Korea Government Research Articles

P0633 Real World Outcomes of Upadacitinib Induction Therapy for Patient with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Korea

Abstract Background Upadacitnib (UPA) has demonstrated efficacy and safety in both patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in pivotal clinical trials.1,2 Still, there is a lack of data on real-world effectiveness and safety of UPA for Asian patients with IBD. Methods We retrospectively analysed data of patients with IBD who received UPA induction therapy. Clinical effectiveness (excluding those in clinical remission at baseline), endoscopic outcomes (UC), biochemical outcomes and safety were evaluated (at week 12 in CD and at week 16 in UC). Clinical remission was defined as follows: clinical response together with Crohn’s disease activity index [CDAI] <150) (CD) and partial Mayo score ≤2 with combined rectal bleeding [RB] score and stool frequency score ≤1 (UC). Definitions for clinical response were a reduction of the CDAI score ≥100 from baseline in CD and a reduction of partial Mayo score ≥3 together with at least 30% from baseline and decrease in RB score ≥1 or absolute RB score ≤1 in UC. Endoscopic remission was defined as Mayo Endoscopic subscore [MES] =0 or Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity [UCEIS] =0 and endoscopic response as a reduction of MES ≥1 or reduction of UCEIS ≥2. Results From September 2023 to October 2024, a total of 89 patients with IBD initiated UPA induction therapy. Among those patients, 53 patients (39 with CD and 14 with UC) completed induction therapy, while one patient with UC discontinued UPA three weeks after initiation of UPA due to worsening symptoms of UC. Median disease duration was 10 years, and 27 (50.0%) had been exposed to more than one advanced therapy. Of the CD patients, 27 (68.2%) exhibited either stricturing or penetrating behaviour. Among UC patients, 9 (60.0%) had extensive disease (Table 1). In patients with CD, clinical remission and clinical response were observed in 8/23 (34.8%) and 10/23 (43.5%), respectively. In patients with UC, clinical remission and clinical response were observed in 9/13 (69.2%) and in 9/13 (69.2%), respectively. Endoscopic remission and endoscopic response were observed in 5/15 (33.3%) and 10/14 (71.4%), respectively. In both CD and UC patients, disease activity scores and biomarker levels showed decreasing trends throughout the induction period (Figure 1). During the induction therapy, acne was reported in 12/54 patients (22.2%), without any other significant adverse events such as Herpes zoster, deep vein thrombosis, and major adverse cardiovascular events. Conclusion UPA induction therapy was effective for Korean patients with refractory IBD with an acceptable safety profile. Financial support This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (NRF-2021R1A2C2095096).

P0876 One-year effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab treatment in patients with ulcerative colitis: An Asan-Crohn’s and Colitis Association in Daegu-Gyeongbuk (CCAiD) multicentre real-world cohort study

Abstract Background The real-life data on ustekinumab (UST) for Asian patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are limited. We aimed to assess one-year effectiveness and safety of UST for Korean patients with UC. Methods This was a multicentre retrospective study on patients with UC who received UST at 4 academic centers in Korea between January 2021 and October 2023. The primary endpoint was clinical remission defined as partial Mayo score (PMS) ≤2 and no subscore >1 at week (W) 8 of therapy. Secondary endpoints included clinical remission (W16–20 and W52–56), corticosteroid-free clinical remission (W8, W16–20, and W52–56), clinical response (W8, W16–20, and W52–56), endoscopic remission defined as Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) 0–1 (W16–20 and W52–56), interval shortening and durability of UST therapy till W52–56, and adverse events. Results A total of 60 patients (Male, 63.3%; Median age, 44.5 years; Disease duration, 6.5 years; Previous exposure to advanced therapies, 70.0%; Extensive colitis, 65.0%; Median baseline Mayo score, 8; Concomitant use of immunomodulators, 40.0%) were included. Excluding one patient in clinical remission at baseline, 49.2% (29/59) achieved clinical remission at W8. At W16–20, and W52–56, 59.3% (35/59), and 55.9% (33/59) achieved clinical remission. The clinical response rates at W8, W16–20, and W52–56 were 67.9% (40/59), 69.5% (41/59), and 66.1% (39/59), respectively (Figure 1). Endoscopic remission rates at W16–20 and W52–56 were 55.9% (33/59) and 37.3% (22/59), respectively (Figure 1). Multivariable analysis identified factors associated with clinical remission at W52–56 (body mass index, adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.57, p<0.05; previous exposure to advanced therapies, aOR: 0.20, 95% CI 0.04–0.98, p<0.05; concomitant use of immunomodulators, aOR: 4.69, 95% CI 1.04–21.06, p=0.04; endoscopic remission at W16–20, aOR: 13.47 95% CI 2.87–63.30, p<0.01). Till W52–56, the interval shortening rate for subcutaneous UST treatment from every 12 to 8 weeks was 20% (12/60). Nine patients (15.0%) stopped UST, primarily due to a secondary loss of response (8.3%, 5/60), followed by a primary non-response (6.7%, 4/60). Adverse events occurred in 24 patients (40.0%) and serious adverse event in one patient (1.7%) (Table 1). Conclusion UST was effective with an acceptable safety profile for Korean patients with UC. Previous exposure to advanced therapies was associated with a lower probability of clinical remission at one year after UST therapy. Financial support This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (NRF-2021R1A2C2095096).

The perceived identity of policy participants: The agenda-building process of universal basic income in South Korea

Due to a detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic economies, many countries have considered adopting government programs that can stimulate individual consumption, such as a universal basic income. Since such programs would potentially require greater bureaucratic involvement, how civil servants evaluate the introduction of these programs has important implications for policy implementation. In this study, we develop a vignette survey experiment to understand how the perceived identity of those who drive the development of these programs, from the agenda-setting to the next stage, shapes civil servants’ assessments. Specifically, we propose four different participants with their roles related to the programs in this process as main treatment conditions. Analyzing original data of more than 4000 civil servants from central and local governments in South Korea, we find that civil servants have more positive perceptions when a basic income policy evolves through incorporating academic experts’ advice. We further find that central and local bureaucrats have different preferences, as the former actually consider reflecting demands from the public more important in this process.

Artificial intelligence-enhanced comprehensive assessment of the aortic valve stenosis continuum in echocardiography.

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the primary modality for diagnosing aortic stenosis (AS), yet it requires skilled operators and can be resource-intensive. We developed and validated an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system for evaluating AS that is effective in both resource-limited and advanced settings. We created a dual-pathway AI system for AS evaluation using a nationwide echocardiographic dataset (developmental dataset, n=8427): 1) a deep learning (DL)-based AS continuum assessment algorithm using limited 2D TTE videos, and 2) automating conventional AS evaluation. We performed internal (internal test dataset [ITDS], n=841) and external validation (distinct hospital dataset [DHDS], n=1696; temporally distinct dataset [TDDS], n=772) for diagnostic value across various stages of AS and prognostic value for composite endpoints (cardiovascular death, heart failure, and aortic valve replacement). The DL index for the AS continuum (DLi-ASc, range 0-100) increased with worsening AS severity and demonstrated excellent discrimination for any AS (AUC 0.91-0.99), significant AS (0.95-0.98), and severe AS (0.97-0.99). DLi-ASc was independent predictor for composite endpoint (adjusted hazard ratios 2.19, 1.64, and 1.61 per 10-point increase in ITDS, DHDS, and TDDS, respectively). Automatic measurement of conventional AS parameters demonstrated excellent correlation with manual measurement, resulting in high accuracy for ASstaging (98.2% for ITDS, 82.1% for DHDS, and 96.8% for TDDS) and comparable prognostic value to manually-derived parameters. The AI-based system provides accurate and prognostically valuable AS assessment, suitable for various clinical settings. Further validation studies are planned to confirm its effectiveness across diverse environments. This work was supported by a grant from the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) funded by the Korea government (Ministry of Science and ICT; MSIT, Republic of Korea) (No. 2022000972, Development of a Flexible Mobile Healthcare Software Platform Using 5G MEC); and the Medical AI Clinic Program through the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) funded by the MSIT, Republic of Korea (Grant No.: H0904-24-1002).

The social impact of halal tourism policy in South Korea: apart from the economic sector

ABSTRACT For the last decade, South Korea government has diversified its tourism industry by developing halal tourism, particularly in Seoul, despite its majority populations are non-Muslim. This research sees that the halal tourism policy initiated by the South Korean government has a main target to increase the economy, especially from foreign Muslim tourists. In fact, in addition to achieving these targets, there are other impacts of this policy, namely social impacts. Using qualitative method where data were obtained from interviews and literature study, This article found that the social impact of this halal tourism policy is not only limited to cultural exchange and general social interaction between local communities and Muslim tourists, but there is a deeper interest in Islam marked by the growth of the Muslim population there. The implications of this study extend to social integration, demographic change, and cultural adaptation, all of which are critical to effectively managing the impact of halal tourism in South Korea. This article contributes that a tourism policy can affect social dynamics, in this case especially the growth of the Muslim population in South Korea as a consequence of these policies, which is a relatively under-explored area in tourism research.

Preventing technology leaks through the patent office in South Korea: lessons for Ukraine

The article provides an economic and legal analysis of measures to ensure economic security and prevent leaks of technological secrets used by the Government of South Korea and the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). On October 17, 2024, KIPO presentedand approved «Measures to Combat Technology Leakage to Strengthen Global Industrial Competitiveness.» These measures are expected to strengthen the safety net for advanced technologies that are critical to the survival of domestic companies and economic security. They were formulated to address the potential national damage caused by the increasing leakage of advanced technologies in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing andsecondary batteries. The plan aims to create a national technology protection system to prevent technology theft that hinders the growth of SMEs and venture capital companies, thereby increasing global industrial competitiveness and contributing to a dynamic economy. The leading role in the creation of a national technology protection system in South Korea belongs to KIPO. For this purpose, KIPO has made changes to current procedural and patent legislation and the Law on the Prevention of Unfair Competition and the Protection of Commercial Secrets. It plans to introduce a preventive system to prevent technology leakage using patent analysis of big data and technical expert research. KIPO is improving digital response systems and introducing an idea certification system. It is alsostrengthening cooperation with counterintelligence agencies. The guidelines for punishments for crimes in the technological sphere related to the violation of IP rights and technologies have been revised. Revised guidelines entered into force in July 2024 to implementstricter standards for trade secret misappropriation and theft of industrial technology, set separate sentencing standards for crimes related to «industrial technology» and «national basic technology», provide stricter penalties for violations, especially those occurring abroad. The state of leakage of technologies in Ukraine is analyzed, mechanisms of their countermeasures are proposed.

Maritime Cooperation Between Indonesia and South Korea: Analysis of MTCRC (Marine Technology Cooperation Research Centre)

Indonesia is the largest archipelago with abundant marine resources. To manage this optimally, Indonesia needs to cooperate with other countries to optimise it. The main focus of this study is the Marine Technology Cooperation Research Centre (MTCRC), a collaborative marine science and technology research establishment managed by the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) between both the governments of South Korea and Indonesia. This research aims to analyse the functioning of Indonesia’s maritime cooperation with South Korea. The data collection method through library research and the theory of international cooperation are used to analyse this research. This study's results show that the maritime technology collaboration between South Korea and Indonesia research centres has built and implemented programs to support marine science and technology cooperation.

소비에트러시아의 대한민국 임시정부 정책

소비에트러시아의 대한민국 임시정부 정책

Self-Rectifying Self-Selecting Memory Having Bi-Layer Stacked Dual Functional Material for Logic-in-Memory

Recently, a 3D cross-point array (3DXP) consisting of phase-change random-access-memory (PCRAM) and ovonic threshold switching (OTS) selector has been reported as a memory solution for next-generation Compute-Express-Link (CXL) interconnect technology due to nonvolatile characteristics and high scalability1. Neverthless, a 3DXP has been faced limitations in implementing a vertically-stacked high-density memory array due to the high aspect ratio of the serial connection of two devices (i.e., PCRAM and OTS selector) and the thermal disturbance (TDB) problem between adjacent cells by using phase change materials. To oevrcome these limitations, self-selecting memory having polarity-induced threshold voltage (Vth) shift in chalcogenide-based dual functional material (DFM) has been proposed, presenting dual functions of selector and memory2–5. However, several problems should be improved such as the complex composition ratio of DFM, the electroforming process at high voltage, the intrinsic drift phenomenon by atomic rearrangements of pure chalcogenide materials, and the bi-directional current flow in the prograimming process (i.e., set and reset). In addtion, the CPU and GPU overload can be dramatically reduced when combinational logic gates (i.e., 16 Boolean logics) were implemented in the CXL expander via logic-in-memory.In this study, for the first time, we designed self-rectifying self-selecting memory (SR-SSM) having bi-layer stacked DFM for logic-in-memory. The designed SR-SSM demonstrated abrupt threshold switching at different voltages (i.e., Vth, set of 1.3 V and Vth, reset of 2.0 V) without electroforming-process. The abrupt threshold switching mechanism via the formation of conductive Cu filaments in DFM was proved by measuring the double-sweep DC I-V curves at near-cryogenic temperatures. In addtion, unlike the reported other SSMs, the filamentary switched SR-SSM presented a drift-free property due to the fast rupturing speed of the conductive Cu filaments under 50 ns in DFM. Finally, we implemented all 16 Boolean logic gates via a sequential logic scheme using one or two SR-SSMs. The polarity-induced Vth shift mechanism, electrical perfomance, and logic-in-memory application of the SR-SSM will be presented in detail. Acknowledgement This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT) (No. RS-2023-00260527) and Institute of Information & communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) under the artificial intelligence semiconductor support program to nurture the best talents (IITP-(2023)-RS-2023-00253914) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT). References Yi, J. et al. The chalcogenide-based memory technology continues: beyond 20nm 4-deck 256Gb cross-point memory. Dig. Tech. Pap. - Symp. VLSI Technol. 2023-June, 1–2 (2023).Hong, S. et al. Extremely high performance, high density 20nm self-selecting cross-point memory for Compute Express Link. Tech. Dig. - Int. Electron Devices Meet. IEDM 2022-Decem, 1861–1864 (2022).Ravsher, T. et al. Self-Rectifying Memory Cell Based on SiGeAsSe Ovonic Threshold Switch. IEEE Trans. Electron Devices 70, 2276–2281 (2023).Lee, J. et al. Enhancing Se-based Selector-only Memory with Ultra-fast Write Speed (~ 10 ns) and Superior Retention Characteristics (> 10 years at RT) via Material Design and UV Treatment Engineering. in 2023 International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) 1–4 (IEEE, 2024). doi:10.1109/iedm45741.2023.10413815.Park, I.-M. et al. Enhanced Endurance Characteristics in High Performance 16nm Selector Only Memory (SOM). in 1–4 (2024). doi:10.1109/iedm45741.2023.10413748.

Thin Reinforced Composite Membranes for Efficient Anion-Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

Recently, as the demand for hydrogen (H2) used as a raw material or fuel in various industries increases, interest in environmentally friendly water electrolysis technology is increasing. In particular, anion-exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) is receiving great attention as it is considered a cost-effective and stable process compared to the traditional proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). In the AEMWE system, the anion-exchange membrane (AEM) is a core material that facilitates the movement of OH- ions and determines the reaction rates of OER and HER. The AEM must have high ionic conductivity for OH- ions and low gas permeability, and excellent physical and chemical stabilities are required for long-term operation in alkaline conditions. In this study, therefore, a reinforced composite AEMs with excellent mechanical strength even at a thin film thickness were fabricated using various porous supports and their properties were systematically analyzed. For preparing AEMs, a polymer backbone and ion exchange groups with an excellent stability under harsh alkaline conditions were introduced. Moreover, the membrane development was conducted to simultaneously increase the degree of crosslinking and ion exchange capacity. The properties of the prepared AEMs were confirmed through AEMWE experiments, and the excellent current density and long-term stability were confirmed in 1 M KOH solution conditions. This work was supported by NRF grants funded by the Government of Korea (MEST) (NRF-2022M3C1A3081178 and NRF-2022M3H4A4097521).

Enhancing Stability in Aqueous Zn Ion Batteries: Insights into Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials Protective Layer

Zinc-ion Batteries (ZIBs) have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems, offering affordability and safety. However, the practical applications of Zn metal as anode is impeded by significant challenges such as side reactions and dendrite growth. We propose a novel approach that employs two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials protective layer (BN, MoS2, MXene) to mitigate dendrite formation and side reactions (hydrogen evolution, corrosion) of Zn metal anode, facilitating controlled Zn ion flux during charge/discharge cycles. Our findings particularly highlight the MoS2@Zn anode, which demonstrates stable cycling performance for over 1000 hours at a current density of 1 mA/cm² with a capacity of 1 mAh/cm². This anode effectively inhibits dendrite growth and suppresses side reactions such as hydrogen evolution and corrosion. Additionally, when integrated into a full cell configuration with a MnO₂ cathode, the MoS₂@Zn anode exhibits exceptional capacity retention, maintaining nearly 100% of its initial capacity even after 100 cycles. This work contributes to the advancement of metal-based aqueous battery technologies by demonstrating the practical applicability of 2D material protection layers in improving the performance and reliability of ZIBs.AcknowledgementThis work was supported by the Commercialization Promotion Agency for R&D Outcomes(COMPA) grant funded by the Korean Government(Ministery of Science and ICT). (RS-2023-00304768) and the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT)(No. RS-2023-00217581).

Numerical Analysis of Operation Characteristics in Thermal Driven Adsorption Systems with Different Adsorbent Packing Method

Waste heat generated from industrial processes, such as data centers, is often discarded due to its low temperature, making reuse difficult. Adsorption systems have been proposed as a solution to utilize this low-grade waste heat. These systems consist of adsorption beds, an evaporator, and a condenser, with the adsorption bed—typically comprising a fin-tube heat exchanger and adsorbents—playing a central role in system operation. The adsorbent facilitates adsorption and desorption processes, driving system functionality. Two primary methods exist for packing the adsorbent into the adsorption bed: filling the void spaces around the heat exchanger with adsorbent particles, and coating the surface of the heat exchanger fins. These different packing methods affect the heat and mass transfer characteristics of the adsorption bed and, consequently, influence the overall system performance. This study presents a numerical analysis of the operational characteristics of an adsorption system using two distinct adsorbent packing methods, and evaluates their performance. Under typical operating conditions with a heat source temperature of 80°C, the coating model demonstrated a cooling capacity of 2.05 kW, an SCP of 0.117 kW/kg, and a COP of 0.333. Compared to the packing model, the coating model achieved 41% and 61% increases in cooling capacity and COP, respectively. Notably, the SCP showed a significant improvement of 153%. These results indicate that, despite using less adsorbent, the coating model not only offers better system performance but also presents a more economical approach to adsorption system development.AcknowledgementsThis work was supported by Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP) grant funded by the Korea government(MOTIE)(No. 20202020800200, Development and demonstration of smart design platform technology for thermal energy-intensive industrial facilities).

Fluorine and Nitrogen Doped Fe-Based Non-Precious Metal Catalyst for Highly Efficient Catalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Electrolyte

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) attract much attention since they play a crucial role in the hydrogen economy. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode is a fundamental reaction in electrochemical energy conversion systems like AEMFCs. However, the kinetics of the ORR are sluggish and the precious metal catalysts such as Pt which are highly efficient for the ORR are scarce and costly. Owing to their disadvantages, it is required to replace the precious metal catalysts with abundant non-precious metal catalysts.In the past decade, the transition metal nitrogen carbon catalysts (M-N-C) have been accentuated as possible alternatives to Pt catalysts due to their wide applicability to electrochemical catalysis and high ORR performance in alkaline media [1, 2]. Fe is generally known as the most efficient transition metal for the ORR [3, 4]. However, the ORR activity of Fe-N-C catalysts is not competitive with that of Ptcatalysts. To boost the activity and performance of theFe-N-C catalyst, doping additional heteroatoms (such as B, S, P, and F) to the Fe–N–C catalysts is widely investigated since it is a simple and practical strategy.In this work, we synthesize Fe-N-F-C catalysts using chelating agents like ethylene diamine and ethylenediamine (EDA) and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone (HFAc) as the N and F precursors, respectively. The annealing temperature and doped heteroatoms were systematically designed to arrange control samples to elucidate their synergistic effects on the ORR activity. We used high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) using the 1D-XRS KIST-PAL beamline of the PLS-II light source at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory as well as a rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) system.Well-dispersed uniform iron carbide particles were detected in Fe@NFC700 by HR-TEM. Among the catalysts, the highest amount of heteroatom functional groups (i.e. semi-ionic C–F bonds and Fe–Nx) that expedite the ORR activity were observed in Fe@NFC700. In addition, Fe@NFC700 exhibited higher contents of the Fe–Nx, pyridinic-N, and graphitic-N than Fe@NC, which indicates that F doping influences the formation of the N functional groups. As a result, Fe@NFC700 showed a high onset potential (0.981 V) and a small Tafel slope (79.11 mV dec‒1) compared to the catalysts synthesized at different annealing temperatures. The F-doped Fe–N–C system is a highly potential candidate for electrochemical energy applications such as AEMFCs and metal-air batteries.This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. 2020R1C1C1004206).

Secondary Battery Application by Fabrication of Vanadium Mxene

Introduction Secondary batteries have become indispensable in our modern world, powering a wide range of electronic devices and electric vehicles. However, the growing demand for energy storage with higher energy density, faster charging capabilities, and improved sustainability has spurred research into novel materials for advanced battery technologies. MXene, a two-dimensional transition metal carbide or nitride, has emerged as a promising candidate for the secondary battery electrode materials because of high electrical conductivity, excellent mechanical stability, and a large interlayer spacing suitable for accommodating various guest ions. In this abstract, we discuss the synthesis methods of Vanadium MXene and its structural properties and electircal charcteristics for the secondary battery. The ability of a coin cell with MXene electrode to store and release energy and its stable cycling performance. Additionally, we explore the environmental benefits of using MXene, such as its sustainability and recyclability, which align with the growing emphasis on green energy storage solutions. Experimental and methodology The basic mixing conditions were set to 2:1.2:0.8 in the molar ratio of V, Al, and C for the formulation of MAX with vanadium metal as a raw material. For uniform mixing and MAX synthesis experiments, a ball mill mixing for 24 hours was conducted. To increase the reactivity between V, Al, and C during the heat treatment process, uniformly mixed raw materials are made into 50mm circular pellets through uniaxial compression and heat treatment is performed. For the etching chemical reaction of MAX, 10 g of MAX V2AlC was added to HF (100 ml) and reacted at 45 ℃ for 72 hours. Through an etching chemical reaction, the Maxine layer of the two-dimensional shape is peeled off, and the vanadium-based Maxine V2CTx is recovered as an intermediate material. After the etching process, the hydrofluoric acid remaining on the MXene surface was washed using centrifugation. MXene powder was recovered in liquid form, and dried by freeze-drying. For complete exfoliation of the MXene, layered V2CTx was added to teteramethylammonium hydroxide (TMA-OH, 10%, 50 ml) at room temperature to produce the delaminated V2CTx form. Results and discussion As a result of XRD analysis of the finally manufactured V2CTx, it was confirmed that a clear 2D peak appeared at about 7 degrees, verifying that V2AlC MAX was successfully exfoliated into V2CTx MXene. The disappearance of a sharp peak of MAX at 12 degree also confirmed that the layers of MAX were peeled off as two-dimensional shapes of V2CTx through a chemical etching reaction. From the AFM analysis results, it was confirmed that the MXene was completely exfoliated into a sheet form and had a thickness of about 2 nm or less. Constant current charge/discharge electrochemical experiments were performed on the coin cells manufactured using MXene in an aqueous electrolyte of 3 M ZnSO4. The synthesized vanadium MXene-based anode showed an initial discharge capacity of 126 mAh/g at a current density of 0.1 A/g, and a maximum capacity of 145 mAh/g was achieved in the initial 5 cycles. As the cycle progresses, the capacity decreases to 130 mAh/g, 89% life stability and >99% coulombic efficiency was shown up to 100 cycles. Acknowledgments This research was supported by Basic Research Project (21-3212-2) of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources and the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST) grant by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. CAP22071-000) References J. Pang, R.G. Mendes and A. Bachmatiuk, Chem. Soc. Rev., 48, 72 (2019).D. Xiong, X. Li, Z. Bai, S. Lu, Small, 14, 1703419 (2018).M. Naguib, V.N. Mochalin, M.W. Barsoum and Y. Gogotsi, Adv. Mater, 26, 992 (2014)B. Anasori, M.R. Lukatskaya and Y. Gogotsi, Nat. Rev. Mater, 2, 16098(2017).M. Okubo, A. Sugahara, S. Kajiyama, A. Yamada, Acc. Chem. Res., 51, 591 (2018)Z. Wei, Z. Peigen, T. Wubian, Q. Xia, Z. Yamei and S. ZhengMing, Mater. Chem. Phys., 206, 270 (2018). J. Zhang, Y. Zhao, X. Guo, C. Chen, C. L. Dong, R. S. Liu, C. P. Han, Y. Li, Y. Gogotsi and G. Wang, Nat. Catal., 1, 985 (2018).M. Naguib, M. Kurtoglu, V. Presser, J. Lu, J. Niu, M. Heon, L. Hultman, Y. Gogotsi and M. W. Barsoum, Adv. Mater., 23, 4248 (2011).S. Nam, J. Kim, V. H. Nguyen, M. Mahato, S. Oh, P. Thangasamy, C. W. Ahn and I. K. Oh, Adv. Mater. Technol, 7, 2101025 (2022). Figure 1

Radially Oriented Ni3(HITP)2 Microspheres: High-Performance Anodes for Li-Ion Capacitors

Creating high-energy, high-power-density energy storage devices poses a significant challenge. Despite their potential as electrode materials for such devices, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) face issues like poor electrical conductivity and weak ligand–metal coordination. In this study, we employ a highly conductive MOF called Ni3(HITP)2, consisting of radially oriented microspheres, as the anode for Li-ion capacitors (LICs). Our experiments show that the half-cell exhibits a notable reversible capacity of 834 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1 with minimal capacity degradation. This performance can be attributed to the involvement of carbon and nitrogen functional groups from the ligand and Ni2+ ions in the redox reactions during charge/discharge cycles. Particularly, density functional theory calculations reveal that the outer rings of Ni3(HITP)2, in addition to the inner ones, contribute significantly to the high Li+ storage capacity. When integrated into an LIC setup with a Ni3(HITP)2 anode and a commercial activated-carbon cathode, the system achieves a high specific energy of 120.7 Wh kg−1 at 89.2 W kg−1, nearly doubling the performance of graphite-based LICs. Moreover, it maintains a specific energy of 25.8 Wh kg−1 even under high specific power (7.16 kW kg−1) across the voltage range of 1–4.4 V, while exhibiting excellent cycling stability (76% capacity retention over 10000 cycles). These findings suggest that radially oriented Ni3(HITP)2 microspheres hold promise for enhancing the performance of energy storage devices, particularly as anodes. Acknowledgement: This research was supported by the National Research Council of Science & Technology(NST) grant by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. CAP22072-000).

(Invited) Advancements in High-Performance Metal-Oxide TFTs Via Atomic-Layer Deposition: A Path Towards Next-Gen Display and Memory Technology

This paper delves into the recent advancements in crafting high-performance metal-oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) via the atomic-layer deposition (ALD) process. As metal-oxide TFTs emerge as pivotal backplane technology for cutting-edge display products like organic light-emitting diode (OLED) televisions and selectors for 3D-DRAM, relentless efforts are underway to push the boundaries of performance through diverse methodologies. Among these, two prominent avenues, namely, adjusting cation composition ratios and innovating novel structural designs, are spotlighted. Both pathways leverage the myriad advantages offered by the ALD process over conventional sputtering methods. The paper elucidates the state-of-the-art characteristics of ALD-deposited oxide semiconductors, revealing promising prospects for ALD-derived metal oxide TFTs to emerge as prime contenders for the next generation of high-end active-matrix displays and 3D DRAM devices.This work was supported by Institute of Information & communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) under the artificial intelligence semiconductor support program to nurture the best talents (IITP-2024-RS-2023-00253914) grant funded by the Korea government.

Grain Controlled Interlayer of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Via Nitrogen Reactive Sputtering

Renewable energy conversion systems have been extensively studied and utilized due to increased environmental pollutions caused by fossil fuels. Among the various renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydrogen, hydrogen is well known for its high energy density, non-toxicity, and easy transportation. Therefore, hydrogen production and utilization processes have been studied to enhance their efficiencies and lower costs for decades. To convert hydrogen into electricity, various types of fuel cells are frequently employed by chemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), one of the most promising energy conversion devices among the fuel cells, guarantee high conversion efficiency which is temperature dependent, thus the SOFCs are usually operate in high temperature regime (800 °C–1000 °C) to maximize their output. These high operating temperatures, however, induce thermal issues such as catalyst degradation, sealing, and cell durability which are needed to be concerned. Therefore, many researchers tried to mitigate these issues by lowering the working temperature (400 °C–600 °C). This strategy was successful, however, as abovementioned, the SOFCs are temperature dependent so that relatively low temperatures delay oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) resulted in increased polarization losses. To facilitate the SOFCs with high efficiency at this temperature regime, many studies inserted oxygen ion conducting materials between electrodes and electrolyte to promote transfer of oxygen ions. Further, researchers tried to control surface morphology of ion conductors to have large grain boundary density which is another approach to reduce polarization losses. In this study, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was introduced between cathode and electrolyte via sputtering technique. During the sputtering processes with both argon and oxygen gases, nitrogen gas was further supplied to induce collision of YSZ atoms so that YSZ atoms with low kinetic energy will reach on substrates resulted in smaller grain sizes of YSZ interlayers.Silicon and YSZ substrates were utilized to analyze properties of YSZ interlayers and electrochemical characteristics of SOFCs, respectively. The YSZ interlayers were fabricated by sputtering of ZrY alloy target with argon, oxygen, and/ or nitrogen gases. While maintaining sputtering chamber pressure of 0.67 Pa, argon and oxygen gases were supplied with fixed amount of 40 sccm and 5 sccm, respectively. Furthermore, nitrogen gas was also introduced to sputtering chamber by 4 sccm differences from 0 to 16 sccm, hereafter, fabricated YSZ interlayers are denoted as N0, N4, N8, N12, and N16 with the meaning of applied nitrogen amount. All YSZ interlayers were deposited with RF power of 70 W and sputtering times were controlled to fabricate about 70 nm. To analyze the properties of fabricated YSZ interlayers, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were conducted. Electrochemical characteristics of SOFCs were evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.SEM images observed all the YSZ interlayers were about 70 nm thicknesses with various surface morphologies. This phenomenon is attributed to different adatom mobility of atoms due to flow rates of nitrogen during sputtering process. Further, XRD results shown that nitrogen influenced grain development of YSZ interlayers resulted in weaker and broaden peaks compared to N0. To calculate grain sizes of the YSZ interlayers, Williamson and Hall equation was utilized. Average grain sizes of YSZ interlayers were decreased from N0 to N12, and increased at nitrogen flow rate of 16 sccm. The electrochemical performances indicated that the smallest grain sizes of YSZ interlayers had the lowest polarization losses which means the highest ORR kinetics were found at the largest grain boundary density thus, the highest peak power density was observed.All the YSZ interlayers were fabricated by sputtering technique with constant flow rates of argon, oxygen, while nitrogen flow rate was varied. The SEM images and XRD patterns revealed that nitrogen successfully modified surface morphologies in terms of various grain sizes. The EIS analysis confirmed the smallest grain sizes of N12 had the lowest polarization losses resulted in the highest peak power density. As a result, we successfully modified surface morphologies of YSZ interlayers by nitrogen reactive sputtering. We expect that this one-step novel strategy can be utilized in other thin film fabrication fields by significantly reducing process times.AcknowledgementsThis work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No.2022R1C1C1006824) and the Basic Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the MSIT (No.2022R1A4A3023960).

Pore Uniformity Effect of Porous Transport Layers on Bubble Behaviors in PEM Water Electrolysis

Hydrogen, a clean energy source with high energy density and long-term storage potential, is gaining attention as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Among various water electrolysis methods, Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE) is suitable for green hydrogen production due to its ability to operate efficiently at high current densities and low temperatures. A key component of PEMWE is the Porous Transport Layer (PTL), which facilitates oxygen gas discharge and water supply. However, to enable practical use of PEMWE at high current densities, effective oxygen removal without accumulation in the PTL is critical. While previous studies have explored the structural characteristics of PTL, research quantifying the effect of PTL pore uniformity on PEMWE performance remains limited. This study compared PTL samples with different pore uniformities using X-ray CT, investigated how these differences affect PEMWE performance, and analyzed bubble detachment characteristics on the PTL surface using high-speed imaging.A specially designed cell with a transparent acrylic end plate was used to observe internal flow in the PEMWE system. The bubble detachment characteristics, including the number, frequency, and diameter of detached bubbles, were analyzed. The homogeneous PTL followed a normal distribution, while the inhomogeneous PTL exhibited a broader pore size range, deviating from this distribution. These structural differences led to significant performance variations. The homogeneous PTL had a bubble detachment rate of 9.49 bubbles/mm2, with an average detachment frequency of 30.5 Hz and a detachment diameter of 2.21 mm. In contrast, the inhomogeneous PTL exhibited a significantly lower detachment rate of 0.30 bubbles/mm2, a higher detachment frequency of 78.2 Hz, and a larger detachment diameter of 22.4 mm. Furthermore, when comparing the departure velocity, calculated by multiplying the detachment frequency by the bubble diameter, the homogeneous PTL achieved a velocity of 289.3 mm/s, approximately 3.2 times faster than the 89.6 mm/s observed in the inhomogeneous PTL. These findings suggest that a more uniform pore structure enables faster and more efficient gas removal, leading to enhanced PEMWE performance. Additionally, the high departure velocity in the homogeneous PTL indicates a more effective two-phase flow, which contributes to the improved water supply and gas discharge, thereby optimizing overall cell efficiency.The homogeneous pore structures promote efficient gas discharge and water supply, leading to improved cell performance. These findings show the importance of designing PTLs with uniform internal pore structures to optimize PEMWE operation. Acknowledgment This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. RS-2023-00208497, RS-2023-00219369).

Performance Recovery in Irreversibly Degraded Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell for Enhanced Water Management

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) offer numerous advantages, such as low operating temperatures, ease of start-up and shutdown, and high power density. Recent researches have focused on enhancing their performance for various industrial applications, particularly in transportation fields including vehicles and drones. The gas diffusion layer (GDL) in PEMFC plays a key role in the transport of fuel, oxygen, and water. The physical and chemical degradation of GDL adversely affects the water management resulting in performance deterioration.A major cause of GDL degradation in PEMFCs is the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) during the electrochemical reaction. H₂O₂ lead PTFE loss and carbon corrosion, and this degradation is irreversible. Although several studies demonstrate techniques for recovering performance for the reversible degradation, limited research exists on restoring performance in irreversibly degraded PEMFCs.This study proposes a novel approach for the performance recovery in irreversibly degraded PEMFCs by superimposing acoustic pressure waves on the oxygen gas flow which enhances the water management ability [1]. To investigate the effect of proposed recovery technique, performances were compared with or without the superimposed acoustic pressure waves using a unit cell having 25 cm² active area. The 19 % decrease in performance with aged GDL was observed due to the reduction in the water management capability caused by the decrease of hydrophobicity.The superimposed acoustic pressure waves led to a performance recovery of up to 9. This recovery is attributed to the enhanced removal of accumulated water on the GDL surface through external excitation, which facilitated oxygen supply and improved water discharge. The proposed the water management method can offer a promising solution for recovering performance in irreversibly degraded PEMFCs and has the potential to improve both performance and durability. Acknowledgement This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT) (No. RS-2023-00208497, RS-2023-00219369). Reference [1] Kim, J. Y., Mortazavi, M., & Jung, S. Y. (2024). Improving polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell performance and preventing flooding by exciting gas flow. Journal of Power Sources, 617, 235181.

High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries: Dispersant-Free Nanocarbon for N-Doped Si-Carbon Composite

Nanomaterials exhibiting high conductivity have attracted immense interest for their promising applications in stabilizing electrodes for Li-ion batteries. Despite this, challenges in their dispersion and effective integration with active materials remain unresolved. In this study, we introduce an innovative strategy to augment Si-based anode materials, employing minimally defective graphene oxide (C-GO) and significantly oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes (C-SWCNTs), synthesized via a chlorate-based oxidation process. Our technique encapsulates Si alloy (SiA) particles with C-GO and C-SWCNTs, circumventing the necessity for supplementary additives. We engineer composite structures featuring lithiophilic N-doped SWCNTs and a highly crystalline, reduced C-GO coating on SiA surfaces through spray drying, followed by chemical reduction. This synergistic integration results in impressive capacities, consistent retention performance, and exceptional initial capacities (1224 mAh g-1), alongside superior retention rates (82.3% after 100 cycles at 0.1 C). When applied in a LIB full-cell with a SiA/NC anode, the system delivers a high energy density of 350 Wh kg-1, while preserving 65% of its capacity after 200 cycles. Our results underscore the efficacy of this hybrid methodology, obviating the need for additional conducting additives and maintaining a minimal binder content (5 wt%). This research puts forth a viable solution to enhance Si-based anode materials in lithium-ion batteries, successfully addressing the persistent issues of nanomaterial dispersion and hybridization in electrode design. Acknowledgment This research was supported by the Primary Research Program (24A01016) of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, and the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST) grant by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. CAP21041-000). Figure 1