In this study, structural colors were fabricated by producing an amorphous array with atypical silica particles. The colors were controlled by an array of silica particles with different sizes. In previous research, the process required inducement of the amorphous array, which was complex. Meanwhile, in this paper, we proposed a simple one-step process. First, spherical silica nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel process of the Stöber method. Atypical silica particles that induced an amorphous array were produced by adding a small amount of phenol-formaldehyde resin. Subsequently, the colloidal silica was converted to a powder using a convection oven. The characteristics of the synthesized silica particles were confirmed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). All the synthesized silica powders obtained structural colors. Finally, the silica powders were dispersed in deionized (DI) water and coated on a glass slide. We confirmed that the silica particles showed different structural colors depending on the size of the particles. We also found that the color was highly independent of the viewing angle.

Structural colors based on nanostructured surfaces are an environmentally friendly alternative to dyes and pigments. In this study, structural colors were produced by spherical silica nanoparticles. By controlling the size of the spherical silica nanoparticles, the changes in color were controlled. The sizes of the nanoparticles were controlled by adjusting the ammonia content in the conventional Stöber method. Spherical silica nanoparticle powders were obtained using a centrifuge and an ultrasonic grinder oven, which were subsequently dispersed in deionized water and alcohol for dip coating. The particle sizes of the samples increased with increase in the amount of ammonia used in the synthesis process and were not affected by the dip coating. Spherical silica nanoparticles were uniformly arranged on the surface of the glass slides for all the samples studied. Thus, the structural colors produced by the spherical silica nanoparticles changed according to the particle size, which can be controlled by the ammonia content during synthesis.

In this paper, surface characteristics of 3D printed structures fractured at low temperature environments are analyzed. The samples are fabricated by using ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer) material, and the structures are constructed by the well-known honeycomb models using a FDM-Type 3D printer. To analyze the fracture surface of the samples constructed uniquely by using the 3D printer, the bending loads are applied to the samples at 30, −10 and −50 °C, respectively. The characteristics of the fracture surfaces of the 3D samples are also observed by the FE-SEM (field emission scanning electron microscope) equipment. From this experiment, it is evaluated that the fractured surface of the 3D sample is very rough at 30 °C, while it is smooth at a relatively low temperature. Also, several unique features of the fracture surface of a 3D printed sample structured by honeycomb models are also examined.

Temperature sensing and control is an important factor to prevent the overheating of mechanical and electrical components in various devices. However, commercialized temperature sensors can be disadvantageous due to their limited shapes. Therefore, we propose a smart paint to solve this issue. In this study, smart paints were produced based on carbon black, and their properties were measured using thermistors. Experiments were conducted to analyze the resistance properties using carbon and four types of polymers. Through the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the mixed paints, it was shown that the resistances were decreased due to the necking phenomena. Furthermore, each paint provides a different temperature coefficient depending on the polymer type.