This research revolves around the concept design and theoretical validation of a new type of wave energy converter (WEC), comprising a pitching floater integrated with a resonant U-tank (RUT) and a Wells turbine as power take-off (PTO). Theoretical formulation of a fully coupled multi-body dynamic system, incorporating the thermodynamic processes of the RUT air chamber, its interaction with the PTO dynamics and their coupling with the floater is presented. Inaccuracies of the dynamic modeling of RUT based on Lloyd's low order model, which assumes constant hydrodynamic parameters irrespective of the frequency, are demonstrated by a series of high fidelity CFD simulations. These simulations are a systematic series of fully viscous turbulent simulations, using unsteady RANSE solvers, of the water sloshing at different frequencies of oscillation. Calibration of Lloyd’s model with CFD results evidenced that the RUT hydrodynamic parameters are not invariant to frequency. A numerical model was developed based on Simulink WEC-Sim libraries to solve the non-linear thermo-hydrodynamic equations of the device in time domain. For power assessment, parametric investigations are conducted by varying the main dimensions of the RUT and power RAOs were computed for each iteration. Performance in irregular sea state are assessed using a statistical approach with the assumption of linear wave theory. By superimposing spectrum energy density from two resource sites with RAO, mean annual energy production (MEAP) are computed. The predicted MEAP favorably compares with other existing devices, confirming the superior efficiency of the new proposed device over a larger range of incident wave frequency. / M.S. / This study present results of an investigation into a new type of wave energy converter which can be deployed in ocean and by its pitch response motion, it can harvest wave energy and convert it to electrical energy. This device consist of a floater, a U-tank (resonant U-tank) with sloshing water free to oscillate in response to the floater motion and a pneumatic turbine which produces power as air is forced to travel across it. The pneumatic turbine is used as the power take-off (PTO) device. A medium fidelity approach was taken to carry out this study by applying Lloyd’s model which describes the motion of the sloshing water in a resonant U-tank. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies were carried out to calibrate the hydrodynamic parameters of the resonant U-tank as described by Lloyd and it was discovered that these parameters are frequency dependent, therefore Lloyd’s model was modelled to be frequency dependent. The mathematical formulation coupling the thermodynamic evolution of air in the resonant U-tank chamber, modified Lloyd’s sloshing water equation, floater dynamics and PTO were presented for the integrated system. These set of thermo-hydrodynamic equations were solved with a numerical model developed using MATLAB/Simulink WEC-Sim Libraries in time domain in other to capture the non-linearity arising from the coupled dynamics. To assess the annual energy productivity of the device, wave statistical data from two resource sites, Western Hawaii and Eel River were selected and used to carrying out computations on different iterations of the device by varying the tank’s main dimensions. This results were promising with the most performing device iteration yielding mean annual energy production of 579 MWh for Western Hawaii.

Conventional isolation models deal with massless isolators, which tend to overestimate the isolator performance because they neglect the internal resonances (IRs) due to the inertia of the isolator. Previous researches on the IR problem is not adequate because they only discussed this problem in terms of vibration based on single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) models. These studies did not reveal the importance of the IRs, especially from the perspective of the noise radiation. This dissertation is novel compared to previous studies in the following ways: (a) a three-DOF (3DOF) model, which better represents practical vibration systems, is employed to investigate the importance of the IRs; (b) the IR problem is studied considering both vibration and noise radiation; and (c) passive and hybrid control approaches using dynamic vibration absorbers (DVAs) to suppress the IRs are investigated and their potential demonstrated. The 3DOF analytical model consists of a rigid primary mass connected to a flexible foundation through three isolators. To include the IRs, the isolator is modeled as a continuous rod with longitudinal motion. The force transmissibility through each isolator and the radiated sound power of the foundation are two criteria used to show the effects and significance of the IRs on isolator performance. Passive and hybrid DVAs embedded in the isolator are investigated to suppress the IRs. In the passive approach, two DVAs are implemented and their parameters are selected so that the IRs can be effectively attenuated without significantly degrading the isolator performance at some other frequencies that are also of interest. It is demonstrated that the passive DVA enhanced isolator performs much better than the conventional isolator in the high frequency range where the IRs occur. The isolator performance is further enhanced by inserting an active force pair between the two passive DVA masses, forming the hybrid control approach. The effectiveness and the practical potential of the hybrid system are demonstrated using a feedforward control algorithm. It is shown that this hybrid control approach not only is able to maintain the performance of the passive approach, but also significantly improve the isolator performance at low frequencies. / Ph. D.

We model different nonlinear systems, analyze their nonlinear aspects and discuss their applications. First, we present a semi-analytical, geometrically-exact, unsteady potential flow model is developed for airfoils undergoing large amplitude maneuvers. Towards this objective, the classical unsteady theory of Theodorsen is revisited by relaxing some of the major assumptions such as (1) flat wake, (2) small angle of attack, (3) small disturbances to the mean flow components, and (4) time-invariant free-stream. The kinematics of the wake vortices is simulated numerically while the wake and bound circulation distribution and, consequently, the associated pressure distribution are determined analytically. The steady and unsteady behaviors of the developed model are validated against experimental and computational results. The model is then used to determine the lift frequency response at different mean angles of attack. Second, we investigate the nonlinear characteristics of an autoparametric vibration system. This system consists of a base structure and a cantilever beam with a tip mass. The dynamic equations for the system are derived using the extended Hamilton's principle. The method of multiple scales is then used to analytically determine the stability and bifurcation of the system. The effects of the amplitude and frequency of the external force, the damping coefficient and frequency of the attached cantilever beam and the tip mass on the nonlinear responses of the system are determined. As an application, the concept of energy harvesting based on the autoparametric vibration system consisting of a base structure subjected to the external force and a cantilever beam with a tip mass is evaluated. Piezoelectric sheets are attached to the cantilever beam to convert the vibrations of the base structure into electrical energy. The coupled nonlinear distributed-parameter model is developed and analyzed. The effects of the electrical load resistance on the global frequency and damping ratio of the cantilever beam are analyzed by linearizion of the governing equations and perturbation method. Nonlinear analysis is performed to investigate the impacts of external force and load resistance on the response of the harvester. Finally, the concept of harvesting energy from ambient and galloping vibrations of a bluff body is investigated. A piezoelectric transducer is attached to the transverse degree of freedom of the body in order to convert the vibration energy to electrical power. A coupled nonlinear distributed-parameter model is developed that takes into consideration the galloping force and moment nonlinearities and the base excitation effects. The aerodynamic loads are modeled using the quasi-steady approximation. Linear analysis is performed to determine the effects of the electrical load resistance and wind speed on the global damping and frequency of the harvester as well as on the onset of instability. Then, nonlinear analysis is performed to investigate the impact of the base acceleration, wind speed, and electrical load resistance on the performance of the harvester and the associated nonlinear phenomena. Short- and open-circuit configurations for different wind speeds and base accelerations are assessed. / Ph. D.

L'usure ondulatoire des rails associée aux vibrations de torsion des essieux de métro a été mise en évidence il y a près d'un demi siècle. L'utilisation d'absorbeurs dynamiques comme solution potentielle à ce problème a été suggérée pour la première fois dans le projet américain du TCRP "Rail Corrugation Mitigation in Transit" en 1998. Cette thèse, réalisée dans le cadre du projet européén "Wheel-rail CORRUGATION in Urban transport", a pour objectif de concevoir un absorbeur dynamique et d'étudier son influence sur la réduction de l'usure ondulatoire liée aux vibrations de torsion. Dans le cadre de ce travail, d'autres types d'usure ondulatoire ont également été traités par des absorbeurs dynamiques. Les trois premiers chapitres de cette thèse sont dédiés à la description des différents types d'usure ondulatoire et à la présentation des méthodes de prédiction. La méthode de dimensionnement des absorbeurs dynamiques est présentée au chapitre 4, ainsi que quelques perspectives de leur efficacité à réduire l'usure ondulatoire. Dans le chapitre 5, un tronçon réel du RER parisien a été étudié. D'une part les prédictions obtenues par différentes méthodes ont été comparées aux mesures sur site. D'autre part, le bénéfice résultant de l'utilisation d'un absorbeur dynamique a été étudié numériquement. Dans le chapitre 6, le cas de l'usure ondulatoire liée aux vibrations de torsion a été étudié spécifiquement. Un absorbeur dynamique a été développé pour réduire ce type d'usure ondulatoire. Son efficacité a été évaluée théoriquement et numériquement, avec un modèle multi-corps flexible du véhicule et de la voie. Dans le chapitre 7, un absorbeur dynamique visant à réduire les vibrations de torsion d'un essieu de métro à échelle réduite a été construit au laboratoire. Son efficacité a été validée expérimentalement en reproduisant les conditions d'apparition des vibrations de torsion de l'essieu sur le banc d'essais du Laboratoire des Technologies Nouvelles de l'INRETS. La correspondance entre les prédictions d'usure à échelle réduite et à échelle réelle a été établie. Une demande de brevet a été déposée par le Laboratoire des Structures Actives pour ce système (N° 06120344.4).

<p>Denna rapport ger förslag på olika metoder att automatiskt justera flytläget på en statiskt förankrad boj, en överblick över de processer som styr ändringen av vattennivån och en statisktisk analys på vattennivåförändringarna vid Stockholm, Kungsholmsfort och Kungsvik.</p><p>Beroende på vattenivåns variation finns olika metoder för justering. Områden med små variationer av vattennivå lämpar det sig bäst utan någon som helst justering av flytläget. Områden med inte för stora tidvattensförändringar bör justeras med ett system bestående av vinsch, växellåda med en utväxling på 10 000:1, en 12 V DC motor, ett skötselfritt 12 V batteri, en luftlindad linjärgenerator och en trådtöjningsgivare. Områden med stora variationer i tidvatten behöver en avlastning för motorn i form av en fjäder och dämpare. De monteras horizontellt inuti bojen för att skyddas från den yttre miljön.</p><p>Den statistiska analysen påvisade de största vattennivåändringarna vid både Kungsviks och Kungsholmsforts mätstationer, båda uppvisade ett intervall på 1,6 m mellan minimum och maximum. Kungsvik var den station med de största dagliga variationerna, detta på grund av tidvattnets påverkan i området.</p> / <p>This thesis gives examples of different methods of automated adjustment of floatation level for a static moored buoy, an overview of the theories behind water level change and a statistical analysis of the water level changes for Stockholm, Kungsholmsfort and Kungsvik.</p><p>Depending on the range and frequency of the water level change different methods of adjustment are recommended. For areas with small changes in sea level the best choice would be no adjustment of the floatation level. Areas that are influenced by moderate tidal ranges should incorporate a system of regulation consisting of a winch, gearbox with a gear ratio of around 10,000:1, 12 V DC motor, 12 V maintenance free battery, air coiled linear generator and a strain gauge. For areas with large tidal ranges the previous system should be complimented with a horizontally mounted spring, inside the buoy, to lessen the loads on the motor.</p><p>The statistical analysis found the largest extremes in water level of the three sites to be at Kungsvik and Kungsholmsfort, both exhibiting a range of almost 1.6 m. Kungsvik was the station with the largest daily variations, this is because this is the only station influenced by tidal variations.</p>

The wave energy converter developed at Uppsala University consists of a linear generator at the seabed driven by the motion of a buoy on the water surface. The energy absorbed by the generator is negatively affected by variations of the mean sea level caused by tides, changes in barometric pressure, strong winds, and storm surges. The work presented in this doctoral thesis aims to investigate the losses in energy absorption for the present generation wave energy converter due to the effect of sea level variations, mainly caused by tides. This goal is achieved through the modeling of the interaction between the waves and the point absorber. An estimation of the economic cost that these losses imply is also made. Moreover, solutions on how to reduce the negative effect of sea level variations are discussed. To this end, two compensation systems which adjust the length of the connection line between the floater and the generator are designed, and the first prototype is built and tested near the Lysekil research site. The theoretical study assesses the energy loss at about 400 coastal points all over the world and for one generator design. The results highlight critical locations where the need for a compensation system appears compelling. The same hydro-mechanic model is applied to a specific site, the Wave Hub on the west coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom, where the energy loss is calculated to be about 53 %. The experimental work led to the construction of a buoy equipped with a screw jack together with its control, measurement and communication systems. The prototype, suitable for sea level variations of small range, is tested and its performance evaluated. A second prototype, suitable for high range variations, is also designed and is currently under construction. One main conclusion is that including the compensation systems in the design of the wave energy converter will increase the competitiveness of the technology from an economic point of view by decreasing its cost per kWh. The need for a cost-effective wave energy converter with increased survivability emphasizes the importance of the presented research and its future development.

As vibrações induzidas pela emissão de vórtices (VIV) representam um problema de interação fluido-estrutura presente em diversas áreas da engenharia. Em particular, na engenharia oceânica, esse fenômeno é um tópico importante na análise de risers. Diante do seu impacto na vida útil das estruturas por questões de fadiga estrutural, a supressão desse fenômeno ressonante tem demandado diversos esforços de pesquisa. Uma maneira de reduzir as oscilações estruturais causadas pelo VIV é através do supressor passivo denominado absorvedor não linear de vibração (NVA). Esta pesquisa visa investigar numericamente a eficácia de uma classe de NVA na mitigação do VIV em cilindros rígidos montados em apoios elásticos com um e dois graus de liberdade. A força hidrodinâmica é considerada por meio de modelos fenomenológicos. As equações de movimento desenvolvidas são numericamente integradas com o intuito de analisar a influência dos parâmetros de massa, raio e amortecimento do supressor na resposta do cilindro. As curvas de amplitude de resposta como funções da velocidade reduzida representam a principal contribuição deste trabalho. De forma complementar, o comportamento do sistema ao longo da faixa de velocidades reduzidas característica do lock-in é explorado por meio das séries temporais do cilindro e do NVA. Para quantificar a eficiência do NVA, um critério de supressão baseado na amplitude de oscilação do cilindro é avaliado em função da velocidade reduzida e na forma de mapas de cores definidos em um espaço de parâmetros de controle para velocidades reduzidas específicas. Com base no estudo paramétrico feito, é possível verificar que o parâmetro de massa do NVA é o mais influente na supressão do VIV. Em geral, a supressão é maior no sistema em que o cilindro oscila apenas na direção transversal ao escoamento. Na condição em que o cilindro oscila nas duas direções do plano horizontal, constata-se que o NVA rotativo pode levar a uma amplificação da oscilação na direção do escoamento. / Vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) represent a fluid-structure interaction problem commonly found in several engineering areas. In the offshore engineering scenario, VIV plays an important role in risers dynamics. The suppression of this resonant phenomenon has required several efforts due to its impact on the reduction of the lifespan due to structural fatigue. Among other suppression solutions, it can be highlighted the use of non-linear vibration absorbers (NVAs). This research aims at numerically investigating the effectiveness of a particular class of NVAs as a passive suppressor of rigid cylinders mounted on elastic supports with one or two degrees of freedom subjected to VIV. The wake dynamics is studied through phenomenological models. The equations of motion are obtained and numerically integrated focusing on the identification of the influence of the NVA parameters on the response of the cylinder. Oscillation amplitude curves as functions of the reduced velocity are the main contribution of this work. Complementarily, response time series allow discussing the dynamics of the coupled system throughout the lock-in range of reduced velocities. In order to quantify the efficiency of the NVA, a suppression criterion based on the oscillation amplitude of the cylinder is evaluated as a function of reduced velocities and in the form of color maps defined in a space of control parameters for specific reduced speeds. The parametric study herein described shows that the mass of the suppressor has more influence on the VIV suppression than the other parameters for both 1-dof VIV (only cross-wise oscillations are allowed) and 2-dof VIV (concomitant in-line and cross-wise oscillations). In general, the suppression has proved to be greater in the 1-dof VIV condition. In 2-dof VIV, the rotative NVA may cause amplification of the in-line response.

Dans cette thèse, nous avons développé et étudié des miroirs absorbants saturables ultra-rapides, pour des applications au traitement de signaux optiques à très haut débit et la génération d’impulsions laser ultra-courtes à 1.55 µm. Dans une première partie, nous avons développé un miroir absorbant saturable ultra-rapide basé sur le semi-conducteur In₀.₅₃Ga₀.₄₇As soumis à une implantation ionique à température élevée de 300 °C. Des ions Fe ont été utilisés car il a été démontré que les niveaux Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ peuvent agir comme des centres de recombinaison efficaces pour les électrons et les trous dans In₀.₅₃Ga₀.₄₇As. Nous avons étudié la durée de vie des porteurs en fonction de la dose ionique, la température et le temps de recuit. A part la durée de vie rapide, les caractéristiques de réflectivité non-linéaire, telles que l’absorption linéaire, la profondeur de modulation, les pertes non saturables ont été étudiées dans différentes conditions de recuit. Après un recuit à 600 °C pendant 15 s, un échantillon présentant une grande amplitude de modulation de 53,9 % et une durée de vie de porteurs de 2 ps a été obtenu. Dans une seconde partie, la gravure par faisceau d’ions focalisés (FIB) a été utilisée pour fabriquer une structure en biseau ultrafin sur de l’InP cristallin, pour réaliser un dispositif photonique multi-longueur d’onde à cavité verticale. Les procédures de balayage FIB et les paramètres appropriés ont été utilisés pour contrôler le re-dépôt du matériau cible et pour minimiser la rugosité de surface de la zone gravée. Le rendement de pulvérisation de la cible en InP cristallin a été déterminé en étudiant la relation entre la profondeur de gravure et la dose ionique. En appliquant les conditions de rendement optimales, nous avons obtenu une structure en biseau ultrafin dont la profondeur de gravure est précisément ajustée de 25 nm à 55 nm, avec une pente horizontale de 1:13000. La caractérisation optique de ce dispositif en biseau a confirmé le comportement multi-longueur d’onde de notre dispositif et montré que les pertes optiques induites par le procédé de gravure FIB sont négligeables. Dans une troisième partie, nous avons démontré que la réponse optique non-linéaire du graphène est augmentée de manière résonnante quand une monocouche de graphène est incluse dans une microcavité verticale comportant un miroir supérieur. Une couche mince de Si₃N₄ a été déposée selon un procédé de dépôt par PECVD spécialement développé pour agir comme couche de protection préalable avant le dépôt du miroir supérieur proprement dit, permettant ainsi de préserver les propriétés optiques du graphène. En incluant une monocouche de graphène dans une microcavité appropriée, une profondeur de modulation de 14,9 % a été obtenue pour une fluence incidente de 108 µJ/cm². Cette profondeur de modulation est beaucoup plus élevée que la valeur maximale de 2 % obtenue dans les travaux antérieurs. De plus un temps de recouvrement aussi bref que 0,7 ps a été obtenu. / In this thesis, we focus on the development of ultrafast saturable absorber mirrors for applications to ultra-high speed optical signal processing and ultrashort laser pulse generation at 1.55 μm. In the first part, we have developed an ultrafast In₀.₅₃Ga₀.₄₇As -based semiconductor saturable absorber mirror by heavy ion implantation at the elevated temperature of 300 ºC. Fe ion has been employed as the implant since it has been shown that Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ level can act as efficient recombination centers for electrons and holes in In₀.₅₃Ga₀.₄₇As. We studied the carrier lifetime of Fe-implanted sample as a function of ion dose, temperature and annealing time. Apart from the fast carrier lifetime, the characteristics of nonlinear reflectivity for the Fe-implanted sample, such as linear absorption, modulation depth, nonsaturable loss, have are also been investigated under different annealing temperature. Under annealing at 600 ºC for 15 s, the Fe-implanted sample with a big modulation depth of 53.9 % and a fast carrier lifetime of 2 ps has been achieved. In the second part, focused ion beam milling has been applied to fabricate an ultra-thin taper structure on crystalline indium phosphide to realize a multi-wavelength vertical cavity photonic device. The appropriate FIB scanning procedures and operating parameters were used to control the target material re-deposition and to minimize the surface roughness of the milled area. The sputtering yield of crystalline indium phosphide target was determined by investigating the relationship between milling depth and ion dose. By applying the optimal experimentally obtained yield and related dose range, we have fabricated an ultra-thin taper structure whose etch depths are precisely and progressively tapered from 25 nm to 55 nm, with a horizontal slope of about 1:13000. The optical characterization of this tapered device confirms the expected multi-wavelength behavior of our device and shows that the optical losses induced by the FIB milling process are negligible. In the third part, we demonstrate that the nonlinear optical response of graphene is resonantly enhanced by incorporating monolayer graphene into a vertical microcavity with a top mirror. A thin Si₃N₄ layer was deposited by a developed PECVD process to act as a protective layer before subsequent top mirror deposition, which allowed preserving the optical properties of graphene. Combining monolayer graphene with a microcavity, a modulation depth of 14.9 % was achieved at an input energy fluence of 108 µJ/cm². This modulation depth is much higher than the value of about 2 % in other works. At the same time, an ultrafast recovery time of 0.7 ps is retained.

[pt] Nesse trabalho, estuda-se o desempenho de um absorsor pendular no controle de vibrações de torres altas e esbeltas, ocasionadas por carregamentos dinâmicos, tais como, por exemplo, cargas ambientais. Em virtude da possibilidade de oscilações de grande amplitude, considera- se na modelagem do problema a não-linearidade do pêndulo. O principal objetivo é estudar o comportamento do sistema torre-pêndulo, submetido a um carregamento harmônico, no regime não-linear, abordando-se aspectos gerais ligados à estabilidade dinâmica. Apresenta-se, inicialmente, a formulação necessária para obter o funcional de energia do sistema coluna-pêndulo, tanto para o caso linear quanto para o caso não-linear, do qual derivam-se as equações diferenciais parciais de movimento. A partir das equações lineares, obtêm-se as freqüências naturais e modos de vibração para alguns casos relevantes de coluna. A seguir, com base na análise modal do sistema coluna-pêndulo, deriva-se um modelo de dois graus de liberdade capaz de descrever com precisão o comportamento do sistema na vizinhança da freqüência fundamental da coluna, do qual obtêm-se as equações de movimento e as equações de estado não- lineares. Uma análise paramétrica detalhada das oscilações não-lineares do sistema coluna-pêndulo demonstra que o absorsor pendular passivo pode reduzir ou amplificar a resposta da coluna. No estudo da influência da não-linearidade geométrica do pêndulo, verifica-se a importância dessa na resposta do sistema, evidenciando que a nãolinearidade não pode ser desprezada nessa classe de problema. Por fim, com base nos resultados, propõe-se um absorsor pendular híbrido. Os estudos revelam que este controle é mais eficiente que o passivo e que não requer grande gasto de energia. / [en] In the present work the performance of a pendulum absorber in the vibration control of tall and slender towers, caused by dynamic loads, such as, environmental loads, is studied in detail. Due to the possibility of large amplitude oscillations, the non-linearity of the pendulum is considered in the modeling of the problem. The main objective of this research is to study the behavior of the tower-pendulum system, submitted to a harmonic load, in the nonlinear regimen, with emphasis on general aspects related to its dynamic stability. It is presented, initially, the formulation necessary for the derivation of the system´s energy functional, both for the linear and the nonlinear cases, from which the partial differential equations of motion are derived and the vibration frequencies and related vibration modes are obtained. Then, based on the modal analysis of the column-pendulum system, a two degrees of freedom model, capable of describing with precision the behavior of the system in the neighborhood of the fundamental frequency of the column is derived, from which the equations of motion and the nonlinear state-space equations are obtained. A detailed parametric analysis of the nonlinear oscillations of the system is carried out. It shows that the pendulum may reduce or amplify the response of the column. The results show a marked influence of the geometric not-linearity of the pendulum on the response of the system, showing that its not-linearity cannot be neglected in this class of problems. Finally, based on the results, a hybrid control approach is proposed. These studies show that this control strategy is more efficient than the passive control alone and that it does not require a large amount of energy.

A otimização de combustíveis nucleares para uso em reatores a água pressurizada pode ser obtida pelo aumento da taxa de queima do combustível. Para isso, no entanto, é necessário levar em conta o aumento na reatividade inicial no reator, causada pelo maior enriquecimento do combustível. Esse problema, por sua vez, pode ser contornado por meio da introdução dos chamados venenos queimáveis diretamente nas pastilhas combustível de UO2. Alguns elementos do grupo das terras-raras possuem propriedades físicas e químicas que os tornam apropriados para esse uso dentro de reatores. Para caracterizar a microestrutura do combustível UO2 utilizado em reatores a água pressurizada dopado de érbio, pastilhas de UO2-Er2O3 foram preparadas, com teor de Er2O3 variando de 1,0 a 9,8 wt%, e analisadas por difração de raios X (DRX) para determinar se houve a formação de solução sólida pelo composto e determinar a variação do parâmetro de rede da solução em função da concentração de érbia. Apesar da análise por DRX ter mostrado que todo o érbio se incorporou à rede de UO2, ela também evidenciou a emergência de uma segunda fase, de estrutura do tipo fluorita, e cuja fração mássica aumenta em função do teor de érbia, enquanto seu parâmetro de rede diminui. Esses resultados são compatíveis com o fenômeno de segregação de defeitos, que consiste na formação de microdomínios segregados da rede principal nos quais há uma concentração maior dos defeitos i.e. são regiões mais ricas em érbio. Assim, a análise por DRX mostrou que houve formação de solução sólida de (U,Er)O2, mas que são necessários ajustes nos parâmetros de sinterização para que seja obtida uma solução monofásica. / Optimization of nuclear fuel for use in pressurized water reactors can be achieved by obtaining higher burnups. This, however, requires the excess reactivity caused by increasing the fuels enrichment to be taken into account, which can be done by introducing burnable absorbers into the UO2 fuel pellets themselves. Some of the rare earth elements have thermal and mechanical properties that make them appropriate for use inside the reactor. In order to characterize the microstructure of erbium-doped UO2 fuel, sintered UO2-Er2O3 pellets were prepared, with Er2O3 content ranging from 1.0 to 9.8wt%, and analyzed by X-ray diffraction to determine whether the composite formed solid solutions and, if so, evaluate the lattice parameter as a function of erbia concentration. While XRD analysis showed the Er2O3 completely dissolved in the UO2 powder, it also evidenced the emergence of a second fluorite-type phase, whose phase fraction increases and lattice parameter decreases with increasing erbia concentration. Analysis of the diffraction patterns showed this emerging phase has the same crystalline structure as the host lattice, but with a smaller lattice parameter. These results are compatible with the phenomenon of defect segregation, which consists in the formation of microdomains with a higher concentration of defects i.e. rare-earth richer regions. Thus, XRD analysis showed the formation of (U,Er)O2 solid solution, but such that there are still adjustments in the sintering parameters that need to be made in order to achieve a single-phase solid solution.