In this blog post, we’ll take an easy-to-understand look at the physical principles at work in the steering system the moment you turn the wheel, and how various steering techniques control the vehicle’s movement. The Basics of Steering: Why the Front Wheels Move Differently When turning the steering wheel, it’s easy to intuitively assume that both front wheels will turn together by the...
What is the concept of heat transfer, and why is it important in engineering systems?
In this blog post, we’ll take a step-by-step look at the basic concepts of heat transfer, the three modes of heat transfer, and why heat transfer is important in various engineering systems. Basic Concepts of Heat Transfer We often use the term “heat” in everyday life, but in engineering, heat is defined not simply as “warmth,” but as a form of energy. Heat refers to the flow of energy...
Exoskeleton robots like Iron Man—how far have they actually advanced in the real world?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the concepts, real-world applications, core technologies, technical limitations, and future potential of wearable robots seen in movies and exoskeleton robots currently being developed. Robots in Movies vs. Everyday Life Movies and video games feature a wide variety of robots that spark people’s imaginations. The range is vast, from the Transformers with...
New Town Development: Is “As-Is” Really the Best Approach?
In this blog post, we’ll examine the concept of new towns in South Korea, their development objectives, advantages and limitations, and the direction new towns should take in the future. Definition and Purpose of New Towns Bundang, Ilsan, Pangyo, Gwanggyo, Dongtan, and Songdo are some of South Korea’s most representative new towns. In addition to these, various new town and residential...
Why must the hydraulic radius be half the depth of the water to create the most economical aqueduct?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept of the hydraulic radius and the design principles for economical aqueducts in a simple and natural way through the story of ancient Roman aqueduct construction. The Construction of Rome’s New City and Geon-hwan’s Dilemma Let’s go back to around 700 BCE and imagine ourselves as ancient Romans. Rome was planning to build a new city in a newly...
How do cells produce energy and use it for vital functions?
In this blog post, we’ll focus on the process of cellular respiration—which takes place in the cytoplasm and mitochondria—to explore how the food we eat is converted into ATP, the cell’s energy source. Starting with an Everyday Question People eat three meals a day. Just as we call family members who eat together “family,” eating is one of the most routine activities in human life. We...
How Do Surfactants in Detergents Remove Grease Stains?
In this blog post, we’ll examine how the surfactants in detergents remove grease stains—which are difficult to remove with water alone—focusing on two key cleaning mechanisms: rolling-up and liquid crystal formation. Why Can’t Grease Stains Be Removed With Water Alone? When something gets on our clothes, we usually rinse it off quickly with water, and if it doesn’t come clean with water...
How is oil refined, and why is it called the “black gem”?
In this blog post, we’ll explore just how important oil is to our daily lives and examine the process by which crude oil is refined and used as a raw material for various petrochemical products. What would happen to the world if oil disappeared? What would happen to our world if everything related to oil were to disappear right now? Let’s imagine you step outside for a moment and find that...
Will the Limits of Spent Nuclear Fuel Interim Storage Halt the Future of Nuclear Power in Korea?
In this blog post, we’ll examine the concept of spent nuclear fuel, the nuclear fuel cycle, fuel characteristics by reactor type, wet and dry interim storage methods, and the key challenges Korea faces in spent nuclear fuel management. Spent Nuclear Fuel and the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Nuclear power continues to play a vital role in South Korea’s overall electricity production, accounting for...
Burning Ice: Where Can We Find Gas Hydrates?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept and characteristics of gas hydrates—commonly known as “burning ice”—their potential as an energy source, their distribution patterns, and the current status of exploration and development in South Korea and around the world. What Is a Gas Hydrate? A gas hydrate is a solid crystal that resembles dry ice in appearance; it is a substance formed...