Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles by coating iron oxide nanoparticles having improved magnetism via annealing treatment using salt particles with a hydrophilic material and to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent including the iron oxide nanoparticles prepared thereby. Among hydrophilic materials, carboxymethyl dextran (CM-dextran) is the most efficient in terms of stabilizing the annealed iron oxide nanoparticles and exhibiting contrast effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles by coating iron oxide nanoparticles having improved magnetism via annealing treatment using salt particles with a hydrophilic material and to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent including the iron oxide nanoparticles prepared thereby. Among hydrophilic materials, carboxymethyl dextran (CM-dextran) is the most efficient in terms of stabilizing the annealed iron oxide nanoparticles and exhibiting contrast effects.

Abstract: A high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC), and a Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) and a methanol fuel cell including the same membrane. The high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a DMFC includes a perflurorosulfonic acid polymer (Nation®), high molecular membrane in which hydrophobic silica nanoparticles made from a silane compound having a water repellent functional group are dispersed. Since the high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a DMFC has lower permeability of methanol than a commercially available Nation® high molecular membrane, the MEA fabricated using the high molecular nanocomposite membrane has little crossover of reaction fuel at the negative electrode. In addition, the methanol fuel electrode fabricated using the MEA that includes the high molecular nanocomposite membrane can decrease fuel loss and voltage loss.

Abstract: Proton-conducting hybrid glass and a method for manufacturing the same. The proton-conducting hybrid glass has CsPWA created inside the pores of borosilicate glass. The proton-conducting hybrid glass can be used as an electrolyte for electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells and sensors. When the proton-conducting hybrid glass is used as an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, excellent thermal and chemical stability is realized in the range from a high temperature to an intermediate temperature of 120° C. A high proton conductivity of 10?3S/cm or higher and good catalytic activity are realized. In addition, high volumetric stability and excellent moisture retention characteristics in high and intermediate temperature ranges are achieved.

Abstract: A high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC), and a Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) and a methanol fuel cell including the same membrane. The high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a DMFC includes a Nafion® high molecular membrane in which hydrophobic silica nanoparticles made of a silane compound having a water repellent functional group are dispersed. Since the high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a DMFC has lower permeability of methanol than a commercially available Nafion® high molecular membrane, the MEA fabricated using the high molecular nanocomposite membrane has little crossover of reaction fuel at the negative electrode. In addition, the methanol fuel electrode fabricated using the MEA that includes the high molecular nanocomposite membrane can decrease fuel loss and voltage loss.

Abstract: An improved two-step replication process for fabrication of porous metallic membranes is provided. A negative of a porous non-metallic template is made by infiltration of a liquid precursor into the template, curing the precursor to form a solid negative, and removing the template to expose the negative. Metal is deposited to surround the exposed negative. Removal of the negative provides a porous metallic membrane having pores which replicate the pores of the original template membrane. The negative is kept immersed in a liquid at all times between removing the template and depositing the metal. This immersion eliminates damage to the negative that would be incurred in drying the negative out between these processing steps. Another aspect of the invention is metallic membranes prepared according to the preceding method. For example, metallic membranes having pores smaller on one side than on the other side of the membrane are provided.

Abstract: Dislocations are fabricated into electrolyte membrane films to increase ion conductivity. Ion and/or electron irradiation causes the growth of vacancy clusters within the thin film and collapsing into Frank dislocation loops that exhibit high ion conductivity. Maximum ion conductivity is accomplished by spatially reorienting the Frank dislocation loops during a following heat-treatment of the membrane. Thereby the dislocation loops form surface-to-surface continuous dislocations along which ions may propagate between membrane surfaces with minimal activation energies. Dislocation densities in the range of 108˜1014 cm/cm3 may be fabricated with conventional irradiation techniques into ceramics such as, for example yttria stabilized zirconia and doped ceria.

Abstract: A fluid impermeable thin film is fabricated on a porous substrate by depositing a material having a certain spatial oxidation expansion. After deposition, the material is oxidized whereby the deposited material expands and forms a void free film on top of the porous substrate. The snuggly contacting grain boundaries of the void free film may recombine to a continuous thin film that has a thickness of only a fraction of 1 ?m and is substantially fluid impermeable. The small film height contributes to a high ionic conductivity that makes the thin film a preferred choice for a fuel cell electrolyte membrane enabling efficient fuel cell operation at temperatures well below 500° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display, which comprises: a lower substrate having a reflective electrode; a lower alignment film formed on the lower substrate; an upper substrate having a color filter and disposed opposite to the lower substrate; an upper alignment film formed on the upper substrate; a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the lower and upper substrates; a phase compensation film adhered on the outer surface of the upper substrate and serving to convert linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light; and a polarizer adhered on the phase compensation film and serving to convert natural light into linearly polarized light. The lower alignment film has an alignment angle of ?10 to 20° with respect to a horizontal line, the upper alignment film has an alignment angle of 40 to 55° with respect to a horizontal line, the liquid crystal layer has a phase delay value (d?n) of 0.24-0.

Abstract: An improved two-step replication process for fabrication of porous metallic membranes is provided. A negative of a porous non-metallic template is made by infiltration of a liquid precursor into the template, curing the precursor to form a solid negative, and removing the template to expose the negative. Metal is deposited to surround the exposed negative. Removal of the negative provides a porous metallic membrane having pores which replicate the pores of the original template membrane. The negative is kept immersed in a liquid at all times between removing the template and depositing the metal. This immersion eliminates damage to the negative that would be incurred in drying the negative out between these processing steps. Another aspect of the invention is metallic membranes prepared according to the preceding method. For example, metallic membranes having pores smaller on one side than on the other side of the membrane are provided.

Abstract: An improved two-step replication process for fabrication of porous metallic membranes is provided. A negative of a porous non-metallic template is made by infiltration of a liquid precursor into the template, curing the precursor to form a solid negative, and removing the template to expose the negative. Metal is deposited to surround the exposed negative. Removal of the negative provides a porous metallic membrane having pores which replicate the pores of the original template membrane. The negative is kept immersed in a liquid at all times between removing the template and depositing the metal. This immersion eliminates damage to the negative that would be incurred in drying the negative out between these processing steps. Another aspect of the invention is metallic membranes prepared according to the preceding method. For example, metallic membranes having pores smaller on one side than on the other side of the membrane are provided.

Abstract: Dislocations are fabricated into electrolyte membrane films to increase ion conductivity. Ion and/or electron irradiation causes the growth of vacancy clusters within the thin film and collapsing into Frank dislocation loops that exhibit high ion conductivity. Maximum ion conductivity is accomplished by spatially reorienting the Frank dislocation loops during a following heat-treatment of the membrane. Thereby the dislocation loops form surface-to-surface continuous dislocations along which ions may propagate between membrane surfaces with minimal activation energies. Dislocation densities in the range of 108˜1014 cm/cm3 may be fabricated with conventional irradiation techniques into ceramics such as, for example yttria stabilized zirconia and doped ceria.

Abstract: A fluid impermeable thin film is fabricated on a porous substrate by depositing a material having a certain spatial oxidation expansion. After deposition, the material is oxidized whereby the deposited material expands and forms a void free film on top of the porous substrate. The snuggly contacting grain boundaries of the void free film may recombine to a continuous thin film that has a thickness of only a fraction of 1 &mgr;m and is substantially fluid impermeable. The small film height contributes to a high ionic conductivity that makes the thin film a preferred choice for a fuel cell electrolyte membrane enabling efficient fuel cell operation at temperatures well below 500° C.