In this study, a highly sensitive analysis device for hydrogen sulfide that could be used quickly and easily on site was developed using a colorimetric paper sensor. To optimize analysis conditions, tests were performed for each function. Performances of the method using laboratory equipment and tools and the method using the developed device for hydrogen sulfide analysis were compared. The trend line of changes in parameter b of the image acquired by the on-site analytical device for hydrogen sulfide was calculated as y = 0.517x - 0.141 with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9874. It was comparable to the method performed at the laboratory level, showing an excellent linearity. Using the calculated trend line as a calibration curve, the detection limit and quantification limit were found to be 2.386 μM and 7.952 μM, respectively. A reproducibility test showed a relative standard deviation of 5.7%, indicating a low dispersion of results.

With global warming leading to abnormal weather phenomena and increasing carbon emissions, countries are implementing carbon emission reduction policies. Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aims to promote environmentally responsible practices while maintaining industrial competitiveness. To avoid potential tariffs in the European market, Korea must vigorously pursue carbon emission reduction. Emphasizing renewable energy adoption is crucial for achieving eco-friendly and sustainable energy production. This study conducted an economic feasibility assessment for constructing small hydroelectric power plants using discharged energy from Goseong Green Power Plant. By evaluating economic viability, decision-makers could assess potential benefits and costs to support effective planning and implementation. Findings of this study could encourage investments in renewable energy projects, fostering a greener and more sustainable energy landscape for the future.

In this study, a new method of bonding CFRP and Al6061-T6 with epoxy adhesive after shot-peening treatment on the surface of Al6061-T6 specimens was proposed to improve bonding strength of a single lap joint between CFRP and Al6061-T6. More specifically, correlation between shot peening coverage on the Al6061-T6 surface and bonding strength with CFRP was experimentally analyzed. Experimental results showed that the surface roughness and the bonding strength increased as the peening time on the surface of Al6061-T6 increased up to a specific peening time (or coverage). However, the surface roughness and bonding strength decreased again under an over-peening condition of 480 seconds (300% coverage) or more. Therefore, it is necessary to search for the optimal peening time that can maximize bonding strength as well as the fatigue life of parts at a peening time between 320 (200%) and 480 s (300%) through additional experiments in future studies.

In highly mobile workplaces, wearable walking assistant robots can reduce muscle fatigue in the lower extremities of workers and increase energy efficiency. In this study, walking efficiency according to the development of an ultralight wearable hip-assist robot for industrial workers was verified. Five healthy adult males participated in this study. Their muscle fatigue and energy consumption were compared with and without the robot while walking on a flat treadmill and stairs. When walking on the treadmill while wearing the robot, muscle fatigue in the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius decreased by 90.2% and 37.7%, respectively. Oxygen uptake and energy expenditure per minute also decreased by 8.9% and 13.1%, respectively. When climbing stairs while wearing the robot, fatigue of the tibialis anterior, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemius muscles decreased by 18.2%, 33.3%, and 63.6%, respectively. Oxygen uptake and energy expenditure per minute also decreased by 3.6% and 3.7%, respectively. Although wearing a hip-assist robot could reduce muscle fatigue and use metabolic energy more efficiently, it is necessary to further increase the energy efficiency while climbing stairs. This study is intended to provide basic data to improve the performance of robots.

Quick picking and heavy lifting are the most common problems in current workplaces. They can cause lumbar muscle damage. The operator then must spend energy, time, and money for recovery or rehabilitation. To solve this problem, we developed a passive-type assistive suit using air mesh material, elastic band, and wire. To determine the strength support effect of the passive-type assistive suit, electromyography (EMG) was performed for eight muscles and the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was analyzed when lifting weights of 0%, 15%, and 30% of the subject’s weight in a Semisquat motion. Results showed that MVC increased as the weight of the heavy object increased. However, its increase was not proportional to the decrease in MVC according to the presence or absence of assistive suits or the weight of the heavy object. The highest MVC was observed for the erector spinae muscle under all conditions. The greatest decrease in MVC according to working clothes was measured for the vastus lateralis muscle (lifting: 17.7±2.95%, lowering: 18.3±0.55%). These results show that lifting work performed while wearing a passive-type assistive suit using wires and elastic bands is effective in assisting muscle activity.

The fourth industrial revolution led to advanced servo systems, enhancing productivity across industries. However, designing these systems remains challenging due to the performance-stability trade-off. This paper presents a model-based motion control of a linear motor motion stage in frequency domain. A user-code for the PowerPMAC commercial controller was developed to excite motion control system so that we could get a frequency response. The theoretical frequency response of the servo algorithm was compared with the experimental frequency response. Based on this, a tuning graphical user interface (GUI) was developed to predict performance when the servo loop gain is changed. Especially, to compensate for residual vibrations caused by high acceleration and deceleration and to improve tracking error, DOB (Disturbance Observer) and ILC (Iterative Learning Control) control techniques were applied in the frequency domain. Through the design of the frequency domain motion controller, the control performance of the linear motor motion stage could be predicted with over 96% accuracy, resulting in a 54.32% improvement in tracking error and a 93.56% improvement in settling time, 85.29% in RMS error.

In this paper, we introduce a recently built screwing robotic system for the bolt assembly of elastic steel plates. The screwing robotic system consists of two vision cameras (having narrow and wide fields of view), a collaborative robot with a 10 kg payload, and a motorized screw drill with a pneumatic bolt supplier. Due to the elasticity of the steel plates, they tend to statically deform and dynamically vibrate during tasks under the conventional setting of automatic screwing, often resulting in screw failures. Thus, we designed a compliant connector device to be attached between the robot end-effector and screw drill that can absorb vibration and shock during the bolt assembly to improve the screwing quality and success rate of the bolt assembly. Upon adopting this screwing robotic system with the compliant connector, the success rate of the bolt assembly was improved from 56% to 100%.

This study aimed to develop automotive radiator support parts by applying the press forming/drawing mold technology of 440 MPa high-tensile steel sheets. It is intended to develop a shape structure that does not generate shape and positional accuracy, deformation, wrinkles, or cracks by maintaining strong contact surface pressure on both sides of the blank material and freezing elastic recovery stress. Therefore, quality improvement and high productivity were secured by applying the forming/drawing method of high-strength steel sheets to the radiator support parts.

In this study, we present a numerical simulation approach for designing Fresnel zone plate (FZP) patterns. By optimizing surface phase parameters using desired merit functions in ray-tracing software, the obtained surface phase was converted into an FZP pattern through a 5-step procedure. A comparison between our numerical simulation approach and the traditional analytical method showed a negligible zone size difference of 0.606 nm and nearly absolute agreement of 17.549 μm in focal spot size. The FZP pattern was experimentally verified by an expected focal spot size of 18.55 μm. Our approach demonstrated design flexibility and has potential applications in simulating various functionalities in FZP patterns and refractive-diffractive hybrid lenses to address specific optical challenges. The surface phase can be freely modified based on optimization objectives that cannot be achieved using the analytical approach, ensuring high-precision design for accurate extraction.