Dans un contexte ou la question de la préservation de l'environnement est devenue un sujet sociétal majeur, la recherche de nouvelles technologies pour remplacer la voiture à essence constitue un véritable enjeu industriel. Les véhicules hybrides et électriques sont une alternative prometteuse aux véhicules conventionnels. Ce travail de thèse porte sur la conception et l'optimisation des machines électriques pour la motorisation de ces voitures. Au cours de ces travaux, nous avons développé une nouvelle méthodologie de dimensionnement et d'optimisation des machines synchrones à double excitation. L'intérêt de cette méthode est son bon compromis entre la précision et le temps de calcul et sa capacité d'adaptation à plusieurs types de machines. Le second volet de la thèse est consacré à la proposition d'une nouvelle structure de machine synchrone à rotor bobiné. Une technique originale de compensation de la réaction magnétique d'induit est mise en place, elle consiste en l'insertion d'aimants secondaires permettant de créer un flux dans l'axe q de la machine. Ce dernier a pour rôle d'affaiblir le flux de la réaction magnétique d'induit.

Improving the knowledge of the spectral and temporal properties of plasma-based XUV lasers is an important issue for the ongoing development of these sources towards significantly higher peak power. The spectral properties of the XUV laser line actually control several physical quantities that are important for applications, such as the minimum duration that can be achieved (Fourier-transform limit). The shortest duration experimentally achieved to-date is ~1 picosecond. The demonstrated technique of seeding XUV laser plasmas with a coherent femtosecond pulse of high-order harmonic radiation opens new and promising prospects to reduce the duration to a few 100 fs, provided that the gain bandwidth can be kept large enough.XUV lasers pumped by collisional excitation of Ni-like and Ne-like ions have been developed worldwide in hot plasmas created either by fast electrical discharge, or by various types of high-power lasers. This leads to a variety of XUV laser sources with distinct output properties, but also markedly different plasma parameters (density, temperature) in the amplification zone. Hence different spectral properties are expected. The purpose of our work was then to investigate the spectral behaviour of the different types of existing collisional excitation XUV lasers, and to evaluate their potential to support amplification of pulses with duration below 1 ps in a seeded mode.The spectral characterization of plasma-based XUV lasers is challenging because the extremely narrow bandwidth (typically ∆λ/λ ~10-5) lies beyond the resolution limit of existing spectrometers in this spectral range. In our work the narrow linewidth was resolved using a wavefront-division interferometer specifically designed to measure temporal coherence, from which the spectral linewidth is inferred. We have characterized three types of collisional XUV lasers, developed in three different laboratories: transient pumping in Ni-like Mo, capillary discharge pumping in Ne-like Ar and quasi-steady state pumping in Ne-like Zn. Besides the accurate measurement of the temporal coherence of the laser in each case, we have studied the spectral behaviour when the laser is operated in the saturation regime and (in Ni-like Mo) when it is seeded with high-order harmonic radiation. We have also investigated the temporal behaviour of the Ni-like Mo transient XUV laser, using an ultrafast X-ray streak camera. Our linewidth measurements are compared with detailed numerical calculations including relevant broadening mechanisms as well as radiative transfer effects. The evolution of the spectral profile with amplification and saturation was studied for different plasma parameters, and corresponding Fourier-transform limit duration were evaluated.The shortest temporal coherence (ie the largest bandwidth) is measured for the quasi-steady state pumping XUV laser, which operates at the highest density and ionic temperature.

Les matériaux composites sont largement utilisés dans l'industrie en raison de leur bonne tenue mécanique et de leur faible densité. La diversité des domaines d'application des matériaux composites donne lieu à une grande variété de modes de sollicitation et d'endommagement. De ce fait, l'évaluation de leurs propriétés et le contrôle de leur état présentent un grand intérêt industriel. Dans ce travail, une nouvelle méthode d'évaluation et de contrôle non destructif dite par sonothermographie est explorée. Cette méthode est basée sur l'analyse du champ thermique induit par des ondes ultrasonores de puissance dans les matériaux absorbants tels que les composites. Deux applications complémentaires sont étudiées, d'une part l'évaluation des propriétés thermiques du matériau et d'autre part le contrôle non destructif de structures par thermographie infrarouge. Dans ce cadre, le problème direct de la sonothermographie est résolu numériquement à partir d'un modèle par éléments finis. Ce modèle permet de simuler le champ thermique induit par la propagation d'ondes ultrasonores dans un matériau absorbant dont les propriétés sont connues. Les simulations réalisées permettent de montrer l'applicabilité de la sonothermographie à la détection de défauts. Une nouvelle approche de caractérisation thermique est également développée. Cette approche basée sur la formulation faible de l'équation de conduction de la chaleur permet une estimation robuste de la diffusivité thermique du matériau à partir du champ thermique induit par les ondes ultrasonores de puissance. Des résultats expérimentaux sont présentés pour le cas de plaques minces.

In Taiwan, more than 25% of all water uses comes from groundwater, and thus groundwater is a very valuable water resource for both domestic and industrial uses. However, groundwater at many existing former industrial sites and disposal areas was contaminated by halogenated organic compounds that were released into the environment. The chlorinated solvent trichloroethene (TCE) is one of the most ubiquitous of these compounds. In this laboratory-scale feasibility study, a hybrid two-stage process combining fiber filtration (FF) and nanofiltration (NF) was applied to remove to suspended solids (SS) and TCE from contaminated groundwater for water purification. In this study, a man-made kaolin solution was used to simulate groundwater purification using FF system. Then, microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), and NF systems were applied for TCE removal. The hybrid membrane process using FF and NF units was used to evaluate the feasibility on TCE removal. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS) were used to investigate membrane morphology and structure after use. A 3-D excitation emission fluorescence matrix (EEFM) was used to evaluate the potential of membrane organic fouling. Results show that the optimization filtration velocity of FF was 15.3 m/hr, and the observed TCE and SS removal efficiencies were 80% and 60%, respectively. Removal mechanisms for MF and UF were mainly sieving, and the removal mechanism for NF was mainly electrostatic repulsion. Results indicate that NF had the highest TCE removal efficiency (98.2%). When initial TCE concentration was 1 mg/L, NF membrane pore might shrink caused increased TCE removal (rejection). When TCE concentration was higher 1 mg/L, membrane damage and pore enlargement was observed with decreased TCE removal efficiency. The observed SS, sulfate, and hardness removal efficiencies were 99.8%, 98.7%, and 98.7% respectively, when FF and NF hybrid process was used. Higher TCE concentration might enlarge membrane pore, which caused decreased membrane separation and increased flux. Approximately 46% of flux drop was observed when NF was used alone compared to the hybrid membrane process using FF as the first treatment stage. Membrane analyses show that residual TCE was adsorbed on the membrane. Low zeta potential of groundwater was observed due to the compressed electric double layer, which caused aggregation of particle. High zeta potential of permeate was due to the particle dispersive through hybrid process. Results from SEM analysis show that membrane morphology was damaged by TCE, and heavy metal in groundwater deposited on membrane. Results of EEFM analysis indicate that groundwater contained humic acid (HA) and soluble microbial by-product (SMP). HA and SMP might be adsorbed on fiber filter, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that attached on fiber filter might be washed out. The organic powders on the surface of the fiber filter might be washed out causing the increased in NPDOC concentrations. Humic acid could be removed through NF process, and SMP might be adsorbed in membrane pore caused organic fouling, and SMP might be washed out after treatment by the FF+NF hybrid process. Results indicate that FF as pre-treatment can maintain higher flux. Higher TCE concentration caused membrane destruction and decreased membrane separation. TCE contaminated groundwater can be affectively treated by the hybrid membrane system to meet the groundwater standard and reclaimed water standard. Reclaimed water could be used for industrial cooling water and irrigation purposes.

A Mandarin phrase recognition system based on MFCC, LPC scaled excitation, vowel model, hidden Markov model (HMM) and Viterbi algorithm is proposed in this thesis. HMM, which is broadly used in speech recognition at present, is adopted in the main structure of recognition. In order to speed up the recognition time, we take advantage of stability of vowels in Mandarin and incorporate with vowel class recognition in our system. For the speaker-dependent case, a single Mandarin phrase recognition can be accomplished within 1 seconds on average in the laboratory environment.

A numerical study was performed in order to investigate the effects of base excitation characteristics (peak acceleration amplitude and frequency of the excitation), soil strength and wall flexibility on the dynamic response of cantilever earth-retaining walls. In this study, Plaxis v8.2 dynamic finite element code was used. Previous 1-g shake table tests performed by &Ccedil / ali&amp / #56256 / &amp / #56570 / an (1999) and Yunat&ccedil / i (2003) were used to compare the experimental results with those obtained by finite element analysis. Comparison of experimental and numerical results indicated that the code was capable of predicting the dynamic lateral thrust values and bending moment profiles on the wall stems. In the light of these validation studies, a parametric study was carried on for a configuration that consists of an 8 meters high retaining wall supporting the same height of dry cohesionless backfill. Total and incremental dynamic thrust values, points of application and dimensionless bending moment values were presented together with the results obtained from commonly used pseudo static Mononobe-Okabe method and Steedman-Zeng approaches. According to the finite element analyses results, total dynamic active thrust act at approximately 0.30H above wall base. Base motion frequency becomes an important factor on magnitudes of dynamic active thrust when it approaches to the natural frequency of the system. Significantly high overturning moments were predicted at wall base in this case. It was observed that increasing wall rigidity causes an increase in forces acting on the wall stem during dynamic motion.

ABSTRACT EFFECTS OF VERTICAL EXCITATION ON SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF HIGHWAY BRIDGES AND HOLD-DOWN DEVICE REQUIREMENT Domani&ccedil / , Kemal Arman M.S., Department of Civil Engineering Supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Alp Caner February 2008, 152 pages Most bridge specifications ignore the contribution of vertical motion in earthquake analyses. However, vertical excitation can develop significant damage, especially at bearing locations as indeed was the case in the recent 1999 izmit Earthquake. These observations, combined with recent developments in the same direction, supplied the motivation to investigate the effects of vertical component of strong ground motion on standard highway bridges in this study. Reliability checks of hold-down device requirements per AASHTO Bridge Specifications have been conducted in this context. Six spectrum compatible accelerograms were generated and time history analyses were performed to observe the uplift at bearings. Selected case studies included precast pre-stressed I-girders with concrete slab, composite steel I-girders, post-tensioned concrete box section, and composite double steel box section. According to AASHTO specifications, hold-down devices were required in two cases, for which actual forces obtained from time history analyses have been compared with those suggested per AASHTO. The only non-linearity introduced to the analyses was at the bearing level. A discussion of effects on substructure response as well as compressive bearing forces resulting from vertical excitation is also included. The results of the study confirmed that the provisions of AASHTO governing hold-down devices are essential and reasonably accurate. On the other hand, they might be interpreted as well to be suggesting that vertical ground motion components could also be included in the load combinations supplied by AASHTO, especially to be able to estimate pier axial forces and cap beam moments accurately under combined vertical and horizontal excitations.

This thesis presents the results of studies on the problem of subharmonic oscillations in nonlinear Paul trap mass spectrometry. The objective of this thesis is to determine whether the subharmonic oscillations of ions in the trap could in any way affect the quality of mass spectrum in resonance ejection experiments. This is accomplished by studying the existence and stability criteria of these oscillations. This study is done for two casesone in which the auxiliary excitation frequency is close to thrice the ion axial secular frequency and other in which it is close to twice the ion axial secular frequency. Initially, the equations describing the ion motion in the presence of auxiliary excitation are derived. The equations describing the ion motion are then brought into a form easily amenable to analysis by techniques of perturbation theory. The necessary background and definitions to understand the basis for the thesis, along with a survey of results obtained in relevant areas in mass spectrometry and nonlinear dynamics is then developed. The first problem is the study of subharmonic oscillations when the auxiliary excitation frequency is in the vicinity of thrice the ion axial secular frequencies taken up. The application of the multiple time scales technique to the equations describing ion motion gives the slow flow equations, that describe the evolution of amplitudes of axial and radial oscillations. The expression for the steady state amplitudes of these oscillations are then derived. From these expressions the conditions for the existence of the oscillations are obtained in terms of the auxiliary amplitude and the frequency detuning. This is then followed by a detailed stability analysis for the subharmonic oscillation with a given amplitude and phase. The study ends with the discussion of the results obtained, the pertinent numerical studies and the relevance of this study to mass spectrometry. The second study is regarding the problem of subharmonic oscillations when the auxiliary excitation frequency is close to twice the ion axial secular frequency is analyzed. When PoincareLindstedt’s method is applied to the ion motion equations, the amplitude frequency relationship that describes the relation between the steady state subharmonic oscillation amplitude and the frequency detuning is obtained. The variation of the oscillation amplitude with the frequency detuning is then studied. Then follows the analysis of stability. The stability of subharmonic oscillation is analyzed using the results from the standard analysis of Hill’s equation of fourth order. This study ends with the discussion of the results obtained in the context of mass spectrometry. Finally, a summary of the results obtained is discussed.

La plasticité homéostatique est un processus qui consiste à réguler l'efficacité globale des entrées synaptiques (excitatrices et inhibitrices) sur un neurone afin d'empêcher des modifications trop importantes de son niveau d'activité. Afin de caractériser les mécanismes à l'origine de ce processus, la balance Excitation/Inhibition des neurones pyramidaux de couche 5 du cortex visuel a été estimée. Elle est composée de 20 % d'excitation et de 80 % d'inhibition. A l'aide de protocoles de stimulation induisant des changements à long terme de l'efficacité des entrées synaptiques, les phénomènes de potentiation homéostatique et de dépression homéostatique ont été mis en évidence. L'induction de ces phénomènes, qui requiert l'activation de récepteurs NMDA et d'un signal NO, est sous le contrôle des systèmes inhibiteurs GABAergique et glycinergique. La récurrence entre signaux excitateurs et inhibiteurs apparaît comme l'élément clé de la régulation de l'activité neuronale.

A finite-element model of a two-dimensional slice of human atrial tissue for the study of the electrograms and propagation of action potentials is presented. Action potential propagation is described by a reaction-diffusion model coupled with the complex Courtemanche et al. atrial cell model. The effects of recording electrode size and location on electrograms are presented. Action potential propagation as a result of atrial fibrillation ablation therapy is also modeled by defining a lesion area with decreased electrical conductivity. The effect of electrical conductivity and geometry of the lesion was also studied. It is shown that the success rate of atrial fibrillation ablation therapy is primarily correlated with the creation of continuous ablation lines and also the formation of fibrous tissue.