To ensure high-voltage stability and thermal resistance of insulation paper used in transformers, this study evaluated the structural and electrical properties of four types of insulation paper samples fabricated using unbleached kraft pulp (UKP). The samples were prepared under controlled conditions with different freeness levels (300-700 ml). Tensile strength, dielectric constant, breakdown strength (dry and oil), volume resistivity, water absorption, and oil absorption were quantitatively measured. The sample with a beating degree of 300 exhibited the highest breakdown strength (53.85 kV/mm) and volume resistivity (1.49×10¹⁶ Ω·cm), whereas the samples with higher beating intensity showed improved fiber bonding and densification. These findings demonstrate the practical applicability of UKP-based insulation paper as a high-performance, eco-friendly insulating material for transformer systems, providing a scientific foundation for process optimization in insulation paper design.

Currently, semiconductor manufacturing industry heavily relies on a wide range of high global warming potential (GWP) gases, particularly during etching and cleaning processes, and their use and relevant carbon emissions are subject to global rules and regulations for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To replace high GWP gases in near future, dry etching using alternative low GWP gases is thus being under intense investigations. In this review, we report a current status and recent progress of the relevant research activities on dry etching processes using a low GWP gas. First, we review the concept of GWP itself and then introduce the difference between high and low GWP gases. Although most of the studies have concentrated on potentially replaceable additive gases such as C₄F₈, an ultimate solution with a lower GWP for main etching gases including CF₄ should be developed; therefore, we provide our own perspective in this regard. Finally, we summarize the advanced dry etch process research with low GWP gases and list up several issues to be considered in future research.

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is mostly used as a current-insulating medium in gas-insulated switchgears (GIS), owing to its excellent dielectric strength and arc-extinguishing performance. The global warming potential (GWP) of SF6, however, is 23,900 times that of CO₂, and its life time in the atmosphere is 3,200 years. For these reasons, new eco-friendly gases to replace SF6 are required. In this study, the partial discharge (PD) characteristics of green gas for grid (g³) and dry air (N₂/O₂) were analyzed to compare with those of SF₆. A PD electrode system was designed to simulate the protrusion defect in GISs and fabricated for experimentation. To compare the PD characteristics of each gas, the discharge inception voltage (DIV), discharge extinction voltage (DEV), discharge magnitude, discharge pulse number, and phase pattern were analyzed. Results from this study are expected to provide fundamental materials for the design of eco-friendly GISs.

In this paper, we study the correlation between the crystallinity of semiconductive compounds for eco-friendly power cables and the dispersive properties of carbon black. The crystal structure of the polymer material is advantageous for mechanical properties and heat-resistance. However, the polymer acts as an inhibitor to the dispersibility of carbon black. The purpose of this study is to develop a TPE semiconductive compound technology. The high heat resistance and ultra-smoothness characteristics which are required for high voltage and ultra-high voltage cables should be satisfied by designing and optimizing the structure of a non-crosslinking-type eco-friendly TPE semiconductive compound. The application of excess TPE resin was found to not only inhibit the processability in the compounding process, but also reduced the dispersion properties of carbon black due to higher crystallinity. After the crystallinity of the compound was identified through DSC analysis, it was compared with the related dispersion characteristics. Through this analysis and comparison, we designed the optimal structure of the eco-friendly TPE semiconductive compound.