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L’objectif de ces travaux de thèse est de contribuer à la compréhension d’un procédé de mise en forme composite appelé EPITHER. Il s’agit d’un procédé visant la réalisation de pièces composites massives à utilisations structurelles pour les marchés de l’automobile et de l’aéronautique. Il a été breveté en 2011 et en 2015/2016.Les trois étapes de réalisation des pièces EPITHER sont les suivantes : enroulement d’une préforme en optimisant l’anisotropie du composite en fonction des chemins d’efforts de la pièce réelle, mise en forme de la préforme par thermoformage, apport de propriétés morphologiques supplémentairesLes travaux de thèse s’orientent autour de trois axes majeurs : la mise en place d’une phase expérimentale, la compréhension des étapes de consolidation des pièces et l’influence des paramètres de mise en forme. / The objective of this work is to contribute to the comprehension of a new composite forming process which name is EPITHER. This forming process was created to produce massive composites parts used for structural applications in automotive and aeronautics industries. Two patents have been deposed in 2011 and in 2015/2016.There are three steps in the forming process EPITHER: winding a preform in order to maximize and optimize the anisotropy of the composite considering the mechanical specifications of the final part, forming the preform by a thermoforming step, add morphological properties in a last step.The Phd deals with three major research axis: setting up an experimental study, the comprehension of the consolidation steps and a study of the consolidation parameters.

The fabrication processes development for on III-nitride (III-N) heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), heterojunction field-effect transistors (HFETs) and metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MISFETs) were performed. D.c, microwave and quasi-static I-V and C-V measurements were carried out to characterize the fabricated III-N transistors and diodes. The GaN/InGaN direct-growth HBTs (DG-HBTs) grown on free-standing GaN (FS-GaN) substrates demonstrated a high current gain (hfe) > 110, high current density (JC) > 141 kA/cm2, and high power density (Pdc) > 3 MW/cm2. The first III-N DG-HBT showing fT > 8 GHz and fmax > 1.3 GHz were also demonstrated on sapphire substrates. Recessed-gate AlGaN/AlN/GaN HFETs demonstrated Vth = 0 V with 0.17 V deviation across the sample. Baliga's figure of merit is 240 MW/cm2 was achieved. Current collapse was eliminated and the dynamic on-resistance was reduced by 67% after using a remote-oxygen-plasma treatment. Normally-off recessed-gate AlGaN/AlN/GaN MISFETs with Vth = 0.9 V were also fabricated with the remote-oxygen-plasma treatment. Low leakage current (< 1 pA/mm), high on-off ratio (> 2.2E11) are achieved. These achievements suggest that high-performance III-N transistors are very promising for high-power switching and microwave amplification. Findings concerning remaining process issues and implications for future research are also discussed.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo investigar as propriedades ópticas de sistemas poliméricos luminescentes submetidos a diferentes doses de radiação gama. Foram preparadas soluções de poli[2-metóxi-5-(2\'etil-hexilóxi)-p-fenilenovinileno] - MEHPPV em clorofórmio e filmes finos depositados a partir de soluções deste polímero sobre substrato de vidro. As soluções e filmes finos tiveram suas propriedades investigadas por meio de medidas de absorção ultravioleta-visível (UV-VIS). Os filmes finos também foram analisados por medidas de espectroscopia de infravermelho (FTIR) além da cromatografia HPSEC. Os resultados experimentais foram analisados buscando elucidar tanto os efeitos da radiação nas propriedades ópticas dos polímeros, como também o estudo da viabilidade destes materiais como elementos ativos de dosímetros para baixas doses de radiação gama (< 1 kGy) especialmente para aplicações no tratamento de esterilização de bolsas de sangue (~ 25 Gy) e altas doses de radiação gama (até 25 kGy) para aplicações como esterilização de materiais médicos hospitalares. / This work aims the investigation of the optical properties of luminescent polymeric systems when submitted to different gamma radiation doses. Solutions of poly[2-methoxi-5-(2\'etil-hexiloxi)-p-phenilenevinilene] - MEH-PPV in chloroform were prepared. From those solutions, thin film layers of MEH-PPV were deposited on glass substrates. The polymer solutions and the thin-film samples of MEHPPV had their properties investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy. The thin-film prepared samples were, additionally, investigated by InfraRed Fourier Transform (FTIR) spectroscopy and HPSEC chromatography. The experimental results were investigated to elucidate the radiation effects on the optical properties of these polymeric systems. From the experimental results, the feasibility of using this material as active element in gamma radiation dosimeters was investigated. The research was conducted aiming the low dose gamma radiation (< 1 kGy) specifically for application in the sterilization treatment of blood bags (~ 25 Gy) and high gamma radiation doses (up to 25 kGy) as used for the sterilization of medical and hospital supplies.

Current MEMS development is driven by the need to develop various 'Miniaturized Total Chemical Analysis Systems ([mu]TAS), biological and chemical sensing, drug delivery, molecular separation, microfiltration, amplification, and sequencing systems. In this work, the use of flexural plate wave devices as an actuator has been investigated.This research was done with the aim of developing a platform to build FPW devices for use in System-On-Chip applications. It is well known that acoustic forces generated by a flexural plate wave (FPW) device can cause fluid motion, by the principle of acoustic streaming. Also the proven ability of FPW devices to cause mixing, filtration and to work as a chemical-biological sensor can be used towards building a micromachined [mu]TAS. The effects of the IDT finger width, spacing, aperture, membrane thickness, and driving conditions on the device performance was studied to understand the impact of IDT design on device performance.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo investigar as propriedades ópticas de sistemas poliméricos luminescentes submetidos a diferentes doses de radiação gama. Foram preparadas soluções de poli[2-metóxi-5-(2\'etil-hexilóxi)-p-fenilenovinileno] - MEHPPV em clorofórmio e filmes finos depositados a partir de soluções deste polímero sobre substrato de vidro. As soluções e filmes finos tiveram suas propriedades investigadas por meio de medidas de absorção ultravioleta-visível (UV-VIS). Os filmes finos também foram analisados por medidas de espectroscopia de infravermelho (FTIR) além da cromatografia HPSEC. Os resultados experimentais foram analisados buscando elucidar tanto os efeitos da radiação nas propriedades ópticas dos polímeros, como também o estudo da viabilidade destes materiais como elementos ativos de dosímetros para baixas doses de radiação gama (< 1 kGy) especialmente para aplicações no tratamento de esterilização de bolsas de sangue (~ 25 Gy) e altas doses de radiação gama (até 25 kGy) para aplicações como esterilização de materiais médicos hospitalares. / This work aims the investigation of the optical properties of luminescent polymeric systems when submitted to different gamma radiation doses. Solutions of poly[2-methoxi-5-(2\'etil-hexiloxi)-p-phenilenevinilene] - MEH-PPV in chloroform were prepared. From those solutions, thin film layers of MEH-PPV were deposited on glass substrates. The polymer solutions and the thin-film samples of MEHPPV had their properties investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy. The thin-film prepared samples were, additionally, investigated by InfraRed Fourier Transform (FTIR) spectroscopy and HPSEC chromatography. The experimental results were investigated to elucidate the radiation effects on the optical properties of these polymeric systems. From the experimental results, the feasibility of using this material as active element in gamma radiation dosimeters was investigated. The research was conducted aiming the low dose gamma radiation (< 1 kGy) specifically for application in the sterilization treatment of blood bags (~ 25 Gy) and high gamma radiation doses (up to 25 kGy) as used for the sterilization of medical and hospital supplies.

Initial research in the field of organic electronics focused primarily on the improvements in material performance. Significant progress has been achieved in the case of organic field effect transistors, where reported mobility values are now over 5 orders of magnitude higher than those of early devices. As a consequence, the use of organic transistors is now being considered for real-world applications in the form of integrated logic circuits. This in turn presents many new challenges, as the logic circuit requirements are more demanding on the transistor characteristics and corresponding fabrication processes. This thesis investigates the feasibility of organic technology for its potential use in future low-cost, high-volume electronic applications. The research objectives were accomplished by practical evaluation of an organic logic circuit fabrication process. First, recent advances in the fabrication of organic circuits in terms of transistor structure, material usage and fabrication techniques are reviewed. Next, a lithographic logic circuit fabrication process using PVP gate dielectric and TIPS-pentacene organic semiconductor adapted from state of the art fabrication process is presented. The logic circuit design decisions and the methodology for the fabrication process are thoroughly documented. Using this process, zero-Vgs and diode-load inverter circuits were successfully fabricated. However, the process is in need of further refinement for more complex circuit designs, as the fabrication of a comparator circuit consisting of 11 transistors was unsuccessful. Two optimisation techniques that are compatible with the logic circuit fabrication process were also explored in this work. To improve the capacitive coupling of the dielectric layer, the use of a polymer nanocomposite dielectric was investigated. The nanocomposite is prepared by blending PVP solution with a high-k inorganic nanoparticle filler, barium strontium titanate. Using the nanocomposite dielectric, both single transistors and integrated logic circuits were successfully fabricated. This is the first report on the use of PVP and barium strontium titanate nanocomposite dielectric with a lithographic based logic circuit fabrication process. The use of PFBT modified Au contacts for the fabrication process was investigated to improve theperformance of the contact electrode layer. Using PFBT, mobility increased by one order of magnitude over untreated Au electrodes for the PVP and TIPS-pentacene transistors.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study developed and optimised zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire-based nanogenerator. The nanogenerator works on the piezoelectric effect that is, a mechanical force is converted to an electrical voltage. The ZnO nanowires are piezoelectric and when any force is applied to the nanowires an output voltage is generated. This ZnO nanowire-based nanogenerator can be used to power small electronic devices, such as pacemakers. The nanogenerator can also be incorporated into clothes and shoes to generate electricity to charge a cell phone for example. The problem experienced currently is that the nanogenerator does not generate enough electricity to be of practical use and needs to be further optimised. Simulations and mathematical models were used to identify areas where the nanogenerator could be optimised in order to increase the output voltage. It is shown that the morphology of the nanowires can have a considerable effect on the output voltage. For this reason the growth of the nanowires was investigated first. Different methods were used to propagate the nanowires in order to select the method that, on average, has the highest output voltage. Accordingly, one parameter at a time and design of experiments were used to optimise the nanowire growth. Consequently, these two methods were used to optimise the growth parameters with the respect to the output voltage. The aqueous solution method was found to yield nanowires that give the highest generated output voltage. After growing over 600 nanowire samples, optimal growth parameters for this method were found. These optimal growth parameters were subsequently used to grow nanowires that were used to manufacture the nanogenerator. The nanowires were grown on a solid substrate and hence the nanogenerator was also manufactured on the solid substrate. Through various optimisations of the manufacturing process the maximum output voltage achieved was about 500 mV. However, this output voltage is too low to be of practical use, even though the output has been raised considerably. The main problem was found to be the fact that the contact between the nanowires and the electrode was weak due to contamination. A new method was therefore required where the electrode and the nanowires would be in proper contact to ensure that higher output voltages were achieved. Subsequently, a flexible nanogenerator was manufactured in order to solve this problem. Accordingly, the nanowires were grown on the flexible polyimide film and a buffer layer was then spun onto the flexible substrate, leaving only the nanowire tips exposed. The electrode was then sputtered on top of this buffer layer, covering the nanowire tips. This ensured proper contact between the nanowires and the electrode. The nanogenerator, which was manufactured with non-optimal growth parameters, gives a maximum voltage output of 1 V, double the maximum achieved with the solid nanogenerator. When the optimal growth parameters were used the output voltage was raised to 2 V. Various optimisation techniques were performed on the nanogenerator, including plasma treatment and annealing and the use of various materials in the buffer layer. Combining these optimisation methods subsequently led to an optimised nanogenerator that can generate an output voltage of over 5 V. This was achieved after over 1200 nanogenerators had been manufactured. However, the output voltage was not in a usable form. Circuitry was therefore developed to transform the voltage generated by the nanogenerator to a useable form. The best circuit, the LTC3588, was used to power an LED for 10 seconds. The completed device was found to achieve a power output of 0.3 mW, enough for small electronic devices. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Sink-oksied (ZnO) nanodraad gebaseerde nanogenerator is ontwikkeld en geöptimeer. Die nanogenerator werk met behulp van die piezoelektriese effek - meganiese krag work omgesit in ‘n elektriese spanning. Die ZnO nanodrade is piezoelektries en wanneer ‘n krag op die drade aangewend word, word ‘n uittree spanning gegenereer. Die nanogenerator kan gebruik word om klein elektroniese toestelle, soos ‘n pasaangeër, van krag te voorsien. Die nanogenerator kan in klere en skoene geïnkorporeer word om elektrisiteit op te wek vir die laai van ‘n selfoon. Die probleem is egter dat die nanogenerator tans nie genoeg krag opwek om prakties van nut te wees nie en verdere optimasie word benodig. Simulasies en wikundige modelle work gebruik om areas te identifiseer waar die nanogenerator geöptimeer kan word, met die doel om die uittreespanning te verhoog. Dit word bewys dat die morfologie van die nanodrade ‘n groot effek het op die uittreespanning. Dus word die groei van die nanodrade eerste ondersoek. Verskillende metodes word gebruik om die nanodrade te groei en die beste metode, wat die hoogste uittreespanning op gemiddeld verskaf, word gekies. Een parameter op ‘n slag en ontwerp van eksperimente word gebruik om die nanodraad groei te optimeer. Die groei parameters word geöptimeer deur van die twee metodes gebruik te maak, en die optimeering word gedoen in terme van die uittreespanning. Die oplossing groei metode lei tot nanodrade wat die hoogste uittreespanning verskaf. Na oor die 600 nanodraad monsters gegroei is, is die optimale parameters gevind. Hierdie optimale parameters word uitsluitlik gebruik om die nanogenerator te vervaardig. Die nanodrade word op ‘n soliede substraat gegroei en dus word die nanogenerator op dieselfde soliede substraat vervaardig. Verskeie metodes is gebruik om die vervaardiging te optimeer en die hoogste uittreespanning wat bereik is, is 500 mV. Die uittreespanning is te laag om van praktiese nut te wees alhoewel dit heelwat verhoog is. Die grootste probleem is die swak kontak tussen die nanodrade en die elektrode, wat veroorsaak word deur kontaminasie. ‘n Nuwe metode word verlang wat beter kontak tussen die nanodrade en elektrode sal verseker. ‘n Buigbare nanogenerator is vervaardig om die probleem op te los. Die nanodrade word nou op ‘n buigbare film gegroei. ‘n Bufferlaag word tussen die nanodrade in gedraai, tot net die punte van die nanodrade nog sigbaar is. Die elektrode word bo-op die bufferlaag gedeponeer, wat behoorlike kontak tussen die nanodrade en elektrode verseker. Die nanogenerator wat met nie-optimale groei parameters vervaardig is, bereik ‘n uittreespanning van 1 V, dubbel die soliede nanogenerator. Met optimale groei parameters word die uittreespanning tot 2 V verhoog. Verskeie optimasie tegnieke word op die nanogenerator toegepas. Die metodes sluit in suurstof plasma behandeling, verhitting en die inkorporasie van verskillende materiale in die bufferlaag. ‘n Kombinasie van die metodes geïnkorporeer in een nanogenerator lei tot ‘n uittreespanning van 5 V. Die uittreespanning is bereik na oor die 1200 nanogenerators vervaardig is. The uittreespanning is nog nie in ‘n bruikbare vorm nie. Spesiale stroombane is ontwikkel wat die nanogenerator spanning omskakel na ‘n bruikbare vorm. Die beste stroombaan, die LTC3588, kan ‘n LED aanskakel vir 10 sekondes. The toestel kan ook 0.3mWuittreekrag voorsien, genoeg vir klein elektroniese toestelle om te werk.

Lors de cette étude, différentes recherches ont été effectuées sur l'utilisation de divers matériaux naturels comme source de matière premières pour la fabrication de colles vertes pour l'industrie de panneau. Dans ce contexte, le travail a consisté à : (i) Evaluer le potentiel de différents tannins en provenance de déchets d'écorces et développer des colles à base de tanins avec différents durcisseurs.(ii) Evaluer le potentiel de lignines de différentes origines et développer des colles à base de tannin de mimosa et de lignine. (iii) Développer des colles à base de tannin et de protéine de gluten.(iv) Evaluer les émissions de formaldéhyde et d'autres composés organiques volatiles (COV) à partir de panneaux de particules fabriqués avec les colles naturelles mises au point précédemment.Les techniques d'analyses thermomécaniques, de spectroscopie CP-MAS 13C NMR, de matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) et de temps de gel ont été utilisées comme méthodes de travail pour l'évaluation et la caractérisation de ces colles. Les essais de cohésion interne pour l'évaluation de la résistance mécanique de la colle selon la norme EN -312 ont également été effectués.En ce qui concerne les émissions de formaldéhyde et des autres COV à partir de panneaux contentant des colles vertes, le recours à des techniques normalisées par chromatographie en phase gazeuse associée à un spectromètre de masse (GC-MS) et par chromatographie en phase liquide (HPLC) ont été privilégiées. / This study deals with some researches carried out about the use of various natural materials as a source of raw material for the manufacturing of green adhesives for the industry of panel. In this context, work consisted in:(i) Evaluation of the potential of various tannins coming from barks wastes and development of adhesives containing tannins and various hardeners.(ii) Evaluation of the lignin potential from various origins and development of adhesives containing tannin from mimosa and lignin.(iii) Development of adhesives containing tannin and gluten protein.(iv) Evaluation of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOC) from particleboards manufactures with the natural adhesives previously developed.Thermomechanical analyses, spectroscopy CP-MAS 13C NRM, matrix- assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectroscometry (MALDI-TOF) and gelling time techniques were performed for evaluation and characterization of these adhesives. Internal bond test for the evaluation of adhesives mechanical resistance according to the standard EN-312 were also carried out.Concerning formaldehyde and other VOC emissions from panels with green adhesives, the recourse to standardized techniques which are gas chromatography associated with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were privileged.