Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-09-20T13:21:46Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação_Versão_Digital_REIGA.pdf: 3705889 bytes, checksum: 551e1d47969ce5d1aa92cdb311f41304 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-20T13:21:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação_Versão_Digital_REIGA.pdf: 3705889 bytes, checksum: 551e1d47969ce5d1aa92cdb311f41304 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-23 / CAPES / A Tomografia por Impedância Elétrica (TIE) é uma técnica que visa reconstruir imagens do interior de um corpo de forma não-invasiva e não-destrutiva. Com base na aplicação de corrente elétrica e na medição dos potenciais de borda do corpo, feita através de eletrodos, um algoritmo de reconstrução de imagens de TIE gera o mapa de condutividade elétrica do interior deste corpo. Diversos métodos são aplicados para gerar imagens de TIE, porém ainda são geradas imagens de contorno suave. Isto acontece devido à natureza matemática do problema de reconstrução da TIE como um problema mal-posto e mal-condicionado. Isto significa que não existe uma distribuição de condutividade interna exata para uma determinada distribuição de potenciais de borda. A TIE é governada matematicamente pela equação de Poisson e a geração da imagem envolve a resolução iterativa de um problema direto, que trata da obtenção dos potenciais de borda a partir de uma distribuição interna de condutividade. O problema direto, neste trabalho, foi aplicado através do Método dos Elementos Finitos. Desta forma, é possível aplicar técnicas de busca e otimização que objetivam minimizar o erro médio quadrático relativo (função objetivo) entre os potenciais de borda mensurados no corpo (imagem ouro) e os potencias gerados pela resolução do problema direto de um candidato à solução. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi construir uma ferramenta computacional baseada em algoritmos de busca e otimização híbridos, com destaque para a Evolução Diferencial, a fim de reconstruir imagens de TIE. Para efeitos de comparação também foram utilizados para gerar imagens de TIE: Algoritmos Genéticos, Otimização por Enxame de Partículas e Recozimento Simulado. As simulações foram feitas no EIDORS, uma ferramenta usada em MatLab/ GNU Octave com código aberto voltada para a comunidade de TIE. Os experimentos foram feitos utilizando três diferentes configurações de imagens ouro (fantomas). As análises foram feitas de duas formas, sendo elas, qualitativa: na forma de o quão as imagens geradas pela técnica de otimização são parecidas com seu respectivo fantoma; quantitativa: tempo computacional, através da evolução do erro relativo calculado pela função objetivo do melhor candidato à solução ao longo do tempo de reconstrução das imagens de TIE; e custo computacional, através da avaliação da evolução do erro relativo ao longo da quantidade de cálculos da função objetivo pelo algoritmo. Foram gerados resultados para Algoritmos Genéticos, cinco versões clássicas de Evolução Diferencial, versão modificada de Evolução Diferencial, Otimização por Enxame de Partículas, Recozimento Simulado e três novas técnicas híbridas baseadas em Evolução Diferencial propostas neste trabalho. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, vemos que todas as técnicas híbridas foram eficientes para resolução do problema da TIE, obtendo bons resultados qualitativos e quantitativos desde 50 iterações destes algoritmos. Porém, merece destacar o rendimento do algoritmo obtido pela hibridização da Evolução Diferencial e Recozimento Simulado por ser a técnica aqui proposta mais promissora na reconstrução de imagens de TIE, onde mostrou ser mais rápida e menos custosa computacionalmente do que as outras técnicas propostas. Os resultados desta pesquisa geraram diversas contribuições na forma de artigos publicados em eventos nacionais e internacionais. / Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) is a technique that aim to reconstruct images of the interior of a body in a non-invasive and non-destructive form. Based on the application of the electrical current and on the measurement of the body’s edge electrical potential, made through of electrodes, an EIT image reconstruction algorithm generates the conductivity distribution map of this body’s interior. Several methods are applied to generate EIT images; however, they are still generated smooth contour images. This is due of the mathematical nature of EIT reconstruction problem as an ill-posed and ill-conditioned problem. Thus, there is not an exact internal conductivity distribution for one determinate edge potential distribution. The EIT is ruled mathematically by Poisson’s equations, and the image generation involves an iterative resolution of a direct problem, that treats the obtainment of the edge potentials through of an internal distribution of conductivity. The direct problem, in this dissertation, was applied through of Finite Elements Method. Thereby, is possible to apply search and optimization techniques that aim to minimize the mean square error relative (objective function) between the edge potentials measured in the body (gold image) and the potential generated by the resolution of the direct problem of a solution candidate. Thus, the goal of this work was to construct a computational tool based in hybrid search and optimization algorithms, highlighting the Differential Evolution, in order to reconstruct EIT images. For comparison, it was also used to generate EIT images: Genetic Algorithm, Particle Optimization Swarm and Simulated Annealing. The simulations were made in EIDORS, a tool used in MatLab/GNU Octave open source toward the TIE community. The experiments were performed using three different configurations of gold images (phantoms). The analyzes were done in two ways, as follows, qualitative: in the form of how the images generated by the optimization technique are similar to their respective phantom; quantitative: computational time, by the evolution of the relative error calculated for the objective function of the best candidate to the solution over time the EIT images reconstruction; and computational cost, by evaluating the evolution of the relative error over the amount of calculations of the objective functions by the algorithm. Results were generated for Genetic Algorithms, five classical versions of Differential Evolution, modified version of the Differential Evolution, Particle Optimization Swarm, Simulated Annealing and three new hybrid techniques based in Differential Evolution proposed in this work. According to the results obtained, we see that all hybrid techniques were efficient in solving the EIT problem, getting good qualitative and quantitative results from 50 iterations of these algorithms. Nevertheless, it deserves highlight the algorithm performance obtained by hybridization of Differential Evolution and Simulated Annealing to be the most promising technique here proposed to reconstruct EIT images, which proved to be faster and less expensive computationally than other proposed techniques. The results of this research generate several contributions in the form of published paper in national and international events.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:52:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:01:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / O resíduo estudado neste trabalho é originado do processo de obtenção de alumínio metálico, de grande interesse no Brasil pelo fato do país ser detentor de algumas das maiores reservas do mineral bauxita no mundo, utilizado como fonte de alumínio. Tendo como estratégia a geração de resíduo zero, colaborando para as tecnologias ambientalmente amigáveis, este trabalho estuda a incorporação de um resíduo resultante da recuperação de alumínio presente na escória gerada durante o processo de produção primária do alumínio metálico, por plasma térmico. Utilizando-se o diagrama de equilíbrio de fases do sistema Al2O3-CaO-SiO2, fez-se a adequação das composições visando a incorporação de resíduo no produto cerâmico sem alterar as características de processamento do material. A obtenção de vidros e de fritas vitrocerâmicas com o resíduo borra branca foi realizada fazendo-se a fusão das composições calculadas e, para os vitrocerâmicos, tratamento térmico posterior de devitrificação. Os produtos obtidos foram caracterizados utilizando-se técnicas de análise tais como difração de raios X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e espectroscopia do infravermelho (FTIR). Foi possível obter material vitrocerâmico com até 30% de resíduo de alumínio, após a fusão a 1300°C e devitrificação a 900°C. Em adição, o resíduo demonstrou ser um promissor material auxiliar na formação de fases cristalinas em baixos tempos de tratamento térmico. / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Materiais magnetostrictivos, como o TERFENOL-D (Tb0,27-0,30Dy0,73-0,70Fe2) e o GALFENOL (Fe72-82Ga18-28), são aplicados em diversos tipos de atuadores, sensores e coletores de energia. Contudo, existe a necessidade de novos materiais que sejam mais baratos, ambientalmente amigáveis e com melhores propriedades mecânicas. Por essa razão, as ligas de Fe-Al são uma alternativa, já que o alumínio é mais abundante na natureza e é sete vezes mais barato que o gálio. O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar a influência de dois tratamentos termomecânicos nas propriedades magnéticas das ligas (Fe1-xAlx)98,4B1,6, onde x = 0,18; 0,13 e 0,21. No primeiro processamento, as ligas foram submetidas a um tratamento térmico sob compressão para introduzir uma anisotropia magnetocristalina extrínseca. Para compressões de até 180 MPa, as ligas tratadas sob tensão obtiveram valores de magnetostricção e dos coeficientes piezomagnéticos maiores que o das ligas sem tratamento. Ou seja, este processamento aumentou a sensibilidade das ligas como atuador (d33) e sensor (d33 *). No segundo processamento termomecânico, amostras com formato de chapa foram laminadas e tratadas termicamente para induzir um crescimento anormal de grãos e consequentemente uma textura. Embora não tenha ocorrido crescimento de grão anormal durante o tratamento térmico, os valores de magnetostricção foram maiores que o das amostras como fundidas. Ambos processamentos termomecânicos foram efetivos para melhorar as propriedades magnéticas e a liga (Fe0,87Al0,13)98,4B1,6 foi a que obteve os maiores valores de magnetostricção e dos coeficientes piezomagnéticos. Em outras palavras, dentre as ligas estudadas, esta composição foi mais promissora para ser aplicada em atuadores e sensores. / Magnetostrictive materials, like TERFENOL-D (Tb0.27-0.30Dy0.73-0.70Fe2) and GALFENOL (Fe72-82Ga18-28), are applied in several types of sensors, actuators and energy harvesting. Nevertheless, there is the necessity of new materials that are cheaper, environmentally friendly and with good mechanical properties. For that reason, the Fe-Al alloys are an alternative, since the aluminum is more abundant in nature and is seven times cheaper than gallium. The goal of this work is to study the influence of two thermomechanical proceeding at magnetic properties of the (Fe1- xAlx)98.4B1.6 alloys, which x = 0.18; 0.13 e 0.21. At the first proceeding, the alloys were submitted to a stress annealing to introduce an extrinsic magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Up to 180 MPa of compression stress, stress annealed alloys have magnetostriction and piezomagnetic coefficient values higher than the alloys without annealing. In other words, this proceeding increased the alloys sensibility to be applied like actuators (d33) and sensors (d33 *). At the second thermomechanical proceeding, samples with sheet format were rolled and annealed to induce an abnormal grain growth and, consequently, a texture. Although the annealing not produced an abnormal grain growth, the magnetostriction values are higher than for the as-cast samples. Both proceedings were efficient to improve the magnetic properties and the (Fe0.87Al0.13)98.4B1.6 alloy achieved the higher values of magnetostriction and piezomagnetic coefficient. In another words, between the studied alloys, this composition was the most promising to be applied like actuators and sensors.

The present PhD study, in its first part, uses artificial neural networks (ANNs), an optimization technique called simulated annealing, and statistics to simulate the significant wave height (Hs) and mean zero-up-crossing period ( ) of 3-hourly sea-states of a location in the North East Pacific using a proposed distribution called hepta-parameter spline distribution for the conditional distribution of Hs or given some inputs. Two different seven- network sets of ANNs for the simulation and prediction of Hs and were trained using 20-year observed Hs’s and ’s. The preceding Hs’s and ’s were the most important inputs given to the networks, but the starting day of the simulated period was also necessary. However, the code replaced the day with the corresponding time and the season. The networks were trained by a simulated annealing algorithm and the outputs of the two sets of networks were used for calculating the parameters of the probability density function (pdf) of the proposed hepta-parameter distribution. After the calculation of the seven parameters of the pdf from the network outputs, the Hs and of the future sea-state is predicted by generating random numbers from the corresponding pdf. In another part of the thesis, vertical piles have been studied with the goal of identifying the range of sea-states suitable for the safe pile driving operation. Pile configuration including the non-linear foundation and the gap between the pile and the pile sleeve shims were modeled using the finite elements analysis facilities within ABAQUS. Dynamic analyses of the system for a sea-state characterized by Hs and and modeled as a combination of several wave components were performed. A table of safe and unsafe sea-states was generated by repeating the analysis for various sea-states. If the prediction for a particular sea-state is repeated N times of which n times prove to be safe, then it could be said that the predicted sea-state is safe with the probability of 100(n/N)%. The last part of the thesis deals with the Hs return values. The return value is a widely used measure of wave extremes having an important role in determining the design wave used in the design of maritime structures. In this part, Hs return value was calculated demonstrating another application of the above simulation of future 3-hourly Hs’s. The maxima method for calculating return values was applied in such a way that avoids the conventional need for unrealistic assumptions. The significant wave height return value has also been calculated using the convolution concept from a model presented by Anderson et al. (2001).

Nos travaux concernent la mise en œuvre de méthodologies pour la résolution de problèmes d’ordonnancement en industries agroalimentaires. Trois nouvelles approches basées sur les algorithmes génétiques, sont proposées pour la résolution de problèmes d’ordonnancement multi-objectifs : les algorithmes génétiques séquentiels (SGA), les algorithmes génétiques parallèles (PGA) et les algorithmes génétiques parallèles séquentiels (PSGA). Deux approches coopératives multi-objectifs en mode relais, SH_GA/TS et SH_GA/SA, hybridant toutes les deux des métaheuristiques de haut niveau, sont par la suite proposées. Un algorithme évolutionnaire et un algorithme de recherche locale sont, dans ce cas exécutés séquentiellement / The purpose of our works is the implementation of methodologies for the resolution of the agro-food industry scheduling problem. Three new approaches based on genetic algorithms are proposed to solve multi-objectives scheduling problems: sequential genetic algorithms (SGA), parallel genetic algorithms (PGA) and parallel sequential genetic algorithms (PSGA). Two high-level hybrid algorithms, SH_GA/TS et SH_GA/SA, are also proposed. The purpose in this hybridization is to benefit the exploration of the solution space by a population of individuals with the exploitation of solutions through a smart search of the local search algorithm

La sécurité des installations nucléaires est constamment un souci majeur lors de leur exploitation, mais aussi lors de la conception de nouveaux réacteurs. Leurs durées de vie est limitée à cause des changements de comportement mécanique de leurs composants métalliques (principalement la cuve du réacteur mais aussi ses composants internes), qui sont accélérés ou induits par l’irradiation de neutrons. Une prédiction quantitative précise de ces changements, en fonction de la composition des matériaux et des conditions d'irradiation, est par conséquent un objectif de première importance pour la science des matériaux nucléaires. La modélisation est, de nos jours, considérée comme un complément vital aux approches expérimentales, avec l'objectif d’apporter une meilleure compréhension des processus physiques et chimiques qui se produisent dans les matériaux métalliques sous irradiation de neutrons.<p><p>La modélisation des effets de l'irradiation de neutrons dans les aciers est par nature un problème multi-échelle. Le point de départ est la simulation des cascades de collisions atomiques initiées par les neutrons à hautes énergies qui pénètrent dans le matériau, créant ainsi des défauts ponctuels mobiles. Différents modèles physiques, considérant des échelles de temps et de longueur croissantes, doivent être développés afin de convenablement tenir en compte de tous les différents processus qui provoquent des changements de comportement macroscopique, à cause de la présence de ces défauts ponctuels mobiles. En outre, des liens entre les différents modèles doivent être créés, parce que les prédictions de chacun d'entre eux doivent servir de paramètres d'entrée pour les modèles qui travaillent aux échelles supérieures. Dans cette thèse, un tel lien est créé entre le niveau atomique et les modèles à gros-grains, en développant un nouvel algorithme Monte-Carlo cinétique atomistique (MCCA), où le matériau est décrit comme une collection d'atomes occupant des sites cristallographiques réguliers. Le processus simulé est dès lors naturellement décomposé en séries d'évènements élémentaires activés thermiquement, correspondant à la migration des défauts ponctuels (lacunes ou interstitiels) vers des positions de proches voisins, qui sont en permanence en compétition en fonction de leurs fréquences d'occurrences respectives. Ces dernières sont calculées en fonction des énergies de migrations, qui sont elles-mêmes calculées avec peu d'approximations par une méthode qui prend en compte tous les effets de la relaxation statique et des interactions chimiques à longue portée. Le nouvel algorithme MCCA est par conséquent un modèle physique, entièrement basé sur un potentiel inter-atomique approprié qui est utilisé de la manière la plus complète possible, sans définir de paramètres empiriques qui devraient être, par exemple, fittés depuis des données expérimentales. Finalement, l'algorithme est accéléré de plusieurs ordres de grandeur en utilisant des réseaux de neurones artificiels (RNA), entraînés à prédire les énergies de migrations des défauts ponctuels en fonction de leur environnement atomique local.<p><p>Le nouvel algorithme MCCA est utilisé avec succès pour simuler des expériences de recuits (pour lesquels une seule lacune doit être introduite dans la boîte), afin de valider le modèle grâce à une comparaison directe de ses prédictions avec des résultats expérimentaux trouvés dans la littérature. Une comparaison très satisfaisante est accomplie pour deux alliages modèles importants pour la science des matériaux nucléaires. Dans les deux cas, l'évolution avec le temps de recuit du rayon moyen des précipités formés, ainsi que de leur densité, est en très bonne adéquation avec les mesures expérimentales trouvées dans la littérature, contrairement à ce que d'autres auteurs avaient jusqu’à présent réussi. Ensuite, l'algorithme est généralisé avec succès afin de permettre l'introduction d'un grand nombre de lacunes, ce qui est un des deux ingrédients nécessaires pour la simulation des effets de l'irradiation de neutrons dans les métaux. Cet accomplissement permet la simulation de processus longs et complexes, par exemple le calcul de coefficients de diffusions et temps de vies d'amats de cuivre-lacunes, qui sont des paramètres d'entrée nécessaires pour des modèles de simulation à gros-grains. Finalement, des preuves convaincantes sont apportées que l'algorithme MCCA peut être, dans un futur proche, généralisé d'avantage et permettre la prise en compte des interstitiels, ouvrant ainsi la voie vers la simulation de cycles complets d'irradiation.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Le tantale est un métal très dense (d = 16,6) et fond à très haute température (2996°C), ce qui en fait un matériau potentiellement utilisable pour des creusets utilisés en pyrochimie. La littérature montre qu'il est possible de renforcer encore ces propriétés anti-corrosion par un traitement de cémentation. En effet, la corrosion intergranulaire du tantale est stoppée par la présence de précipités de Ta2C aux joints de grains. L'obtention du Ta saturé carbone avec Ta2C aux joints de grains en surface (Ta(C) + Ta2C), très pauvre en carbone, demande une bonne compréhension et une maitrise de la cémentation du tantale.La réalisation d'un cycle de cémentation sur des échantillons de tantale provoque l'apparition à la surface du tantale d'une couche de TaC (en surface) et d'une couche de Ta2C sous jacente. Un travail sur la réduction du flux de carbone à la surface du tantale a permis d'étudier les premiers stades de formation des couches de carbures de tantale. Ces conditions particulières de cémentation favorisent la croissance en épitaxie des couches de carbures sur le substrat Ta. Les analyses EBSD ont permis de mettre en évidence les relations cristallographiques entre chaque phase.Lors d'un cycle de cémentation, la croissance des couches de carbures doit être contrôlée du fait que celles-ci soient très riches en carbone. Plusieurs types de paramètres peuvent influer sur la croissance des couches : les paramètres de cycles (temps et température de cémentation) et des paramètres extérieurs aux cycles de cémentation, tels que la surface des échantillons. L'influence de ces paramètres sur la cinétique de croissance des couches a été étudiée. En complément des essais, la simulation numérique avec le logiciel CASTEM© a été utilisée afin d'étudier la diffusion du carbone dans le tantale. Les données expérimentales permettent d’ajuster les variables du modèle comme le coefficient de diffusion du carbone dans le tantale.La réalisation d'un recuit sous vide après cémentation permet d'obtenir en surface des microstructures autres que le TaC. Le recuit fait diffuser le carbone contenu en surface vers le coeur du tantale. Une étude a permis de déterminer les paramètres du traitement de recuit, pour obtenir en surface, au choix : du TaC, ou du Ta2C, ou du Ta(C) + Ta2C. / Tantalum is a very dense metal (d = 16.6) and has a very high melting temperature of 2996°C. This material is particularly required for crucibles used for pyrochemical applications. Early studies show that a carburizing treatment enhances corrosion resistance from liquid metals. Indeed, the intergranular attack of tantalum is stopped by Ta2C precipitates, which occupy the grain boundary regions. The production of the carbon saturated tantalum with Ta2C precipitates requires a good understanding of tantalum carburizing.A carburizing treatment on tantalum sample causes the emergence of a TaC layer on surface and Ta2C layer just below. A reduction of carbon flow has enabled the study of the first steps of tantalum carbides formation. This specific condition of carburizing leads to an epitaxic growth of carbide layers on tantalum substrate. EBSD analysis highlights the crystallographic relations between each phase.Tantalum carbide layers are highly carbon concentrated. So the growth of carbide layers has to be controlled during the carburizing treatment. Several parameters may affect carbide layers growth : process parameters (time and temperature of carburizing treatment) and external parameters such as the reactive surface of the samples. The influence of these parameters on tantalum carbide growth kinetics has been studied. In addition, the diffusion of carbon in tantalum has been modeled with CASTEM© software. Experimental data are used to compute parameters of the model, such as carbon diffusion coefficient in tantalum.Other microstructures than TaC can be obtained on surface by applying an annealing treatment after carburizing. With this treatment, the carbon contained on surface diffuses to the bulk of the metal. Annealing treatment parameters have been determined to get on surface TaC, or Ta2C, or carbon saturated tantalum with Ta2C precipitates.

Abstract In this thesis, the influence of reversion and recrystallization annealing on microstructure and mechanical properties was studied in metastable austenitic low-Ni high-Mn stainless steels, some alloyed with up to 0.45 wt.% Nb. Further, the effect of the various microstructures created by reversion and recrystallization on strain-induced martensite transformation in tensile testing was investigated. The aim was to achieve excellent combinations of strength and ductility in the steels and to improve understanding of the behaviour of ultrafine-grained austenitic stainless steels during deformation. All the steels were cold-rolled up to 60% thickness reduction producing up to 60% strain-induced &#945;’-martensite in the austenitic structure. Annealing was carried out using a Gleeble thermomechanical simulator between 450–1100 &#176;C for durations of 0.1–1000 s. The resultant microstructures were examined using different research equipment and methods. Regardless of the amount of Nb alloying, shear- and diffusion-controlled reversion could be completed by annealing at 700 &#176;C, although at this temperature no recrystallization of the untransformed cold-rolled austenite occurred. At 800 &#176;C, however, the cold-rolled austenite recrystallized, producing a non-uniform grain structure comprising ultrafine-grained areas formed via reversion and coarser ones formed by recrystallization of the retained austenite. At 900 &#176;C, a uniform fine austenite grain size of about 2 &#956;m was obtained. At higher annealing temperatures of 1000–1100 &#176;C, normal grain growth of fine grains took place during prolonged annealing in steel with no Nb. However, grain growth was effectively retarded by alloying with 0.28 wt.% Nb. The non-uniform structures consisting of reverted and retained austenite exhibited excellent combinations of yield strength and uniform elongation. The results also showed that tensile strain-induced martensite nucleation sites and &#945;’-martensite formation vary in a complex way depending on grain size. / Tiivistelmä Väitöstyössä tutkittiin reversiohehkutuksen vaikutusta metastabiilin 1% nikkeliä ja 9% mangaania sisältävien austeniittisten ruostumattomien terästen mikrorakenteeseen ja mekaanisiin ominaisuuksiin sekä austeniitin raekoon ja mikrorakenteen vaikutusta muokkausmartensiitin syntyyn vetokokeessa. Koeteräksistä osa oli lisäksi niobiseostettuja. Tavoitteena oli nostaa teräksien lujuutta ja ymmärtää ultrahienorakeisen austeniittisten ruostumattomien terästen käyttäytymistä muokkauksessa. Teräkset kylmämuokattiin 60% valssausreduktiolla, jolloin austeniittiseen rakenteeseen muodostui muokkausmartensiittia enimmillään 60%. Reversiohehkutukset tehtiin Gleeble termomekaanisella simulaattorilla lämpötiloissa 450–1100 &#176;C ja 0.1–1000 s pitoajoilla. Saatuja mikrorakenteita tutkittiin eri tutkimuslaitteistoilla ja -menetelmillä. 700 &#176;C hehkutuksessa leikkautumalla ja diffuusion välityksellä tapahtuva reversio oli nopea myös niobi-seostetuilla teräksillä, mutta rekristallisaatiota ei tapahtunut. 800 &#176;C hehkutuksessa muokkauksessa teräksiin jäänyt austeniitti rekristallisoitui, mutta raerakenne muodostui epätasaiseksi koostuen reversion tuottamasta ultrahienoista rakeista ja jäännösausteniitin rekristallisaation tuottamista karkeammista rakeista. Sitä vastoin hehkutus 900 &#176;C:ssa tuotti tasainen 2 &#956;m austeniitin raekoon. Pitkissä hehkutuksissa korkeammissa lämpötiloissa 1000–1100 &#176;C niobi-seostamattomissa teräksissä tapahtui hienojen rakeiden normaalia rakeenkasvua. Kuitenkin 0.28p-% niobi-seostuksen havaittiin oleva riittävä estämään rakeenkasvu. Reversion ja osittaisen rekristallisaation tuottamilla raerakenteilla saatiin erinomaiset myötölujuus-tasavenymäyhdistelmät. Vetokokeissa martensiitin ydintymispaikat ja -nopeus vaihtelivat monimutkaisella tavalla raekoosta riippuen.

Die Tourenbildung beschäftigt sich mit der Konstruktion kostengünstiger Transportrouten zur Belieferung von Verbrauchern. Sie ist eine der weitreichensten Erfolgsgeschichten des Operations Research. Das starke Interesse an diesen Problemen durch Industrie und Forschung liegt zum einen am wirtschaftlichen Potenzial der Tourenbildung und -optimierung, zum anderen macht ihr Reichtum an Struktur sie zu einem faszinierenden Forschungsgebiet. In der vorliegenden Arbeit soll ein Überblick über einige, u. a. auch neuere mathematische Modell- und Lösungsansätze gegeben werden. Auf Grund der hohen Anzahl der Veröffentlichungen auf diesem Gebiet wird nicht zwingend ein Anspruch auf die vollständige Darlegung aller möglichen Problemstellungen im Zusammenhang mit dem TSP sowie dem VRP und deren Lösungsansätze erhoben. An den gegebenen Stellen wird statt dessen auf weiterführende Literatur verwiesen.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / Technological advancement has created a market for large area electronics such as solar cells and thin film transistors (TFT’s). Such devices now play an important role in modern society. Various types of conducting, semiconducting and insulating thin films of the order of hundreds, or even tens of nanometres are combined in strata to form stacks to create interactions and phenomena that can be exploited and employed in these devices for the benefit of mankind. One such is for the generation of energy via photovoltaic devices that use thin film technology; these are known as second and third generation solar cells. Silicon and its alloys such as silicon germanium (SiGex), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon carbide (SiCx) and silicon nitride (SiNx) play an important role in these devices due to the fact that each material in its different structures, whether amorphous, micro or nano-crystalline or completely crystalline, has its own range of unique optical, mechanical and electrical properties. These structures and their material properties can thus exert a huge influence over the overall device performance. viii Chemical vapour deposition (CVD) techniques are most widely used in industry to obtain thin films of silicon and silicon alloys. Source gases are decomposed by the external provision of energy thereby allowing for the growth of a thin solid film on a substrate. In this study a variant of CVD, namely Hot Wire Chemical Vapour Deposition (HWCVD) will be used to deposit thin films of silicon nitride by the decomposition of silane (SiH4), hydrogen (H2) and ammonia (NH3) on a hot tantalum filament (~1600 C). Hydrogenated amorphous silicon nitride (a-SiNx:H) has great potential for application in optoelectronic devices. In commercial solar cell production its potential for use as anti-reflection coatings are due to its intermediate refractive index combined with low light absorption. An additional benefit is the passivation of interface and crystal defects due to the bonded hydrogen. This can lead to better photon conversion efficiency. Its optical properties including optical band gap, Urbach tail, and wavelength-dependent optical constants such as absorption coefficient and refractive index are crucial for the design and application in the relevant optoelectronic device. The final firing step in the production of micro-crystalline silicon solar cells, allows hydrogen to effuse into the solar cell from the a-SiNx:H, and drives bulk passivation of the grain boundaries. We therefore propose the exploration of annealing effects on the thin film structure. The study undertakes a comparison of optical and bonding structure of the as deposited thin film compared to that of the annealed thin film which would have undergone changes due to high temperature annealing under vacuum. However, it is difficult to simultaneously obtain all of these important ix optical parameters for a-SiNx:H thin films. Ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy will be the method of choice to investigate the optical properties. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a source of useful information on the microstructure of the material. In particular, the local atomic bonding configurations involving Si, N, and H atoms in a-SiNx:H films can be obtained by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Therefore, this study will attempt to establish a relationship between film microstructure of a-SiNx:H thin films and their macroscopic optical properties.