Colonoscopy is a necessary procedure to diagnose diseases in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, there exists a risk of bleeding during the colonoscopy, caused by perforations, diverticuli, post-biopsy complications, and polyps, which could go undetected as the camera is only equipped on the tip of colonoscope. A soft sensor, capable of detecting blood and distinguishing it from other GI fluids, has been developed using optical fibers for blood detection and data transmission. However, the sensor’s numerous optical fibers make it harder for the surgeon to hold and maneuver the colonoscope. In addition, the fibers are fragile and sensitive to external forces. This makes the sensor’s fabrication difficult and signal interpretation less reliable. Presented in this thesis is a wireless soft blood sensor utilizing deformable polymeric materials and microelectronic technologies. Opto-electronic components and a microcontroller installed on the flexible PCB allow the sensors to sense blood, recognize fluid types, account for the external forces, comply to bending of colonoscope, and wirelessly transmit data. The wireless data transmission is implemented by a millimeter-scale transmitter-receiver module. A Lithium ion battery powers the sensor. Without optical fibers, multiple blood sensors can be installed along the length of colonoscope. Consequently, this increases efficiency and reliability of blood detection while remaining safe for patients without interruption on the clinical workflow. / 2027-05-31T00:00:00Z

Thesis (PhD (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Polydimethylsiloxane–polyester (PDMS-PES) copolymers produce materials which have enhanced properties and take advantage of the unique properties of the two very dissimilar components. The dissimilar nature of the components results in these types of materials typically having complex morphologies in the solid state as a result of phase segregation. When the polyester component is crystallisable, an even richer variation in morphology can be expected. The chain structure of the copolymer in terms of the distribution of the various segments along the chain and the variation in the composition also has a dramatic impact on the solid state morphology. In this study, two different types of polyesters were used to synthesise five series of PDMS-PES segmented copolymers and one series of PDMS-PES branched copolymer. The two polyester segments selected were polybutyleneadipate (PBA) and polybuthylenecyclohexancarboxylate (PBCH). The copolymers were synthesised via polycondensation in the melt state. Insights on many variations in the PDMS-PES copolymer synthesis are given. The copolymer series synthesized gave systematic series where the influence of the polyester type, chain architecture, bulk composition, block length, crystallinity and processing condition on the bulk and surface morphology could be studied. The remarkable variations in the properties of the copolymer were attributed to the differences in the copolymers morphology in terms of the microphase segregation, crystallization and the free volume properties. These variations were also found to alter the nature of the surface compositions and the related surface properties. Multiphase morphology exhibited in all the PDMS-PES copolymers and the type of morphology observed was dependent on PDMS contents, PDMS segment length and the degree of branching. Three types of morphology were observed: spherical micro-domains of PDMS in a matrix of PES, bicontinuous double diamond type morphology, and spherical micro-domains of PES in a matrix of PDMS. Spherical domains of the PDMS were also observed for low PDMS content copolymers between the crystalline polyester lamellae. The complexity of the PDMS-PBCH copolymer morphology was further investigated, using an extensive set of experimental data that has been drawn together with using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and developing and applying a new type of hyphenated technique between fractionation (chromatography) and microscopy (atomic force microscopy) techniques. The outcome has provided a unique perspective regarding the complexity of the PDMS-PBCH copolymer morphology, which is believed to provide basis for a theoretical structure-properties relationship in this fascinating class of thermoplastic material. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Polidimetielsiloksaan–poliëster (PDMS–PES) kopolimere lewer verbindings met goeie eienskappe en trek voordeel uit die unieke eienskappe van die twee baie verskillende komponente. Aangesien die aard van hierdie twee verbindings baie verskil het hulle ‘n gekompliseerde morfologie in die vastetoestand as gevolg van faseskeiding. Wanneer die poliëster komponent kristalliseerbaar is kan ‘n nog ryker variasie in morfologie verwag word. Die kettingstruktuur van die kopolimere in terme van die verspreiding van die verskillende segmente al langs die ketting en die variasie in samestelling, het ook ‘n groot invloed op die vastetoestandmorfologie. In hierdie studie is twee verskillende tipes poliëster gebruik om vyf reekse PDMS–PES gesegmenteerde kopolimere en een reeks vertakte PDMS–PES kopolimere te berei. Die twee poliëstersegmente is polibutileenadipaat (PBA) en polibutileensikloheksaankarboksilaat (PBCH). Die kopolimere is berei deur middel van polikondensasie in die smeltfase. Inligting aangaande verskeie faktore in the bereiding van die PDMS–PES kopolimere is ingewin. Die reekse kopolimere wat berei is, het dit moontlik gemaak om die invloed van die tipe poliëster, kettingargitektuur, grootmaatsamestelling, bloklengte, kristalliniteit en reaksiekondisies op die oppervlakte en interne morfologie te bestudeer. Die opmerklike verskille in the eienskappe van die kopolimere word toegeskryf aan die verskille in die kopolimeermorfologie in terme van die mikrofaseskeiding, kristalliniteit en vryevolume eienskappe. Hierdie verskille het ook veranderings in die oppervlakte samestellings en verwante oppervlakte eienskappe teweeggebring. Multifase morfologie, in alle PDMS–PES kopolimere en die tipe morfologie wat waargeneem is, is afhanklik van die PDMS inhoud, die PDMS segmentlengte en die graad van vertakking. Drie tipes morfologie is waargeneem: sferiese mikro-gebiede van PDMS in ‘n PES matriks, ‘n bikontinueerlike dubbele-diamant tipe en sferiese mikro-gebiede van PES in ‘n PDMS matriks. Sferiese gebiede van die PDMS is ook waargeneem in kopolimere met ‘n lae PDMS inhoud tussen die kristallyne poliëster lae. Die kompleksiteit van die PDMS–PBCH kopolimeermorfologie is verder ondersoek deur gebruik te maak van ‘n wye reeks eksperimentele data afkomstig van positronvernietigingsleeftydspektroskopie (PALS), gevolg deur die ontwikkeling en toepassing van ‘n nuwe soort gekoppelde tegniek – tussen fraksionering (chromatografie) en mikroskopie (atoomkragmikroskopie) tegnieke. Die resultate het ‘n unieke perspektief gegee wat betref die kompleksiteit van die PDMS–PBCH kopolimeermorfologie en dien as ‘n basis vir die teoretiese struktuur–eienskapverwantskap van hierdie interessante klas termoplastiese materiale.

Este estudo tem por objetivo o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia de fabricação de sistemas Lab On Chip, úteis no estudo de processos celulares, a partir da adaptação de tecnologias próprias da microeletrônica. Foram exploradas todas as etapas envolvidas na fabricação de sistemas Lab On Chip em Poli-Di-Metil-Siloxano e desenvolvidos protocolos de fabricação de moldes, técnicas de moldagem e processos de ativação de PDMS com plasma de oxigênio para sua solda química sobre diferentes materiais, obtendo uniões irreversíveis que permitem a integração com outras tecnologias como a microeletrônica em silício e o encapsulamento com cerâmica verde, completando uma metodologia que permite a prototipagem de dispositivos micro-fluídicos de multicamadas com um nível de sofisticação comparável ao estado da arte. Foi desenvolvido o protótipo de um equipamento ótico para litografia por projeção que permite a fabricação de máscaras óticas com resolução de 5 m e oferece a possibilidade de litografia em escala de cinzas para gerar canais e estruturas com relevos arbitrários. Foram adicionalmente abordados três problemas de biofísica celular, para os quais foram propostos novos dispositivos para separação de células móveis de acordo às suas velocidades lineares, dispositivos para crescimento confinado de bactérias e dispositivos para manipulação da curvatura de membranas celulares. / The objective of this study is the development of a methodology for the fabrication of Lab On Chip systems, useful for the analysis of cellular processes, through the adaptation of technologies from microelectronics. All the steps involved with the fabrication of Lab on Chip system in Poly-Di-Methil-Siloxane (PDMS) were explored, developing protocols for mold fabrication, molding techniques and processes for oxygen plasma activation of PDMS for its bonding to different materials, achieving irreversible bonds that enable the integration with other technologies such as silicon microelectronics and green tape packaging. All this techniques constitute a methodology that allows the prototyping of multilayer microfluidic devices comparable with state of the art devices. It was developed the prototype of optical equipment for projection lithography capable of mask fabrication with 5 m resolution, and which offers also the capability of gray scale lithography for the generation of free form microchannels. Additionally three different problems in cellular biophysics where boarded, proposing new devices for the separation of motile cells according to their linear speeds in liquids, new devices for constrained bacterial growth and for curvature manipulation of cell membranes.

O projeto de novos materiais para aplicações tecnológicas em biomateriais e bioengenharia é altamente dependente de como as células aderem à superfície de um material. A adesão e crescimento em biomateriais depende de propriedades do substrato, tais como molhabilidade da superfície, a topografia e a composição química de superfície. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as interações de diversos materiais com culturas celulares de células epitelial CHO (Ovário de Hamster Chinês). Os materiais utilizados foram SU-8 2005 (elétron-resiste, Microchem), PDMS (Poli (dimetil siloxano), Down Corning), DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) e vidro foi utilizado como referência. Superfícies de vidro, SU-8, PDMS e DLC lisas (planas) e isentas de modificação ou tratamento específico foram avaliadas quanto ao cultivo de células CHO. Valores médios dos fatores de forma (Ff) de 450 células foram calculados para cada uma das culturas realizadas sobre os 4 substratos. Foram obtidos Ff próximos a 0,52 para o vidro, o SU-8 liso e o DLC, demonstrando um bom espraiamento das células nessas superfícies. A superfície de PDMS apresentou valor unitário para o fator de forma (Ff), que está relacionado a um baixo espraiamento das células. A energia de superfície (ES) obtida para o PDMS é compatível com o resultado de fator de forma (Ff), uma vez que o menor valor para ES é coerente com a baixa adesão celular, o que gerou células com elevado fator de forma (Ff). O SU-8 foi modificado por implantação iônica com uma dose de 1,2x1016 átomos/cm2 e a energia de implantação foi de 8 keV, como referência foi utilizada uma superfície lisa de SU-8 sem implantação. Os resultados mostraram que o número de células vivas por unidade de área foi superior na superfície de SU-8 com prata implantada, mostrando o bom desempenho da cultura nesse substrato. As superfícies de DLC modificadas por tratamento com plasma de oxigênio (DLC-O) e com plasma de hexafluoreto de enxofre (DLC-F) foram utilizadas para cultura celular, os resultados de três experimentos independentes de contagem de número de núcleos (marcados com DAPI) por unidade de área confirmaram os resultados obtidos através do teste de viabilidade (marcados com trypan blue). A superfície de DLC-O, apresentou um maior número de núcleos por unidade de área, quando comparado à superfície DLC-F, da mesma forma que nos resultados obtidos pelo teste de viabilidade. As energias de superfície para as amostras de DLC-F e DLC-O indicaram que a superfície DLC-O é mais hidrofílica do que a superfície DLC-F, que está coerente com o que é conhecido da literatura e com os resultados obtidos em nosso trabalho. Cultura de células CHO foram realizadas em superfícies litografadas com estruturas hexagonais periódicas com o parâmetro 2R (diâmetro do círculo inscrito) sendo 12 µm, 30 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm e também em SU-8 liso. Estas superfícies foram caracterizadas por microscopia óptica de fluorescência com relação ao número de núcleos (marcados com o fluoróforo DAPI) por unidade de área, isto é, núcleos/mm2. Obteve-se histogramas com o número médio de núcleos por mm2 em três experimentos independentes, onde o número núcleos/mm2 foi consideravelmente maior para 80 µm. As superfícies contendo cavidades periódicas de 12 µm e 30 µm apresentaram dificuldade para as células CHO aderirem à superfície. Em uma outra etapa realizou-se culturas celulares em triplicata dos substratos com as superfícies 12 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm e também em SU-8 liso. As células em cada uma das superfícies foram analisadas por microscopia óptica (MO) para avaliação da viabilidade celular, utilizando marcador trypan blue. Obteve-se histogramas com os valores médios para o número de células vivas/mm2 para as culturas celulares que corrobora os resultados obtidos no histograma da cultura celular que tiveram os núcleos marcados pelo fluoróforo DAPI. Assim, fica confirmado o melhor desempenho da cultura celular no substrato 80 µm que apresentou o maior número de células vivas/mm2 As micrografias obtidas através de marcação por DAPI foram analisadas através da função de correlação com intuito de se entender como as células estavam organizadas. Isso foi feito para cada uma das superfícies litografadas, 12 µm, 30 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm e também em SU-8 liso. As superfícies dos substratos 80 µm apresentaram os menores valores de distâncias para primeiros e segundos vizinhos, ou seja, as células estão mais próximas umas das outras. As demais superfícies tendem a separar mais as células. Obteve-se também os valores de raio de aglomerado (rc), distância entre os aglomerados (dc) e o número de primeiros vizinhos (Np) através do ajuste da função de correlação. A análise de correlação mostrou com clareza o que não era evidenciado apenas visualizando-se as imagens. Ela mostra que as células, mesmo em SU-8 liso tem a forte tendência de formar aglomerados de células com raio de aproximadamente 45 µm. No caso de substratos lisos, células CHO apresentaram a melhor adesão na superfície do SU-8, seguido do DLC, enquanto que o PDMS foi a pior situação, devido à baixa molhabilidade do material. No caso de superfícies com microestrutura, SU-8 contendo microcavidades hexagonais de 12 e 30 µm mostraram ser as situações mais adversas para o crescimento de células CHO, provavelmente por causa da topografia das cavidades serem de menor tamanho quando comparadas ao tamanho das células CHO. Em vez disso, SU-8, contendo microcavidades hexagonais de 80 µm foi a superfície mais favorável para o crescimento de células CHO. / The design of new materials for technological applications in biomaterials and bioengineering is highly dependent on how the cells adhere to the material surface. The cells adhesion and growth on biomaterials depends on substrate properties such as surface wettability, topography and the chemical composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions of various materials with cell cultures of epithelial cells CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary). The materials used were SU-8 2005 (electron resists, Microchem), PDMS (poly (dimethyl siloxane), Dow Corning), DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) and glass was used as reference. Unmodified and flat surfaces of glass, SU-8, PDMS and DLC were evaluated for the culture of CHO cells. Form factor (Ff) values were calculated as average of 450 cells for each of the cultures performed on the four substrates. Ff close to 0.52 was obtained for flat surfaces of glass, SU-8 and DLC, showing a good cell spreading on these surfaces. The surface of PDMS presented a form factor (Ff) near unity, which is related to low spreading cell. The surface energy (ES) obtained for the PDMS is coherent with the Ff result, since the smallest value of ES is consistent with the low cell adhesion, which resulted in cells with a high Ff. The SU-8 was modified by ion implantation using a dose of 1.2x1016 atoms/cm2 and an implantation energy of 8 keV, unmodified flat SU-8 was used as a reference. The cell culture results showed that the number of live cells per unit area was greater in the SU-8 surface implanted with silver, showing a good performance in the culture substrate. The DLC surfaces modified by plasma treatment with oxygen (DLC-O) and sulfur hexafluoride (DLC-F) were used for cell culture. The results of three independent experiments, counting the number of nuclei (marked with DAPI) per unit area, confirmed the results obtained by the viability test (marked with trypan-blue). The surface of the DLC-O had higher number of nuclei per unit area when compared to the surface of the DLC-F, similarly to the results obtained for the viability test. The surface energies of the DLC-F and DLC-O samples indicated that the DLC-O surface is more hydrophilic than the DLC-F surface, which is consistent with results obtained with our work and with the literature. CHO cell culture were performed on surfaces with periodic hexagonal structures with the diameter of inscribed circle (2R) given by 12 µm, 30 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm and also on flat SU-8. These surfaces were characterized by fluorescence optical microscopy with respect to the number of nuclei (marked with fluorophore DAPI) per unit area, i.e. nuclei/mm2. Histograms were obtained for the average number of nuclei per mm2 in three independent experiments, where the substrate with periodic hexagonal structures with 2R = 80 µm presented considerably higher nuclei/mm2. Surfaces containing periodic cavities of 2R =12 µm and 30 µm were adverse for CHO cells adhesion. In another approach, cell culture were analyzed by light microscopy (LM) for evaluation of cell viability using trypan-blue marker. This was carried out in triplicate cell culture on substrates with surfaces 12 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm and also on flat SU-8. Histograms were generated for average number of living cells/mm2 for each substrate, which corroborates with the results obtained for the cell culture marked with fluorophore DAPI. Thus, it is confirmed the better performance of the cell culture on substrates with 2R = 80 µm, presenting the highest number of living cells/mm2. The micrographs obtained with cells marked with DAPI were analyzed through the correlation function with the aim of understanding how the cells were organized. This was performed for each of the lithographed surfaces 12 µm, 30 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm and also flat SU-8. The surfaces of the substrates with 2R = 80 µm had the lowest values for length between its neighbors, that is, the cells are closer to each other. The remaining surfaces tend to separate the cells. Also were obtained the cluster radius values (rc), the distance between the clusters (dc) and the number of nearest neighbors (Np) through the correlation function fitting. The correlation analysis clearly showed what was not possible to observe by viewing the images. It shows that the cells, even in flat SU-8, have a strong tendency to form clusters of cells within about 45 micrometers. In the case of flat substrates, CHO cells exhibited better adhesion to the surface of SU-8, followed by the DLC, while the PDMS was worse due to low wettability of the material. In the case of surfaces with microstructures, SU-8 containing hexagonal microstructures of 12 and 30 µm showed to be the most adverse conditions for the CHO cell growth, probably because of the topography of the cavities being smaller in size compared to the size of CHO cells. SU-8 with 80 µm hexagonal microstructures was more favorable surface for the growth of CHO cells.

O projeto de novos materiais para aplicações tecnológicas em biomateriais e bioengenharia é altamente dependente de como as células aderem à superfície de um material. A adesão e crescimento em biomateriais depende de propriedades do substrato, tais como molhabilidade da superfície, a topografia e a composição química de superfície. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as interações de diversos materiais com culturas celulares de células epitelial CHO (Ovário de Hamster Chinês). Os materiais utilizados foram SU-8 2005 (elétron-resiste, Microchem), PDMS (Poli (dimetil siloxano), Down Corning), DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) e vidro foi utilizado como referência. Superfícies de vidro, SU-8, PDMS e DLC lisas (planas) e isentas de modificação ou tratamento específico foram avaliadas quanto ao cultivo de células CHO. Valores médios dos fatores de forma (Ff) de 450 células foram calculados para cada uma das culturas realizadas sobre os 4 substratos. Foram obtidos Ff próximos a 0,52 para o vidro, o SU-8 liso e o DLC, demonstrando um bom espraiamento das células nessas superfícies. A superfície de PDMS apresentou valor unitário para o fator de forma (Ff), que está relacionado a um baixo espraiamento das células. A energia de superfície (ES) obtida para o PDMS é compatível com o resultado de fator de forma (Ff), uma vez que o menor valor para ES é coerente com a baixa adesão celular, o que gerou células com elevado fator de forma (Ff). O SU-8 foi modificado por implantação iônica com uma dose de 1,2x1016 átomos/cm2 e a energia de implantação foi de 8 keV, como referência foi utilizada uma superfície lisa de SU-8 sem implantação. Os resultados mostraram que o número de células vivas por unidade de área foi superior na superfície de SU-8 com prata implantada, mostrando o bom desempenho da cultura nesse substrato. As superfícies de DLC modificadas por tratamento com plasma de oxigênio (DLC-O) e com plasma de hexafluoreto de enxofre (DLC-F) foram utilizadas para cultura celular, os resultados de três experimentos independentes de contagem de número de núcleos (marcados com DAPI) por unidade de área confirmaram os resultados obtidos através do teste de viabilidade (marcados com trypan blue). A superfície de DLC-O, apresentou um maior número de núcleos por unidade de área, quando comparado à superfície DLC-F, da mesma forma que nos resultados obtidos pelo teste de viabilidade. As energias de superfície para as amostras de DLC-F e DLC-O indicaram que a superfície DLC-O é mais hidrofílica do que a superfície DLC-F, que está coerente com o que é conhecido da literatura e com os resultados obtidos em nosso trabalho. Cultura de células CHO foram realizadas em superfícies litografadas com estruturas hexagonais periódicas com o parâmetro 2R (diâmetro do círculo inscrito) sendo 12 µm, 30 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm e também em SU-8 liso. Estas superfícies foram caracterizadas por microscopia óptica de fluorescência com relação ao número de núcleos (marcados com o fluoróforo DAPI) por unidade de área, isto é, núcleos/mm2. Obteve-se histogramas com o número médio de núcleos por mm2 em três experimentos independentes, onde o número núcleos/mm2 foi consideravelmente maior para 80 µm. As superfícies contendo cavidades periódicas de 12 µm e 30 µm apresentaram dificuldade para as células CHO aderirem à superfície. Em uma outra etapa realizou-se culturas celulares em triplicata dos substratos com as superfícies 12 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm e também em SU-8 liso. As células em cada uma das superfícies foram analisadas por microscopia óptica (MO) para avaliação da viabilidade celular, utilizando marcador trypan blue. Obteve-se histogramas com os valores médios para o número de células vivas/mm2 para as culturas celulares que corrobora os resultados obtidos no histograma da cultura celular que tiveram os núcleos marcados pelo fluoróforo DAPI. Assim, fica confirmado o melhor desempenho da cultura celular no substrato 80 µm que apresentou o maior número de células vivas/mm2 As micrografias obtidas através de marcação por DAPI foram analisadas através da função de correlação com intuito de se entender como as células estavam organizadas. Isso foi feito para cada uma das superfícies litografadas, 12 µm, 30 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm e também em SU-8 liso. As superfícies dos substratos 80 µm apresentaram os menores valores de distâncias para primeiros e segundos vizinhos, ou seja, as células estão mais próximas umas das outras. As demais superfícies tendem a separar mais as células. Obteve-se também os valores de raio de aglomerado (rc), distância entre os aglomerados (dc) e o número de primeiros vizinhos (Np) através do ajuste da função de correlação. A análise de correlação mostrou com clareza o que não era evidenciado apenas visualizando-se as imagens. Ela mostra que as células, mesmo em SU-8 liso tem a forte tendência de formar aglomerados de células com raio de aproximadamente 45 µm. No caso de substratos lisos, células CHO apresentaram a melhor adesão na superfície do SU-8, seguido do DLC, enquanto que o PDMS foi a pior situação, devido à baixa molhabilidade do material. No caso de superfícies com microestrutura, SU-8 contendo microcavidades hexagonais de 12 e 30 µm mostraram ser as situações mais adversas para o crescimento de células CHO, provavelmente por causa da topografia das cavidades serem de menor tamanho quando comparadas ao tamanho das células CHO. Em vez disso, SU-8, contendo microcavidades hexagonais de 80 µm foi a superfície mais favorável para o crescimento de células CHO. / The design of new materials for technological applications in biomaterials and bioengineering is highly dependent on how the cells adhere to the material surface. The cells adhesion and growth on biomaterials depends on substrate properties such as surface wettability, topography and the chemical composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions of various materials with cell cultures of epithelial cells CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary). The materials used were SU-8 2005 (electron resists, Microchem), PDMS (poly (dimethyl siloxane), Dow Corning), DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) and glass was used as reference. Unmodified and flat surfaces of glass, SU-8, PDMS and DLC were evaluated for the culture of CHO cells. Form factor (Ff) values were calculated as average of 450 cells for each of the cultures performed on the four substrates. Ff close to 0.52 was obtained for flat surfaces of glass, SU-8 and DLC, showing a good cell spreading on these surfaces. The surface of PDMS presented a form factor (Ff) near unity, which is related to low spreading cell. The surface energy (ES) obtained for the PDMS is coherent with the Ff result, since the smallest value of ES is consistent with the low cell adhesion, which resulted in cells with a high Ff. The SU-8 was modified by ion implantation using a dose of 1.2x1016 atoms/cm2 and an implantation energy of 8 keV, unmodified flat SU-8 was used as a reference. The cell culture results showed that the number of live cells per unit area was greater in the SU-8 surface implanted with silver, showing a good performance in the culture substrate. The DLC surfaces modified by plasma treatment with oxygen (DLC-O) and sulfur hexafluoride (DLC-F) were used for cell culture. The results of three independent experiments, counting the number of nuclei (marked with DAPI) per unit area, confirmed the results obtained by the viability test (marked with trypan-blue). The surface of the DLC-O had higher number of nuclei per unit area when compared to the surface of the DLC-F, similarly to the results obtained for the viability test. The surface energies of the DLC-F and DLC-O samples indicated that the DLC-O surface is more hydrophilic than the DLC-F surface, which is consistent with results obtained with our work and with the literature. CHO cell culture were performed on surfaces with periodic hexagonal structures with the diameter of inscribed circle (2R) given by 12 µm, 30 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm and also on flat SU-8. These surfaces were characterized by fluorescence optical microscopy with respect to the number of nuclei (marked with fluorophore DAPI) per unit area, i.e. nuclei/mm2. Histograms were obtained for the average number of nuclei per mm2 in three independent experiments, where the substrate with periodic hexagonal structures with 2R = 80 µm presented considerably higher nuclei/mm2. Surfaces containing periodic cavities of 2R =12 µm and 30 µm were adverse for CHO cells adhesion. In another approach, cell culture were analyzed by light microscopy (LM) for evaluation of cell viability using trypan-blue marker. This was carried out in triplicate cell culture on substrates with surfaces 12 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm and also on flat SU-8. Histograms were generated for average number of living cells/mm2 for each substrate, which corroborates with the results obtained for the cell culture marked with fluorophore DAPI. Thus, it is confirmed the better performance of the cell culture on substrates with 2R = 80 µm, presenting the highest number of living cells/mm2. The micrographs obtained with cells marked with DAPI were analyzed through the correlation function with the aim of understanding how the cells were organized. This was performed for each of the lithographed surfaces 12 µm, 30 µm, 80 µm, 280 µm, 560 µm and also flat SU-8. The surfaces of the substrates with 2R = 80 µm had the lowest values for length between its neighbors, that is, the cells are closer to each other. The remaining surfaces tend to separate the cells. Also were obtained the cluster radius values (rc), the distance between the clusters (dc) and the number of nearest neighbors (Np) through the correlation function fitting. The correlation analysis clearly showed what was not possible to observe by viewing the images. It shows that the cells, even in flat SU-8, have a strong tendency to form clusters of cells within about 45 micrometers. In the case of flat substrates, CHO cells exhibited better adhesion to the surface of SU-8, followed by the DLC, while the PDMS was worse due to low wettability of the material. In the case of surfaces with microstructures, SU-8 containing hexagonal microstructures of 12 and 30 µm showed to be the most adverse conditions for the CHO cell growth, probably because of the topography of the cavities being smaller in size compared to the size of CHO cells. SU-8 with 80 µm hexagonal microstructures was more favorable surface for the growth of CHO cells.

Este estudo tem por objetivo o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia de fabricação de sistemas Lab On Chip, úteis no estudo de processos celulares, a partir da adaptação de tecnologias próprias da microeletrônica. Foram exploradas todas as etapas envolvidas na fabricação de sistemas Lab On Chip em Poli-Di-Metil-Siloxano e desenvolvidos protocolos de fabricação de moldes, técnicas de moldagem e processos de ativação de PDMS com plasma de oxigênio para sua solda química sobre diferentes materiais, obtendo uniões irreversíveis que permitem a integração com outras tecnologias como a microeletrônica em silício e o encapsulamento com cerâmica verde, completando uma metodologia que permite a prototipagem de dispositivos micro-fluídicos de multicamadas com um nível de sofisticação comparável ao estado da arte. Foi desenvolvido o protótipo de um equipamento ótico para litografia por projeção que permite a fabricação de máscaras óticas com resolução de 5 m e oferece a possibilidade de litografia em escala de cinzas para gerar canais e estruturas com relevos arbitrários. Foram adicionalmente abordados três problemas de biofísica celular, para os quais foram propostos novos dispositivos para separação de células móveis de acordo às suas velocidades lineares, dispositivos para crescimento confinado de bactérias e dispositivos para manipulação da curvatura de membranas celulares. / The objective of this study is the development of a methodology for the fabrication of Lab On Chip systems, useful for the analysis of cellular processes, through the adaptation of technologies from microelectronics. All the steps involved with the fabrication of Lab on Chip system in Poly-Di-Methil-Siloxane (PDMS) were explored, developing protocols for mold fabrication, molding techniques and processes for oxygen plasma activation of PDMS for its bonding to different materials, achieving irreversible bonds that enable the integration with other technologies such as silicon microelectronics and green tape packaging. All this techniques constitute a methodology that allows the prototyping of multilayer microfluidic devices comparable with state of the art devices. It was developed the prototype of optical equipment for projection lithography capable of mask fabrication with 5 m resolution, and which offers also the capability of gray scale lithography for the generation of free form microchannels. Additionally three different problems in cellular biophysics where boarded, proposing new devices for the separation of motile cells according to their linear speeds in liquids, new devices for constrained bacterial growth and for curvature manipulation of cell membranes.

The presented MSc. thesis is focused on the introduction and application of PDMS software in the process piping designing area. The introduction to the employing of the PDMS software is elaborated in the first part of the thesis as practical user manual of this software followed by the benefits of this software as a recognized supportive design program are consequently illustrated on partial solved cases from common design practice. The particular benefit of deploying PDMS in design practice is demonstrated in the thesis by economic evaluation of two selected solved industrial projection cases where design optimization of process piping system is solved with the support of this software system. Introduction of new ones broadening possibilities and current trends in the supportive design software systems, specifically using the scanner and supporting Everything3D are also presented as part of the thesis on a concrete example of the reconstruction of the boiler room.

Dans ce travail, nous nous sommes intéressés aux émulsions stabilisées par une famille de copolymères diblocs biocompatibles polydiméthylsiloxane-b-poly(méthacrylate de diméthylaminoéthyle) (PDMS-b-PDMAEMA). Le bloc PDMAEMA, porteur de fonctions amines, est sensible au pH et à la force ionique. En faisant varier ces deux paramètres, des émulsions directes, inverses et multiples E/H/E ont pu être obtenues en une seule étape d’émulsification, par cisaillement d’une phase aqueuse et d’une phase huile biocompatible (Miglyol® 812 ou myristate d’isopropyle). Pour un copolymère présentant des longueurs de blocs hydrophile et hydrophobe similaires, le PDMS60-b-PDMAEMA50, des émulsions multiples stables sur plus de deux ans sont obtenues avec les deux huiles, pour des pH proches du pKa du PDMAEMA et dans une vaste gamme de sel ajouté. Il a en outre été établi sur des cellules intestinales humaines que les émulsions formées à partir de ces copolymères ne présentent pas de cytotoxicité et peuvent être utilisées pour développer des applications pour l’homme.La diminution du pH de la phase aqueuse conduit à la déstabilisation des émulsions doubles en émulsions directes, permettant d’obtenir la libération contrôlée des espèces encapsulées dans les gouttelettes d’eau internes. Des essais d’encapsulation ont été réalisés avec une molécule modèle, le saccharose, et un antioxydant naturellement présent dans le thé vert, la catéchine, molécule fragile facilement dégradée. Ces molécules peuvent être libérées à loisir par diminution du pH et déstabilisation de l’émulsion multiple, la formation de liaisons hydrogènes entre les molécules encapsulées et le copolymère limitant cependant le relargage. Il a également été démontré que les émulsions ont un effet protecteur sur la catéchine lors du stockage et permettent d’exalter son pouvoir antioxydant.Enfin, nous avons étudié la formation d’émulsions stabilisées par le PDMS-b-PDMAEMA par voie microfluidique. Une méthode originale a été développée pour permettre de former de façon simple des émulsions doubles sur des puces en PDMS. Des émulsions E/H/E ont été obtenues dans des conditions de pH et de force ionique bien précises, et la catéchine a pu également être encapsulée au cœur des gouttelettes internes par cette méthode. / In this work, we studied different kinds of emulsions stabilized by biocompatible diblock copolymers polydimethylsiloxane-b-poly(dimethylaminoethyle methacrylate) (PDMS-b-PDMAEMA). PDMAEMA is sensitive to pH and ionic strength thanks to the amine groups carried by the chain. Varying the latter parameters, we obtained direct, inverse and W/O/W double emulsions in only one emulsification step, by shearing an aqueous phase and a biocompatible oil (Miglyol® 812 or isopropyle myristate). For a copolymer having hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks of similar lengths, PDMS60-b-PDMAEMA50, very stable multiple emulsions (more than two years) were obtained, for pH close to pKa of PDMAMEA and in a large range of salt concentrations. Cytotoxicity measurements were performed on intestinal human cells, proving the possibility of using the emulsions stabilized with these copolymers to develop applications for health care.pH lowering allows to turn direct emulsions to multiple ones, leading to the controlled release of encapsulated species in the inner water drops. Encapsulation tests have been carried out with a model molecule, sucrose, and with an antioxidant extracted from green tea, catechin. Both molecules could be released from our emulsions by reducing the pH, despite the formation of hydrogen bonds between the encapsulated compounds and the copolymer which prevented complete deliverance. We demonstrated the ability of our multiple emulsions to protect the fragile catechin molecule during storage and preserve its antioxidant capacity.Additionally, we achieved the formation of PDMS-b-PDMAEMA stabilized emulsions by microfluidics. An innovative method was developed to allow the formation of double emulsions on PDMS microchips in an easy way. W/O/W emulsions were obtained for precise pH and salt concentrations, and catechin could also be successfully encapsulated in the internal water droplets by this method.

Ce manuscrit de thèse porte sur la formation de masques de réseaux denses de nanopiliers ou nanotrous à partir de l’auto-assemblage de copolymères à blocs (CPB) à haute force de ségrégation, pour des applications dans la micro-électronique. Des copolymères à blocs, de type ABA, constitués d’un bloc central de polydiméthylsiloxane (PDMS) et de deux blocs terminaux de polylactide (PLA) ont été synthétisés par polymérisation par ouverture de cycle. Les caractérisations de deux CPB d’intérêt en masse et sous forme de film mince montrent une mesostructure hexagonale sphérique et cylindrique de PLA dans la matrice de PDMS,avec des périodes de 14,3 et 15,5 nm respectivement. Afin de contrôler l’organisation des domaines, les autoassemblages des films minces des deux CPB ont été étudiés en fonction de plusieurs facteurs : paramètres de dépôt et post-traitements (exposition à des vapeurs de solvant et recuit thermique). Dans le cas du réseau hexagonal cylindrique, le contrôle des énergies interfaciales entre le film et le substrat de silicium a été obtenu grâce au greffage d’une couche de copolymères statistique ayant des blocs chimiquement différent des blocs contenus dans le CPB. Par ailleurs, à des fins industrielles, les mesostructures doivent montrer une organisation à grande échelle (plusieurs micromètres) dépourvue de défauts. Dans cette perspective, l’auto-assemblage des CPB a aussi été étudié sur des surfaces à topographie contrôlée (graphoépitaxie) montrant un relief sinusoïdal. / This manuscript is related to the formation of high density masks of nanoholes or nanodotsmade from high segregation strength block copolymer (BCP) for applications in the microelectronicindustry. Two block copolymers, ABA type with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) center block and twoterminal polylactide (PLA) blocks, where synthetized by a ring opening polymerization. BCP characterizations inbulk and in thin film show a hexagonal array of PLA spheres and cylinders in a PDMS matrix, with 14,3 and 15,5nm pitches respectively. In order to control the domain organization, thin film BCP self-assembly were studiedin function of several parameters : spin coating process and post-treatments (vapour and thermal annealing). Inthe case of the hexagonal array of cylinders, the control of the interfacial energy between the film and thesilicon wafer has been obtained by grafting a random copolymer layer. Due to their microelectronicapplications, the mesostructures need to be defectless at a large scale (several micrometres). In this way, theself-assembly of one of the two BCP has also been studied by graphoexpitaxy on a sinusoidal surface-reliefgratings.

La miniaturisation des antennes s'accompagne d'une dégradation leurs performances (bande passante, gain, efficacité), surtout avec l'utilisation de substrats matériaux diélectriques. Pour relever le défi « intégration / performances », la conception de nouveaux matériaux tels que les ferrites magnétoélectriques constitue une alternative des plus prometteuses. Ce travail met en avant les principaux paramètres à l'élaboration de ferrite spinelle par coprécipitation. Un traitement thermique modéré a permis l'obtention de céramiques semi poreuses pour la montée en fréquence. En parallèle, l'anisotropie magnétocristalline, liée à la composition (rapport Nickel / Zinc, Cobalt, Fer 2+…) ; ainsi que l'anisotropie magnétoélastique lors de l'application d'une contrainte, étendent encore le domaine des faibles pertes des ferrites de Nickel-Zinc de 400 MHz à plus de 1 GHz. Ces matériaux ont ainsi pu équiper des antennes sur les fréquences du DVH-H (470 – 830 MHz) et répondent aux normes du DVB-H. De façon à profiter pleinement de la miniaturisation, nous avons proposé une antenne imprimée. Une bonne corrélation est trouvée entre les résultats de simulation et de mesure, ainsi que des relations adaptées aux antennes patch. Enfin dans le domaine émergent des communications On / Off bodies, nous avons développé des antennes flexibles sur un substrat de type PDMS. Pour assurer une bonne efficacité de l'antenne, celle-ci est encapsulée, ce qui évite une métallisation hasardeuse (fissures, manque d'adhérence). / Antenna miniaturization, especially with dielectric substrates, is accompanied by a radiation loss (bandwidth, gain, efficiency). To meet the challenge "integration / performance", the design of new materials such as magnetodielectrics ferrites is a promising alternative. To satisfy these requirements, this work highlights the main parameters of ferrite spinel development by coprecipitation. A moderate thermal treatment leads to semi porous ceramics. In parallel, the magnetocrystalline anisotropy, related to the composition (ratio Nickel / Zinc, Cobalt, Iron 2+ ...), and the magnetoelastic anisotropy with application of stress, extend the field of low-loss from 400 MHz to over 1 GHz, in the Nickel-Zinc ferrite. These materials were able to equip antennas on DVH-H frequencies (470-830 MHz). In order to take full advantage of miniaturization, we proposed a printed antenna. A good correlation between simulation results and measurement is obtained, together with relations adapted to patch antennas. Finally, in the emerging field of communications On / Off bodies, we have developed flexible antennas on PDMS substrate. To ensure good antenna efficiency, it is encapsulated, thereby avoiding a hazardous metallization (cracks, loss of adhesion).