Problem: Do ethical investments perform better than conventional investments? Purpose: To evaluate whether Shariah-compliant indexes and/or socially responsible indexes can improve financial performance of an investment portfolio. Sub-problem: What kind of relationship exists between socially responsible investments and faith-based investments, represented by Shariah-compliant investments? Sub-purpose: To discover how two types of ethical investments, socially-responsible and Shariah-compliant, are related. Method: Quantitative study, covering three types of investment styles of four index families during the period from 2000 until 2011. Financial performance evaluation through the Sharpe ratio, Treynor ratio and Jensen’s alpha. Conclusions: Conventional, socially responsible, and Shariah-compliant indexes do not have any significant differences in financial performance on a global basis. However, Shariah-compliant indexes could slightly over-perform conventional and socially responsible indexes during financial downturns. In the same time socially responsible indexes were noticed to be the most volatile during the whole period of study, to compare with conventional and Shariah-compliant. Regarding relationships, high correlations were found between ethical indexes, as well as between ethical and conventional indexes.

The international technology roadmap for semiconductors (ITRS) 2012 report foresees the use of porous dielectric materials with a low dielectric constant in conjunction with copper interconnects as a way to reduce the resistive-capacitive (RC) delay in microelectronic applications. However, the introduction of pores in the dielectric not only serves as stress raisers but also diminishes the structural strength of the material. The challenge therefore with the implementation of low-k dielectrics for high-performance flip-chip packages is to create a reliable die to organic substrate interconnect solution which induces low stresses on the die to prevent the cohesive cracking and the interfacial delamination of the dielectric material. Potential interconnect solutions that meet this challenge are MEMS-like compliant freestanding micro-structures. These structures are designed to work as spring-like elements which allow the free lateral and out-of-plane motion between the silicon die and the organic substrate under assembly conditions as well as under thermal or power cycling. Thus, the focus of this research is to design, fabricate, and characterize electrically and mechanically an innovative compliant interconnect approach that addresses these challenges. The proposed interconnect is scalable in dimensions and pitch, and consists multiple electrical paths which will provide redundancy against interconnect failure. The multi-path design employs parallel electrical paths which effectively split a larger cross-sectional area into several smaller areas making the overall design more compliant than otherwise. This research proposes wafer-level, high-yield, CMOS-compatible fabrication procedure using sequential photolithography and copper electroplating. The proposed interconnects are symmetric and are amenable to easy reflow assembly to substrates. The mechanical compliance of the fabricated structures is studied through nano-indentation, while the electrical characteristics are assessed through fabricated prototypes. The xvi thermo-mechanical reliability of compliant interconnects is also demonstrated. Lastly, the dimensional scalability of the interconnects is also demonstrated.

La robotique chirurgicale vise à rendre les gestes du chirurgien plus précis et moins invasifs. La complexité d'une salle d'opération conduit à rechercher des dispositifs robotiques aussi compacts que possible et pouvant être facilement stérilisés. Une conception robotique basée sur l'emploi de mécanismes compliants à structures monolithiques et d'actionneurs piézoélectriques est particulièrement intéressante sur ce point. Des travaux précédents conduits au laboratoire ont permis de proposer un dispositif robotique pour le pontage coronarien qui facilite la réalisation des gestes minimalement invasifs sur cœur battant. Ce dispositif répond au besoin médical mais manque aujourd'hui de la compacité souhaitée pour une intégration optimale. À partir du cas d'application où nous cherchons à réduire la taille du dispositif de compensation, nous nous intéressons, dans cette thèse, aux problématiques de conception de mécanismes compliants à fortes contraintes d'intégration. Nous étudions d'abord la possibilité d'intégrer le dispositif de compensation directement dans la tige du stabilisateur cardiaque passif. Puis, nous étudions la possibilité de réduire la taille du dispositif de compensation en amont, en explorant les possibilités de réaliser des mécanismes dans un plan. Nous avons notamment proposé une méthode originale de conception de mécanismes compliants plans à partir de l'analyse des singularités de mécanismes à architectures parallèles en configuration plane. Afin d'optimiser les différents mécanismes très contraints par les volumes imposés, une méthode originale d'optimisation à base d'un algorithme de colonie de fourmis est employée.

La commande des actionneurs électropneumatiques a été un sujet largement traité au cours des dernières décennies. Le caractère fortement non-linéaire de son comportement en a fait un cas d'étude particulièrement pertinent dans le cadre d'une démarche d'application de la théorie de la commande des systèmes non-linéaires. L'utilisation de ces techniques a été comparée aux approches linéaires traditionnelles et généralement jugée largement supérieure notamment en termes de précision ou de temps de réponse. Dans ce manuscrit nous abordons très spécifiquement l'aspect multivariable du système et introduisons la transformée A-T, similaire à la transformée de Park appliquée classiquement aux systèmes électriques, afin de donner une forme strict feedback à son modèle d'état, de clarifier les phénomènes physiques mis en jeu lors de sa commande et de distinguer les deux degrés de liberté du système. Cette transformée permet en outre une comparaison directe avec les moteurs électriques décrits dans le repère de Park. Ce parallèle rend notamment possible la solution du problème délicat de l'observation de la position à vitesse nulle en transférant des méthodologies déjà validées sur des systèmes électriques. L'exploitation des deux degrés de liberté est illustrée par la synthèse de lois de commande combinant le suivi d'une trajectoire de position du piston au respect d'un second critère variable (réglage de la pressurisation moyenne, optimisation de la consommation instantanée). L'utilisation d'un actionneur électropneumatique asservi comme actionneur à compliance variable est étudiée. Une loi de commande basée sur la transformée A-T est proposée pour contrôler simultanément la position et la raideur pneumatique de l'actionneur. Une méthodologie de réglage des gains de commande est proposée pour définir l'impédance en boucle fermée du système. L'influence de la raideur pneumatique sur la raideur en boucle fermée est étudiée. L'utilisation d'une source d'énergie alternative (de l'hélium sous pression) est également pour la première fois mise en œuvre. L'influence du changement de gaz sur le dimensionnement de l'actionneur électropneumatique est étudiée et une méthodologie permettant d'utiliser les lois de commande prévues pour de l'air est proposée. L'ensemble des propositions faites dans ce manuscrit est testée et validée sur un banc d'essais à la structure inédite. Ce dernier allie deux actionneurs, l'un électropneumatique (l'actionneur étudié) et l'autre, un moteur plat électrique (l'actionneur de charge). L'utilisation de celui-ci permet la génération d'efforts perturbateurs dans une large bande passante ainsi que la modification en temps réel des paramètres mécaniques dynamiques de la charge.

Two types of rotary gate microvalves are developed for flow modulation in a microfluidic system that operates at high flow rate and/or uses particulate flow. This research work encompasses design, microfabrication, and experimental evaluation of these microvalves in three distinct areas compliant micromechanism, microfluidics, and electromagnetic actuation. The microvalve consists of a suspended gate that rotates in the plane of the chip to regulate flow through the orifices. The gate is suspended by a novel fully-compliant in-plane rotary bistable micromechanism (IPRBM) that advantageously constraints the gate in all other degrees of freedom. Multiple inlet/outlet orifices provide flexibility of operating the microvalve in three different flow/port configurations. The suspended gate is made of a soft magnetic material and is electromagnetically actuated like a rotor in a variable-reluctance stepper motor. Therefore, an external electromagnetic (EM) actuation at the integrated set of posts (stator) causes the gate mass to switch from its default angular position to a second angular position. The microvalve chip is fabricated by electroplating a soft magnetic material, Permalloy (Ni80Fe20) in a sacrificial photoresist mold on a Silicon substrate. The inlet/outlet orifices are then etched into the Silicon substrate from the back-side using deep-reactive ion etch process. Finally, the gate structure is released by stripping the PR and seed layers. This research work presents the realization of a new microvalve design that is distinct from traditional diaphragm-type microvalves. The test results are encouraging and show the potential of these microvalves in effectively modulating flow in microfluidic systems that may not require a tight seal. The microvalve uses a novel in-plane rotary bistable micromechanism that may have other applications such as optical shutters, micro-locks, and passive check valves.

It is projected by the Semiconductor Industry Association in their International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) that by the year 2019, with the IC feature size shrinking to about 10nm, off-chip interconnects in an area array format will require a pitch of 95 µm. Also, as the industry adopts porous low-K dielectric materials, it is important to ensure that the stresses induced by the off-chip interconnects and the package do not crack or delaminate the low-K material. Compliant free-standing structures used as off-chip interconnects are a potential solution. However, there are several design, fabrication, assembly and integration research challenges and gaps with the current suite of compliant interconnects. Accordingly, as part of this research a unique parallel-path approach has been developed which enhances the mechanical compliance of the compliant interconnect without compromising the electrical parasitics. It also provides for redundancy and thus results in more reliable interconnects. Also, to meet both electrical and mechanical performance needs, as part of this research a variable compliance approach has been developed so that interconnects near the center of the die have lower electrical parasitics while the interconnects near the corner of the die have higher mechanical compliance. Furthermore, this work has developed a fabrication process which will facilitate cost-effective fabrication of free-standing compliant interconnects and investigated key factors which impact assembly yield of free-standing compliant interconnects. Ultimately the proposed approaches are demonstrated by developing an innovative compliant interconnect called FlexConnects. Hence, through this research it is expected that the developed compliant interconnect would address the needs of first level interconnects over the next decade and eliminate a bottleneck that threatens to impede the exponential growth in microprocessor performance. Also, the concepts developed in this research are generic in nature and can be extended to other aspects of electronic packaging.

Orientadores: Christoph Friedrich Deneke, Eduardo Granado Monteiro da Silva / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T16:50:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MercesSilva_Leandrodas_M.pdf: 8926273 bytes, checksum: 010f49f410852b0ba0278adfc3e091fa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Nanomembranas livres são definidas como filmes ultrafinos constituídos por metais, óxidos ou semicondutores, com espessuras nanométricas e vastas áreas superficiais. São obtidas em geral por um processo de subcorrosão seletiva de uma camada de sacrifício, cujo papel é liberá-las gradualmente, permitindo que o relaxamento da energia elástica nelas armazenada aconteça de maneira controlada, garantindo a integridade final das estruturas. Neste trabalho, nanomembranas livres de Si suportadas por um substrato de SOI foram utilizadas como substratos complacentes para o crescimento de ilhas de InAs em uma câmara de MBE. Além disso, nanomembranas metálicas tensionadas (Ag/Ti/Cr/Ag) foram utilizadas na obtenção de microtubos metálicos enrolados. Análises detalhadas da morfologia das amostras, das estruturas das ilhas e dos microtubos, do strain em ambos os sistemas e de suas possíveis aplicações foram realizadas. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura mostrou que as estruturas permaneceram íntegras após as deformações. A microscopia de força atômica revelou uma baixa densidade de ilhas no topo das nanomembranas de Si. Ademais, possibilitou o aperfeiçoamento de parâmetros superficiais das nanomembranas metálicas e o enrolamento de microtubos com diâmetros pré definidos, garantindo convergência com o modelo analítico. Técnicas de difração de raios X e modelagem por elementos finitos foram utilizadas para elucidar os estados de strain observados em ambas as estruturas. As simulações das curvaturas do substrato complacente de Si e do microtubo metálico sugeriram, respectivamente, um gradiente de strain dependente da posição lateral de cada ilha na nanomembrana e coeficientes de strain constantes nas nanomembranas de Ti e Cr. Finalmente, cálculos envolvendo elasticidade contínua sugeriram que para uma nanomembrana de Si com espessura adequada, o InAs pode transferir strain suficiente para possibilitar o crescimento epitaxial coerente. Ainda, medidas de espectroscopia Raman em moléculas auto organizadas de 1-octadecanethiol, adsorvidas em Ag e aprisionadas entre as paredes dos microtubos metálicos, sugeriram que tal sistema pode ser utilizado como um dispositivo SERS para self-assembled monolayers / Abstract: Freestanding nanomembranes (NMs) are defined as metallic, semiconductor or oxide ultrathin films with nanometer thickness and macroscopic surface areas. In general, they are obtained by a process of selective underetching of a sacrificial layer, whose role is gradually release them, allowing relaxation of their stored elastic energy in a controlled way, ensuring integrity of the final structure. In this work, freestanding edge-supported Si nanomembranes are used as compliant substrate to the InAs growth on a SOI substrate in a MBE chamber. Furthermore, strained metallic nanomembranes (Ag / Ti / Cr / Ag) are used to obtain rolled-up metallic microtubes. A detailed analysis of sample morphology, InAs island and metallic microtube structure, strain on both systems and their possible applications is carried out. Scanning electron microscopy shows the structures stay intact during and after deformation. Atomic force microscopy reveals a lower island density on the top of the freestanding membranes. Moreover, it allowed optimizing the surface parameters of the strained metallic membranes, rolling-up tubes with pre-defined diameters and ensuring convergence with the proposed analytical model. X-ray diffraction and finite element modeling is used to elucidate the observed strain states in both structures. The bending simulations of compliant Si substrate and rolled up metallic microtube suggest, respectively, a lateral strain distribution depending on the island position on the freestanding membrane and a constant strain distribution on the Ti/Cr strained NMs. Finally, continuous elasticity calculations suggest that for a Si nanomembrane with adequate thickness, the InAs can transfer enough strain to enable coherent epitaxial growth. In addition, Raman spectroscopy measurements of 1-octadecanethiol self-assembled molecules adsorbed on an Ag nanomembrane and trapped between the microtube Ag walls suggest the system could be used as a SERS sensor for self-assembled monolayers / Mestrado / Física / Mestre em Física

La rigidité est un des objectifs de performance les plus importants pris en compte lors de la conception de systèmes robotiques. Le contrôle de la raideur physique en cours de tâche est une problématique scientifique en plein essor dans le cadre de la conception innovante de robots à forte polyvalence. L’association d’une structure robotique compliante et d’un composant en alliage à mémoire de forme (AMF) est réalisée dans le but d’obtenir des cartes de compliance variables dans le temps sur un même espace de travail. Les AMF sont en effet des matériaux actifs qui possèdent des caractéristiques comportementales pouvant être exploitées dans cette application. La structure considérée pour l’étude n’a pas de degré de liberté interne mais sa déformation permet de créer un pseudo-espace de travail. Celui-ci diffère selon l’état activé/non-activé de l’AMF. L’intersection des deux espaces obtenus représente alors les positions de l’effecteur où il est possible d’avoir des valeurs de compliance différentes. Les cartes obtenues montrent des caractéristiques intéressantes pour la perspective de la conception de robots polyvalents ayant une nouvelle forme de reconfigurabilité basée sur le changement de propriétés matérielles. / The rigidity is one of the most important performance targets which is taken into account for the design of robotic systems. The control of the physical stiffness during industrial tasks is a scientific issue which is rapidly expanding in the context of the innovative design of highly polyvalent robots. The combination of a compliant robotic structure and a shape memory alloy (SMA) component is carried out in the aim of obtaining variable compliance maps over time and in the same workspace. SMAs are actually active materials with specific thermomechanical properties which can be used in this application. The considered structure has no internal degree of freedom, but the deformation of the arms allows the creation of a “Pseudo-Workspace” (PWS). This PWS varies as a function of the activated/non-activated state of the SMA component. The intersection of the two obtained PWSs represents the effector’s positions where it is possible to have different compliance values. Generated maps show interesting characteristics in the perspective of the design of polyvalent robots based on a new type of reconfigurability (change of material properties).

This thesis work provides an insight into the design of Force-amplifying Compliant Mechanisms (FaCMs) that are integrated with micromachined resonant accelerometers to increase their sensitivity. An FaCM, by mechanically amplifying the inertial force, enhances the shift in the resonance frequency of the beams used for sensing the acceleration whose effect causes an axial force on the beams. An extensive study on different configurations of resonators namely, single beam resonator, single-ended tuning fork (SETF), and double-ended tuning fork (DETF), is carried out to gain insights about their resonant behavior. The influence of the boundary conditions on the sensor’s sensitivity emerged from the study. We found that not only the force-amplification factor but also the multi-axial stiffness of the FaCM and proof-mass influence the resonance frequency of the resonator as well as the bandwidth of the modified sensor for certain configurations but not all. Thus, four lumped parameters were identified to quantify the effectiveness of an FaCM. These parameters determine the boundary condition of the sensing beams and also the forces and the moment transmitted to them. Also presented in this work is a computationally efficient model, called the Lumped Parameter Model (LPM) for evaluation of the sensitivity. An analytical expression for the frequency-shift of the sensing resonator beams is obtained by considering the FaCM stiffness parameters as well as the lumped stiffness of the suspension of the inertial mass. Various FaCMs are evaluated and compared to understand how the four lumped parameters influence the sensor’s sensitivity. The FaCMs are synthesized using topology optimization to maximize the net amplification factor with the volume constraint. One of the FaCMs outperforms the lever by a factor of six. Microfabrication of resonant accelerometer coupled with FaCM and comb-drive actuator is carried out using a silicon-on-insulator process. Finally, the selection map technique, a compliant mechanism redesign methodology is used for enhancing the amplification of FaCMs. This technique provides scope for further design improvement in FaCMs for given sensor specifications.

Two inverse problems in elasticity are addressed with motivation from cellular biomechanics. The first application is computation of holding forces on a cell during its manipulation and the second application is estimation of a cell’s interior elastic mapping (i.e., estimation of inhomogeneous distribution of stiffness) using only boundary forces and displacements. It is clear from recent works that mechanical forces can play an important role in developmental biology. In this regard, we have developed a vision-based force-sensing technique to estimate forces that are acting on a cell while it is manipulated. This problem is connected to one inverse problem in elasticity known as Cauchy’s problem in elasticity. Geometric nonlinearity under noisy displacement data is accounted while developing the solution procedures for Cauchy’s problem. We have presented solution procedures to the Cauchy’s problem under noisy displacement data. Geometric nonlinearity is also considered in order to account large deformations that the mechanisms (grippers) undergo during the manipulation. The second inverse problem is connected to elastic mapping of the cell. We note that recent works in biomechanics have shown that the disease state can alter the gross stiffness of a cell. Therefore, the pertinent question that one can ask is that which portion (for example Nucleus, cortex, ER) of the elastic property of the cell is majorly altered by the disease state. Mathematically, this question (estimation of inhomogeneous properties of cell) can be answered by solving an inverse elastic boundary value problem using sets of force-displacements boundary measurements. We address the theoretical question of number of boundary data sets required to solve the inverse boundary value problem.