiber-Reinforced Plastic) commonly used in hull structures, to hulls and marine structures. HDPE is well-suited for marine environments due to its excellent durability, chemical resistance, light weight, and recyclability; however, reliable joining techniques for large-scale structures remain insufficient. This research analyzes the effect of extrusion-based throughput rate conditions on weld quality. BoP(Bead-on-Plate) welding experiments were conducted using HDPE welding wire under throughput rates ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 g/sec, evaluating variations in bead shape and weight. The results showed significant changes in bead dimensions according to throughput rate, suggesting that the findings can serve as a basis for deriving optimal conditions to ensure joint quality.
본 연구는 우리나라 산림 보호지역 내 도로 밀도를 분석하여, 산림 보전과 관리의 효율성을 높이기 위한 시사점을 도출하고자 하였다. 도로는 산림 관리에 필수적인 기반 시설이지만, 보호지역 내에서는 생태계를 파편화하고 서식지를 훼손할 수 있다. 특히 보호지역의 보전 목적과 실제 관리 현황 사이의 괴리를 파악하기 위해서는, 국제적으로 통용되는 기준에 따른 비교 분석이 필요하다. 이에 본 연구는 IUCN 보호지역 카테고리를 기준으로 유형별 도로 밀도 차이를 분석하고, 각 유형의 보전 목적에 부합하는 관리 실태를 평가하였다. 연구 결과, 우리나라 산림 보호지역의 평균 도로 밀도는 19.6m/ha로 나타났으며, 이는 국내 선행연구에서 제시된 지속 가능한 산림경영을 위한 적정 임도 밀도 범위 (5.12m/ha~14.01m/ha)를 크게 초과하는 수치였다. 보전 목적이 가장 엄격한 카테고리 Ⅰa에서도 도로 밀도는 52.6m/ha 에 달해, 보전 취지에 부합하지 않는 과도한 개발 수준을 보였다. 자원의 지속 가능한 이용을 목적으로 하는 카테고리 Ⅵ 또한 29.1m/ha의 비교적 높은 도로 밀도를 기록하였다. 이는 보호지역의 지정 유형과 관계없이 도로망이 과도하게 발달되어 있음을 시사한다. 이와 같은 높은 도로 밀도는 보호지역 내 생물다양성 보전에 부정적인 영향을 미치며, 서식지 단절과 생태계 교란을 가중시킬 수 있다. 따라서 보호지역 내 불필요한 도로를 단계적으로 폐쇄하고 생태적으로 복원하는 정책이 시급하며, 보호지역의 법적 기준 또한 생태적 요구에 부합하도록 개선할 필요가 있다.
Gas sensors play a crucial role in monitoring harmful gas concentrations and air quality in real-time, ensuring safety and protecting health in both environmental and industrial settings. Additionally, they are essential in various applications for energy efficiency and environmental protection. As the demand for hydrogen refueling stations and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles increases with the growth of the hydrogen economy, accurate gas concentration measurement technology is increasingly necessary given hydrogen's wide explosion range. To ensure safety and efficiency, gas sensors must accurately detect a wide range of gas concentrations in real-world environments. This study presents two types of gas sensors with high sensitivity, stability, low cost, fast response time, and compact design. These sensors, based on volume and pressure analysis principles, can measure gas filling amounts, solubility, diffusivity, and the leakage of hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, and argon gases in high-density polyethylene charged under high-pressure conditions. Performance evaluation shows that the two sensors have a stability of 0.2 %, a resolution of 0.12 wt・ppm, and can measure gas concentrations ranging from 0.1 wt・ppm to 1400 wt・ ppm within one second. Moreover, the sensitivity, resolution, and measurement range of the sensors are adjustable. Measurements obtained from these sensors of gas filling amounts and the diffusivity of four gases showed consistent results within uncertainty limits. This system, capable of real-time gas detection and characterization, is applicable to hydrogen infrastructure facilities and is expected to contribute to the establishment of a safe hydrogen society in the future.
This study investigates the changes in the surface characteristic, electrical and mechanical properties of copper foils electrodeposited in electrolytes with added various additives (Janus Green B (JGB), 3–mercapto–1–propane sulfonic acid (MPSA), Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Chloride ion) under high current density. The main effect of additives on these properties was analyzed. In the group with added JGB, the crystal size on the surface became finer, and a homogeneous surface was observed. However, dented areas were observed, which decreased with an increase in chloride ions. When 100 ppm of PEG and 10 ppm of JGB were added, the fine dents on the surface increased. When a certain amount or more of additives were added, defects on the surface occurred due to competition between additives. The addition of JGB induced crystal growth in the direction of the (111) plane. Copper foils with excellent yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation could be obtained with an appropriate crystal size. The addition of JGB mainly affected crystal size and the direction of crystal growth, which is an important factor for controlling mechanical properties. PEG mainly affected elongation, and chloride ions had a primary effect on surface roughness, resistivity, and corrosion rate. Therefore, controlling additives is an effective way to significantly affect the manufacture of copper foil and produce various suitable properties in high demand.
Energy harvesting has become a crucial technology for sustainable energy solutions; in particular, the utilization of ambient water movement in hydrovoltaic generators has emerged as a promising approach. However, optimizing performance requires an understanding of structural factors affecting energy harvesting, particularly capillary effects. This study aimed to improve hydrovoltaic generator performance by adjusting internal fiber density, which influences water transport and ion mobility. Using cold isostatic pressing, cellulose acetate (CA) loading in a urethane mold was varied to optimize internal density. As CA loading increased, the fiber arrangement became denser, narrowing capillary pathways and reducing proton mobility. While open-circuit voltage (VOC) remained stable, short-circuit current (ISC) decreased with higher CA mass. The sample with a loading of 0.3 g exhibited the highest energy harvesting efficiency, achieving ISC = 107.2 μA, VOC = 0.15 V, and power (P) = 16.7 μW. This study provides insights into methods of improving hydrovoltaic generator efficiency through internal structural modifications.
Revolving doors can impede rapid evacuation during fire emergencies due to their structural characteristics, which pose a potential hazard. This study utilized the Pathfinder simulation software to analyze and compare the Required Safe Egress Time (RSET) and occupant density based on revolving door passage speed and utilization rates under different evacuation scenarios. When both revolving doors and swing doors were operational, or when revolving doors were closed and only swing doors were used, areas with an occupant density exceeding 3 persons per square meter were observed in the entrance area. However, when revolving doors were deactivated and the width of swing doors was expanded, a reduction in RSET was observed, and no areas with an occupant density exceeding 3 persons per square meter were identified. Therefore, buildings equipped with revolving doors should acknowledge the risks associated with their use. They must ensure sufficiently wide emergency exits or implement systems that allow revolving doors to open during emergencies to facilitate efficient evacuation. Furthermore, it is crucial to establish additional regulations governing the operation and safety standards of revolving doors during emergency scenarios.
본 연구는 한국 산림지역에 조성된 각종 산림도로의 밀도를 산정하고, 이를 토대로 한국 산림도로망의 현황과 문제점 을 평가하였다. 분석은 산림청에서 제공하는 임상도와 임도 현황, 국토교통부의 도로중심선 데이터를 활용하여 산림 내부 및 인접 지역(산림 경계로부터 75m 이내)에 위치한 도로의 총길이를 계산하고, 이를 전체 산림면적으로 나누어 산림도로 밀도를 산정하였다. 분석 결과, 한국의 산림도로 밀도는 전국 평균이 무려 51.0m/ha에 달하였다. 이는 일본의 산림도로 밀도 24.1m/ha, 오스트리아 전체 산림의 도로 밀도 37.0m/ha, 오스트리아의 경영림을 대상으로 한 산림도로 밀도 45.0m/ha와 비교했을 때 현저히 높은 수치였다. 이러한 차이는 한국의 산림 도로망이 관리와 경영을 위한 요구 조건을 훌쩍 넘어섰음을 시사하며, 추가적인 도로 건설은 경제적 비효율성을 초래할 수 있음을 나타낸다. 산림 경영에 필요한 적정 도로밀도는 5~14m/ha로 여러 연구에서 제시되고 있다. 이와 더불어 산림생태계에 미치는 부정적 영향은 매우 높을 것으로 판단되었다. 또한, 산불 조기 진화 등을 위한 도로망 확장 필요성 등도 실증적으로 검증되지 않고 있어 현재 임도를 중심으로 한 산림도로 밀도 확장정책은 재고가 필요한 것으로 판단되었다.
Ecological indicators are tools used to evaluate the state of specific environments by monitoring the ecological characteristics and changes of organisms, and they are widely utilized in environmental monitoring and management. Such indicators should be sensitive to environmental changes, maintain long-term stability, and be easy to investigate and analyze. This study aimed to evaluate whether the spraint density of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) can monitor the state and changes in river ecosystems. Using spraint density data over nine years (2014~2024), we analyzed temporal and spatial changes in otter distribution. Generalized Additive Models were applied to assess annual variability, and spatial clustering and distribution changes were examined using Hotspot Analysis and Geo-SOM (Geo-Self-Organizing Map). The results indicated stable spraint density trends in most sub-watersheds, with higher variability in developed areas. This study highlights the potential of spraint density as a cost-effective and simple ecoological indicator for long-term river ecosystem monitoring.