Korea Institute Research Articles

한국 서원의 원생과 서양 중세 대학 학생의 성격 비교 - 원생과 학생의 특권을 중심으로

This thesis is a comparative review of students in Korea’s Seowon and medieval university students of the West with the focus on special privilege. The institutions of the two sides were one of the highest education institutions for respective region to educate the national elites. Therefore, the national and regional powers provided social and economic special privilege to the students in respective institution. However, there are extremely clear differences in the special privilege granted to the specific class on the level of influence on the actual national advancement and development into modern educational institution. First of all, those students in medieval western universities had taken the extremely public benefit position regarding the functions of universities. Namely, those medieval universities were the self-autonomous organization of students who had strong drive on academic freedom and professional occupation, not as a facility of church or state power. The kept demanding on right of self-autonomy to the Pope and kings, and such demands were materialized due to the realistic needs. Such self-autonomy of universities and special privilege of students were symbolized as so-called ‘freedom of university’, and it was the foundation to establish them to grow into professional education institution to accommodate diversified academic fields after the modern era. On the other hand, the special privilege of Seowon students of Korea was distanced from the educational efficacy. Those special privileges granted for the purpose of encouraging the academic endeavors had turned into a mean to secure social and economic interests that are represented as an avoidance of national duties. Under the situation, the educational function of Seowon was greatly declined after the 17th century, but the special privilege represented for exemption of military service. In such aspect, it would be attributable as one of important factors that Seowon was unable to transit or advance as a modern educational institution in Korea.

Survey of Private Speech-Language Rehabilitation Institutions in Korea

Purpose: This unique study aims to comprehensively understand the status and actual conditions of private speech-language rehabilitation institutions. It will provide foundational data for accreditation evaluations and operational standards, ultimately contributing to the job satisfaction of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and improving service quality.Methods: The survey items consisted of 10 questions on the general characteristics of the operators and 18 questions related to the operation of the institutions. The questions related to operation included size, characteristics of the clients, services provided and their costs, voucher services, and operational status. The survey was conducted and analyzed using Google Forms, targeting 89 operators of private speech-language therapy institutions nationwide.Results: The operators, who were mostly first-class certified, held a master’s degree or higher and had over 10 years of experience in speech therapy. The institutions typically had 2 to 5 SLPs, an area of 99 to 165 square meters, an average revenue of 30 to 50 million KRW, a total of 51 to 100 clients, and an average of 101 to 103 speech therapy sessions per month. The clients were mostly children with language development disorders and preschool-aged children. The services provided were in the sequence of speech therapy, play therapy, and art therapy.Conclusions: Establishing operational standards and conducting accreditation evaluations are necessary to provide high-quality service and improve the operational capabilities of private speech-language rehabilitation institutions. Additionally, regular surveys should be undertaken to identify and analyze changes.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Yi Shen Juan Bi Pill on Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Protocol for Systematic Review and/or Meta-Analysis.

The Yi Shen Juan Bi (YSJB) pill has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with several studies reporting its anti-inflammatory effects and ability to prevent bone destruction. However, the lack of evidence regarding the effectiveness and toxicity of individual components of YSJB limits its widespread use. This protocol outlines a systematic review and/or meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of YSJB. We will search worldwide electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, CiNii, J-STAGE, KoreaMed, Korean Medical Database, Korean Studies Information Service System, National Digital Science Library, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System. In addition, we will conduct manual searches, and, if necessary, contact authors directly. The search will cover publications until June 2024. We will select randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare the use of YSJB for the treatment of RA against other treatments. Data from the selected RCTs will be extracted, including sample size, patient characteristics, intervention details, and outcome measures. We will perform a meta-analysis using Review Manager software. The primary outcome measures will include disease activity scores such as effective rate, swollen joint count, tender joint count, and morning stiffness. Secondary outcome measures will include blood test results and adverse events. The results will reveal the effectiveness and safety of YSJB for the treatment of RA. and Relevance: The findings will provide an evidence-based review of the use of YSJB for RA.S.

의사결정 참여가 조직 내 의사소통에 미치는 영향 - 조직목표 명확성의 조절효과

This study investigates the impact of decision-making participation on communication within public organizations, with a particular focus on how the clarity of organizational goals moderates this relationship. Using data from the 2022 Public Service Life Survey conducted by the Korea Institute of Public Administration, the research examines communication practices among public officials in central and local administrative agencies. The findings reveal that participation in decision-making is a key factor that positively influences communication across multiple levels within public organizations. Specifically, it enhances interdepartmental communication, vertical communication between different hierarchical levels, and horizontal communication among colleagues. Additionally, the clarity of organizational goals emerges as a significant contributor to improved communication, particularly between departments and among peers. However, its influence on vertical communication is less pronounced. Furthermore, the study highlights that the clarity of organizational goals strengthens the positive effect of decision-making participation on overall communication within the organization. This moderating effect is especially evident in enhancing both interdepartmental and vertical communication, although it has a limited impact on horizontal communication. These insights underscore the importance of fostering participation in decision-making and ensuring clear organizational goals to facilitate effective communication within public organizations.

유아의 놀이 상호작용이 언어 및 문해력과 수리적 사고에 미치는 영향 -사회적 유능감의 매개효과-

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of social competence in the structural relationship between child's play interactions and social competence, language and literacy, and mathematical thinking. For this purpose, data from the 7th year of the Korean Child Panel(2014) provided by the Korea Institute for Childcare Policy(KICE) were used, and a total of 667 young children and their classroom teachers were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, structural model analysis, and path analysis were conducted using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 22.0. The results of this study are as follows. First, children's play interactions had an effect on language and literacy, but not on mathematical thinking. Second, children's play interactions had a statistically positive effect on social competence. Third, children's social competence had a statistically positive effect on language, literacy, and mathematical thinking. Fourth, social competence was found to partially mediate the relationship between children's play interactions and language and literacy skills, and social competence was found to fully mediate the relationship between children's play interactions and mathematical thinking.

Types and Predictors of Acculturative Stress Among Multicultural Adolescents in Middle School

Objectives: This study examines how acculturative stress in multicultural adolescents changes during their middle school years and categorizes groups with similar patterns of change. Additionally, the study explores predictive variables influencing these distinct acculturative stress trajectories and verifies how depression and life satisfaction vary according to different patterns of change.Methods: Leveraging data from the Multicultural Adolescent Panel (MAPS 1) conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs across the fourth to sixth waves, the researchers analyzed a cohort of 1,316 participants, including multicultural adolescents and their parents. Logistic regression analysis and ANOVA were employed to investigate potential disparities in growth mixture modeling and acculturative stress latent classes based on predictive factors.Results: Three latent groups of multicultural adolescents’ acculturative stress were identified: low-retention group, persistent increasing group, persistent decrease group. The logistic regression analysis revealed that gender, bicultural acceptance attitude, Korean-language proficiency, foreign parent’s native-language proficiency, parental acculturative stress, and peer support were significantly associated with latent groups. Additionally, significant differences in depression and life satisfaction during the third grade of middle school were observed according to the types of acculturative stress changes.Conclusion: Our study results indicate the need for various support programs aimed at promoting the psychosocial adaptation of multicultural adolescents. These programs should take into account the characteristics and individual differences in acculturative stress and should be implemented at the family level to facilitate social adaptation.

공무원 채용시험 과목의 변화가 공공봉사동기에 미치는 영향: 이중차분법을 중심으로

In 2017, the subject ‘Constitution' was added to the Open Competitive Examination for Grade 5 public officials to strengthen the assessment of public service values among applicants. This study examines the impact of this new subject on Public Service Motivation (PSM) among newly recruited Grade 5 public officials. Survey data spanning from 2013 to 2023 from the Korea Institute of Public Administration was utilized to measure PSM. The study employed the Difference-in-Differences (DID) method, a quasi-experimental design technique, to enhance causal inference. The treatment group consisted of new Grade 5 public officials, while the control group comprised new Grade 7 public officials. Visual and statistical tests confirmed the parallel trend assumption. Despite a decade-long decline in PSM scores for both groups, the introduction of the 'Constitution' subject resulted in a 0.127-point increase in PSM scores among new Grade 5 public officials. This suggests that the changes in examination subjects effectively achieved their intended objective by selecting individuals with high public service motivation. Unlike other countries with intense competition for public official positions, Korea did not experience adverse selection issues, where individuals with low PSM were recruited.

Association of Hand Grip Strength and Physical Fitness Parameters in Middle-Aged and Older Korean Men.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether hand grip strength (HGS) could be an effective indicator to estimate other physical fitness parameters in middle-aged and older men using large population data. Data for this study were obtained from the National Fitness Center operated by the Korea Institute of Sport Science (n = 429 572). The following were excluded from this study: women aged 44 years or younger (n = 238 257), repeated measurement data (n = 130 466), and errors or missing data (n = 6 497). The final sample included 54 352 participants (27 878 middle-aged and 26 474 older-aged). The highest overall physical fitness grade among participants was 5.6% (4.7%, middle-aged men; 6.6%, older men), the lowest was 52.1% (59.0%, middle-aged men, 43.9%, older men). HGS was positively correlated with flexibility (r = 0.183, P < .001), muscular endurance (r = 0.354, P < .001), and power (r = 0.463, P < .001) in middle-aged men. In older men, flexibility (r = 0.227, P < .001) and 30SCS (r = 0.385, P < .001) were positively correlated; Timed Up and Go (r = -0.405, P < .001) and F8W (r = -0.433, P < .001) were negatively correlated. All physical fitness parameters were significantly higher in participants with normal HGS than those with low HGS. Our finding suggests that HGS is a predictive method for physical fitness variables and a useful biomarker for global public health.

The impact of budget allocation by research service and platform providers on R&amp;D outcomes: Reassessing the value of investment in research infrastructure in a knowledge-based society

This study aims to empirically analyze the impact of budget allocation by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) on national research competitiveness, thereby reassessing the value of investing in research infrastructure within a knowledge-based society. In the 21st century, research and development (R&amp;D) have emerged as a pivotal element of national competitiveness, underlining the increasing importance of investments aimed at constructing and enhancing research infrastructure. However, empirical studies examining the causal relationship between research infrastructure investment and national research competitiveness are still notably scarce. Accordingly, this research endeavors to systematically delineate the effect of research infrastructure investment, with a focus on KISTI’s budget allocation, on enhancing national R&amp;D outcomes. To achieve this, the structural relationship between KISTI’s budget, national R&amp;D budget, and various academic and industrial performance indicators was analyzed using multiple regression and simple regression analysis. In particular, by demonstrating the mechanism through which the budget management of research support organizations like KISTI contributes to strengthening national research competitiveness, this study aims to shed new light on the strategic value of research infrastructure investment in a knowledge-based society. Furthermore, these findings are expected to provide valuable evidence for the formulation of national R&amp;D policies in Korea and the strategic planning of budget operations for research support organizations. Through strategic investment of limited budgets, this could enhance the efficiency of national R&amp;D investments and contribute to strengthening the capacity for scientific and technological innovation required in a knowledge-based society.

Association of the protective effect of telmisartan on hearing loss among patients with hypertension.

Hearing loss, affecting a significant portion of the global population, is prevented with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonism. Understanding potential protective treatments is crucial for public health. We examine the effect of telmisartan, an antihypertensive drug and partial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonist, on hearing loss in patients with hypertension. This retrospective cohort analysis used data from the OMOP Common Data Model database, encompassing information from three tertiary institutions in South Korea. The study included a substantial sample size of 860,103 people diagnosed with hypertension. The study included individuals who had been medically diagnosed with hypertension and had been prescribed antihypertensive drugs, including telmisartan. The study design was established to evaluate the comparative effects of telmisartan and other hypertension medications on hearing loss. We used propensity score matching (PSM) to create a balanced cohort, reducing potential biases between the telmisartan and non-telmisartan groups. From the initial 860,103 patients with hypertension, a propensity score matched cohort was derived from 20,010 patients, with 2,193 in the telmisartan group. After PSM, lower incidence of total hearing loss was observed in the telmisartan group compared to the non-telmisartan group during the 3-year follow-up (0.5% vs. 1.5%, log-rank p = 0.005). In subgroup analysis, this study showed consistent results that lower incidence of total hearing loss was higher in the telmisartan group than in the non-telmisartan group. Telmisartan was associated with reducing certain types of hearing loss in patients with hypertension. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the mechanisms.

Activated Migration of Hydroxide Ion in Anolyte for Enhancing Performance of Scaled-up Non-Noble Catalysts in Pure Water-Fed Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

The continuous advancement in water electrolysis technologies has illuminated the potential of sustainable energy sources, particularly in the realm of green hydrogen production. Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) stands out as a promising technology capable of theoretically yielding high-purity hydrogen. However, the commercialization of AEMWE faces challenges arising from the inherent discord between high performance and the elevated costs associated with noble metal catalysts, such as platinum and iridium. Moreover, prevalent studies often focus on a limited electrode area of less than 4 cm2, thereby restricting the exploitation of the high purity hydrogen production capabilities inherent in AEMWE. This research prioritizes the enhancement of performance through a meticulously crafted membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) employing a 25 cm2 Ni-frame caged NiMoO4 catalyst for cathode synthesis. The observed performance improvement is attributed to the augmented active site of the catalyst, consisting of NiMoO4 entrapped in the Ni substrate during the compression process of the electrode. Additionally, the increase in local pH at the interfacial between electrode and bulk electrolyte is facilitated by the capillary phenomenon resulting from the space between the Ni substrate and the NiMoO4 catalyst layer, leading to enhanced migration of the electrolyte containing hydroxide ions. Acknowledgements This research was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) granted financial resources from the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, Republic of Korea (No. 20213030040590).

Etch Characteristics of Cobalt Thin Films in High Density Plasma of Cl2/O2/Ar Gas Mixture

Inductively coupled plasma reaction ion etching (ICP-RIE) of cobalt thin films patterned with SiO2 hard masks was performed using Cl2/O2/Ar gas mixture. The etch characteristics of cobalt films in Cl2/Ar gas were examined to determine the roles of Cl2 and O2, respectively. The etch rates and etch profiles of cobalt films were investigated by varying the O2 concentration in Cl2/O2/Ar gas mixture.In the optimized Cl2/Ar gas mixture, systematic etching of cobalt films was performed by changing the etch parameters including ICP RF power, DC-bias voltage, and process pressure. As the DC-bias voltage and process pressure was increased, the etch rate increased and the etch profile improved. Through the etching parameters variation experiment, the etching properties were investigated by adding O2 to Cl2/Ar under optimized conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and optical emission spectroscopy were used to investigate the etch mechanism in the Cl2/O2/Ar gas mixture. In addition, scanning probe microscope was used to observe roughness on the etched cobalt surface. Finally, the etching of cobalt films patterned with nanometer-scale in the optimized Cl2/O2/Ar gas mixture was successfully achieved with good etch profile.AcknowledgmentThis research was supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE) (20019504) and Korea Semiconductor Research Consortium (KSRC) support program for the development of future semiconductor devices. This work was supported by Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) grant funded by the Korea Government (MOTIE) (P0008458, HRD Program for Industrial Innovation).

The Korean infrasound catalogue (1999–2022)

SUMMARY The Korean infrasound catalogue (KIC) covers 1999–2022 and characterizes a rich variety of source types as well as document the effects of the time-varying atmosphere on event detection and location across the Korean Peninsula. The KIC is produced using data from six South Korean infrasound arrays that are cooperatively operated by Southern Methodist University and Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources. Signal detection relies on an Adaptive F-Detector that estimates arrival time and backazimuth, which draws a distinction between detection and parameter estimation. Detections and associated parameters are input into a Bayesian Infrasonic Source Location procedure. The resulting KIC contains 38 455 infrasound events and documents repeated events from several locations. The catalogue includes many anthropogenic sources such as an industrial chemical explosion, explosions at limestone open-pit mines and quarries, North Korean underground nuclear explosions and other atmospheric or underwater events of unknown origin. Most events in the KIC occur during working hours and days, suggesting a dominance of human-related signals. The expansion of infrasound arrays over the years in South Korea and the inclusion of data from the International Monitoring System infrasound stations in Russia and Japan increase the number of infrasound events and improve location accuracy because of the increase in azimuthal station coverage. A review of selected events and associated signals at multiple arrays provides a location quality assessment. We quantify infrasound events that have accompanying seismic arrivals (seismoacoustic events) to support the source type assessment. Ray tracing using the Ground-to-Space (G2S) atmospheric model generally predicts observed arrivals when strong stratospheric winds exist, although the predicted arrival times have significant discrepancies. In some cases, local atmospheric data better captures small-scale variations in the wind velocity of the shallow atmosphere and can improve arrival time predictions that are not well matched by the G2S model. The analysis of selected events also illustrates the importance of topographic effects on tropospheric infrasound propagation at local distances. The KIC is the first infrasound catalogue compiled in this region, and it can serve as a valuable data set in developing more robust infrasound source localization and characterization methods.

Long-Term Impact of Delirium on the Risk of Dementia in Hospitalized Older Patients: A Real-World Multicenter Study

BackgroundThe association between delirium and dementia has been suggested, but mostly in the postoperative setting. This study aims to explore this relationship in a broader inpatient population, leveraging extensive real-world data to provide a more generalized understanding. MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, electronic health records of 11,970,475 hospitalized patients aged over 60 from nine institutions in South Korea were analyzed. Patients with and without delirium were identified, and propensity score matching (PSM) was used to create comparable groups. A 10-year longitudinal analysis was conducted using the Cox proportional hazards model, which calculated the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Additionally, a meta-analysis was performed, aggregating results from all nine medical institutions. Lastly, we conducted various subgroup and sensitivity analyses to demonstrate the consistency of our study results across diverse conditions. ResultsAfter 1:1 PSM, a total of 47,306 patients were matched in both the delirium and nondelirium groups. Both groups had a median age group of 75–79 years, with 43.1% being female. The delirium group showed a significantly higher risk of all dementia compared with the nondelirium group (HR: 2.70 [95% CI: 2.27–3.20]). The incidence risk for different types of dementia was also notably higher in the delirium group (all dementia or mild cognitive impairment, HR: 2.46 [95% CI: 2.10–2.88]; Alzheimer's disease, HR: 2.74 [95% CI: 2.40–3.13]; vascular dementia, HR: 2.55 [95% CI: 2.07–3.13]). This pattern was consistent across all subgroup and sensitivity analyses. ConclusionsDelirium significantly increases the risk of onset for all types of dementia. These findings highlight the importance of early detection of delirium and prompt intervention. Further research studies are warranted to investigate the mechanisms linking delirium and dementia.

Overground Gait Training With a Wearable Robot in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common developmental motor disorder in children. Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) using a wearable robot can provide intensive overground walking experience. To investigate the effectiveness of overground RAGT in children with CP using an untethered, torque-assisted, wearable exoskeletal robot. This multicenter, single-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted from September 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023, at 5 rehabilitation institutions in Korea. Ninety children with CP in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II to IV were randomized. The RAGT group underwent 18 sessions of RAGT during 6 weeks, whereas the control group received standard physical therapy for the same number of sessions during the same period. The primary outcome measure was the Gross Motor Function Measure 88 (GMFM-88) score. Secondary outcome measures were the GMFM-66, Pediatric Balance Scale, selective control assessment of the lower extremity, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT), 6-minute walking test scores (distance and oxygen consumption), muscle and fat mass via bioelectrical impedance analysis, and gait parameters measured via 3-dimensional analysis. All assessments were performed for all patients at baseline, at the end of the 6-week intervention, and after the 4-week follow-up. Of the 90 children (mean [SD] age, 9.51 [2.48] years; 49 [54.4%] male and 41 [45.6%] female) in the study, 78 (86.7%) completed the intervention, with 37 participants (mean [SD] age, 9.57 [2.38] years; 19 [51.4%] male) and 41 participants (mean [SD] age, 9.32 [2.37] years; 26 [63.4%] male) randomly assigned to the RAGT and control groups, respectively. Changes in the RAGT group significantly exceeded changes in the control group in GMFM-88 total (mean difference, 2.64; 95% CI, 0.50-4.78), GMFM-E (mean difference, 2.70; 95% CI, 0.08-5.33), GMFM-66 (mean difference, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.01-2.60), and PEDI-CAT responsibility domain scores (mean difference, 2.52; 95% CI, 0.42-4.63), indicating independence in daily living at postintervention assessment. At the 4-week follow-up, the RAGT group showed significantly greater improvements in balance control (mean difference, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.03-2.94) and Gait Deviation Index (mean difference, 6.48; 95% CI, 2.77-10.19) compared with the control group. In this randomized clinical trial, overground RAGT using a wearable robot significantly improved gross motor function and gait pattern. This new torque-assisted wearable exoskeletal robot, based on assist-as-needed control, may complement standard rehabilitation by providing adequate assistance and therapeutic support to children with CP. CRIS Identifier: KCT0006273.

Assessing the Efficacy of Bortezomib and Dexamethasone for Induction and Maintenance Therapy in Relapsed/Refractory Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: A Phase II CISL1701/BIC Study.

This multicenter, open-label, phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of bortezomib combined with dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed/refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in previously treated patients across 14 institutions in South Korea. Between September 2017 and July 2020, 29 patients with histologically confirmed CTCL received treatment, consisting of eight 4-week cycles of induction therapy followed by maintenance therapy, contingent upon response, for up to one year. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an objective global response. Thirteen (44.8%) of the 29 patients achieved an objective global response, including two complete responses. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.8 months, with responders showing a median PFS of 14.0 months. Treatment-emergent adverse events were generally mild, with a low incidence of peripheral neuropathy and hematologic toxicities. Despite the trend toward shorter PFS in patients with higher mutation burdens, genomic profiling before and after treatment showed no significant emergence of new mutations indicative of disease progression. This study supports the use of bortezomib and dexamethasone as a viable and safe treatment option for previously treated CTCL, demonstrating substantial efficacy and manageability in adverse effects. Further research with a larger cohort is suggested to validate these findings and explore the prognostic value of mutation profiles.

Fabrication of Flat Tubular Clay-Based Porous Support Filters

Objective: Mongolia has few freshwater resources. It is therefore important to conserve water resources. An efficient possibility is to purify water and reuse it. Therefore, the scientists from the Material Science Center of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology collaborated with the researcher from the Korea Institute of Material Science and carried out a project between 2017-2020. Theoretical Framework: In this study, Mongolian zeolites and prepared kaolin were used and flat tubular porous support was extruded by a double screw vacuum extruder at KIMS. Method: The supports were burned at 800 and 1000°C and the properties such as pore distribution were determined by mercury porosimetry Results and Discussion: The zeolite-kaolin support had a bulk density of 1.46 g/cm3, a porosity of 41.52% and, an average pore size of 218 nm. With its water permeability of 115 L/m2·h at 0.01 MPa and 970 L/m2·h at 0.08 MPa, the support achieved good results. Research Implications: The wastewater treatment tests show that these membranes also have good compressive strengths. We have cleaned the sewage from a leather factory, which was very highly contaminated and has high viscosity. Originality/Value: Since there is no chemical industry in Mongolia, raw materials for synthetic materials are imported. The main significance of this research work lies in determining the possibility of producing ceramic membranes for water filtration using the mineral resources of our country, and it will serve as the basis for future research.

Introduction on tritium transport analysis model for HCCP breeding blanket system

In the context of implementing the He-cooled breeding blanket system for a fusion reactor, several crucial aspects need consideration. Among these, the development of a tritium transport model plays a pivotal role in ensuring safety and effective design. Given that tritium release into the environment from the breeding blanket system poses a radioactive risk, accurate calculation and prediction area essential to prevent potential incidents in a fusion reactor. To address this challenge, a collaborative effort between the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) resulted in the creation of THETA-FR (Tritium/Hydrogen Enhanced dynamic Transport Analysis Tool for Fusion Reactor). THETA-FR is an integrated analysis tool that combines Matlab Simulink and COMSOL Multiphysics. Its purpose is to model and predict the dynamic transport phenomena of H isotopes (H/D/T) within the breeding blanket system. Specifically, THETA-FR focuses on transient tritium retention, permeation, and release amounts from the breeding blanket system into the environment. In this paper, we introduce the integrated system and components of THETA-FR, shedding light on various tritium behaviors within the HCCP breeding blanket FW/BU component. By leveraging THETA-FR, researchers and engineers can make informed decisions regarding tritium control and safety in fusion reactors.

Solving the challenge of recycling CFRP waste

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have found a way to recycle carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) waste using supercritical water.

A scintillating-fiber detector for making high-time-resolution secondary D-T neutron measurements in KSTAR.

A scintillating fiber (Sci-Fi) detector for the middle neutron flux range was installed in KSTAR as part of a collaboration between the National Institute for Fusion Science and the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy. The detector could make relatively high-time-resolution measurements of secondary deuterium (D)-tritium (T) neutron fluxes to investigate the degradation of D-D-born triton confinement, which is crucial for demonstrating alpha particle confinement, particularly above 0.9 MA in KSTAR. The pulse-height spectrum of the Sci-Fi detector exhibited two peaks, the higher of which corresponded to D-T neutrons. A discrimination technique was applied to extract the D-T neutron signal, revealing the time evolution of the D-T neutron flux during relatively high plasma current discharges with a 50ms temporal resolution. Future research will involve investigating the causes of the degradation of the triton burnup ratio above 0.9 MA in KSTAR.