A pressure sensor is a device that converts an applied physical pressure into an electrical signal. Such sensors have a range of applications depending on the pressure level, from low to high pressure. Sensors that use physical pressure, when compared to those operating under air pressure, are not widely applied as they are inefficient. To solve this problem, graphene oxide, which exhibits good mechanical and electrical characteristics, was used to increase the efficiency of these pressure sensors. Graphene oxide has properties that control the movement of charges within the dielectric. Exploiting these properties, we evaluated the change in electrical characteristics when pressure was applied according to the ratio and thickness of the oxidation graph added to the pressure sensor.

The change in vanadium amount according to the growth direction of vanadium-doped semi-insulated (SI) SiC single crystals using high-purity SiC powder was investigated. High-purity SiC powder and a porous graphite (PG) inner crucible were placed on opposite sides of SiC seed crystals. SI SiC crystals were grown on 2 inch 6H-SiC Si-face seeds at a temperature of 2,300℃ and growth pressure of 10~30 mbar of argon atmosphere, using the physical vapor transport (PVT) method. The sliced SiC single crystals were polished using diamond slurry. We analyzed the polytype and quality of the SiC crystals using high-resolution X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The resistivity of the SI SiC crystals was analyzed using contactless resistivity mapping (COREMA) measurements.

An analytical threshold voltage model is proposed to analyze the threshold voltage roll-off and drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) for a junction-based double-gate (JBDG) MOSFET and a junction-less double-gate (JLDG) MOSFET. We used the series-type potential distribution function derived from the Poisson equation, and observed that it is sufficient to use n＝1 due to the drastic decrease in eigenvalues when increasing the n of the series-type potential function. The threshold voltage derived from this threshold voltage model was in good agreement with the result of TCAD simulation. The threshold voltage roll-off of the JBDG MOSFET was about 57% better than that of the JLDG MOSFET for a channel length of 25 nm, channel thickness of 10 nm, and oxide thickness of 2 nm. The DIBL of the JBDG MOSFET was about 12% better than that of the JLDG MOSFET, at a gate metal work-function of 5 eV. It was also found that decreasing the work-function of the gate metal significantly reduces the DIBL.

Pb(Sb_0.5Nb_0.5)x(Zr_0.51Ti_0.49)_1-xO₃ (abbreviation: PSN-PZT) ceramics were synthesized, using conventional bulk ceramic processing technology, with various PSN doping contents. The maximum density of PSN-PZT was 97% of the theoretical density in the samples sintered at 1,250℃. The maximum values of the piezoelectric properties achieved using the conventional processes were: k_p of 0.625, d₃₃ of 531 pC/N, and g₃₃ of 33 mV·m/N. Finally, we fabricated a piezo-speaker with the optimized PSN-PZT ceramics. The SPL of the speaker was measured at a distance of 1 m, with a driving voltage of 40 V_rms in the frequency range of ~300 Hz to 9 kHz. The measured SPL_max was at a very high level (95 dB), which was superior in quality in comparison with those of other commercial products.

Hexagonal boron nitride particles (s-hBN) modified with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) were used for the preparation of silicone composite materials. The microstructure of the composite materials was observed, and the thermal conduction and mechanical characteristics of the composite sheets were studied based on the compositions and microstructures. When a small amount of s-hBN particles was used, the thermal conductivity of the composite improved as a whole, and the tensile strength of the sheet also increased. The thermal conductivity and tensile strength of the composite in which a small amount of carbon fiber was added along with s-hBN were further improved. However, the use of carbon nanotubes with structural characteristics similar to those of carbon fiber resulted in lower thermal conductivity and tensile strength. Elastic silicone composites exhibiting 2.5 W/mK of thermal conductivity and a low hardness are expected to be used as thermally conductive interfacial sheet materials.

Porcelain insulators have been used mainly for power line fixing and electrical insulation in transmission towers. Porcelain insulators have generally a 30 years desired life, but over 50% exceed their life expectancy. Since the damage to porcelain insulators is usually accompanied by enormous loss of human resource material, their efficient maintenance has emerged as an important issue. In this regard, this study applied a frequency response function (FRF) for integrity assessment of the insulator. The characteristics of the FRF according to damage types were identified and analyzed by the change in natural frequencies, curve shape, attenuation, and Nyquist diagram stability. The results showed significant differences in the FRF according to damage types, which can be used as basic data for the effective integrity assessment of porcelain insulators.

TiN thin films were fabricated using an unbalanced magnetron sputtering (UBMS) system, and their structure and surface characteristics as well as their optical and tribological properties were evaluated. The hardness, elastic modulus, adhesive force, surface roughness, and transmittance of the Ti thin films fabricated using the UBMS system were 11.5 GPa, 103 GPa, 27.5 N, 2.45 nm and 20%, respectively. The TiN films prepared with various proportions of nitrogen as the reaction gas exhibited maximum values for the hardness, elastic modulus, critical load, RMS roughness and transmittance of approximately 19.2 GPa, 182 GPa, 27.3 N, 0.98 nm, and 85%, respectively. Moreover, the TiN thin film fabricated under the condition of 30 sccm nitrogen gas showed the optimal physical properties. In summary, the TiN thin films fabricated using the UBMS system exhibited excellent hardness, elastic modulus, adhesion, and smooth surface in addition to good hydrophilic properties.

Oxide (SnO₂)/metal alloy (Cu(Ni))/oxide (SnO₂) multilayer films were fabricated using the magnetron sputtering technique. The oxide and metal alloy were SnO2 and Ni-doped Cu, respectively. The structural, optical, and electrical properties of the multilayer films were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry, and 4-point probe measurements, respectively. The properties of the SnO₂/Cu(Ni)/SnO₂ multilayer films were dependent on the thickness and Ni doping of the mid-layer film. Since Ni atoms inhibit the diffusion and aggregation of Cu atoms, the grain growth of Cu is delayed upon Ni addition. For 250℃, the Haccke’s figure of merit (FOM) of the SnO₂ (30 nm)/Cu(Ni) (8 nm)/SnO₂ (30 nm) multilayer film was evaluated to be 0.17×10^-3 Ω^-1.

Non-emissive LCDs need a backlight, and have difficulty implementing wide viewing angles due to differences in phase retardation depending on the behavior of the liquid crystals. Although wide viewing angles are good characteristics for devices such as TVs, they are not good for mobile devices. In this paper, we propose ways to design diffusers with ELC lenses to achieve wide and narrow viewing angles depending on the circumstances. A study was conducted on optimizing the design of a liquid lens diffuser with the same light as that for an OLED, by extracting design factors that affect the performance of the diffuser and applying the Taguchi method to them.

There is a need for the development of transparent conductive materials that are economical and environmentally friendly with exhibit low resistivity and high transmittance in the visible spectrum. In this study, the deposition rate and uniformity of Al-doped ZnO-thin films were improved by changing the Z-motion of the sputtering system. The deposition rate and the uniformity were determined to be 3.44 nm/min and 1.23%, respectively, under the 10 mm Z-motion condition. During O2 plasma treatment, the intrusion-type metal elements in the thin film were reduced, which contributed to an oxygen vacancy reduction in addition to structural stabilization. Moreover, the sheet resistance was more easily saturated.

The aim of this investigation is to detect specific waveforms in a distribution line prior to the occurrence of a fault. Conditions were introduced such that a feeder remote terminal unit (FRTU) of the distribution automation system selects and stores fault waveforms from the different waveforms detected in the distribution line. In addition, an algorithm was developed to detect specific waveforms from the fault waveforms stored using the FRTU. This algorithm exploits the duration and periodicity of harmonic changes in voltage and current. The efficacy of the algorithm was confirmed based on the measurements of fault waveforms in an actual distribution line. The results indicated that faults in a distribution line can be predicted via experimental measurements.

P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) (Poly (vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene)), which exhibits a high electrostriction of about 7%, can transmit tactile output as vibration or displacement. In this study, we investigated the applicability of P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) to wearable piezoelectric actuators. The P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) layers were deposited through spin-coating, and interspaced with patterned Ag electrodes to fabricate a two-layer 3.5 mm × 3.5 mm device. This layered structure was designed and fabricated to increase the output and displacement of the actuator at low driving voltages. In addition, a laser vibrometer and piezoelectric force microscope were used to analyze the device’s vibration characteristics over the range of ~200~4,200 Hz. The on-off characteristics were confirmed at a frequency of 40 Hz.

This study describes the development of graphene-TiO₂ conjugates for the enhancement of the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO₂. Graphene-based hybrid nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention because of the unique and advantageous properties of graphene. In the proposed hybrid nanomaterial, graphene serves as an electron acceptor to ensure fast charge transfer. Effective charge separation can, therefore, be achieved to slow down electron-hole recombination. This results in an enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂. In addition, increased adsorption and interactions with the adsorbed reagents also lead to an improvement in the photocatalytic activity of graphene-TiO₂ hybrid nanomaterials. The acquired result is encouraging in that the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ was initiated using visible light (630 nm) instead of the typical UV light.

Lithium anodes (13, 15, 17, and 20 wt% Li) were fabricated by mixing molten lithium and iron powder, which was used as a binder to hold the molten lithium, at about 500℃ (discharge temp.). In this study, the effect of applied pressure and lithium content on the discharge properties of a thermal battery’s single cell was investigated. A single cell using a Li anode with a lithium content of less than 15 wt% presented reliable performance without any abrupt voltage drop resulting from molten lithium leakage under an applied pressure of less than 6 kgf/㎠. Furthermore, it was confirmed that even when the solid electrolyte is thinner, the Li anode of the single cell normally discharges well without a deterioration in performance. The Li anode of the single cell presented a significantly improved open-circuit voltage of 2.06 V, compared to that of a Li-Si anode (1.93 V). The cut-off voltage and specific capacity were 1.83 V and 1,380 As g^-1 (Li anode), and 1.72 V and 1,364 As g^-1 (Li-Si anode). Additionally, the Li anode exhibited a stable and flat discharge curve until 1.83 V because of the absence of phase change phenomena of Li metal and a subsequent rapid voltage drop below 1.83 V due to the complete depletion of Li at the end state of discharge. On the other hand, the voltage of the Li-Si anode cell decreased in steps, 1.93 V → 1.72 V (Li₁₃Si₄ → Li₇Si₃) → 1.65 V (Li₇Si₃→ Li₁₂Si₇), according to the Li-Si phase changes during the discharge reaction. The energy density of the Li anode cell was 807.1 Wh l^-1, which was about 50% higher than that of the Li-Si cell (522.2 Wh l^-1).

The traditional yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) used in thermal barrier coatings has a limited operating temperature owing to densification and volume changes at high temperatures. A (La_1-xY_x)₂Zr₂O₇ sintered compound was prepared by the co-precipitation and oxalate methods, by adding lanthanum zirconate to yttria. The thermal properties and crystallinity obtained by the two different methods were compared. Both methods yielded pyrochlore structures, and the oxalate method confirmed phases at low temperatures. The thermal conductivity of the sintered bulk prepared by co-precipitation was 0.93 W/mK, while that prepared by the oxalate method was 0.85 W/mK. These values are superior to that of 4YSZ at 1,000℃, which is widely used in industries.