Effects of nano-carbon doping and sintering temperature on microstructure and properties of MgB₂

Lim, J.H.,Shim, J.H.,Choi, J.H.,Park, J.H.,Kim, W.,Joo, J.,Kim, C.J. North-Holland 2009 Physica. C, Superconductivity Vol.469 No.15

We fabricated nano-carbon (NC) doped MgB<SUB>2</SUB> bulks using an in situ process in order to improve the critical current density (J<SUB>c</SUB>) under a high magnetic field and evaluated the correlated effects of the doped carbon content and sintering temperature on the phase formation, microstructure and critical properties. MgB<SUB>2-x</SUB>C<SUB>x</SUB> bulks with x=0 and 0.05 were fabricated by pressing the powder into pellets and sintering at 800<SUP>o</SUP>C, 900<SUP>o</SUP>C, or 1000<SUP>o</SUP>C for 30min. We observed that NC was an effective dopant for MgB<SUB>2</SUB> and that part of it was incorporated into the MgB<SUB>2</SUB> while the other part remained (undoped), which reduced the grain size. The actual C content was estimated to be 68-90% of the nominal content. The NC doped samples exhibited lower T<SUB>c</SUB> values and better J<SUB>c</SUB>(B) behavior than the undoped samples. The doped sample sintered at 900<SUP>o</SUP>C showed the highest J<SUB>c</SUB> value due to its high doping level, small amount of second phase, and fine grains. On the other hand, the J<SUB>c</SUB> was decreased at a sintering temperature of 1000<SUP>o</SUP>C as a result of the formation of MgB<SUB>4</SUB> phase.

Effects of neutron irradiation on superconducting critical temperatures of in situ processed MgB₂ superconductors

Kim, C.J.,Park, S.D.,Jun, B.H.,Kim, B.G.,Choo, K.N.,Ri, H.C. 한국초전도저온공학회 2014 한국초전도저온공학회논문지 Vol.16 No.1

Effects of neutron irradiation on the superconducting properties of the undoped $MgB_2$ and the carbon(C)-doped $MgB_2$ bulk superconductors, prepared by an in situ reaction process using Mg and B powder, were investigated. The prepared $MgB_2$ samples were neutron-irradiated at the neutron fluence of $10^{16}-10^{18}n/cm^2$ in a Hanaro nuclear reactor of KAERI involving both fast and thermal neutron. The magnetic moment-temperature (M-T) and magnetization-magnetic field (M-H) curves before/after irradiation were obtained using magnetic property measurement system (MPMS). The superconducting critical temperature ($T_c$) and transition width were estimated from the M-T curves and critical current density ($J_c$) was estimated from the M-H curves using a Bean's critical model. The $T_cs$ of the undoped $MgB_2$ and C-doped $MgB_2$ before irradiation were 36.9-37.0 K and 36.6-36.8 K, respectively. The $T_cs$ decreased to 33.2 K and 31.6 K, respectively after irradiation at neutron fluence of $7.16{\times}10^{17}n/cm^2$, and decreased to 22.6 K and 24.0 K, respectively, at $3.13{\times}10^{18}n/cm^2$. The $J_c$ cross-over was observed at the high magnetic field of 5.2 T for the undoped $MgB_2$ irradiated at $7.16{\times}10^{17}n/cm^2$. The $T_c$ and $J_c$ variation after the neutron irradiation at various neutron fluences were explained in terms of the defect formation in the superconducting matrix by neutron irradiation.

Regulation of cancer cell death by a novel compound, C604, in a c-Myc-overexpressing cellular environment

Jo, M.J.,Paek, A.R.,Choi, J.S.,Ok, C.Y.,Jeong, K.C.,Lim, J.H.,Kim, S.H.,You, H.J. North-Holland ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2015 european journal of pharmacology Vol.769 No.-

<P>The proto-oncogene c-Myc has been implicated in a variety of cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Several c-Myc targets have been studied; however, selective regulation of c-Myc is not easy in cancer cells. Herein, we attempt to identify chemical compounds that induce cell death in c-Myc-overexpressing cells (STF-cMyc and STF-Control) by conducting MTS assays on approximately 4000 chemical compounds. One compound, C604, induced cell death in STF-cMyc cells but not STF-Control cells. Apoptotic proteins, including caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PAPP), were cleaved in C604-treated STF-cMyc cells. In addition, 5W620, HCT116 and NCI-H23 cells, which exhibit higher basal levels of c-Myc, underwent apoptotic cell death in response to C604, suggesting a role for C604 as an inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells with c-Myc amplification. C604 induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in cells, which was not affected by apoptotic inhibitors. Interestingly, C604 induced accumulation of c-Myc and Cdc25A proteins. In summary, a chemical compound was identified that may induce cell death in cancer cells with c-Myc amplification specifically through an apoptotic pathway. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Mechanical properties of (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl₃ cermet consolidated by the high-frequency induction-heating method

Kim, W.,Suh, C.Y.,Roh, K.M.,Cho, S.W.,Na, K.I.,Shon, I.J. Elsevier Sequoia 2013 Journal of alloys and compounds Vol.568 No.-

In the case of cemented (W,Ti)C, Co is added as a binder for the formation of composite structures. However, the high cost of Co and the low corrosion resistance of the (W,Ti)C-Co cermet have generated interest in recent years for alternative binder phases. In this study, NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> was used as a binder and consolidated by the high-frequency induction heated sintering (HFIHS) method. The densification of both monolithic (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> cermet was accomplished within 3min. Highly dense (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> with a relative density of upto 99% were obtained within 3min by HFIHS under a pressure of 80MPa. The method was found to enable not only the rapid densification but also the prohibition of grain growth preserving the nano-scale microstructure. The average grain sizes of the sintered (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> were lower than 100nm. The addition of NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> to (W,Ti)C enhanced the toughness at the expense of the slight decrease in hardness. The hardness of (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> was significantly higher than that of (W,Ti)C-Co or (W,Ti)C-Ni. The fracture toughness and hardness values of (W,Ti)C, (W,Ti)C-5vol.%NiAl<SUB>3</SUB>, and (W,Ti)C-10vol.%NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> consolidated by HFIHS with a pressure of 80MPa and a induced current were 7.6+/-0.4MPam<SUP>½</SUP> and 2850+/-35kg/mm<SUP>2</SUP>, 8.5+/-0.3MPam<SUP>½</SUP> and 2610+/-37kg/mm<SUP>2</SUP>, 9.7+/-0.5MPam<SUP>½</SUP> and 2520+/-26kg/mm<SUP>2</SUP>, respectively.

Ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis of citrus fruit peels over mesoporous MFI and Al-MCM-41

Kim, Y.M.,Jae, J.,Lee, H.W.,Han, T.U.,Lee, H.,Park, S.H.,Kim, S.,Watanabe, C.,Park, Y.K. Pergamon ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2016 Energy conversion and management Vol.125 No.-

The thermal and ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis of different citrus peels, Citrus paradisi peel, Citrus sinensis peel, Citrus unshiu peel, and Citrus limon peel, were studied by thermogravimetric, evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry and tandem micro-reactor-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry analyses. Kinetic analysis revealed more complicated reaction steps and a wider range of activation energies of citrus peels than those of wood powder due to the presence of pectin in the citrus peels. Large amounts of methanol formation from each citrus peel were also recorded by evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry and fast pyrolysis-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry analyses at the main decomposition temperature of pectin, between 150 and 250<SUP>o</SUP>C. Mesoporous MFI was found to be a more effective catalyst for the production of mono aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene; 3.06-4.17C%) and light olefins (ethene, propene, butene, and butadiene; 8.13-9.13C%) than Al-MCM-41 (mono aromatic compounds 0.67-0.93C% and light olefins 3.61-4.58C%) because of its higher catalytic activity in deoxygenation and aromatization due to the stronger acidity of mesoporous MFI. The yield of mono aromatic compounds over mesoporous MFI was highest from C. paradisi peel (4.17C%), followed in order by C. sinensis peel (3.83C%), C. unshiu peel (3.61C%), and C. limon peel (3.06C%), due mainly to the different contents and properties of pectin in each citrus peel. The higher activities of mesoporous MFI than Al-MCM-41 were also maintained during the 7 times sequential catalytic pyrolysis of C. paradisi peel, demonstrating the stability of mesoporous MFI catalyst.

Angular dependences of SiO₂ etch rates at different bias voltages in CF₄, C₂F₆, and C₄F₈ plasmas

Kim, J.H.,Cho, S.W.,Park, C.J.,Chae, H.,Kim, C.K. Elsevier Sequoia 2017 THIN SOLID FILMS - Vol.637 No.-

The angular dependences of SiO<SUB>2</SUB> etch rates at different bias voltages for in CF<SUB>4</SUB>, C<SUB>2</SUB>F<SUB>6</SUB>, and C<SUB>4</SUB>F<SUB>8</SUB> plasmas were investigated using a Faraday cage system. When the bias voltage was -400V, the normalized etch yields (NEYs) reached a maximum at 70<SUP>o</SUP> in CF<SUB>4</SUB> and C<SUB>2</SUB>F<SUB>6</SUB> plasmas, while they decreased monotonically with ion-incident angle in a C<SUB>4</SUB>F<SUB>8</SUB> plasma. This was because the thickness of the steady-state fluorocarbon film formed on the SiO<SUB>2</SUB> surface was minimized at an ion incident angle of 70<SUP>o</SUP> in CF<SUB>4</SUB> and C<SUB>2</SUB>F<SUB>6</SUB> plasmas, while much thicker fluorocarbon films were deposited in a C<SUB>4</SUB>F<SUB>8</SUB> plasma. When the bias voltage was as high as -1200V, the thicknesses of the steady-state fluorocarbon films were very thin (less than 2A) and nearly unchanged at all ion-incident angles for CF<SUB>4</SUB> and C<SUB>2</SUB>F<SUB>6</SUB> plasmas, resulting in nearly the same shape of the NEY curves. In a C<SUB>4</SUB>F<SUB>8</SUB> plasma, the NEY showed a maximum at an ion-incident angle of 50<SUP>o</SUP> because the thickness of the steady-state fluorocarbon film was minimized at this angle.

Effect of oxygen partial pressure on the morphology and properties of Ce doped YBCO films fabricated by a MOCVD process

Kim, Y.H.,Kim, C.J.,Jun, B.H.,Sung, T.H.,Han, Y.H.,Han, S.C.,Paik, H.J.,Youn, J.S.,No, K. North-Holland 2009 Physica. C, Superconductivity Vol.469 No.15

Rare-earth (RE) (e.g. Sm, Dy, Ce, etc.) doping has been widely investigated to improve critical current density (J<SUB>c</SUB>) of YBa<SUB>2</SUB>Cu<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>7-X</SUB> (YBCO) coated conductors (CC). Oxygen partial pressure is known to be a key parameter in terms of affecting the J<SUB>c</SUB> of YBCO films. In this work, the effect of oxygen partial pressure on the microstructure and J<SUB>c</SUB> of a Ce doped YBCO film was examined. Ce doped YBCO films were deposited on (100) SrTiO<SUB>3</SUB> (STO) single crystal substrates at oxygen partial pressures of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0Torr using a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method. Due to the enhanced migration of surface adatoms under reduced oxygen partial pressure, a 1wt% Ce doped YBCO film had a stoichiometric, dense surface. In addition, the zero-field J<SUB>c</SUB> (at 77K) of the 1wt% Ce doped YBCO film deposited at reduced oxygen partial pressure was increased. Irrespective of the amount of Ce, the Ce doped YBCO film showed an increased zero-field J<SUB>c</SUB> (at 77K) under reduced oxygen partial pressure.

T_c and J_c distribution in in situ processed MgB₂ bulk superconductors with/without C doping

Kim, C.J.,Kim, Y.J.,Lim, C.Y.,Jun, B.H.,Park, S.D.,Choo, K.N. The Korea Institute of Applied Superconductivity a 2014 한국초전도저온공학회논문지 Vol.16 No.2

Temperature dependence of magnetic moment (m-T) and the magnetization (M-H) at 5 K and 20 K of the in situ processed $MgB_2$ bulk pellets with/without carbon (C) doping were examined. The superconducting critical temperature ($T_c$), the superconducting transition width (${\delta}T$) and the critical current density ($J_c$) were estimated for ten test samples taken from the $MgB_2$ bulk pellets. The reliable m-T characteristics associated with the uniform $MgB_2$ formation were obtained for both $MgB_2$ pellets. The $T_cs$ and ${\delta}Ts$ of all test samples of the undoped $MgB_2$ were the same each other as 37.5 K and 1.5 K, respectively. The $T_cs$ and ${\delta}Ts$ of the C-doped $MgB_2$ were 36.5 K and 2.5 K, respectively. Unlike the m-T characteristics, there existed the difference among the M-H curves of the test samples, which might be caused by the microstructure variation. In spite of the slight $T_c$ decrease, the C doping was effective in enhancing the $J_c$ at 5 K.

TmSR-C, scavenger receptor class C, plays a pivotal role in antifungal and antibacterial immunity in the coleopteran insect Tenebrio molitor

Kim, S.G.,Jo, Y.H.,Seong, J.H.,Park, K.B.,Noh, M.Y.,Cho, J.H.,Ko, H.J.,Kim, C.E.,Tindwa, H.,Patnaik, B.B.,Bang, I.S.,Lee, Y.S.,Han, Y.S. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2017 Insect biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.89 No.-

Scavenger receptors (SRs) constitute a family of membrane-bound receptors that bind to multiple ligands. The SR family of proteins is involved in removing cellular debris, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, and pathogens. Specifically, class C scavenger receptors (SR-C) have also been reported to be involved in phagocytosis of gram-positive and -negative bacteria in Drosophila and viruses in shrimp. However, reports are unavailable regarding the role of SR-C in antifungal immune mechanisms in insects. In this study, a full-length Tenebrio molitor SR-C (TmSR-C) sequence was obtained by 5'- and 3'-Rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR). The TmSR-C full-length cDNA comprised 1671 bp with 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of 23- and 107-bp, respectively. TmSR-C encodes a putative protein of 556 amino acid residues that is constitutively expressed in all tissues of late instar larvae and 2-day-old adults, with the highest transcript levels observed in hemocytes of larvae and adults. TmSR-C mRNA showed a 2.5-fold and 3-fold increase at 24 and 6 h after infection with Candida albicans and β-glucan, respectively. Immunoassay with TmSR-C polyclonal antibody showed induction of the putative protein in the cytosols of hemocytes at 3 h after inoculation of C. albicans. RNA interference (RNAi)-based gene silencing and phagocytosis assays were used to understand the role of TmSR-C in antifungal immunity. Silencing of TmSR-C transcripts reduced the survivability of late instar larvae at 2 days post-inoculation of C. albicans, Escherichia coli, or Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, in TmSR-C-silenced larvae, there was a decline in the rate of microorganism phagocytosis. Taken together, results of this study suggest that TmSR-C plays a pivotal role in phagocytosing not only fungi but also gram-negative and -positive bacteria in T. molitor.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of C-ring truncated deguelin derivatives as heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors

Kim, H.S.,Hong, M.,Ann, J.,Yoon, S.,Nguyen, C.T.,Lee, S.C.,Lee, H.Y.,Suh, Y.G.,Seo, J.H.,Choi, H.,Kim, J.Y.,Kim, K.W.,Kim, J.,Kim, Y.M.,Park, S.J.,Park, H.J.,Lee, J. Elsevier/Pergamon 2016 Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry Vol.24 No.22

Based on the lead compound L-80 (compound 2), a potent heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor, a series of C-ring truncated deguelin analogs were designed, synthesized and evaluated for Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) inhibition as a primary screening method. Their structure-activity relationship was investigated in a systematic manner by varying the A/B ring, linker and D/E ring, respectively. Among the synthesized inhibitors, compound 5 exhibited potent HIF-1α inhibition in a dose-dependent manner and significant antitumor activity in human non-small cell lung carcinoma (H1299), with better activities than L-80. It also inhibited in vitro hypoxia-mediated angiogenic processes in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMEC). The docking study of 5 showed a similar binding mode as L-80: it occupied the C-terminal ATP-binding pocket of HSP90, indicating that the anticancer and antiangiogenic activities of 5 were derived from HIF-1α destabilization by inhibiting the C-terminal ATP-binding site of hHSP90.