Cette étude s’inscrit dans les efforts faits par l’industrie aéronautique pour la protection environnementale.Pour cela, un des objectifs principaux est de réduire les émissions de polluants et les émissions sonores des aéronefs. Les émissions polluantes sont liées à la qualité de la combustion qui dépend elle même de la conception des chambres de combustion. Les émissions sonores sont réduites grâce à des traitements passifs comme les structures absorbantes placées en paroi des moteurs pour diminuer le bruit de soufflante. Pour ces deux applications différentes, on utilise des matériaux perforés. En effet, les matériaux absorbants sont constitués d’une structure en nid d’abeilles surmontée d’une plaque perforée. Dans les chambres de combustion, les perforations permettent l’injection d’un air froid protégeant les parois des hautes températures, mais leur présence peut modifier la caractérisation acoustique de la chambre. L’objectif de cette thèse est de modéliser la réponse acoustique d’un matériau perforé. La taille des perforations étant petite devant les longueurs d’ondes sonores, des techniques de modélisation asymptotique adaptées à la résolution de problèmes multi-échelle peuvent être mises en œuvre. En effet, ces méthodes permettent de faire le lien entre les effets présents à l’intérieur d’une perforation et la réponse acoustique homogénéisée de la plaque perforée. Dans ces travaux,ce sont les effets visqueux présents dans les perforations qui ont été essentiellement étudiés. Ensuite,des simulations numériques directes ont été réalisées pour vérifier la validité des hypothèses émises lors de la modélisation asymptotique. Ces travaux de thèse ont permis d’améliorer la compréhension de la modélisation de la réponse acoustique des matériaux perforés. De plus, la méthode analytique présentée peut être mise en œuvre pour des perforations de géométrie complexe. / This study is part of the effort made by the aeronautic industry to protect the environment. Thus,one of the main objectives is to reduce aircraft polluting emissions and sound emissions. The pollutinge missions are linked to the combustion quality which depends on the combustion chamber’s design.Noise pollution is reduced thanks to passive treatments such as absorbing structures placed on engine walls. For both applications, perforated plates are used. Indeed, absorbing materials are composed of honey comb structures topped by a perforated plate. In combustion chambers, cold air is injected through perforations to protect the walls from high temperatures, but the perforations can modify the chamber’s acoustic behavior. The objective of this thesis is to model the acoustic response of aperforated material. The perforation size is smaller than the sound wave length, therefore asymptotic modeling techniques adapted to resolving multiscale problems can be implemented. Indeed, thesemethods allow to link the effects inside the perforation with the homogenized acoustic response of theperforated plate. In this study, the viscous effects inside the perforation have been analysed. Moreover,direct numerical simulations have been performed to verify the asymptotic modeling hypotheses. The findings of this thesis allow to understand the acoustic modeling of perforated materials. Furthermore,the developed analytical method can be implemented for perforations with complex shape.

La réduction des nuisances sonores est un enjeu permanent pour les acteurs de l’aéronautique. L’optimisation de la réduction de bruit apportée par les traitements acoustiques tapissant la nacelle des réacteurs turbofan passe par une caractérisation précise des matériaux employés dans l’environnement aéroacoustique d’utilisation, qui met en jeu un écoulement rasant de vitesse importante combiné à de forts niveaux sonores. L’objectif de cette thèse est de développer une méthode inverse pour la détermination de l’impédance acoustique de liners soumis à un écoulement rasant, basée sur des mesures non intrusives du champ de vitesse acoustique au-dessus du matériau par Vélocimétrie Laser Doppler (LDV). L’impédance de liner est obtenue par minimisation de l’écart entre le champ de vitesse acoustique mesuré et le champ simulé numériquement en résolvant les équations d’Euler linéarisées bidimensionnelles harmoniques, discrétisées par un schéma Galerkin discontinu. Le gradient de la fonction objectif minimisée est calculé via la résolution, à chaque itération, des équations directes et adjointes. Une première étape de validation du solveur est effectuée sur des cas-tests académiques, puis sur des cas expérimentaux impliquant des mesures de pression acoustique en paroi rigide opposée au liner. Dans un second temps, la méthode est appliquée à des mesures de vitesse acoustique obtenues par LDV dans le banc B2A de l’ONERA en l’absence d’écoulement. La dernière étape consiste à prendre en compte l’effet d’un écoulement rasant de profil cisaillé. Les impédances identifiées à partir de mesures LDV en présence d’écoulement ont notamment permis de gagner en compréhension sur les phénomènes d’absorption intervenant dans le banc B2A. / While aircraft noise constraints become increasingly stringent, efficient duct treatment of turbofan engines requires an accurate knowledge of liner impedance with grazing flow at high acoustic levels. This thesis aims at developing an impedance eduction method in the presence of grazing flow. The inverse process is based on acoustic velocity fields acquired by Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) above the liner. The liner acoustic impedance is obtained by minimization of the distance between the measured acoustic velocity field and the simulated one. Computations rely on the resolution of the 2D linearized Euler equations in the harmonic domain, spatially discretized by a discontinuous Galerkin scheme. The gradient of the objective function is achieved by the resolution, at each iteration on the liner impedance, of the direct and adjoint equations. The solver is first validated on academic test cases, then on experimental results of acoustic pressure measurements at the rigid wall opposite the liner. Secondly the method is applied to acoustic velocity measurements obtained by LDV above the liner without flow, in the ONERA B2A test bench. The last step consists in taking into account the effects of a sheared grazing flow. The impedances educed from LDV measurements in the presence of flow namely allowed to gain insight into the absorption phenomena occuring in the B2A test bench.

A avaliação da integridade do sistema tímpano-ossicular é um pré-requisito para que o processo de diagnóstico audiológico infantil possa ser concluído com precisão, assim, muito têm se discutido em relação aos procedimentos utilizados na prática clínica para definir a presença ou ausência de problema condutivo. Nesse sentido, as medidas de imitância acústica de banda larga mostram-se como uma opção para o avanço na área. Diante disso, surgiu o interesse em ampliar os conhecimentos e trazer as características das medidas de imitância acústica de banda larga nas diferentes condições de orelha média. O objetivo do estudo foi caracterizar as medidas de imitância acústica de banda larga com os estímulos tom puro e chirp em crianças com perda auditiva sensorial de grau severo e profundo e diferentes padrões timpanométricos. Foram avaliadas 187 orelhas de 98 crianças na faixa etária de seis a 60 meses de idade, subdivididas em grupos de acordo com a pressão e compliância obtidas na timpanometria com sonda de 226 Hz. As medidas de imitância acústica de banda larga foram realizadas por meio do sistema de medidas do Acoustics\' Middle-Ear Power Analyzer - MEPA, versão 5.0, utilizando os estímulos tom puro e chirp, com faixa de frequência de 211 a 6000 Hz. Os valores de compliância e pressão obtidos na timpanometria convencional foram correlacionados às medidas de imitância acústica de banda larga, adotando-se testes estatísticos apropriados, com nível de significância de 0,05. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram o efeito das faixas de frequência (grave, média e aguda) em todas as medidas analisadas, com exceção do delay da reflectância. Foi constatada influência de pressões correspondentes a -100 daPa ou mais negativas e também para pressões positivas acima de 25 daPa, e compliâncias menores que 0,2 ml nas medidas de imitância acústica de banda larga. Além disso, houve diferença significante entre os estímulos tom puro e chirp para frequências baixas para a absorvância e magnitude da impedância, com maior reflexo da variação dos valores de compliância e pressão nos resultados obtidos com estímulo chirp. Conclui-se que as características das medidas de imitância acústica de banda larga estão relacionadas à condição de orelha média e a frequência do estímulo teste. Para o delay da reflectância observou-se uma ampla variabilidade entre frequências ao analisar os grupos subdivididos pela pressão e também na frequência de 258 Hz ao analisar os grupos subdivididos pela compliância. / The evaluation of the integrity of the tympanic-ossicular system is a prerequisite for the child audiology diagnostic process to be completed accurately, thus, much has been discussed in relation to the procedures used in clinical practice to define the presence or absence of conductive problems. Hence, the wideband acoustic immittance measurements show to be an option to the advance in the field. As a result, the interest in expanding the knowledge and bringing the characteristics of wideband acoustic immittance measurements in the different conditions of middle ear, emerged. This study aimed at characterizing the wideband acoustic immittance measurements using pure and chirp stimuli in children presented with severe and profound sensorineural hearing loss and different tympanometric standards. 187 ears of 98 children in the age range six-sixty months, subdivided into groups according to pressure and compliance achieved through tympanometry with a 226 Hz probe, were assessed. Wideband acoustic immittance measurements were performed by the measuring system of the Acoustics\' Middle-Ear Power Analyzer - MEPA, version 5.0, using pure and chirp tone stimuli, in a frequency ranging from 211 to 6000 Hz. The values of compliance and pressure obtained through conventional tympanometry were correlated with wideband acoustic immittance measures, by applying suitable statistical tests, with a 0.05 significance level. The results achieved evidenced the effect of frequency bands (low, medium and high) in all measures examined, with the exception of the reflectance delay. The Influence of pressures -100 daPa or more negative ones and also in positive pressures above 25 Pa, and compliance lower than 0.2 ml in the wideband acoustic immittance measurements, was verified. In addition, there was a significant difference between pure tone and chirp stimuli at low frequencies for impedance absorbance and magnitude, with a greater reflex of the variation of compliance and pressure values in the results obtained with the chirp stimulus. It is concluded that the characteristics of broadband acoustic immittance measures are related to the condition of middle ear condition and the frequency of the test stimulus. For Reflectance delay, a wide variability between frequencies was observed when analyzing the groups subdivided by pressure and also in the frequency of 258 Hz, when analyzing the groups subdivided by compliance.

Dans le cadre de recherches menées par l'ANDRA, qui visent à évaluer la faisabilité de créer un stockage de déchets radioactifs dans la formation argileuse du Callovo Oxfordien, cette thèse s'intéresse à deux étapes indispensables pour obtenir une image 3D du sous sol. La première étape concerne la cartographie de la géométrie de la formation. Celle-ci est déterminée à partir de temps pointés le long de profils sismiques, orientés suivant deux directions principales. Aux intersections, les valeurs enregistrées par deux profils sont différentes. Le faible nombre d'intersections ne permettant pas une étude détaillée du comportement spatial de ces différences, elles sont analysées par le biais du pseudo variogramme croisé. L'analyse variographique permet de choisir un modèle cohérent pour l'ensemble des profils. À partir de ce modèle une estimation du temps corrigée est présentée. La deuxième étape concerne l'étude de l'impédance, variable liée aux propriétés intrinsèques de la roche. Deux types de mesure sont disponibles. D'une part l'impédance sismique résultant de l'inversion géophysique de l'amplitude enregistrée le long de profils de sismique réflexion est largement étendue dans la zone d'intérêt. D'autre part, l'impédance log, résultant du produit de la densité de la roche et de la vitesse des ondes P, n'est connue uniquement dans quelques puits. Le comportement spatial bivariable, le long de la direction verticale, a permis de formuler l'hypothèse suivante : chaque mesure d'impédance est décomposée en une somme d'une variable Z (commune aux deux mesures) et d'un résidu différent pour chaque mesure. Sous certaines hypothèses supplémentaires, il est possible d'estimer la composante commune sur l'ensemble des sections sismiques. En complément à ces études, d'autres points ont été évoqués, par exemple la correspondance entre procédés géophysiques et géostatistiques, ou la prise en compte d'incertitude sur les amplitudes. / In the framework of researches carried out by ANDRA (the French agency for nuclear waste), which aim at evaluating the feasibility of creating a repository of radioactive waste in the Callovo Oxfordian clay formation. This thesis studies two key steps to obtain a 3D image of the formation: its geometry and its internal heterogeneity. The geometry of the sedimentary formation is determined from seismic time picking along profiles. These profiles are oriented along two main directions. At the intersections, the values registered by two profiles are different. The low number of intersections does not allow a precise study of the spatial behavior of these differences; they are analyzed via the pseudo-cross-variogram. The variography analysis allows the choice of a coherent model for all the profiles, from which an estimation of the corrected time is presented. The internal heterogeneity is performed through the study of the impedance, a variable linked to the intrinsic properties of the rock. Two types of measurements are available. On one hand, the seismic impedance resulting from the geophysical inversion of the amplitude recorded along seismic reflection profiles is densely distributed in the area of interest. On the other hand, the impedance log, resulting from the product of rock density and P wave velocity, is known at only few wells. Bivariate spatial behavior along the vertical direction has allowed the formulation of the following hypothesis: each impedance measurement can be decomposed into a sum of a variable Z (common to both measures) and a residual specific to each measure. Under certain supplementary hypotheses, it is possible to estimate the common component along the seismic sections. Some complements to these studies are mentioned, for example the correspondence between geophysical and geostatistical methods or the consideration of uncertainty in the amplitudes.

La prédiction de la réduction passive du bruit nécessite l’utilisation de modèles d’impédance acoustique fiables. La proposition de tels modèles en présence d’écoulement est un problème qui reste ouvert. Les travaux réalisés dans cette thèse sont consacrés à la mise en place d’une méthode expérimentale et numérique permettant de tester la validité de modèles d’impédance acoustique de traitements SDOF en présence d’écoulement. Cette approche repose sur la comparaison de résultats expérimentaux issus d’un banc aéroacoustique, et de résultats numériques issus d’un modèle FEM-PML axisymétrique basé sur l’équation de Galbrun. Ainsi, dans la première partie de cette thèse, le modèle FEM-PML utilisé est présenté. Dans la seconde partie, des modèles d’impédance acoustique de SDOF tenant compte de l’écoulement sont exposés, ainsi que la méthode de validation de ces modèles et les résultats de ces validations. / Prediction of noise reduction requires reliable acoustic impedance models. The proposal of such models in the presence of a mean flow is a problem which remains open. This thesis is devoted to the development of an experimental and a numerical method to test the validity of SDOF treatments acoustic impedance models in the presence of mean flow. This approach is based on the comparison of experimental results from an aeroacoustical duct, and numerical results from a FEM-PML axisymmetric model based on Galbrun’s equation. Thus, in the first part of this thesis, the FEM-PML model is presented. In the second part, some acoustic impedance models are exposed, and the validation method and the results of these validations are presented.

Introdução: A apneia obstrutiva do sono (AOS) provoca modificações na arquitetura normal do sono, fragmentando-o de forma crônica com hipóxias intermitentes levando, a longo prazo, a sérias consequências na saúde. Acredita-se que a ocorrência de eventos respiratórios durante o sono como apneia e hipopneia pode prejudicar o mecanismo de transdução da orelha interna e a transmissão de impulsos nervosos ao longo da via auditiva que são altamente dependentes do fornecimento do oxigênio. Contudo, essa associação não se encontra bem estabelecida na literatura. Adicionalmente, sujeitos com AOS poderiam apresentar alterações na função de transferência acústica da orelha média devido ao desequilíbrio pressórico existente nas vias aéreas superiores durante o sono, característico da fisiopatologia da doença. Objetivo: Comparar os achados da avaliação auditiva entre os indivíduos portadores e não portadores de AOS. Método: A casuística foi composta por 38 adultos do sexo masculino, média de idade de 35,8 (±7,2) e foram divididos em quatro grupos experimentais pareados por idade e índice da massa corpórea. Os grupos foram classificados com base na polissonografia em: controle (n=10), AOS leve (n=11), AOS moderada (n=8) e AOS grave (n=9). Todos os sujeitos do estudo negaram história pregressa de risco para perda auditiva. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos à audiometria convencional, timpanometria, pesquisa de reflexos acústicos ipsi e contralaterais, imitância acústica de banda larga com estímulo clique de 226 a 8000 Hz para obtenção da energia de absorvância (EA), emissões otoacústicas por produto de distorção e potenciais evocados auditivos de tronco encefálico. Os resultados foram submetidos às análises estatísticas e o nível de significância adotado foi de 5% para todos os testes. Resultados: As medidas da EA não mostraram diferença significante entre os grupos quando considerados somente o fator grupo (sem AOS, AOS leve, moderada e grave). Para o efeito de interação entre os fatores grupo e frequência, o valor da média da EA do grupo com AOS de grau moderado foi significativamente maior do que do grupo com AOS de grau leve (p=0,003) em 8000 Hz. O grupo com AOS de grau grave apresentou menores valores das médias das amplitudes das EOAPD quando comparados aos dos grupos controle, AOS de grau leve e AOS de grau moderado (p=0,02, p=0,03 e p=0,01, respectivamente). Não houve diferença significante nos valores das latências absolutas das ondas I, III e V, e interpicos I-III, III-V e I-V entre os grupos. Observou-se associação entre a presença da AOS e alteração da latência absoluta da onda V (p=0,03). Foi observada associação entre AOS de grau moderado e alteração da latência da onda V (p=0,01). Conclusão: A presença da AOS está associada à presença de alteração na condução nervosa do estímulo acústico na via auditiva em tronco encefálico. A presença de AOS de grau grave prejudicou a função coclear. De maneira geral, a função de transferência acústica da orelha média é similar entre os adultos com e sem AOS / Introduction: The obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can change the normal sleep architecture, fragmenting it chronically with intermittent hypoxias and, to the long time, inducing to serious consequences to health. It is believed that the occurrence of respiratory events during sleep with the presence of apnea and hipopneia can damage the transduction mechanism of the inner ear and nerve impulses transmission along the auditory pathways, which are highly dependent on the oxygen supply. However, this association is not well established. Moreover, the acoustic transference function of middle ear could show alterations, due to the pressure changes that occur in upper airway during the sleep, typical of OSA pathophysiology. Objective: To compare the findings of the hearing evaluations between subjects with OSA and without OSA. Method: A total of 38 subjects of the male sex, mean age 35.8 (±7.2), were divided into four groups, which were matched for age and body mass index. The groups were classified by the means of polissomnography in without OSA (n=10), mild OSA (n=11), moderate OSA (n=8) and severe OSA (n=9). All the subjects denied a history of risk for hearing loss. These subjects were submitted to: conventional audiometry, tympanometry, ipsilateral, contralateral acoustic reflex, wideband acoustic immittance for measurements of energy of absorbance (EA) with click stimulus of 226 to 8000 Hz, distortion product of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and click evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABR). The recorded data of each analysis were conducted to an appropriate statistical test and was adopted the significant level of 5% for all the tests. Results: The EA data did not showed statistical differences among the groups when considering only the OSA severity factor (without, mild, moderate or severe). For the interaction between OSA severity and frequency factors, the mean value of EA of moderate OSA group was significant higher than the mild OSA group (p=0.003) in 8000 Hz. The severe OSA group presented lower mean values of amplitudes of DPOAE when compared to the control group, mild and moderate OSA groups (respectively, p=0.02, p=0.03 and p=0.01). For ABR, no differences was observed in latencies waves I, III and V, and interpeaks I-III, III-V and I-V values among the groups. Conclusion: The presence of OSA is associated with the presence of alterations in the nerve conduction of acoustic stimuli in the auditory pathway in the brainstem. The presence of severe OSA impaired the DPOAE responses. In general, the acoustic transference function of middle ear is similar between the adults with and without OSA

Ce manuscrit de doctorat propose une méthode expérimentale pour la caractérisation du cycle limite acoustique atteint par les auto-oscillations générées dans un moteur thermoacoustique.Pour cela, un capteur d'impédance fort niveau est développé dans le but de mesurer l'impédance d'entrée d'un noyau thermoacoustique en fonction de la puissance de chauffage fournie, de la fréquence et de l'amplitude du forçage acoustique.L'utilisation de ces mesures permet de prédire avec succès la génération spontanée d'auto-oscillations ainsi que leur saturation jusqu'à un régime établi, pour différentes charges attachées au noyau.Les mesures ainsi obtenues sont comparées à un modèle établi sur la base de la théorie linéaire de la thermoacoustique, couplé un modèle thermique simplifié, menant à une meilleure compréhension des processus physiques responsables de la saturation des oscillations acoustiques.La procédure expérimentale décrite dans ce manuscrit permet aussi de proposer une méthode d'optimisation du couplage entre la charge et le noyau de manière à maximiser l'efficacité potentielle de la conversion d'énergie thermoacoustique.Finalement, une méthode expérimentale est décrite et permet l'étude de la stabilité des cycles limites, ou plus généralement de l'évolution lente de l'amplitude des auto-oscillations acoustiques, dans le cas où le moteur thermoacoustique est configuré de manière à donner lieu à un régime de déclenchements et arrêts périodiques. / This manuscript deals with the experimental characterization of the acoustic limit cycle reached by self-sustained oscillations generated in thermoacoustic engines.A specially designed, high amplitude, acoustic impedance sensor was developed to perform measurements of the input impedance of a thermoacoustic core, as a function of the heating power supplied to the device, of the frequency, and of the amplitude of acoustic forcing.Those measurements can then be used to predict the spontaneous generation of acoustic oscillations and their saturation up to a certain steady-state.Those predictions were successful for various acoustic loads connected to the thermoacoustic core.Moreover, the measurements of acoustic impedance as a function of the amplitude of acoustic oscillations are compared to a model based on the linear thermoacoustic theory, and this comparaison provides insights into the processes controlling the saturation of acoustic oscillations.The experimental procedure described in this manuscript also leads to a pratical way of optimizing the coupling between the thermoacoustic core and the load, in the way that the potential efficiency of thermoacoustic energy conversion is maximized.Finally, an experimental method is described and allows to study the stability of limit cycles, i.e. the temporal evolution of the self-oscillation amplitude, in the case of a system that is able to give rise to a spontaneous periodic \textit{trigg and stop} behavior.

[pt] Na área de exploração e produção de petróleo são alocados grandes investimentos para conseguir diminuir os riscos associados à baixos níveis de produção, que podem ser minimizados mediante a acertada caracterização do reservatório de petróleo. Uma valiosa fonte de informação pode ser extraída de dados sísmicos 3D, obtidos do campo em estudo. O custo econômico de aquisição de esta base de dados para o reservatório completo é relativamente baixo, se comparado com uma amostragem direta por meio de perfurações de poços. Embora, a relação entre os dados sísmicos e as propriedades de reservatório seja considerada ambígua, esta deve ser integrada com informação confiável, como aquela obtida mediante perfilagem de poços. Fazendo uso dos abundantes dados sísmicos e das escassas, mas, precisas medições em perfurações existentes, foi desenvolvido neste trabalho um sistema baseado no algoritmo de Programação Genética (PG) para caracterizar geologicamente um reservatório de petróleo. PG é uma técnica de computação evolucionária capaz de estimar relações não lineares entre um conjunto de entrada e de saída, mediante uma expressão simbólica explícita. Para extrair informação adicional nos registros sísmicos são calculados atributos sísmicos, que facilitam a identificação de características estratigráficas ou estruturais do subsolo representadas indiretamente pela sísmica. Adicionalmente, é utilizado o método de inversão sísmica para o cálculo da impedância acústica, que é uma variável auxiliar derivada de sísmica calibrada com perfis de poço. Os atributos sísmicos junto com a impedância acústica servirão para a estimação de propriedades geológicas. Esta metodologia de trabalho foi testada em um reservatório real de grande complexidade geológica. Por meio de PG, foi representada satisfatoriamente a relação entre dados derivados da sísmica e a porosidade do campo, demostrando assim que PG é uma alternativa viável para a caracterização geológica de reservatórios. Posteriormente, foi realizada uma clusterização do campo baseada em características geofísicas que permitiram a construção de estimadores por PG especializados para cada zona. / [en] In the field of oil exploration and production a great deal of investment is allocated in reducing the risks associated to low production levels that can be minimized through an accurate oil reservoir characterization. A valuable source of information can be extracted from 3D seismic data, obtained from the studied reservoir. The economic cost of the acquisition of this data base for the whole reservoir is relatively low, if compared to the direct sampling method of well drilling. Being that the relationship between seismic data and reservoir properties is considered ambiguous, it must be integrated with reliable information, such as that obtained by well logging. Making use of abundant seismic data and scarce, yet accurate, measurements from the existing drillings, it was developed in this study a system based in the algorithm of Genetic Programming (GP), to geologically characterize an oil reservoir. GP is an evolutionary computational technique capable of estimating the non-linear relationships between input and output parameter, through an explicit symbolic expression. In order to extract additional information from seismic records, seismic attributes are calculated, which facilitate tasks of identifying stratigraphic and structural characteristics of the subsurface, represented indirectly by seismic data. Moreover, a seismic inversion method is used to estimate the acoustic impedance, an auxiliary variable derived from seismic data calibrated by well logs. The seismic attributes along with the acoustic impedance will be used to estimate geological properties. This workflow was tested on a real reservoir, thus presenting geological complexity. Through GP, the relationship between seismic derived data and the field porosity was represented satisfactorily, demonstrating that GP is a viable alternative for geologic reservoir characterization. Afterwards, the reservoir was divided in clusters according to geophysical properties, this allowed the construction of GP based estimators for each zone.

Contactless ultrasonic power transfer (UPT), using piezoelectric transducers, is based on transferring energy using acoustic waves, in which the waves are generated by an acoustic source or transmitter and then transferred through an acoustic medium such as water or human tissue to a sensor or receiver. The receiver then converts the mechanical strain induced by the incident acoustic waves to electricity and delivers to an electrical load, in which the electrical power output of the system can be determined. The execution and efficiency of this technology can be significantly enhanced through patterning, focusing, and localization of the transmitted acoustic energy in space to simultaneously power pre-determined distributed sensors or devices. A passive 3D-printed acoustic hologram plate alongside a single transducer can generate arbitrary and pre-designed ultrasound fields in a particular distance from the hologram mounted on the transmitter, i.e., a target plane. This dissertation presents the use of these simple, cost-effective, and high-fidelity acoustic holograms in UPT systems to selectively enhance and pattern the electrical power output from the receivers. Different holograms are numerically designed to create single and multi-focal pressure patterns in a target plane where an array of receivers are placed. The incident sound wave from a transmitter, after passing through the hologram, is manipulated, hence, the output field is the desired pressure field, which excites the receivers located at the pre-determined focal points more significantly. Furthermore, multi-functional holograms are designed to generate multiple images at different target planes and driving frequencies, called, respectively, multi-image-plane and multi-frequency patterning holograms. The multiple desired pressure distributions are encoded on the single hologram plate and each is reconstructed by changing the axial distance and by switching the frequency. Several proof-of-concept experiments are performed to verify the functionality of the computationally designed holograms, which are fabricated using modern 3D-printers, i.e., the desired wavefronts are encoded in the hologram plates' thickness profile, being input to the 3D-printer. The experiments include measurement of output pressure fields in water using needle hydrophones and acquisition of receivers' voltage output in UPT systems. Another technique investigated in this dissertation is the implementation of acoustic impedance matching layers deposited on the front leading surface of the transmitter and receiver transducers. Current UPT systems suffer from significant acoustic losses through the transmission line from a piezoelectric transmitter to an acoustic medium and then to a piezoelectric receiver. This is due to the unfavorable acoustic impedance mismatch between the transducers and the medium, which causes a narrow transducer bandwidth and a considerable reflection of the acoustic pressure waves at the boundary layers. Using matching layers enhance the acoustic power transmission into the medium and then reinforce the input as an excitation into the receiver. Experiments are performed to identify the input acoustic pressure from a cylindrical transmitter to a receiver disk operating in the 33-mode of piezoelectricity. Significant enhancements are obtained in terms of the receiver's electrical power output when implementing a two-layer matching structure. A design platform is also developed that can facilitate the construction of high-fidelity acoustically matched transducers, that is, the material layers' selection and determination of their thicknesses. Furthermore, this dissertation presents a numerical analysis for the dynamical motions of a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)-excited microbubble or stable acoustic cavitation, which includes the effects of acoustic nonlinearity, diffraction, and absorption of the medium, and entails the problem of several biomedical ultrasound applications. Finally, the design and use of acoustic holograms in microfluidic channels are addressed which opens the door of acoustic patterning in particle and cell sorting for medical ultrasound systems. / Doctor of Philosophy / This dissertation presents several techniques to enhance the wireless transfer of ultrasonic energy in which the sound wave is generated by an acoustic source or transmitter, transferred through an acoustic medium such as water or human tissue to a sensor or receiver. The receiver transducer then converts the vibrational energy into electricity and delivers to an electrical load in which the electrical power output from the system can be determined. The first enhancement technique presented in this dissertation is using a pre-designed and simple structured plate called an acoustic hologram in conjunction with a transmitter transducer to arbitrarily pattern and shape ultrasound fields at a particular distance from the hologram mounted on the transmitter. The desired wavefront such as single or multi-focal pressure fields or an arbitrary image such as a VT image pattern can simply be encoded in the thickness profile of this hologram plate by removing some of the hologram material based on the desired shape. When the sound wave from the transmitter passes this structured plate, it is locally delayed in proportion to the hologram thickness due to the different speed of sound in the hologram material compared to water. In this dissertation, various hologram types are designed numerically to implement in the ultrasonic power transfer (UPT) systems for powering receivers located at the predetermined focal points more significantly and finally, their functionality and performances are verified in several experiments. Current UPT systems suffer from significant acoustic losses through the transmission from a transmitter to an acoustic medium and then to a receiver due to the different acoustic impedance (defined as the product of density and sound speed) between the medium and transducers material, which reflects most of the incident pressure wave at the boundary layers. The second enhancement technology addressed in this dissertation is using intermediate materials, called acoustic impedance matching layers, bonded to the front side of the transmitter and receiver face to alleviate the acoustic impedance mismatch. Experiments are performed to identify the input acoustic pressure from a transmitter to a receiver. Using a two-layer matching structure, significant enhancements are observed in terms of the receiver's electrical power output. A design platform is also developed that can facilitate the construction of high-fidelity acoustically matched transducers, that is, the material layers' selection and determination of their thicknesses. Furthermore, this dissertation presents a numerical analysis for the dynamical motions of a microbubble exposed to a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) field, which entails the problem of several biomedical ultrasound applications such as microbubble-mediated ultrasound therapy or targeted drug delivery. Finally, an enhancement technique involving the design and use of acoustic holograms in microfluidic channels is addressed which opens the door of acoustic patterning in particle and cell sorting for medical ultrasound systems.

No / New representations and efficient calculation methods are derived for the problem of propagation from an infinite regularly spaced array of coherent line sources above a homogeneous impedance plane, and for the Green's function for sound propagation in the canyon formed by two infinitely high, parallel rigid or sound soft walls and an impedance ground surface. The infinite sum of source contributions is replaced by a finite sum and the remainder is expressed as a Laplace-type integral. A pole subtraction technique is used to remove poles in the integrand which lie near the path of integration, obtaining a smooth integrand, more suitable for numerical integration, and a specific numerical integration method is proposed. Numerical experiments show highly accurate results across the frequency spectrum for a range of ground surface types. It is expected that the methods proposed will prove useful in boundary element modeling of noise propagation in canyon streets and in ducts, and for problems of scattering by periodic surfaces.