Submitted by Onia Arantes Albuquerque (onia.ufg@gmail.com) on 2018-11-26T12:57:36Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Renato Pereira de Moura - 2018.pdf: 2745191 bytes, checksum: 14c49e8be7218b295bfe7793b1ca46d3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-11-26T13:54:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Renato Pereira de Moura - 2018.pdf: 2745191 bytes, checksum: 14c49e8be7218b295bfe7793b1ca46d3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T13:54:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Renato Pereira de Moura - 2018.pdf: 2745191 bytes, checksum: 14c49e8be7218b295bfe7793b1ca46d3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work consists in the development of a Didactic Sequence in a private network college in Trindade, Goiás. This sequence addresses the study of Electromagnetism, and aims to present and discuss the use of active methodologies in physics teaching, with a perspective Hybrid Teaching with a focus on teaching personalization, using diverse methodological approaches, involving presential and non-presential activities to know the main magnetic phenomena and their use in our daily life. The proposed activities were developed in two classes of second grade of High School. During the planning, the preparation and execution of this sequence the focus of the learning process was the student. / Este trabalho consiste no desenvolvimento de uma Sequência Didática em um colégio da rede privada, em Trindade, Goiás. Tal sequência aborda o estudo do Eletromagnetismo, e tem como objetivo a apresentação e discussão da utilização de metodologias ativas no ensino de física, com uma perspectiva de Ensino Híbrido com foco na personalização do ensino, utilizando abordagens metodológicas diversificadas, envolvendo atividades presenciais e não presenciais para conhecermos os principais fenômenos magnéticos e sua utilização em nosso cotidiano. As atividades propostas foram desenvolvidas em duas turmas de segunda série do Ensino Médio. Durante o planejamento, a elaboração e execução dessa sequência, apresentada no Apêndice A, como forma de produto educacional dessa dissertação, o foco do processo de aprendizagem foi o aluno.

Neste trabalho apresentamos uma investigação desenvolvida ao longo do ano de 2009 em uma disciplina de Física Básica de Eletromagnetismo da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). O objetivo foi analisar as visões de mundo e a relação dos estudantes com o relatório tradicional e com o laboratório de ensino. Dentro desta estratégia de pesquisa foi utilizado o Vê de Gowin, um instrumento heurístico muito utilizado para explicitar o processo de produção do conhecimento. Nesse contexto ele foi utilizado em contraposição ao relatório tradicional. Entendemos por relatório tradicional aquele que os alunos já estão acostumados a realizar em semestres anteriores. A teoria da aprendizagem significativa de David Ausubel foi utilizada para avaliar os roteiros já disponíveis para as atividades experimentais. Ainda nessa perspectiva, vimos a estreita relação que a teoria educativa de Gowin tem com a teoria da aprendizagem significativa, o que nos possibilitou uma visão ainda mais aprimorada dos roteiros. Destacamos que para avaliar a relação dos estudantes com as atividades experimentais, utilizamos como referencial epistemológico a contribuição de Thomas Khun. Os resultados mostram que os alunos possuem boa aceitação ao novo método de avaliação, que também conseguiu explorar de forma mais objetiva os aspectos essenciais à formação do futuro físico no que se refere ao papel da atividade experimental. Contudo, vemos que o aproveitamento dos alunos permanece constante frente à mudança avaliativa. Isto significa que a introdução do Vê não prejudica o desempenho dos alunos. Por fim, especulamos que características próprias de nossa comunidade são refletidas pelos alunos nos relatórios. / This dissertation presents a research carried out during 2009, in the discipline of Electromagnetism at introductory college level, at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil. It aimed at analyzing the students’ worldviews and their reaction to the standard lab report model and to the lab classes. Within this research strategy, Gowin’s Vee, which is a heuristic instrument that can make explicit the knowledge production process, was used. In this context, this instrument was utilized as a counterpoint to the traditional lab report model. In our view, this traditional report is the one students are familiar with, since they have already made reports in previous semesters. Ausubel’s meaningful learning theory was used to evaluate the available guides for experimental activities. Under this perspective , we verified the close relationship that exists between Gowin’s educating theory and Ausubel’s meaningful learning theory, and this has provided us with a more refined view of such guides for experimental activities. We emphasize that, in order to evaluate the students’ relation with the experimental activities, we applied Kuhn’s contributions as part of the theoretical framework of this research. Findings indicate that students seem to react positively to the new evaluation method, and, moreover, that they seemed to explore in a more objective way the essential aspects related to the formation of the future physicist, in what concerns the role of experimental activity. Nevertheless, it was possible to notice that students’ performance remained constant in regard to this evaluative change. This might mean that the introduction of the Vee does not hinder students’ performance. Finally, it was explored to which extent the community’s main features were reflected on the students’ reports.

Orientador: Hugo Enrique Hernandez Figueroa / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T19:32:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Santos_CarlosHenriquedaSilva_D.pdf: 6145760 bytes, checksum: b129064af29e8b7052b13e0b422b299c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Esse trabalho tem por objetivo desenvolver algoritmos bio-inspirados (Algoritmo Genético, Estratégia Evolutiva e Sistema Imunológico Artificial) eficientes (tempo de processamento e convergência), e flexíveis (multi-plataforma), para a otimização de dispositivos eletromagnéticos nos domínios da frequência e do tempo. Além disso, para satisfazer a demanda computacional requerida nessas otimizações, foram implementadas versões paralelas dos algoritmos bio-inspirados e do método das diferenças finitas no domínio tempo em três dimensões (FDTD 3D) para serem executados em cluster de computadores. A eficiência e flexibilidade dos algoritmos desenvolvidos foram confirmadas através da aplicação criteriosa de testes de desempenho disponíveis na literatura. Isto permitiu a proposta e simulação de novos e complexos dispositivos eletromagnéticos baseados em estruturas metamateriais / Abstract: The objectives of this work are to develop efficient (runtime and convergence) and flexible (multiplatform) bio-inspired algorithms (Genetic Algorithm, Evolution Strategy and Artificial Immune System), for the optimization of electromagnetic devices either in frequency and time domain. In addition, to satisfy the computational requirements for these optimizations a parallel version of these bio-inspired algorithms and a three-dimensional finite difference time domain (3D FDTD) were developed capable to be processed in cluster computers. The successful performance of these parallel resources was confirmed by their careful assessment through key tests available in the specialized literature. This permitted the proposal and simulation of novel and complex electromagnetic devices based on metamaterial structures / Doutorado / Telecomunicações e Telemática / Doutor em Engenharia Elétrica

Desde a sua origem nos laboratórios do Bell Labs, durante a década de 70, pinças ópticas vêm sendo investigadas, desenvolvidas e diversificadas por vários grupos nacionais e internacionais incluindo, nos últimos anos, o nosso departamento (Departamento de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação - SEL/EESC/USP) e, em particular, o Grupo de Telecomunicações a ele vinculado, com propostas de aplicações em óptica biomédica e medicina. Dada a importância deste assunto, o principal objetivo deste trabalho é estender a análise teórica de forças ópticas utilizando uma descrição simples, porém eficaz, e analítica de um feixe de Bessel truncado, isto é, gerado por abertura finita. Até onde sabemos, esta é a primeira tentativa de introduzir esta investigação dos feixes originais de Durnin na literatura, e, deste modo, temos a possibilidade de contribuir com uma análise inédita de um feixe de Bessel com características físicas reais. Com a modelagem matemática dos feixe de Bessel truncados em mãos, aplicamos o cálculo de forças nos regimes de óptica geométrica e de Rayleigh e analisamos o seu comportamento quando os feixes incidem em espalhadores dielétricos esféricos. Como resultado direto deste trabalho, publicamos dois artigos descrevendo as forças ópticas no regime de óptica geométrica e de Rayleigh que um feixe de Bessel truncado causa em uma partícula dielétrica esférica. Como resultados indiretos, publicamos dois artigos com os mesmos cálculos de forças, adotando classe de feixes chamada Frozen-Waves, que é uma superposição de feixes de Bessel de mesma frequência. / Since its origins at Bell Labs laboratories, during the 1970s, optical tweezers have been researched, developed and diversified by several research groups, both nationally and internationally, including in our department (Department of Electrical and Computing Engineering - SEL/EESC/USP), in particular the Telecom Group associated to it, with several proposals with applications of optical tweezers in different fields from medicine to biomedical optics. Given the importance of this field, our main goal is to extend the theoretical analysis of optical forces using a simplest - but effective - analytical description of truncated Bessel beams (i.e. beams that are generated by finite apertures). As far we know, this is the first attempt to introduce such analysis of the originals Durnin beams in the literature, thus, we may have the chance to contribute to an unpublished study of a truncated Bessel beam with real characteristics. With such mathematical model at hands, we calculate the forces exerted by the truncated Bessel beam in ray optics and Rayleigh regime and analyze their behavior when hits dielectric spherical particles. As direct result of this work, we have published two papers describing the optical forces in ray optics and Rayleigh regime that a truncated Bessel beam causes in a spherical dielectric particle. As indirect results, we have published two papers with the same force considerations, adopting a beam class called Frozen-Waves, which is a superposition of same frequency Bessel beams.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-06-28T14:31:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 lucianamirandavieiraxavier.pdf: 351536 bytes, checksum: f476ea35c3ced7fc7f8315f85d076f6e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-08-07T21:18:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 lucianamirandavieiraxavier.pdf: 351536 bytes, checksum: f476ea35c3ced7fc7f8315f85d076f6e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-07T21:18:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 lucianamirandavieiraxavier.pdf: 351536 bytes, checksum: f476ea35c3ced7fc7f8315f85d076f6e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-27 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Nesta tese, revisa-se os principais métodos de quantização de sistemas vinculados a partir das técnicas Hamiltoniana de Dirac e Lagrangeana de Faddev-Jackiw ( sem vínculos) e sua extenção a de Barcelos Neto- Wotzasek (com vínculos), estes denominados simplesmente por Formalismo Simplético (FS). Em vista da correspondência entre os formalismos, eles serão aplicados ao Modelo de Skyrme SU(2) e ao Eletromagnetimo de Maxwell. Apresenta-se uma técnica contemporânea, que mergulha uma teoria de segunda classe em uma dual com invariância de calibre, a saber, o Formalismo Simplético de Imersão (FSI). Esse método baseia-se no FS e estende-se o espaço de configuração por meio das variáveis de Wess-Zumino. Para ilustrar esse FSI, constroi-se a eletrodinâmica de Maxwell como uma teoria de calibre, na qual as divergências clássicas não estejam presentes. Uma generalização relativística é a eletrodinâmica de Proca e de Chern-Simons, que consideram a possibilidade de existência de um fóton massivo e de um campo com alcance finito. A descrição dual reproduz o mesmo resultado encontrado na literatura através de outros métodos. Apesar da arbitrariedade dos geradores da simetria de calibre, os modos-zeros, mostram uma família de representações dinâmicas duais para o sistema em questão. / In this thesis, it will be revised the main quantization methods of constrained systems using the Dirac Hamiltonian method and Faddev-Jackiw Lagrangian techniques (without constrained), and its extension to the Barcelos Neto- Wotzasek Lagrangian method (with constrained), these known as Symplectic Formalism. Because of the correspondence among the formalisms, they will be applied of the Skyrme SU(2) model and Electromagnetism of Maxwell. It will be presented a contemporary technique that it embed a second class theory in a dual with gauge invariance, the Embedding Symplectic Formalism . This method is based on the Symplectic Formalism, it is extended the configuration space through Wess-Zumino variables. In order to illustrate this Embedding Symplectic Formalism, the Maxwell electrodynamics is built as a gauge theory, without the classic differences. A relativistic generalization is the Proca and Chern-Simons electrodynamics that consider the possibility of existence of a massive photon and a field with finite reach. The dual description reproduce the identic result reported in the literature using other methods. Although, the arbitrariness of the gauge symmetry generator, zero-mode, it reveals a family of dynamic dual representations to this system.

Orientador: Hugo Enrique Hernandez Figueroa / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T14:24:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Oliveira_LucianoPradode_D.pdf: 36412783 bytes, checksum: 0d0ea68334e1df0ae3e61e59014f3f68 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta um estudo dos efeitos dos modos espúrios na análise modal e em esquemas de propagação de feixes na modelagem de guias de onda por elementos finitos mistos. A presença dos modos espúrios no espectro das matrizes de elementos finitos é investigada e discutida a partir de uma formulação alternativa para a análise modal em guias de onda bidimensionais, onde a condição de divergente nulo é imposta inicialmente na equação vetorial de onda. Um novo esquema de propagação de feixes é proposto substituindo a componente longitudinal da equação vetorial de onda pela equação de Gauss e uma análise do efeito dos modos espúrios sobre os esquemas de propagação de feixes é realizada. Testes computacionais de convergência e estabilidade dos novos esquemas de propagação de feixes, assim como dos esquemas convencionais, são apresentados / Abstract: This work shows a study of the effects of spurious modes in the modal analysis and in beam propagation schemes based on finite element mixed for modeling bidimensional waveguides structures. The presence of spurious modes in the spectrum of the finite element matrices is investigated and discussed from an alternative formulation for modal analysis of two-dimensional waveguides, where the divergence-free condition is imposed on the vector wave equation. A new beam propagation scheme is proposed by replacing the longitudinal component of the vectorial wave equation with Gauss equation, and analysis of the effect of spurious modes on beam propagations schemes is performed. Computational convergence and stability tests for the new beam propagations schemes as well as the conventional schemes are presented / Doutorado / Telecomunicações e Telemática / Doutor em Engenharia Elétrica

Au cours de ces 20 dernières années, une attention particulièrement soutenue a été donnée à l'étude et à la fabrication de matériaux nano-structurés permettant le contrôle de la lumière. Cependant, les propriétés de non-linéarité optique de ces nouveaux matériaux n'ont que très peu été explorées. Partant de ce constat, cette thèse se propose de pourvoir cette insuffisance. L'accent est mis en particulier sur le processus de génération de seconde harmonique à travers deux aspects fondamentaux: (i) le contrôle de l'émission de seconde harmonique pour des matériaux nano-structurés non-linéaires et (ii) l'augmentation de conversion dans des dispositifs photoniques intégrés. Nous présentons un nouveau phénomène de localisation non-linéaire qui a lieu dans des matériaux main-gauche et qui implique un accord de phase isotrope. Nous démontrons analytiquement le processus de localisation dans un milieu homogène main-gauche, avant de mettre en évidence un tel effet dans des cristaux photoniques non-linéaires à l'aide de simulations numériques. L'effet de localisation contra-propagative du second harmonique est utilisé pour le design d'une lentille de second-harmonique. Ce résultat théorique a été démontré numériquement pour une structure réalisable fonctionnant aux fréquences optiques. L'augmentation de génération de seconde harmonique constitue l'aspect complémentaire. En tirant parti de la forte localisation de lumière dans une chaîne de nano-tiges de dimension finie, nous montrons que, pris ensemble, le confinement transverse sub-longueur d'onde et la condition de résonance d'accord de phase contribuent de manière importante à l'augmentation de la génération de seconde harmonique. Les capacités de guidage sub-longueur d'onde de chaînes de nano-tiges sont mis en évidence en examinant leurs propriétés de propagation linéaire. Pour finir, nous nous penchons sur la condition d'accord de phase assurant l'interaction non-linéaire optimale. / The past twenty years have been exceptionally rich on the study and fabrication of nanostructured materials to control light, but no much attention was given to nonlinear optical properties of these novel materials. In this context, the present thesis would partially address this gap. In particular, we focus on the second-harmonic generation process, by considering two fundamental aspects: the second-harmonic emission control by means of nanostructured nonlinear materials and the conversion enhancement in integrated photonic devices. A novel nonlinear localization phenomenon occurring in left-handed materials and involving isotropic phase-matching is presented. We analytically demonstrate the localization process in a homogenous left-handed material and by numerical simulation we show the effect for nonlinear photonic crystals. The backward second-harmonic localization effect is used to design a second-harmonic lens. This interesting theoretical result is numerically shown for a feasible structure working at optical frequencies. The second-harmonic generation enhancement is the complementary aspect. By taking advantage of the strong light localization achieved in finite size dielectric nonlinear nanorod chains, we show that sub-wavelength transversal confinement, together with the resonant phase-matching condition, adds an important property to the second-harmonic generation enhancement. A study of linear propagation properties of nanorod chain structures first evidences its sub-wavelength guiding capabilities. Finally, the phase-matching condition that assures the maximal nonlinear interaction in this kind of structure is presented.

In the design of most of the modern systems, lightning threat needs to be considered at the design phase itself. This demands a suitable model and owing to associated complexity, only simplified modeling have been attempted. As a consequence, it does not provide adequate insight into the phenomena. Considering these, a more realistic time-¬ domain electromagnetic model for the return stroke current evolution has been developed by incorporating the following underlying physical processes: (i) excitation formed by the electric field due to charge distribution along the channel, cloud and that induced on ground, (ii) the transient enhancement of series conductance at the bridging regime, which initiates the return stroke,( iii) the non¬linear variation of channel conductance along with (iv) the associated dynamic Electromagnetic Fields(EMFs) that supports the current evolution. The intended modeling begins from the instant of bridging and the pre-¬return stroke charge distribution along the channel is calculated using Charge Simulation Method(CSM). For the calculation of dynamic EMFs, the thin wire Time Domain Electric Field Integral Equation(TD¬EFIE) is employed The transient enhancement of conductance at the bridging/streamer region is emulated using Toepler’s spark law while that along the matured section of the channel is described by first order arc model. The macroscopic physical model developed depicts most of the salient features of current evolution and resulting remote electromagnetic fields in a self¬ consistent manner. The work is not limited by the simplifications adopted for the channel geometry. The strength of the model was exploited for investigating a couple of practically important questions, one of which had divided opinion in the literature. Firstly, analysis showed that the "secondary" current waves generated by successive reflection within struck TGO and that fed by branches do not get reflected at the main wave front. It is shown that the dynamic spatial resistance profile of the channel at the main wave front is primarily responsible for this behavior. Secondly, it is shown that the abrupt change in radii at TGO ¬channel junction is mainly responsible for reflection at the junction. In summary, a novel time-¬domain macroscopic physical model for the first return stroke of a downward cloud¬-to-¬ ground lightning has been successfully developed, which is capable of providing much deeper insight in to the complex phenomena.

La technique de Georadar (GPR) est actuellement largement utilisée comme une technique non-destructive de sondage et d'imagerie dans plusieurs applications du génie civil qui concernent principalement: l'inspection des structures et des matériaux de construction, la cartographie des réseaux enterrés et des cavités, la caractérisation des fondations souterraines et du sol ainsi que l'estimation de la teneur en eau volumique du sous-sol. Le radar GPR est une technique en continuelle évolution en raison de l'intégration toujours plus poussée des équipements électroniques, des performances des calculateurs numériques, et des traitements du signal avancés. La promotion de cette technologie repose sur le développement de nouvelles configurations de systèmes et d'outils de traitement des données en vue de l'interprétation des images du sous-sol. Dans ce contexte, les travaux de cette thèse présentent tout d'abord le système GPR ULB (Ultra large bande) à double polarisation couplé au sol, lequel a été développé récemment au laboratoire. Par la suite, les traitement des données ont été focalisés sur le développement d'outils d'analyse en vue d'obtenir à partir des images brutes des images plus facilement lisibles par l'utilisateur afin d'améliorer l'interprétation des données GPR, en particulier dans le cadre de la détection de canalisations urbaines et la caractérisation des sols. Les moyens de traitement utilisés concernent l'élimination du clutter au cours d'une étape de prétraitement en utilisant des adaptations et des extensions des algorithmes fondés sur les techniques PCA et ICA. De plus, une technique de traitement d'image ‘'template matching” a été proposée pour faciliter la détection d'hyperbole dans une image Bscan de GPR. La diversité de polarisation est enfin abordée, dans le but de fournir des informations supplémentaires pour la détection d'objets diélectriques et des discontinuités du sous-sol. Les performances de nos outils d'analyse sont évaluées sur de données synthétiques (simulations 3D FDTD) et des données de mesures obtenues dans des environnements contrôlés. Pour cela, nous avons considéré différentes configurations de polarisation et des objets à caractéristiques diélectriques variées. Le potentiel de discrimination des cibles a été quantifié en utilisant le critère statistique fondé sur les courbes ROC / The Ground Penetrating Radar technique (GPR) is now widely used as a non destructive probing and imaging tool in several civil engineering applications mainly concerning inspection of construction materials and structures, mapping of underground utilities and voids, characterization of sub-structures, foundations and soil and estimation of sub-surface volumetric moisture content. GPR belongs to a continuously evolving field due to electronic integration, high-performance computing, and advanced signal processing. The promotion of this technology relies on the development of new system configurations and data processing tools for the interpretation of sub-surface images. In this context, the work presents first the dual polarization UWB ground coupled GPR system which has been developed recently. Then, the data processing has focalized on the development of analysis tools to transform the raw images in a more user-readable image in order to improve the GPR data interpretation especially within the scope of detection of urban pipes and soil characterization. The processing means used concern clutter removal in the pre-processing step using adaptations and extensions of the PCA and ICA algorithms. Moreover, a template matching image processing technique is presented to help the detection of hyperbola within GPR raw B-scan images. The dual polarization is finally shown to bring additional information and to improve the detection of buried dielectric objects or medium discontinuities. The performances of our analysis approaches are illustrated using synthetic data (3D FDTD simulations) and field-measurement data in controlled environments. Different polarization configurations and dielectric characteristics of objects have been considered. The potential for target discrimination has been quantified using statistical criteria such as ROC

abstract: Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by biologically active neural tissue are critical in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases. Biological EMFs are characterized by electromagnetic properties such as electrical conductivity, permittivity and magnetic susceptibility. The electrical conductivity of active tissue has been shown to serve as a biomarker for the direct detection of neural activity, and the diagnosis, staging and prognosis of disease states such as cancer. Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) was developed to map the cross-sectional conductivity distribution of electrically conductive objects using externally applied electrical currents. Simulation and in vitro studies of invertebrate neural tissue complexes demonstrated the correlation of membrane conductivity variations with neural activation levels using the MREIT technique, therefore laying the foundation for functional MREIT (fMREIT) to detect neural activity, and future in vivo fMREIT studies. The development of fMREIT for the direct detection of neural activity using conductivity contrast in in vivo settings has been the focus of the research work presented here. An in vivo animal model was developed to detect neural activity initiated changes in neuronal membrane conductivities under external electrical current stimulation. Neural activity was induced in somatosensory areas I (SAI) and II (SAII) by applying electrical currents between the second and fourth digits of the rodent forepaw. The in vivo animal model involved the use of forepaw stimulation to evoke somatosensory neural activations along with hippocampal fMREIT imaging currents contemporaneously applied under magnetic field strengths of 7 Tesla. Three distinct types of fMREIT current waveforms were applied as imaging currents under two inhalants – air and carbogen. Active regions in the somatosensory cortex showed significant apparent conductivity changes as variations in fMREIT phase (φ_d and ∇^2 φ_d) signals represented by fMREIT activation maps (F-tests, p <0.05). Consistent changes in the standard deviation of φ_d and ∇^2 φ_d in cortical voxels contralateral to forepaw stimulation were observed across imaging sessions. These preliminary findings show that fMREIT may have the potential to detect conductivity changes correlated with neural activity. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Biomedical Engineering 2020