Myoung Kim

CuS/CdS Quantum Dot Composite Sensitizer and Its Applications to Various TiO2 Mesoporous Film-Based Solar Cell Devices

A nanoscale composite sensitizer composed of CuS and CdS quantum dots (QDs) was prepared by a simple but effective layer-by-layer reaction between a metal cation (Cu(2+) or Cd(2+)) and a sulfide anion (S(2-)). The as-prepared composite CuS/CdS QD sensitizer displayed an enhanced photon-to-current conversion over the sensitizing range of the visible spectrum compared to the counterpart of the pure CdS sensitizer. At the optimized ratio of the deposited amounts of CuS and CdS, the best CuS/CdS-sensitized mesoporous TiO2 cell with a polysulfide electrolyte showed an overall power conversion efficiency of 3.60% with a short circuit current (Jsc) of 11.77 mA/cm(2), an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.65 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.47. From the transmission electron microscopy images, the initially deposited CuS seemed to take a nucleation site to accumulate more CdS in the later deposition. The kinetic studies by impedance and Voc decay measurements also revealed that the CuS/CdS and CdS QD sensitizers made a similar interface between TiO2 and the electrolyte, but the former had a larger resistance of charge transfer with a longer lifetime of excitons after light absorption than the latter. To enhance the sensitizing power further, a multilayer QD sensitizer of CuS/CdS/CdSe was prepared by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR). This led to the best performance of 4.32% overall power conversion efficiency. Finally, a hybrid sensitizing system of inorganic QD (CuS/CdS) and organic dye (coded MK-2) was tested with a [Co(bpy)3](2+/3+) redox mediator. The CuS/CdS/MK-2 dye-sensitized cell showed over 3.0% efficiency under the standard illumination condition (1 sun).

Effect of substrate temperature on residual stress of ZnO thin films prepared by ion beam deposition

We have investigated the effect of substrate temperature on micro-structural properties of ZnO thin films prepared by ion beam deposition technique. ZnO thin films were deposited on AlN-buffered Si (111) and sapphire (001) substrates at various substrate temperatures. The structural properties and surface morphologies were examined by high resolution X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The RMS roughness was measured by atomic force microscopy. XRD measurements confirmed that the ZnO thin films were grown well on the AlN-buffered Si (111) and sapphire (001) substrates along the c-axis. Minimization of residual stress was carried out by tuning the substrate temperature. The structural properties were notably improved with increasing substrate temperature.

Quantum efficiency control of InGaN/GaN multi-quantum-well structures using Ag/SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles

Photoluminescence (PL) efficiency increase up to 2.8 times was observed for GaN/InGaN multi-quantum-well (MQW) structures as a result of deposition of a thin layer of about 40-nm-diameter Ag nanoparticles (NPs) surrounded by SiO2 shell. These Ag/SiO2 NPs were prepared by sol-gel method. The amount of PL intensity enhancement decreased with increasing the SiO2 shell thickness. PL intensity increase was accompanied by corresponding decrease of PL decay time and is ascribed to a strong coupling of MQW region to localized surface plasmons (LSPs) associated with Ag/SiO2 NPs.

Review on Rice Flour Manufacturing and Utilization

Background: The Korean government launched a project in 2008, where the am ount of rice used as raw ingredient in rice-based foods in 2012 was planned to increase up to 10% (470,000 ton) of the total rice production through developing various new rice-based processed foods and their commercial manufacturing technology. Among the four major rice-based processed foods, rice cakes and noodles need rice flour as their main raw ingredient. Technology in rice flour utilization and manufacturing is far behind than the technology pertinent to wheat flour in many subject areas. Purpose: This review aims to provide information on rice flour utilization and manufacturing with some fundamental subjects in the area of size reduction. Results: A variety of food items including bread, noodle, cake, cookie, muffin, pre-mix, beverage, vinegar, surimi, and artificial meat have found rice flour as their raw ingredient. Rice bread made out of 100% rice flour has been developed and is now sold in retail stores. Various noodle products made from rice flour are also on the market. Issues on product definition and labeling regulation about rice flour content of the products were explored. Generalized grinding equations available in the literature were seldom used in practice; inste ad, it has been a general practice to develop empirical equations from test milling data. Introductory remarks on three popular particle size measurement methods (sieving, Coulter counter, light diffraction) were explained. Mathematical expressions frequently used to describe particle size distribution and to correlate cumulative quantity of particles with particle size were represented. Milling methods used in producing rice flour were described along with their advantages and disadvantages. Because of their profound effect on functional properties of the rice flour, four rice flour milling equipments used at both laboratory experiments and commercial manufacturing plants were discussed.

Electrochemical analysis of transparent oxide-less photovoltaic cell with perforation patterned metal substrate

In terms of electrochemical behaviour, a transparent conductive oxide (TCO)-less dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with two metal foils was compared with those of a metal foil-based DSSC with a TCO-coated substrate. By virtue of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy, intensity modulated photovoltage spectroscopy, open-circuit voltage decay, and photocurrent transient measurements, it was clearly confirmed that the limited performance of the TCO-less DSSC was caused by the restricted transport of ion species in the electrolyte due to the perforation patterned metal foil.

Combustion Characteristics of a Hot Water Boiler System Convertibly Fueled by Rice Husk and Heavy Oil - Heavy Oil Combustion Characteristics -

Purpose: With the ever-rising energy prices, thermal energy heavily consuming facilities of the agricultural sector such as commercialized greenhouses and large-scale Rice Processing Complexes (RPCs) need to cut down their energy cost if they must run profitable businesses continually. One possible way to reduce their energy cost is to utilize combustible agricultural by-products or low-price oil instead of light oil as the fuel for their boiler systems. This study aims to analyze the heavy oil combustion characteristics of a newly developed hot water boiler system that can use both rice husk and heavy oil as its fuel convertibly. Methods: Heavy oil combustion experiments were conducted in this study employing four fuel feed rates (7.6, 8.5, 9.5, 11.4 ) at a combustion furnace vacuum pressure of 500 Pa and with four combustion furnace vacuum pressures (375, 500, 625, 750 Pa) at fuel feed rates of 9.5 and 11.4 . Temperatures at five locations inside the combustion furnace and 20 additional locations throughout the whole hot water boiler system were measured to ascertain the combustion characteristics of the heavy oil. From the temperature measurement data, the thermal efficiency of the system was calculated. Flue gas smoke density and concentrations of air-polluting components in the flue gas were also measured by a gas analyzer. Results: As the fuel feed rate or combustion furnace vacuum pressure increased, the average temperature in the combustion furnace decreased but the thermal efficiency of the system showed no distinctive change. On the other hand, the thermal efficiency of the system was inversely proportionally to the vacuum level in the furnace. For all experimental conditions, the thermal efficiency remained in the range of 80.1-89.6%. The CO concentration in the flue gas was negligibly low. The NO and concentration as well as the smoke density met the legal requirements. Conclusions: Considering the combustion temperature characteristics, thermal efficiency, and flue gas composition, the optimal combustion condition of the system seemed to be either the fuel feed rate of 9.5 with a combustion furnace vacuum pressure of 375 Pa or a fuel feed rate of 11.4 with a furnace vacuum pressure between 500 Pa and 625 Pa.

Analysis of Broken Rice Separation Efficiency of a Laboratory Indented Cylinder Separator

Purpose: Using a laboratory indented cylinder separator, broken rice separation experiments were conducted and the characteristics of the separation process were studied to provide information for developing a prototype indented cylinder broken rice separator. Methods: Rice (Ilmi variety) milled in a local RPC was used for the experiment. Rice kernels were classified into four groups according to their length l; whole kernels (l > 3.75 mm), semi-whole kernels (2.5 < l < 3.75 mm), broken kernels (1.75 < l < 2.5 mm), and foreign matters (l < 1.75 mm). A laboratory grain cleaner, Labofix ’90 (Schmidt AG, Germany) was used for the experiments. Experiments were designed as a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement in randomized blocks with three replications. Cylinder rotational speeds (17, 34, 51, 68 rpm) and trough angles (15, 37.5, 60, 82.5°) were the two factors and feed rates (25, 50 kg/h), indent shapes (Us, S1 type), and indent sizes (2.5, 3.75 mm) were treated as the blocks. Two 125 g samples and one 125 g sample were taken at the cylinder outlet and from the trough, respectively. The whole, semi-whole, and broken kernel weight ratio of the samples and feed was determined by a rice sizing device. From these weight ratios, purities, degrees of extraction and coefficient of separation efficiency were calculated. Results: Trough angle, cylinder speed, and their interaction on the coefficient of separation efficiency were statistically significant. Cylinder speed of 17, 34, and 51 rpm made the most effective separation when t he trough angle was 15° or 37.5°, 60°, and 82.5°, respectively. Maximum values of coefficient of separation efficiency were in the range of 60 to 70% except when the indent size was 2.5 mm and were recorded for the combinations of low cylinder speed (17 rpm) with medium trough angle (37.5° or 60°). Indent shape did not appear to make any noticeable difference in separation efficiency. Conclusions: Due to the interaction effect, the trough angle needs to be increased appropriately when an increase in cylinder speed is made if a rapid drop of effectiveness of separation should be avoided. In commercial applications, S1 type indents are preferred because of their better manufacturability and easier maintenance. For successful separation of broken kernels, the indent size should be set slightly bigger than the actual sizes of broken kernels: an indent size of 3.0 mm for separating broken kernels shorter than 2.5 mm.

A Study on Characteristics of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells With Plasma-Treated TiO2 Films as a Function of Dye-Adsorption Time

We investigated the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with plasma-treated TiO2 films (P-DSSCs) as a function of dye-adsorption time. Enhanced hydrophilicity of the plasma-treated TiO2 films stimulated the dye-adsorption reaction in the initial stages and as a result the P-DSSCs exhibited superior performance compared to that of DSSCs with nontreated TiO2 films (N-DSSCs). Although the N-DSSCs and the P-DSSCs simultaneously deteriorated due to dye-aggregation after the optimal dye-adsorption time (10 h), the P-DSSCs maintained the superior performance to that of the N-DSSCs irrespective of the dye-adsorption time.

Tillage Characteristics Estimation of Crank-type and Rotary-type Rotavators by Motion Analysis of Tillage Blades

This study has been conducted to investigate the applicability of motion analysis of tillage blade for estimation of tillage characteristics of crank-type and rotary-type rotavators. Methods: The interrelation between tillage traces from motion analysis and field test results including rotavating depth, pulverizing ratio and inversion ratio at the same work conditions were analyzed for both crank-type and rotary-type rotavators. The work conditions include working speed of prime mover tractor and PTO speed of rotavators. For the motion analysis, joint conditions of main connecting component were specified considering the actual working mechanism of rotavator. Results: There were important correlations for the trend between motion analysis and field test results. Conclusions: Although further study is needed for applying motion analysis to estimate the accurate tillage related parameters such as rotavating depth, the soil pulverizing ratio and inversion ratio, it could be used to compare the tillage characteristics of various rotavators quickly and simply.