Light-weight ceramic insulation materials and high-emissivity coatings were fabricated for reusable thermal protection systems (TPS). Alumina-silica fibers and boric acid were used to fabricate the insulation, which was heat treated at 1250 °C. High-emissivity coating of borosilicate glass modified with TaSi2, MoSi2, and SiB6 was applied via dip-and-spray coating methods and heat-treated at 1100°C. Testing in a high-velocity oxygen fuel environment at temperatures over 1100 °C for 120 seconds showed that the rigid structures withstood the flame robustly. The coating effectively infiltrated into the fibers, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Although some oxidation of TaSi2 occurred, thereby increasing the Ta2O5 and SiO2 phases, no significant phase changes or performance degradation were observed. These results demonstrate the potential of these materials for reusable TPS applications in extreme thermal environments.

Properties of bentonite, mainly used as buffer and/or backfill materials, will evolve with time due to thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes, which could deteriorate the long-term integrity of the engineered barrier system. In particular, degradation of the backfill in the evolution processes makes it impossible to sufficiently perform the safety functions assigned to prevent groundwater infiltration and retard radionuclide transport. To phenomenologically understand the performance degradation to be caused by evolution, it is essential to conduct the demonstration test for backfill material under the deep geological disposal environment. Accordingly, in this paper, we suggest types of tests and items to be measured for identifying the performance evolution of backfill for the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) in Korea, based on the review results on the performance assessment methodology conducted for the operating license application in Finland. Some of insights derived from reviewing the Finnish case are as follows: 1) The THMC evolution characteristics of backfill material are mainly originated from hydro-mechanical and/or hydrochemical processes driven by the groundwater behavior. 2) These evolutions could occur immediately upon installation of backfill materials and vary depending on characteristics of backfill and groundwater. 3) Through the demonstration experiments with various scales, the hydro-mechanical evolution (e.g. advection and mechanical erosion) of the backfill due to changes in hydraulic behavior could be identified. 4) The hydro-chemical evolution (e.g. alteration and microbial activity) could be identified by analyzing the fully-saturated backfill after completing the experiment. Given the findings, it is judged that the following studies should be first conducted for the candidate backfill materials of the domestic DGR. a) Lab-scale experiment: Measurement for dry density and swelling pressure due to saturation of various backfill materials, time required to reach full saturation, and change in hydraulic conductivity with injection pressure. b) Pilot-scale experiment: Measurement for the mass loss due to erosion; Investigation on the fracture (piping channel) forming and resealing in the saturation process; Identification of the hydro-mechanical evolution with the test scale. c) Post-experiment dismantling analysis for saturated backfill: Measurement of dry density, and contents of organic and harmful substances; Investigation of water content distribution and homogenization of density differences; Identification of the hydro-chemical evolution with groundwater conditions. The results of this study could be directly used to establishing the experimental plan for verifying performance of backfill materials of DGR in Korea, provided that the domestic data such as facility design and site characteristics (including information on groundwater) are acquired.

상변화 물질(PCM)은 상전이 동안 에너지를 흡수하거나 방출할 수 있는 잠열 저장 물질로 활용된다. 최근 수십 년 동 안, 연구자들은 다양한 온도 적용을 위한 건설 물질로의 다양한 PCM의 통합을 탐구해 왔다. 그러나, PCM을 통합하는 콘크리트 의 기계적 및 열적 반응은 통합 방법에 의해 영향을 받는다. PCM을 콘크리트에 추가하기 위한 여러 기술이 제안되었다. 그럼 에도 불구하고, 콘크리트에 마이크로 캡슐화 PCM(m-PCM)의 통합은 종종 기계적 강도의 상당한 감소를 초래한다. 기존 콘크리 트에 m-PCM의 추가와 관련된 한계를 극복하기 위해, 예외적인 강도 및 내구성 특성으로 인해 초고성능 시멘트 복합체(UHPCC) 가 선호된다. 따라서, 본 연구에서는 기존 기술의 단점을 해결하기 위해 PCM을 통합한 신규 나노 엔지니어링 UHPCC를 개발하 였다. 또한, 시멘트 복합체의 기계적 및 열적 성능을 향상시키기 위해 다중 벽 탄소 나노튜브(MWCNT)를 추가하였다. 결과는 MWCNT의 포함이 기계적 성능을 향상시켰을 뿐만 아니라 시멘트 복합체의 열적 성능을 향상시켰다는 것을 보여 주었다.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has attracted extensive attention in energy storage due to its suitable and tunable bandgap, high chemical/thermal stability, earth abundance and environmental friendliness. However, its conductivity should be improved to work as the electrode materials in supercapacitors. In this report, we have prepared a two-dimensional composite (CN-PANI) based on g-C3N4 and polyaniline (PANI) by in-situ polymerization, which can be efficiently applied as electrode material for supercapacitors. The introduction of PANI can increase the conductivity of the electrode, and the porous structure of g-C3N4 can provide enough channels for the transport of electrolyte ions and improve the electrode stability. As a result, the obtained CN-PANI demonstrates excellent specific capacitance (234.0 F g− 1 at 5 mV/s), good rate performance and high cycling stability (86.2% after 10,000 cycles at 50 mV/s), showing great potential for high-rate supercapacitors.

The number of nuclear power plants that are permanently shut down or decommissioned is increasing worldwide, and accordingly, research is being conducted on an appropriate method for disposing of radioactive waste generated during the decommissioning of nuclear power plants. In the case of waste liquid generated during the decommissioning of nuclear power plants, it is important not only to efficiently reduce waste but also to secure the suitability of disposal. One of the solidification treatment methods for radioactive waste is cement solidification, but since cement solidification has poor solidification properties and generates a large amount of waste, improvement activities have been pursued. This study aims to develop high-performance cement-based materials and solidification treatment technology for solidification of liquid radioactive waste generated during nuclear decommissioning in order to improve the problems of cement solidification treatment method. For the development of polymer cement, epoxy resin and polyamine/amide mixed type and general Portland cement were mixed in various ratios. The most appropriate mixing ratio was 4.5:2, which showed the highest compressive strength. A simulated waste liquid was prepared by referring to the preliminary decommissioning plan of Shin-Kori Units 5 and 6, and it was dried and made into granules. Polymer cement was injected into a drum filled with granules by vacuum pressure to prepare a waste form matrix. In the solidification process, granules made by drying the waste liquid were used, and the solidification agent was filled in between the granules, so the total volume of solid radwaste was reduced compared to the conventional cement solidification treatment method. As a result, the amount of waste decreased to about 1/3, and the volume reduction rate increased by about 2.2 times. The compressive strength of 3,243 psi was confirmed in the disposability performance test for the manufactured solid samples. The compressive strength after the thermal cycling test, irradiation test, microorganism test, and immersion test was 2,257 psi, 2,306 psi, 4,530 psi, and 2,263 psi, respectively, exceeding the acceptance criteria of 500 psi. The leaching index was 7~13, and no free standing water was generated.

Sustainable biomass-derived porous carbons demonstrate excellent capacitive properties owing to their heteroatom-rich nature and distinct textural feature. Herein, a series of nitrogen-/phosphorus-/oxygen-containing microporous carbons (CWWN/ P/O-MPCs) have been successfully fabricated by etching in H2O2 solution, pre-treatment of camphor wood wastes with KOH solution and subsequent carbonization. As an electrode material for supercapacitors, the typical microporous carbon (CWW-N/P/O-MPCs-0.5) exhibits a remarkably high specific capacitance of 245 F g− 1 at 0.5 A g− 1, corresponding to an impressively large volumetric capacitance of 208 F m− 3, and excellent long-term stability over 10,000 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the optimal combination of heteroatom groups and ultrafine micropores.

In this paper, a finite element dynamic simulation study was performed to gain an insight about the blast wall test details for the offshore structures. The simulation was verified using qualitative and quantitative comparisons for different materials. Based on in-depth examination of blast simulation recordings, dynamic behaviors occurred in the blast wall against the explosion are determined. Subsequent simulation results present that the blast wall made of high energy absorbing high manganese steel performs much better in the shock absorption. In this paper, the existing finite element shock analysis using the LS-DYNA program is further extended to study the blast wave response of the corrugated blast wall made of the high manganese steel considering strain rate effects. The numerical results for various parameters are verified by comparing different material models with dynamic effects occurred in the blast wall from the explosive simulation.

최근 화석에너지의 남용으로 인한 지구온난화문제가 인류가 해결해야 할 지상과제로 대두되고 있으며, 본 연구는 이러한 에너지문제의 해결에 도움이 될 수 있는 고온축열탱크의 개발과 그 성능특성에 관한 내용이다. 지금까지 이에 관한 연구는 그다지 활발하지 않았으며, 특히 고온축열탱크에 관한 연구는 매우 드문 실정이다. 본 연구의 목적은 비교적 열물성이 양호하며 가격이 저렴한 물질인 MgO를 현열축열재로 사용하는 고온축열탱크의 개발이다. 이를 위하여 분말 상태의 MgO를 이용하여 축열벽돌을 제작하고, 실험적 방법을 통하여 MgO를 축열재로 사용하는 고온축열탱크의 성능특성에 관하여 연구하였다. 본 연구를 통하여 현열축열재인 MgO의 고온축열 및 방열성능을 확인하였다.

The various expanded graphites (EGs) was prepared and applied as anode material for high power Li-ion secondary battery (LIB). By changing the processing conditions of EG, a series of EG with different structure were produced, showing the changed electrochemical properties. The charge-discharge test showed that the initial reversible capacity of EG anodes prepared at the suitable conditions was over 400 mAh/g and the charge capacity at 5 C-rate was 83.2 mAh/g. These values demonstrated the much improved electrochemical properties as compared with those for the graphite anode of 360 mAh/g and 19.4 mAh/g, respectively, showing the possibility of EG anode materials for high power LIB.

Carbon/silicon composites were synthesized by mixing silicon powders with petroleum pitch and subsequent heat-treatment. The resultant composites were composed of carbon and nano-size crystalline silicon identified by XRD and EDX. FIB images and SEM images were taken respectively to detect the existence of silicon impregnated in carbon and the distribution of silicon on the carbon surface. The obtained carbon/silicon materials were assembled as half cell anodes for lithium ion secondary battery and their electrochemical properties were tested. The pitch/silicon composite (3 : 1 wt. ratio) heat treated at 1000℃ and mixed with 55.5 wt.% of graphite showed relatively good electrochemical properties such as the initial efficiency of 78%, the initial discharge capacity of 605 mAh/g, and the discharge capacity of 500 mAh/g after 20 cycles.

Sintered materials have been applied widely in Valve Seat Inserts (VSI). The amount of wear on VSIs increases when used in gas (LPG, CNG) engines because of their dry environments. In this paper, two newly developed high performance VSI materials for gas engines are introduced. These materials applied new techniques, which are both high performance hard particle and new distribution method of solid lubricant, to increase wear resistance.

Ceramic based nanocomposite, in which nano-sized ceramics and metals were dispersed within matrix grains and/or at grain boundaries, were successfully fabricated in the ceramic/cerarnic and ceramic/metal composite systems such as /SiC, /, MgO/SiC, mullite/SiC, /SiC, /B, /W, /Mo, /Ni and /Mo systems. In these systems, the ceramiclceramic composites were fabricated from homogeneously mixed powders, powders with thin coatings of the second phases and amorphous precursor composite powders by usual powder metallurgical methods. The ceramiclmetal nanocomposites were prepared by combination of H2 reduction of metal oxides in the early stage of sinterings and usual powder metallurgical processes. The transmission electron microscopic observation for the /SiC nanocomposite indicated that the second phases less than 70nm were mainly located within matrix grains and the larger particles were dispersed at the grain boundaries. The similar observation was also identified for other cerarnic/ceramic and ceramiclmetal nanocornposites. The striking findings in these nanocomposites were that mechanical properties were significantly improved by the nano-sized dispersion from 5 to 10 vol% even at high temperatures. For example, the improvement in hcture strength by 2 to 5 times and in creep resistance by 2 to 4 orders was observed not only for the ceramidceramic nanocomposites but also for the ceramiclmetal nanocomposites with only 5~01%se cond phase. The newly developed silicon nitride/boron nitride nanocomposites, in which nano-sized hexagonal BN particulates with low Young's modulus and fracture strength were dispersed mainly within matrix grains, gave also the strong improvement in fracture strength and thermal shock fracture resistance. In presentation, the process-rnicro/nanostructure-properties relationship will be presented in detail. The special emphasis will be placed on the understanding of the roles of nano-sized dispersions on mechanical properties.

Smart construction materials have recently been interesting to improve the performance of cement composites and concretes. Especially, no repairing system is required for concrete structures by using self healing concrete, which can close cracks on concrete by itself. Mineral admixtures, capsules and bacteria are the most used for self healing concrete technology. In this study, high strength concrete with mineral admixtures were utilized to develop self healing capacity. Comparison with water flow test and image captures were conducted.