Mitochondrial coupling factor-6 (CF-6) is a component of the ATP synthase complex essential for energy transduction. CF-6, which is localized to the surface of endothelial cells (ECs) and released by shear stress, has been implicated as an endogenous vasoconstrictor. Previous methods of obtaining CF-6 through purification and recombinant methods were laborious and inefficient. Here, we describe the chemical synthesis of human CF-6, (33-108)-NH2, its C-terminal fragment (55-108)-NH2, which is termed pCF-6; the rat CF-6, (33-108)-NH2, its C-terminal fragment pCF-6, (55-108)-NH2; and two N-terminal fragments of the rat pro-coupling factor-6, (24-52)-NH2 and (33-52)-NH2. Biological activities of each peptide were initially screened with bioassays and verified by in vivo studies. Accordingly, intravenous administration of CF-6, pCF-6, rat CF-6, and rat pCF-6 produced a modest but statistically significant increase in blood pressure and heart rate in urethane anesthetized rats, whereas the N-terminal rat pro-coupling factor-6, (24-52)-NH2 and (33-52)-NH2 caused no significant pressor response. Thus, the biologically active site probably resides at the C-terminal portion of CF-6 peptides.

Strain-mediated magnetoelastic composite materials are being considered for communication in lossy environments. Their consideration is attributable to predictions stating order of magnitude improvements over current antenna technology. The magnetic antenna design considered herein consists of three layers: 1) a piezoelectric layer, 2) a linear elastic layer, and 3) a magnetoelastic layer. The antenna operates by mediating strain through the device in a resonant bending mode. The magnetoelastic layer is stressed which results in a changing magnetization ultimately leading to a changing magnetostatic field in free space which acts as a signal for information transfer. In order to prove the efficacy of this approach finite element models have been developed to aid in the design and optimization process. Where these models fall short is in their overall run-time to fully resolve the coupled dynamics. It is for this reason that the work presented in this thesis focuses on the development of a figure of merit capable of predicting optimal bias conditions and geometries needing only the data from a static bias study from FEA. The material level magnetomechanical coupling factor is chosen as the foundation for the figure of merit. The figure of merit is then augmented to include structure level information regarding the demagnetizing field and the non-uniform stress distribution. The main results presented are the effects of including demagnetization and stress distributions, and most importantly the ability of the metric to predict the change in magnetization of the device. It is shown that for aspect ratios greater than roughly 2.5 the metric trends the same as the change in magnetization predicted by finite element simulations. The region of disagreement between the metric and the fully resolved finite element simulation is explained by tying back to underlying assumptions made during the formulation of the magnetometric demagnetization factor used in the analysis. The case is made for the figure of merit to be included in the analysis of strain-mediated antennas for its ability to find optimum designs while reducing the overall simulation run-time by an order of magnitude. / Master of Science / Many communication devices are readily available however there are a few key gaps in communication technology that are yet to be filled. Notably, communication in lossy environments using small scale, low frequency, devices has proven difficult due to the fundamental limits of antennas (a cell phone cannot communicate into a mine shaft for search and rescue operations, nor can they communicate underwater to submarines or divers for instance). A promising new approach of communication using smart magnetic materials is under consideration in this thesis. Specifically, the goal herein is to develop an analysis tool capable of predicting device performance without having to run computationally expensive/time consuming finite element simulations. In this thesis it is shown that the analysis tool is capable of predicting device performance while reducing the necessary simulation run-time by an order of magnitude. Using this tool, researches will be able to design better prototypes; moving one step closer to portable communication in lossy environments.

Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über ökonomisch und ökologisch orientierte Messansätze des nachhaltigen Wohlstands. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit wird dabei dem Bruttoindlandsprodukt (BIP) und dem Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare gewidmet. Die Debatte um die Folgeschäden von Wachstumsprozessen hat gezeigt, dass das BIP ein unzulänglicher Wohlstandsindikator ist, der systematisch verzerrte Informationen über die Nachhaltigkeit der Wohlstandsentwicklung liefert. Trotzdem sind bisher keine auf ökologische und soziale Nachhaltigkeit ausgerichteten Indikatorensysteme implementiert, um das BIP als zentralen Wohlstandsindikator zu ersetzen. Die Diskussion in der Wirtschaftswissenschaft und ökologisch orientierte Debatten scheinen sich eher auseinander entwickelt zu haben.

In sustainable energy systems those using fuel cells, high step-up gain converters are widely used to increase the output voltage to levels that can be used by other converters, such as inverters for grid connection or powering other AC loads. In order to obtain a higher voltage gain, in comparison to a traditional boost converter, often different topologies techniques are involved. In this project a new topology is studied, cascading to half bridges, each working similar to a boost converter but with magnetic coupled inductors in-between.    The converter design is modeled in PLECS Blockset and MATLAB Simulink to simulate and evaluate the performance with proper design procedure. The results showed that a high step-up gain was achieved, and the gain could easily be adjusted by changing the duty cycle and/or the coupling factor. The converter design showed similarities and differences to a traditional boost converter. The coupled inductor has its advantage reducing the fuel cell current ripple with the effect of the duty cycle.

Les technologies de filtres, résonateurs, oscillateurs et capteurs sont des éléments essentiels dans lesindustries des télécommunications, automobile, militaire, médical, etc. Les monocristaux de LiTaO3 (LT) etLiNbO3 (LN) sont les matériaux les plus utilisés pour la fabrication de filtres de radiofréquence à ondesélastiques des téléphones portables, car ils possèdent un facteur de couplage électromécanique (K2) élevé.Cependant, ils présentent une problématique liée à la variation de la fréquence de fonctionnement avec latempérature (CTF), dont la valeur est environ de -40 à -95 ppm/°C. D’autre part, il a été démontré dans lalittérature que les propriétés de LT et LN changent avec la non-stoechiométrie du Li.L’objectif de cette thèse a été l’étude de l’effet de la concentration en Li2O sur la performance desdispositifs acoustiques à ondes élastiques de surface, utilisant comme substrat piézoélectrique desmonocristaux de LT coupe YXl/42 (42 RY-LT) et LN coupe YXl/128 (128 RY-LT). Cette étude vise àl’amélioration du CTF sans la dégradation d’autres propriétés (K2 et pertes d’insertion) dans le cas du 42 RYLTet la stabilité de dispositifs utilisés à haute densité de puissance dans le cas du 128 RY-LN. Tout d’abord,nous avons préparé des monocristaux de LT et LN avec différente concentration en Li2O :48.5-50 mol%, enutilisant la méthode d’équilibration par transport en phase vapeur (VTE). Ensuite, nous avons fabriqué etcaractérisé des dispositifs à ondes élastiques de volume et de surface à base de LT et LN, traités par VTE, afind’étudier l’effet de la non-stoechiométrie de Li et l’effet des domaines ferroélectriques sur leur performance. / The filter technologies, resonators, oscillators and sensors are essential elements fortelecommunications, automotive, military, medical industries. The most of radio frequency surface acousticwave (RF-SAW) filters, present in mobile phones, are based in LiNbO3 (LN) and LiTaO3 (LT) single crystalsbecause they have high electromechanical coupling factor (K2). However, these materials have a problemrelated to the variation of the operating frequency with temperature (TCF), whose value is about -40 to -95ppm / ° C. On the other hand, it has been previously shown in the literature that the physical and structuralproperties of LT and LN change with Li non-stoichiometry, including elastic properties.The aim of this work was the investigation of the impact of Li2O concentration on the performance ofSAW devices based on YXl/42 (42 RY-LT) and YXl/128 (128 RY-LN) single crystals. In the case of 42 RY-LT,we focused in the reduction of TCF without the degradation of other properties (K2 and insertion losses) andin the case of 128 RY-LN crystals we focused in the stability of devices at high power densities. First, singlecrystals of LT and LN with different Li2O concentration: 48.5-50 ml% were prepared, by using the VaporTransport Equilibration (VTE) method. Afterwards, SAW and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) devices based on LTand LN VTE treated crystals, were fabricated and characterized, in order to study the effect of Li nonstoichiometryand the effect of ferroelectric domains on the performance of devices.

This thesis deals with the design and realization of wireless power charging circuit for embedded systems. The research section focuses on the various ways and technologies used in applications of wireless power transfer. The theoretical part also briefly characterizes resonant inductive coupling and critical parameters of the transfer. This is followed by realization of various variants of transfer coils and electromagnetic oscillators. Wireless power charging prototype system is created and used for testing purposes to find optimal configuration of resonator. The hardware unit presented in the final part of the thesis exploits microcontroller and implemented software is extended by foreign object detection algorithm along with method to monitor battery charging state.

Cette thèse s’interesse au contrôle des flux d’énergie mécanique dans les structures périodiques. Les problèmes de dynamiques des structures considérés dans cette thèse sont abordés sous l'angle d'une description ondulatoire : la réponse forcée d’un système est calculée comme une superposition d’ondes dans la structure, tandis que les modes propres sont interprétés comme des ondes stationnaires.Un des avantages de l’approche ondulatoire est qu’elle permet de réduire de manière importante la taille des problèmes de dynamique. Ceci se révèle particulièrement utile dans le domaine des hautes et moyennes fréquences, où les calculs par éléments finis deviennent très coûteux en temps à cause du grand nombre de degrés de liberté nécessaire à la convergence du modèle. Afin de contourner ce problème, cette thèse s'appuie sur la méthode des éléments finis ondulatoires (Wave Finite Element Method (WFEM)). Une des principales améliorations proposées est l’utilisation de plusieurs méthodes de synthèses modales (Component Mode Synthesis (CMS)) pour accélérer l’analyse des guides d’ondes généraux en présence d’amortissement ou de matériaux piézo-électriques. Les erreurs numériques restent faibles du fait de l’utilisation d'une base de projection réduite constituée d'ondes propagatives. Une autre contribution est le procédé de modélisation multi-échelle pour les assemblages de structures périodiques et non-périodiques. L’idée principale est de modéliser les parties non-périodiques par la méthode des éléments finis, et les parties périodiques par WFEM. Les interactions entre les différentes sous-structures sont modélisées par des coefficients de réflexion ou des impédances mécaniques. Ces travaux réalisent une extension de la WFEM à des structures plus complexes et plus proches des applications industrielles. Un autre intérêt de la vision ondulatoire est qu’elle mène à de nouvelles idées pour le contrôle des vibrations. Dans cette thèse, des matériaux piézo-électriques et des circuits de shunt, distribués de façon périodique sont utilisés afin de modifier artificiellement la propagation des ondes grâce au couplage électromécanique. Un nouveau critère, nommé « Wave Electromechanical Coupling Factor (WEMCF) », est proposé pour évaluer, en termes énergétiques, l’intensité du couplage entre le champ électrique et le champ mécanique lors du passage d'une onde. Ce facteur peut être obtenu à partir des caractéristiques ondulatoires obtenues par la WFEM. On montre que le WEMCF est fortement lié à l'atténuation dans le guide d’ondes piézo-électrique. La conception des paramètres géométriques et électriques peut être ainsi être effectuée séparément. Ce principe est appliqué à la réduction des vibrations d’une poutre encastrée. Le WEMCF est utilisé comme fonction objectif pour l'optimisation durant la conception géométrique, la masse totale de matériau piézo-électriques étant contrainte. Un circuit à capacité négative est utilisé pour élargir le band-gap de Bragg. La stabilité du système est prise en compte comme une contrainte sur la valeur de cette capacité. Les vibrations sont localisées et facilement dissipées par l’introduction d’absorbeurs sur la frontière. Ce procédé de conception basée sur une approche ondulatoire aboutit à des solutions stables, légères, et insensibles aux conditions aux limites dans une large gamme de fréquence. Par conséquent, il est prometteur pour analyser les structures en moyenne et haute fréquence où il est difficile d’accéder aux informations modales exactes. / This thesis describes analysis and control approaches for the vibration and energy flow through periodic structures. The wave description is mainly used to address the structural dynamic problems considered in the thesis: forced response is calculated as the superposition of the wave motions; natural modes are understood as standing waves induced by the propagating waves that recover to the same phase after traveling a whole circle of the finite structure. One advantage of the wave description is that they can remarkably reduce the dimensions of structural dynamic problems. This feature is especially useful in mid- and high frequencies where directly computing the full Finite Element Method (FEM) model is rather time-consuming because of the enormous number of degree-of-freedoms. This thesis extends one widely used wave-based numerical tool termed Wave Finite Element Method (WFEM). The major improvements are the use of several Component Mode Synthesis (CMS) methods to accelerate the analysis for general waveguides with proportional damping or piezoelectric waveguides. The numerical error is reduced by using the proposed eigenvalue schemes, the left eigenvectors and the reduced wave basis. Another contribution is the multi-scale modeling approach for the built-up structures with both periodic and non-periodic parts. The main idea is to model the non-periodic parts by FEM, and model the periodic parts by WFEM. By interfacing different substructures as reflection coefficients or mechanical impedance, the response of the waveguide is calculated in terms of different scales. These two contributions extend WFEM to more complex structures and to more realistic models of the engineering applications.Another benefit of the wave perception is that it leads to new ideas for vibration control. In this thesis periodically distributed piezoelectric materials and shunt circuit are used to artificially modify the wave properties by electric impedance. A novel metrics termed the Wave Electromechanical Coupling Factor (WEMCF) is proposed, to quantitatively evaluate the coupling strength between the electric and mechanical fields during the passage of a wave. This factor can be post-processed from the wave characteristics obtained from WFEM through an energy formula. We show that WEMCF is strongly correlated to the best performance of the piezoelectric waveguide. Hence the design for the geometric and electric parameters can be done separately. An application is given, concerning the vibration reduction of a cantilever beam. WEMCF is used as an optimization objective during the geometric design, when the overall mass of the piezoelectric materials is constrained. Then the negative capacitance is used with a stability consideration to enlarge the Bragg band gap. The vibration is localized and efficiently dissipated by few boundary dampers. The wave-based design process yields several broadband, stable, lightweight and boundary condition insensitive solutions. Therefore, it is promising at mid- and high frequencies where exact modal information is difficult to access.

Inductive power transfer (IPT) systems with tolerance to the lateral misalignment are advantageous for enhancing the transmitted power, usability and security of the system. In this thesis, a misalignment tolerant multi-coil design is proposed to supply stationary and dynamic battery-free wireless devices. A compact architecture composed of individually switchable 3 layers of printed coils arranged with overlap for excellent surface coverage. A hybrid architecture based on three compact AC supply modules reduces the supply circuit complexity on the sending Seite 2 von 4side. It detects the position of the receiver coil quickly, controls the activation of the transmitting coils and estimates the next receiver position. The proposed architecture reduces the circuit footprint by a factor of 62% compared to common architectures. A transmitter coil activation strategy is proposed based on the detection of the transmitting coils voltage and communication between sending side and receiving side to detect devices to supply nature and position and to differentiate them from other conductive objects in the sending area to the supplying security. The experimental results prove that the proposed architecture has a good performance for different trajectories when the device speed does not exceed 15 mm/s. Besides, the maximum detection time for the initial device position is about 1.6 s. The maximal time interval to check the transmitter coils is around 0.7 s.:1. INTRODUCTION 2. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 3. STATE OF THE ART OF MULTI-COIL IPT SYSTEMS 4. NOVEL DESIGN OF A MULTI-COIL IPT SYSTEM 5. MULTI-COIL ACTIVATION PROCEDURE 6. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS 7. CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK / Induktive Energieübertragungssysteme (IPT) mit Toleranz gegenüber seitlichem Versatz sind vorteilhaft, um die übertragene Leistung, die Nutzbarkeit und die Sicherheit des Systems zu verbessern. In dieser Arbeit wird ein versatztolerantes Multispulen-Design vorgeschlagen, um stationäre und dynamische batterielose drahtlose Geräte zu versorgen. Die kompakte Architektur besteht aus 3 einzeln schaltbaren Schichten gedruckter Spulen, die überlappend angeordnet sind, um eine hervorragende Oberflächenabdeckung zu gewährleisten. Eine hybride Architektur, die auf drei kompakten AC-Versorgungsmodulen basiert, reduziert die Komplexität der Versorgungsschaltung auf der Senderseite. Sie erkennt die Position der Empfängerspule schnell, steuert die Aktivierung der Sendespulen und schätzt die nächste Empfängerposition. Die vorgeschlagene Architektur reduziert den Platzbedarf der Schaltung um einen Faktor von 62 % im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen Architekturen. Es wird eine Aktivierungsstrategie für die Sendespulen vorgeschlagen, die auf der Erkennung der Spannung der Sendespulen und der Kommunikation zwischen Sende- und Empfangsseite basiert, um die Art und Position der zu versorgenden Geräte zu erkennen und sie von anderen leitfähigen Objekten im Sendebereich zu unterscheiden. Die experimentellen Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die vorgeschlagene Architektur eine gute Leistung für verschiedene Trajektorien hat, wenn die Geschwindigkeit der Geräte 15 mm/s nicht überschreitet. Außerdem beträgt die maximale Erkennungszeit für die anfängliche Geräteposition etwa 1,6 s. Das maximale Zeitintervall für die Überprüfung der Senderspulen beträgt etwa 0,7 s.:1. INTRODUCTION 2. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 3. STATE OF THE ART OF MULTI-COIL IPT SYSTEMS 4. NOVEL DESIGN OF A MULTI-COIL IPT SYSTEM 5. MULTI-COIL ACTIVATION PROCEDURE 6. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS 7. CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK

The master’s thesis deals with the piezoelectric coefficients, the resonance frequency and especially the piezoelectric constants verification. With the assistance of several devices, for instance LCR-meter HIOKI 3532, impedance analyzer Agilent 4294A and LCR-meter Agilent E4980A, the resonance and the anti-resonance frequencies as well as impedance and capacitance of samples are measured. The paper opens with the theory of the piezoelectric phenomenon and the difference between direct and indirect piezoelectric phenomenon, it also describes the basic behaviour of a piezoelectric ceramic element during mechanical straining or applied voltage. Further, the paper concerns the description of various piezoelectric constants and their calculations. Subsequent part of the paper is devoted to the temperature dependence of the main piezoelectric parameters of PZT ceramics. The materials coefficients are delineated as a function of temperature of the piezoelectric charge coefficients dij, relative permittivity r, electromechanical coupling factor kij and frequency constants Ni. One of the chapters also determines the piezoelectric charge constant d33 of PZT ceramics by laser interferometer and compares it with the value measured by resonance methods. The surface displacement was measured by a single-beam interferometer Polytec OFV-5000. The results of measurements of piezoelectric charge coefficients d33 acquired by the first and the second method are identical. The last section of the paper is focused on different methods of experimental studies on the characteristics of heat transfer by diffusing heat through conduction between the silver-plated surface of cylinder made of PZT ceramics. The effect on the resonance and the anti-resonance frequencies is monitored. There after, the real heat, determined by thermo camera and the physical model of heat transfer created in program COMSOL Multiphysics, is analysed.