Ohkyung Kwon

Wood Shrinkage Measurement of Using a Flatbed Scanner

목재 이용의 측면에서 중요한 인자 중 하나인 수축률에 관한 다양한 연구가 수행되고 있다. 버니어 캘리퍼스를 이용하여 치수를 측정할 때, 목재 시편에 작용하는 외력에 의해 왜곡된 치수가 측정될 수 있고, 시편의 양이 많으면 치수측정에 많은 시간이 소요된다. 스캐너를 이용하여 획득한 이미지로 치수를 측정하고, 수축률을 계산하면 외력이 작용하지 않아 치수 측정의 오류를 줄일 수 있고, 한 번의 스캔으로 여러 시편의 이미지를 획득하여 시간을 단축시킬 수있다는 장점이 있다. 스캔 이미지 상에서 목재 시편과 배경 사이의 경계면을 뚜렷하게 구분할 수 있도록 threshold 방법을 적용하여 치수 측정을 용이하게 하였다. 이미지를 이용하여 측정된 목재 시편의 치수는 버니어 캘리퍼스를 이용하여 측정한 값보다 다소 크게 측정되었으며, 버니어 캘리퍼스보다 높은 정밀도로 수축률을 계산하기 위한 스캔 이미지의 최대 픽셀 길이는 0.053 mm/pixel인 것을 확인하였다.

Utilization of Light Microscopy and FFT for MFA Measurement from Unstained Sections of Red Pine (Pinus Densiflora)

This study demonstrates the utilization of light microscopy and Fast Fourier Transform-Peak Finding (FPF) method for microfibril angle (MFA) measurement from unstained sections of red pine (Pinus densiflora). To obtain an image with optimal contrast and resolution for MFA measurement, effects of numerical aperture (NA) of condenser lens and color filters were investigated. About 60% of NA of the maximum condenser NA produced an image with optimal contrast, but a color filter with short wavelength range (DAPI) created images with improved resolution. Manual angle measurement and the FPF method were applied to the image with optimal contrast for MFA measurement. The experimental results from the FPF method were considered to be more repeatable and less subjective than those from the manual angle measurement.

Investigation of Bordered Pit Ultrastructure in Tracheid of Korean Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) by Confocal Reflection Microscopy

소나무의 가도관과 유연벽공의 미세구조를 연구하는데 공초점반사현미경법을 이용하여 획득한 3차원 화상을 사용하였다. 가도관 유연벽공의 토러스, 마르고, 벽공연의 미세구조가 명확하게 관찰되었으며, 교분야벽공의 미세구조로 가도관과 방사유세포 사이의 연결구조 및 방사유세포 내의 역학적 지지구조도 관찰할 수 있었다. 가도관 세포벽의 3차원 화상에서는 S1, S2, S3층과 이 층들의 사이에 있는 이행층의 존재도 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 S3층과 S2층의 마이크로 피브릴 배향의 관찰이 가능하였고, 유연벽공 주변의 복잡한 마이크로피브릴 배향 특성도 직접적으로 확인할 수 있었다. 본 연구의 결과 공초점반사현미경법은 소나무 가도관의 세포벽, 유연벽공, 교분야벽공의 미세구조를 연구하는데 유용하게 이용될 수 있는 현미경 기법으로 여겨졌다. 【Confocal reflection microscopy (CRM) was utilized to create 3-dimensional images of bordered pits and cell wall in the tracheid of Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora). Ultrastructures of torus, margo, and pit border were clearly observable in the CRM micrograph. Micrograph of cross-field pit revealed the connecting and supporting structure between tracheid and ray parenchyma cell. The CRM micrographs enabled to investigate detailed structures of tracheid cell wall such as S1, S2, S3 layers, transition layers between these layers, and microfibril (MF) orientation in S3 and S2 layers as well as complicated distribution of MF orientation around bordered pits. Not only concentric MF orientation of border thickening in the pit border was observed, but also changes in MF orientation from the cell wall to the border. From the experimental results, the CRM was thought to be a versatile microtechnique to investigate detailed structures of cell wall and bordered pit in the tracheid and cross-field pit between tracheid and ray parenchyma cell.】

Facile synthesis of monodispersed Pd nanocatalysts decorated on graphene oxide for reduction of nitroaromatics in aqueous solution

We synthesized the reproducible heterogeneous catalyst of graphene oxide (GO)-supported palladium nanoparticles (NPs) via a simple and green process. The structure, morphology and physicochemical properties of the synthesized heterogeneous catalyst were characterized by the latest techniques such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning TEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The GO-supported Pd NPs (Pd/GO nanocatalyst) exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of nitroaromatics to aminoaromatics in aqueous sodium borohydride. The nitroaromatics were converted to corresponding aminoaromatics with high yields (up to 99%) using Pd/GO nanocatalyst in aqueous solution. The hybrid heterogeneous catalyst showed 83% of conversion after six cycles in the reduction of nitrobenzene to aminobenzene. These features ensured the high catalytic activity of the introduced graphene oxide supported Pd nanocatalysts.Graphical abstract

Photodegradation of Natural Wood Veneer and Studies on Its Color Stabilization for Automotive Interior Materials

The aim of this study was to investigate the color and chemical changes of natural wood veneers after ultraviolet (UV) exposure for automotive interior materials. To control the photodegradation, chemical treatments with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) solution were applied to the veneer under different concentration conditions. The veneers treated with H2O2 showed strong color changes on the surface after the UV test. On the other hand, the veneers treated with NaClO solution (2–3% concentration) showed excellent color stability compared to the untreated veneer because NaClO partially removed lignin compounds on the veneer surface. NaClO can improve the color stability by destroying the lignin structures. However, 3% NaClO condition was seen to cause surface damage although this treatment condition had the best effect on photoprotection. Therefore, treatment with 2% NaClO was the best condition in this study for against color change and photodegradation caused by UV light.

Fungal proliferation and calcium accumulation in the orange slime of Cornus controversa

ABSTRACT A giant dogwood (Cornus controversa) was bleeding transparent sap that turned into gummy orange slime with a pungent odor on the bark in early April. The tree exudation originated from a branch wound that occurred during the most recent spring pruning. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the intact bark surface was irregularly undulating and covered with at least three types of epicuticular waxes: polygonal rodlets; polygonal tubules; and threads, whereas the dried orange plaques were covered with fungi, possibly the co-occurrence of yeast and filamentous forms. The yeast forms were ovoid, lemon- or club-shaped, and approximately 10 μm in length. Obviously constricted septa and clamp connections were rarely detected on the filamentous forms. No bacterial proliferation was detected on the orange slime. X-ray microanalysis revealed a steep increase in calcium concentration in the orange plaques compared with that in the intact bark. These results suggest that bark-dwelling dimorphic red yeasts may constitute one of the dominant microbial consortia of the orange slime of giant dogwood. Given the high amount of sugars and calcium in the sap, and tolerance to diurnal temperature fluctuations in early spring, the red yeasts may be specialist species that thrive under a limited range of environmental conditions.

Wall Sculpturing in Vessel Elements of Juglans Species of the United States

Wall sculpturing in the vessel elements of some Juglans species of the United States, four black walnuts (J. major, J. nigra, J. microcarpa (= J. rupestris), and J. californica) and one butternut (J. cinerea), was investigated through light and scanning electron microscopy. This feature showed various forms such as helical and reticulate thickenings, and thickening-like structures formed by coalescent pit apertures and large vessel to ray pits. Light to prominent wall sculpturing occurred regularly in black walnuts but fine and indistinctive wall sculpturing was observed rarely in butternut. Thus, vessel wall sculpturing was of some diagnostic value for separating black walnut from butternut.