Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology

Abstract Rapid industrial modernisation and economic reform have been features of the Korean economy since the 1990s, and have brought with it substantial environmental problems. In response to these problems, the Korean government has been developing approaches to promote cleaner production technologies. Green supply chain management (GSCM) is emerging to be an important approach for Korean enterprises to improve performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of GSCM CSFs (critical success factors) on the BSC (balanced scorecard) performance by the structural equation modelling, using empirical results from 249 enterprise respondents involved in national GSCM business in Korea. Planning and implementation was a dominant antecedent factor in this study, followed by collaboration with partners and integration of infrastructure. However, activation of support was a negative impact to the finance performance, raising the costs and burdens. It was found out that there were important implications in the implementation of GSCM. Keywords: critical success factorsgreen supply chain managementstructural equation modellingbalanced scorecard performance Acknowledgements This work was partially supported by the Dongguk University Research Fund of 2009 and SCCM project sponsored by MKE (Ministry of Knowledge Economy) in Korea.

An exact classification of different gait phases is essential to enable the control of exoskeleton robots and detect the intentions of users. We propose a gait phase classification method based on neural networks using sensor signals from lower limb exoskeleton robots. In such robots, foot sensors with force sensing registers are commonly used to classify gait phases. We describe classifiers that use the orientation of each lower limb segment and the angular velocities of the joints to output the current gait phase. Experiments to obtain the input signals and desired outputs for the learning and validation process are conducted, and two neural network methods (a multilayer perceptron and nonlinear autoregressive with external inputs (NARX)) are used to develop an optimal classifier. Offline and online evaluations using four criteria are used to compare the performance of the classifiers. The proposed NARX-based method exhibits sufficiently good performance to replace foot sensors as a means of classifying gait phases.

Lignin-based thermoplastic copolyester was synthesized for eco-friendly polymers and composite applications using lignin as a macromonomer to form a high molecular weight polymer. Kraft lignin was polymerized with sebacoyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and the molecular weight of the synthesized polymer was controlled by the polymerization temperatures and [COCl]/[OH] ratios providing up to 39 000 corresponding to 4–5 repeating units of lignin macromonomers. The glass transition temperature of the synthesized polymer was difficult to measure due to the random distribution of functional groups and irregular configurational or conformational arrangement of natural lignin. Therefore, the complex electric modulus (CEM) technique was used to determine the glass transition of the synthesized polymer to give around 70°C measured by the peak of the imaginary part of CEM. The synthesized lignin-copolyester exhibited good thermal stability up to 200°C in TGA analysis and, thus, it was possible to shape the synthesized polymer using the solvent casting or hot-melt processing techniques at 120°C–140°C without generating odor, fume or irritation. Although the molecular weight should further be increased in the future, the developed methodology may help to exploit new applications for eco-friendly sustainable materials in various fields.

Abstract Transparent heaters can be fabricated with a wide variety of materials including indium‐tin oxide, carbon nano tubes, graphenes, metal nanowires, metal grids, and hybrid‐type electrodes. However these materials have been applied to small area heaters below 0.01 m 2 because of the limit of electrical and optical properties. High‐performance transparent electrodes for large‐area purpose (over 1.0 m 2 ) have never been developed with any practical applicability in spite of their utility for removing fog or iced water on automobile windshield, which can be critical for safety and convenience of the drivers. Achieving ultralow resistance with high transparence is the major technical barrier in windshield heaters due to the intrinsic long distance between electrodes and low battery voltage in automobiles. In this study, a high performance transparent electrode, super hybrid electrode (SHE) is developed, which is manufactured by combining metal grids with oxide/metal/oxide electrode based on a newly developed electroplating method, which guarantees uniform properties over large area, over 1.0 m 2 . Utilizing this newly devised electrode technology, an automobile windshield heater is successfully fabricated with sheet resistance of 0.1–0.3 Ω □ −1 and the transmittance of over 82% in large area samples of 1.01 m 2 , which is good enough for automobile windshield application.

Cross-border e-commerce, involving international product transactions via online and mobile platforms, is growing at a dramatic rate around the globe. One of the main concerns of brand firms is preventing counterfeit products from being sold under their names on e-commerce platforms. Counterfeit goods not only create economic losses to both the supply and demand sides, but also undermine efforts to improve sustainability. Proliferating counterfeits harm the brands of supply firms and trust in selling e-commerce platforms. In addition, they discourage participants in the supply chain from investing in social and environmental sustainability. If end-customers have access to detailed and comprehensive product information with a traceability system that can help overcome information uncertainty and asymmetry, losses can be prevented. The result of the pilot test has shown that securely shared in-depth product information among supply chain stakeholders from the supply side to end-customers can help prevent counterfeit goods from proliferating further by enabling consumers to determine the authenticity of products and report forgeries before paying.

This study aimed to develop a high-performance deep learning algorithm to differentiate Stafne's bone cavity (SBC) from cysts and tumors of the jaw based on images acquired from various panoramic radiographic systems. Data sets included 176 Stafne's bone cavities and 282 odontogenic cysts and tumors of the mandible (98 dentigerous cysts, 91 odontogenic keratocysts, and 93 ameloblastomas) that required surgical removal. Panoramic radiographs were obtained using three different imaging systems. The trained model showed 99.25% accuracy, 98.08% sensitivity, and 100% specificity for SBC classification and resulted in one misclassified SBC case. The algorithm was approved to recognize the typical imaging features of SBC in panoramic radiography regardless of the imaging system when traced back with Grad-Cam and Guided Grad-Cam methods. The deep learning model for SBC differentiating from odontogenic cysts and tumors showed high performance with images obtained from multiple panoramic systems. The present algorithm is expected to be a useful tool for clinicians, as it diagnoses SBCs in panoramic radiography to prevent unnecessary examinations for patients. Additionally, it would provide support for clinicians to determine further examinations or referrals to surgeons for cases where even experts are unsure of diagnosis using panoramic radiography alone.

Abstract We describe the in situ synthesis of the covalent organic framework-5 (COF-5) on the surfaces of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphenes having homogeneous CNT@COF-5 core–shell structures using a sonochemical reaction in one pot. CNT@COF-5 was found to show better CO2 adsorption than the pristine COF-5.

Electric vehicle (EV) systems require a high energy-efficiency traction motor so that the motors for EV traction should achieve high efficiency and power density. Hence, a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) for EV traction using a maximum slot occupation (MSO) coil has been investigated in this study. By applying the MSO coil, high torque density was achieved, but an additional loss, which decreases the efficiency, was incurred through alternating current (AC) resistance. To reduce the AC resistance of the MSO coil, the following process was performed: First, by investigation using the analytical method, pole/slot numbers, current density and number of parallel circuits affecting the frequency, the shape and number of conductors were chosen as important variables. Resistances of the MSO coil with a stator core were analyzed according to the chosen variables above. From the results, MSO coil applied PMSM with proper pole/slot numbers, current density, and parallel circuits was determined to improve the efficiencies at the base and maximum speeds. To accurately estimate the efficiency of the determined model, loss evaluation methods were explained. Subsequently, the determined MSO coil applied model was compared with the conventional model having round wires, and the improvements were verified by load testing.

BACKGROUND: Brown algae have been used for their nutritional value as well as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-obesity effects. Obesity is an important condition implicated in various diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease. However, anti-obesity effects of Eisenia bicyclis remain unknown. RESULTS: We investigated the anti-obesity effects of 6,6'-bieckol, 6,8'-bieckol, 8,8'-bieckol, dieckol and phlorofucofuroeckol A isolated from E. bicyclis. Anti-obesity activity was evaluated by examining the inhibition of differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCATT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) at the mRNA and protein level. Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with the purified phlorotannins at concentrations of 10, 25 and 50 µg mL(-1) for 8 days. The results indicated that the purified phlorotannins suppressed the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, without toxic effects. Among the five compounds, 6,6'-bieckol markedly decreased lipid accumulation and expression levels of PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c (mRNA and protein), and fatty acid synthase and acyl-coA carboxylase (mRNA). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that E. bicyclis suppressed differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocyte through downregulation of adipogenesis and lipogenesis.

Additive manufacturing is used to produce complex shapes, and it has been actively investigated. In this study, 316L stainless steels with various amounts of Ti were fabricated using directed energy deposition. The addition of Ti changed the microstructure and significantly improved the tensile properties of austenitic stainless steels. The addition of Ti led to distinct microstructural evolutions, such as changes in the cellular structure, grain size and Ti-rich particle. Microstructural changes such as change in change to equiaxed cellular structure and grain refimenet were due to Ti-rich particles acting as new nucleation sites and suppressing the segregation of solute atoms. In particular, the yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation of the specimen with 2 wt% Ti were 637 MPa, 857 MPa, and 43%, respectively, which were considerably higher than those of 316L stainless steel without Ti. Therefore, the addition of Ti is a suitable strategy for improving the tensile properties of additively manufactured 316L stainless steel.

Quasi-static and dynamic compressive properties of an FCC-based metastable HEA (composition; V10Cr10Fe45Co35 (at.%)) showing both Transformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) and TWinning Induced Plasticity (TWIP) were investigated at room and cryogenic temperatures. During the quasi-static and dynamic compression at room temperature, the FCC to BCC TRIP occurred inside FCC grains, and resulted in very high strain-hardening rate and consequently maximum compressive strength over 1.6 GPa. The dynamic compressive strength was higher by 240 MPa than the quasi-static strength because of strain-rate-hardening effect, and kept increasing with a high strain-hardening rate as the twinning became activated. The cryogenic-temperature strength was higher than the room-temperature strength as the FCC to BCC TRIP amount increased by the decrease in stability of FCC phase with decreasing temperature. Under dynamic loading at cryogenic temperature, twins were not formed because the increase in SFE due to adiabatic heating might not be enough to reach the TWIP regime. However, the dynamically compressed specimen showed the higher strength than the quasi-statically compressed specimen as the strain-rate-hardening effect was added with the TRIP.

BACKGROUND: Although various hand assist devices have been commercialized for people with paralysis, they are somewhat limited in terms of tool fixation and device attachment method. Hand exoskeleton robots allow users to grasp a wider range of tools but are heavy, complicated, and bulky owing to the presence of numerous actuators and controllers. The GRIPIT hand assist device overcomes the limitations of both conventional devices and exoskeleton robots by providing improved tool fixation and device attachment in a lightweight and compact device. GRIPIT has been designed to assist tripod grasp for people with spinal cord injury because this grasp posture is frequently used in school and offices for such activities as writing and grasping small objects. METHODS: The main development objective of GRIPIT is to assist users to grasp tools with their own hand using a lightweight, compact assistive device that is manually operated via a single wire. GRIPIT consists of only a glove, a wire, and a small structure that maintains tendon tension to permit a stable grasp. The tendon routing points are designed to apply force to the thumb, index finger, and middle finger to form a tripod grasp. A tension-maintenance structure sustains the grasp posture with appropriate tension. Following device development, four people with spinal cord injury were recruited to verify the writing performance of GRIPIT compared to the performance of a conventional penholder and handwriting. Writing was chosen as the assessment task because it requires a tripod grasp, which is one of the main performance objectives of GRIPIT. RESULTS: New assessment, which includes six different writing tasks, was devised to measure writing ability from various viewpoints including both qualitative and quantitative methods, while most conventional assessments include only qualitative methods or simple time measuring assessments. Appearance, portability, difficulty of wearing, difficulty of grasping the subject, writing sensation, fatigability, and legibility were measured to assess qualitative performance while writing various words and sentences. Results showed that GRIPIT is relatively complicated to wear and use compared to a conventional assist device but has advantages for writing sensation, fatigability, and legibility because it affords sufficient grasp force during writing. Two quantitative performance factors were assessed, accuracy of writing and solidity of writing. To assess accuracy of writing, we asked subjects to draw various figures under given conditions. To assess solidity of writing, pen tip force and the angle variation of the pen were measured. Quantitative evaluation results showed that GRIPIT helps users to write accurately without pen shakes even high force is applied on the pen. CONCLUSIONS: Qualitative and quantitative results were better when subjects used GRIPIT than when they used the conventional penholder, mainly because GRIPIT allowed them to exert a higher grasp force. Grasp force is important because disabled people cannot control their fingers and thus need to move their entire arm to write, while non-disabled people only need to move their fingers to write. The tension-maintenance structure developed for GRIPIT provides appropriate grasp force and moment balance on the user's hand, but the other writing method only fixes the pen using friction force or requires the user's arm to generate a grasp force.

This paper quantitatively analyzes inductance estimation errors due to temperature variation and proposes accurate experimental estimation methods considering the temperature distribution of an interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM). Accurate knowledge of direct and quadrature-axis inductances is essential for high-performance control of an IPMSM. From the quantitative error analysis results, it is shown that the temperature variation is a very sensitive factor for the accuracy of the experimental estimation of the inductances. For accurate temperature consideration, two experimental estimation approaches are proposed. One uses the temperature measured at end windings to represent the internal temperature of the machine. The other uses both the measured temperature and other temperature information obtained from a temperature distribution analysis. This paper carries out a case study in which the proposed estimation methods are applied to a sample IPMSM with ferrite magnets. Experimental results are compared with finite element analysis (FEA) results in order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.

Manufacturing an economically viable, efficient commercial thermoelectric (TE) module is essential for power generation and refrigeration. However, mediocre TE properties, lack of good mechanical stability of the material, and significant difficulties involved in the manufacturing of large-scale powder as well as bulk samples hinder the potential applications of the modules. Herein, an economically feasible single-step water atomization (WA) is employed to synthesize BST powder (2 kg) by Cu doping within a short time and consolidated into large-scale bulk samples (500 g) for the first time with a diameter of 50 mm and a thickness of about 40 mm using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The incorporation of Cu into BST greatly boosts the carrier concentration, leading to a significant increase in electrical conductivity, and inhibits the bipolar thermal conductivity by 73%. Synchronously, the lattice contribution (κL) is greatly reduced by the effective scattering of phonons by comprising fine-grain boundaries and point defects. Therefore, the peak ZT is shifted to the mid-temperature range and obtained a maximum of ∼1.31 at 425 K and a ZTave of 1.24 from 300 to 500 K for the BSTCu0.05 sample, which are considerably greater than those of the bare BST sample. Moreover, the maximum compressive mechanical strength of large-size samples manufactured by the WA-SPS process is measured as 102 MPa, which is significantly higher than commercial zone melting samples. The thermoelectric module assembled with WA-SPS-synthesized BSTCu0.05 and commercial n-type BTS material manifests an outstanding cooling performance (−19.4 °C), and a maximum output power of 6.91 W is generated at ΔT ∼ 200 K. These results prove that the BSTCux samples are eminently suitable for the fabrication of industrial thermoelectric modules.

This article proposes an indirect method for predicting mechanical loss by considering the eddy current loss of permanent magnets (PMs) and conductors under the no-load condition. The mechanical loss has been conventionally predicted indirectly through experiments and numerical methods. The conventional method uses the no-load loss measured through experiments and the no-load iron loss calculated through a numerical method. With the increase in the demand for high-power-density motors, the PMs with high energy density and winding technology with high fill factor are required. Thus, the proportion of eddy current losses of PMs and conductors is increasing among the electromagnetic losses. Therefore, we propose an indirect method for predicting the mechanical loss considering the eddy current losses. The accuracy of the proposed method is higher than that of the conventional method. Moreover, the proposed method is verified by comparing the estimated efficiency of the specimen obtained by using this method with the measured efficiency.

Activity-guided isolation of a methanolic extract of Galla Rhois using pancreatic lipase and 3T3-L1 adipocytes led to the isolation of seven phenolic compounds: protoaphin-fb (1), 2-O-digalloyl-1,3,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (2), 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (3), 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (4), 3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-phenol 1-O-β-D-glucoside (5), methylgallate (6), and gallic acid (7). Their structures were established on the basis of NMR and MS spectroscopic data interpretation. All isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase, and compounds 1-5 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on this enzyme, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 30.6 ± 2.4 to 3.5 ± 0.5 mM. In addition, the highly galloylated compound 2 was also found to induce potent inhibition of adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show that existing project portfolio management methods have failed to take firms' long‐term strategies into account. To overcome this limitation, it is proposed to suggest technology road‐maps (TRMs) as a tool to assist with project selection and planning. Design/methodology/approach Based on bibliographic and qualitative analysis, the paper develops a systematic process of building TRMs for project portfolio management. The proposed process was applied to the project selection and planning process of a Korean government R&D program. Findings The paper finds that the suggested process can support strategic planning by assuring that an organization is implementing the right projects at the right time. During this process, the selection of experts, the flexibility of the process, the periodical updating of the TRM, and TRM standardization are regarded as critical issues for high‐quality technology road‐mapping. Research limitations/implications The approach in the paper does not deal with the cost and profitability aspects of a project as part of its evaluation, nor does it consider complex relations between technologies in different projects. Practical implications The findings in the paper are expected to be helpful in establishing R&D strategy and setting priorities among projects, and in fostering coordination in project implementation. Originality/value This paper is one of the earliest attempts to systemize TRM methods specifically for project portfolio management, and is expected to make it easier for companies to adopt and apply TRMs effectively.

In this paper, an efficient fabrication route is presented for carbon-coated Cu-Ni alloy nanoparticles (Cu1-xNix@C NPs; x = 0–1.0) by means of electrical wire explosion under methane gas. The Cu-Ni binary system, which is considered to be an ideal isomorphous system, has carbon growth controllable by tuning the atomic fraction of Cu and Ni with largely different carbon solubility. As the Ni content increases, the average particle size and carbon layer thickness increase. It is notable that the carbon layer is very thin, <2 nm, regardless of the core size for pure [email protected] NPs. On the other hand, as the Ni content increases, the particle size dependence of the carbon-layer thickness becomes significant and the carbon layer is obviously tunable from amorphous to crystalline form. The high-temperature oxidation stability of Cu1-xNix@C NPs is enhanced with increasing Ni content due to the higher thermal stability of carbon layers with greater thickness and high crystallinity. The conductive films were prepared using screen-printing of paste containing Cu1-xNix@C NPs and the electrical resistivity was mapped according to the Ni content. The temperature stability of the sheet resistance and activation energy of oxidation for the conductive films increase with increasing Ni content.

The bare metal stent (BMS) used in the blood vessel caused the restenosis after the operation due to formation and proliferation of neointimal. Recently, as a method to overcome the problems of BMS, drug eluting stent (DES) is developed and being applied to human body which has drug reducing restenosis applied on the metal surface. DES has the advantage of greatly reducing the restenosis after the operation; however, metal stent remains in the body after the drug is released causing issues such as late thrombosis and restenosis so that currently the attention is increasing for biodegradable materials that reduce restenosis and thrombosis by degrading as a certain amount of time passes after the drug is released by the stent material. In this review, the study trend of biodegradable stent will be explained.

Phosphorus‐based Schiff base were synthesized by treating bis{3‐[2‐(4‐amino‐1.5‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐pyrazol‐3‐ylideneamino)ethyl]‐indol‐1‐ylmethyl}‐phosphinic acid with paraformaldehyde and characterized as a novel antioxidant. Its corresponding complexes [(VO) 2 L(SO 4 ) 2 ], [Ni 2 LCl 4 ], [Co 2 LCl 4 ], [Cu 2 LCl 4 ], [Zn 2 LCl 4 ], [Cd 2 LCl 4 ], [Hg 2 LCl 4 ], [Pd 2 LCl 4 ], and [PtLCl]Cl 2 were analyzed by Fourier transform‐infrared, ( 1 H and 13 C) nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Experimental data showed that the ligand coordinated with the metal ions via donor atoms such as nitrogen to form an octahedral arrangement of the Schiff base around the central transition‐metal atom. The nature of these complexes was identified using the molar ratio and Job's methods, with the results agreeing with a metal‐to‐ligand (M:L) molar ratio of 2:1, expect for Pt, whose M:L was 1:1. Thermodynamic activation parameters such as ∆E*, ∆H*, ∆S*, ∆G*, and K were determined from the thermogravimetric analysis curve using the Coats–Redfern method. The antioxidant activities of the prepared compounds were assessed by using 1.1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl as the free radical, and the results show that the complex Schiff bases were found to possess potent antioxidant activity. The structure–activity relationship of the ligand and its complexes indicates that the presence of electron‐donating moieties, such as Co(II) and Ni(II), in the chemical structure increases the antioxidant activity, whereas the Pt(IV) and Pd(II) complexes diminished the antioxidant activity, indicating the superior activity of the hydroxyl radical (OH · ) over the superoxide radical.