With the prolonged lifespan of the average person, the number of hospital stays have increased. Currently, pressure ulcers are one of the most severe complications associated with prolonged hospital stay. The protocol in today€™s hospital is to rotate bedridden patients once every two hours to prevent pressure ulcers. This puts a strain on attending nurses as the risk of a pressure ulcer for a patient is not universal and therefore, a universal preventative protocol is not the most effective solution. This thesis describes the circuit design and physical implementation of a device to address the issue of pressure ulcers. The device has the form factor of a patch to be placed on specific, at risk areas of the human body. The device was designed and prototyped first on a rigid structure and then on a flexible printed circuit board substrate. A calibration procedure was developed to reduce part to part variability inherent to the pressure sensor. The resistance measurement was achieved through a novel approach including the use of a timer removing the need for an analog-to-digital converter. A seven hour experiment was conducted with live, animal subjects to measure the pressure and temperature of at risk areas of the body. The results of the experiment successfully prove the fundamental approach outlined in this thesis and justify continued research and refinement into the product design.

This thesis is concerned with the advanced topics of thin film magnetoimpedance (MI) sensors. The author proposes and develops novel MI sensors that target on the challenges arising from emerging applications such as flexible electronics, passive wireless sensing, etc. In the study of flexible MI sensor, the investigated sensors of NiFe/Cu/NiFe tri-layersare fabricated on three flexible substrates having different surface roughness: Kapton, standard and premiumphotopaper. Sensitivity versus substrate roughness analysis is carried out for the selection of optimal substrate material. The high magnetic sensing performance is achieved by using Kapton substrate. Stress simulation, incorporated with the theory of magnetostriction effect, reveals the material composition of Ni/Fe being as a key factor of the stress dependent MI effect for the flexible MI sensors. In the development of MI-SAW device for passive wireless magnetic field sensing, NiFe/Cu/NiFe tri-layersand interdigital transducers(IDT) are designed and fabricated on a single piece of LiNbO3substrate, providing a high degree of integration and the advantage of standard microfabrication. The double-electrodeIDT has been utilized and proven to have an optimal sensing performance in comparison to the bi-directional IDT design. The optimized high frequency performance of the thin film MI sensor results in a MI-SAW passive wireless magnetic sensor with high magnetic sensitivity comparing to the MI microwire approach. Benefiting from the high degree of integration of the MI thin film element, in the following study, two additional sensing elements are integrated to the SAW device to have a multifunctional passive wireless sensor with extended temperature and humidity sensing capabilities. Analytical models havebeen developed to eliminate the crossovers of different sensing signals through additional reference IDTs, resulting in a multifunctional passive wireless sensor with the capability of detecting all three measurands individually and simultaneously.

<p>Graphene is a novel carbon material with great promise for a range of applications due to its electronic and mechanical properties. Its two-dimensional nature translates to a high sensitivity to surface chemical interactions thereby making it an ideal platform for sensors. Graphene's electronic properties are not degraded due to mechanical flexing or strain (Kim, K. S., et al. nature 07719, 2009) offering another advantage for flexible sensors integrated into numerous systems including fabrics, etc. </p><p>We have demonstrated a graphene NO2 sensor on a solid substrate (100nm SiO2/heavily doped silicon). Three different methods were used to synthesize graphene and the sensor fabrication process was optimized accordingly. Water is used as a controllable p-type dopant in graphene to study the relationship between doping and graphene's response to NO2. Experimental results show that interface water between graphene and the supporting SiO2 substrate induces higher p-doping in graphene, leading to a higher sensitivity to NO2, consistent with theoretical predications (Zhang, Y. et al., Nanotechnology 20(2009) 185504). </p><p>We have also demonstrated a flexible and stretchable graphene-based sensor. Few layer graphene, grown on a Ni substrate, is etched and transferred to a highly stretchable polymer substrate (VHB from 3M) with preloaded stress, followed by metal contact formation to construct a flexible, stretchable sensor. With up to 500% deformation caused by compressive stress, graphene still shows stable electrical response to NO2. Our results suggest that higher compressive stress results in smaller sheet resistance and higher sensitivity to NO2. </p><p>A possible molecular detection sensor utilizing Surface Enhanced Raman Spectrum (SERS) based on a graphene/gallium nanoparticles platform is also studied. By correlating the enhancement of the graphene Raman modes with metal coverage, we propose that the Ga transfers electrons to the graphene creating local regions of enhanced electron concentration modifying the Raman scattering in graphene.</p> / Dissertation

No description available.

Light stabilisation of photochromic dyes is seen as the most challenging part in the development of photochromic dyes. The aim of this research is to compare stabilisation methods and their effect on the lifetime of a photochromic print on textile. The vision is to create a textile UV-sensor that detects current UV light exposure in the surroundings and alarms the wearer by showing colour. The developed inks have been formulated for ink-jet printing as a novel production method with resource saving properties. UV-LED light curable ink formulations were prepared for two dye classes; a non-commercial spirooxazine, a commercial spirooxazine (Oxford Blue) and a commercial naphthopyran (Ruby Red). Two different stabilisation methods were applied; chemically by incorporation of hindered amine light stabilisers and physically by polyurethane coating. Fatigue tests were performed to evaluate and compare the stabilisation methods. The tests included were household washing, multiple activations and intensive sun-lamp exposure. As a result it was found that Oxford Blue and spirooxazine had an initial better resistance to photodegradation than Ruby Red. The coating reduced the ability of colour development in higher extend for Oxford Blue and spirooxazine compared to Ruby Red. Moreover, the photocolouration increased with the number of activations for Oxford Blue and spirooxazine in particular. In general, the physically stabilised samples showed a better or similar fatigue resistance compared to chemically stabilised samples. On the other hand the results are weak in significance. It is concluded that the developed coating method in combination with further optimising has potential.

No description available.

L'émergence des nouvelles applications dans le domaine de la micro et nanotechnologie requière de faibles coûts de fabrication et la caractérisation de dispositifs électroniques ayant des propriétés telles que la flexibilité, la portabilité, la légèreté, et des matériaux de faibles coûts. Les méthodes traditionnelles de fabrication impliquent de longues étapes de production, et des procédés de fabrication impliquant des étapes avec des produits chimiques. Le but de cette thèse est d'étudier la conception et la caractérisation de capteurs d'ammoniac et d'ozone sur support souple fabriqués par des processus de photolithographie et de gravure laser. Le support flexible est composé de Kapton avec des électrodes interdigitées de Ti/Pt pour la détection de gaz et un microchauffage. Les motifs du circuit ont été réalisés par photolithographie et gravure laser. L'utilisation de gravure laser sur support souple permet de réduire les coûts liés au temps de fabrication, aussi représente une excellente alternative aux processus chimiques. Des nanoparticles de ZnO déposées par gouttes ont été utilisées comme matériaux sensibles en raison de leurs excellentes propriétés dans la détection de gaz. Les conditions de détection de gaz ont été étudiées pour différentes concentrations d'ozone et d'ammoniac. Afin de tester une méthode de dépôt utilisée dans la production industrielle à grande échelle, un dépôt par spray ultrasonique a été effectué. Les capteurs réalisés montrent une large gamme de détection de 5 ppb à 500 ppb à 200 °C pour l'ozone et de 5 ppm à 100 ppm à 300 °C pour l'ammoniac avec une bonne reproductibilité, stabilité et de rapides temps de réponse et de retourn. / Nowadays the emerging of new applications in the micro and nanotechnology field required to reduce fabrication costand to improve electronic devices with properties such as flexibility, portability, lightweight, and low cost. Traditional methods involve expensive and long production steps, and chemical vapor deposition. The purpose of this work is to present the conception and characterization of flexible ammonia and ozone sensors fabricated by photolithography and laser ablation processes. The flexible platform is composed of Kapton substrate with interdigitated Ti/Pt electrodes for gas detection and a micro-heater device. The circuit patterns were realized by photolithography and laser ablation. Photolithography is a well-known and reliable patterning process used on rigid substrate. The application of laser ablation process not only reduces fabrication time, but also represents an excellent viable alternative instead of chemical processes. ZnO thin films deposited by drop coating have been used as sensitive materials due to their excellent properties in the gas detection. The gas sensing condition and the performances of the devices are investigated for ozone and ammonia at different gas concentrations and different thin film thicknesses. In order to test a deposit methodology used in large scale industrial production, an ultrasonic spray deposition was done. The sensor provides a wide range of detection from 5 ppb to 500 ppb for ozone and from 5 ppm to 100 ppm for ammonia. Their best sensibilities were obtained at 200°C for ozone and 300 °C for ammoniac with good repeatability, stability and fast response/recovery time.

<p dir="ltr">The present work expands the state of the art in the design of soft actuators and flexible sensors manufactured through fused deposition modelling (FDM) and direct ink writing (DIW). The first design consisted of flexible sensors for rehabilitation. Three different designs were tested and compared according to their sensitivity and accuracy. The flexible sensor successfully responded to deformation by changing its resistance. The first design of soft actuator was the Closed Dual Pneumatic Bellow Actuator. The soft actuator was manufactured using FDM and included an inner chamber in which the input air flows through and produces the actuation. The actuator also included dielectric electroactive polymer (DEAP) that showed response to pressure between the actuator and the object to be grasped. The electrodes of the DEAP were manufactured using commercial conductive TPU. A second soft actuator was designed with a circular shape and embedded DEAP. The electrodes in the DEAP consisted of conductive carbon grease. Previous tests were performed to assess the functionality of a DEAP structure using conductive carbon grease. The DEAP showed an increase in capacitance as pressure was applied on one side of the structure parallel to the electrodes and computational simulations validated such response. Future work using the sensors and actuators presented includes the implementation of a closed-loop system to the soft actuators, using the readouts of the sensors to adjust the input pressure and apply precise pressure on objects. The flexible sensor for rehabilitation has the potential to be implemented in each of the fingers of the hand and use the data to characterize the movement of the hand under different configurations providing feedback to patients in task-oriented therapy.</p>

Ce travail de thèse porte sur le développement d’outils de modélisation pour le contrôle non destructif (CND) par courants de Foucault (CF). Il existe actuellement une tendance à la mise en œuvre de capteurs souples qui représentent une solution pertinente pour inspecter des pièces ayant une surface complexe. L’objectif principal de cette thèse est l’élaboration de techniques permettant la modélisation de ce type de capteurs au sein de la méthode des éléments finis (MEF).Lors de la modélisation d’un capteur souple avec la MEF, trois problématiques se manifestent. La première concerne le maillage des milieux fins qui apparaissent dans ce type de configuration (distance capteur-pièce contrôlée, bobine plate, revêtement fin...). Le maillage de ces régions par des éléments simpliciaux peut poser des problèmes numériques (éléments déformés quand un maillage grossier est considéré et grand nombre d’inconnues quand un maillage fin est utilisé). La deuxième problématique concerne le déplacement du capteur. Si les différents sous-domaines géométriques (air, pièce, capteur...) sont convenablement remaillés pour chaque position du capteur, le temps total pourra être pénalisant. La troisième problématique relative à la modélisation d’un capteur souple porte sur l’imposition du courant dans des bobines déformées.Une comparaison de différentes approches nous a conduit à retenir la méthode overlapping, qui permet de considérer simultanément des milieux fins avec maillages non-conformes. Cette méthode permet d’effectuer le recollement de deux surfaces non planes et/ou de géométries différentes. La méthode overlapping a été implantée dans deux formulations duales (magnétique et électrique) en 2D et 3D intégrées dans le code de calcul DOLMEN (C++) du LGEP. La méthode overlapping a été validée pour la prise en compte de plusieurs types de régions minces (air, milieux conducteurs, milieux magnétiques, bobines plates...). La modélisation des capteurs souples nécessite aussi l’implantation d’une technique permettant d’imposer correctement les courants dans un inducteur de forme arbitraire. Une technique a été sélectionnée et programmée, d’abord pour des bobines classiques (volumiques) déformées puis pour des bobines plates flexibles. Afin de valider les développements réalisés, différentes configurations de test ont été traitées et les résultats comparés avec des solutions de référence analytiques ou expérimentales. / The objective of this thesis is the development of modeling tools for eddy current testing (ECT). Currently there is a tendency to use flexible sensors which represent a viable solution for inspecting parts with a complex surface. The main objective of this thesis is the development of techniques for taking into account this kind of sensors within the finite element method (FEM).When modeling a flexible sensor with the FEM, three issues have to be considered. The first one is related to the mesh of thin regions that appear in this kind of configuration (sensor-inspected part distance, thin coating...). The meshing of these regions with simplicial elements can cause numerical problems (distorted elements when a coarse mesh is considered and high number of unknowns when a fine mesh is used). The second issue is related to the displacement of the sensor on the part surface. If the different subdomains (air, part, sensor ...) are properly remeshed for each position of the sensor, the required time can be penalizing. The third issue, related to the modeling of a flexible sensor, is the computation of the current in distorted sensor coils.A comparison of different approaches has led to select the overlapping element method, which allows to simultaneously consider the thin regions with nonconforming meshes. This method allows to perform the connection of two surfaces which can be non-planar and/or have different geometries. The overlapping method has been implemented in two dual formulations (magnetic and electric) in 2D and 3D and integrated in the computation code (C++) DOLMEN of LGEP. The overlapping method has been validated for several kinds of thin regions (air, conductive regions, magnetic regions, flat coils...). The modeling of flexible sensors also requires the establishment of a technique for properly imposing the current in an inductor of arbitrary shape. A technique has been selected and implemented for conventional (volumic) distorted coils but also for flexible flat coils. Different test configurations have been considered in order to validate the developments and the results have been compared with analytical references or experimental solutions.

Ce travail porte sur la réalisation de capteurs interdigités (IDT pour InterDigital Transducer) sur des supports piézoélectriques. L’enjeu est double puisqu’il s’agit premièrement de disposer de capteurs efficaces pour générer des ondes de surface acoustiques (SAW pour Surface Acoustic Wave) afin de caractériser la qualité des revêtements et des surfaces de structures. Le deuxième objectif de cette étude est de rendre ces capteurs IDT flexibles afin qu’ils puissent s’adapter non seulement aux différentes géométries planes ou non mais aussi pour qu’ils soient capables de supporter les déformations des structures au cours de leur utilisation. En général, les matériaux piézoélectriques sont rigides et le caractère souple des matériaux est souvent en opposition avec les performances piézoélectriques de ces derniers ; nous avons donc développé des matériaux qui répondent à ces deux exigences : la performance piézoélectrique et la souplesse. Enfin, nous avons privilégié des technologies relativement bon marché pour développer ces capteurs afin d’envisager par la suite, un contrôle continu des structures en intégrant ces capteurs à demeure sur ces dernières. / This work deals with the realization of interdigital sensors (IDT for InterDigital Transducer) on piezoelectric substrates. There is a dual challenge since firstly, the aim is to have efficient sensors to generate surface acoustic waves (SAW) in order to characterize the quality of the coatings and structure surfaces. The second objective of this study is to make these IDT sensors flexible so as to adapt to different geometries of structures and to be able to put up with the deformations of structures in use. Typically, piezoelectric materials are rigid and the flexible nature of the materials is often in opposition to the piezoelectric performance of the latter. We developed materials that meet these two requirements: piezoelectricity and flexibility. Finally, we gave greater importance to relatively cheap technologies to develop these sensors because this allows then to consider continuous monitoring (structural health monitoring) by incorporating these sensors permanently on the structures to be tested.