Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / TM in title is superscripted on title page. Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-103). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xxv, 222 p.; also includes graphics (some color). Includes bibliographical references (p. 185-191).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xxi, 261 p.; also includes graphics (some col.). Includes bibliographical references (p. 244-254). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (M.S. in Mechanical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2004. / Thesis Advisor(s): Terry McNelley. Includes bibliographical references (p. 41-43). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Eric M. Taleff. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 204-217).

Dusty star forming galaxies (DSFGs), characterized by their far-infrared (far-IR) emission, undergo the largest starbursts in the Universe, contributing to the majority of the cosmic star formation rate density at z = 1−4. The Herschel Space Observatory for the first time was able observe the full far-IR dust emission for a large population of high-redshift DSFGs, thereby accurately measuring their star formation rates. With gravitational lensing, we are able to surpass the Herschel confusion limit and probe intrinsically less luminous and therefore more normal star-forming galaxies. With this goal in mind, we have conducted a large Herschel survey, the Herschel Lensing Survey, of the cores of almost 600 massive galaxy clusters, where the effects of gravitational lensing are the strongest. In this thesis, I present follow-up studies of gravitationally lensed Herschel-detected DSFGs by utilizing multi-wavelength data from optical to radio. Specifically, I characterize the star forming properties of gravitationally lensed DSFGs by using these three subsamples: (1) A gravitationally lensed DSFG galaxy at z = 0.6 in one of the most massive galaxy clusters, Abell S1063 (at z = 0.3), (2) One of the brightest sources in HLS, which is a system of two strongly gravitationally lensed galaxies, one at z = 2.0 (optically faint gravitational arc) and the other at z = 4.7 (triply-imaged galaxy), (3) A sample of the brightest sources in HLS at z = 1−4, in which we detect rest-frame optical nebular emission lines (e.g. Hα, Hβ, [OIII]λλ4959,5007) by utilizing near-IR spectroscopy. The main results from these studies are as follows: (1) In the cluster-lensed DSFG at z = 0.6, discovered in the core of Abell S1063, we identify a luminous (SFR = 10 M⊙/yr) giant (D~1 kpc) HII region similar to those typically found at higher redshift (z~2). We show that the HII region is embedded in a rotating disk and likely formed in isolation, rather than through galaxy interaction, which is observed in local galaxies. We can use this source as a nearby laboratory for star forming regions at z ~ 2, in which more detailed follow-up of this source can help us to understand their origin/properties. (2) We discovered that one of the brightest sources in HLS is a blend of two cluster-lensed DSFGs, one at z = 2.0 (an optically faint arc) and the other at z = 4.7 (triply-imaged galaxy), implying that a sample of bright Herschel sources may have such multiplicity. In the z = 2.0 arc, the sub-arcsecond clumps detected in the SMA image surprisingly do not correspond to the clumps in the JVLA CO(1-0) image. When investigating the CO(1-0) velocity structure, there is a substantial amount of molecular gas (likely a molecular wind/outflow) we find that we find is not associated with star formation. This suggests that the CO morphology in DSFGs could be strongly influenced by molecular outflows resulting in the over-prediction of the amount of the molecular gas available for star formation. In the z = 2.0 arc, we also constrain αCO~4. While this value is normal for galaxies like the Milky Way, it is quite unusual for ULIRGs. This hints that the physical conditions may be much different in the arc from other ULIRGs, which usually have αCO ≈ 0.8.(3) We successfully detect rest-frame optical emission lines in 8 gravitationally lensed DSFGs at z = 1−4 using ground-based near-IR spectroscopy with Keck, LBT and Magellan. The luminosities of these lines are substantially less than what the far-IR derived star formation rates predict, suggesting that these DSFGs have large dust attenuations. The difference in the star formation rates is a factor of 30 x (AV= 4), which is larger than previously reported for DSFGs at z > 1. One galaxy (z = 1.5) in the sample showed the largest suppression with a factor of 550x (AV = 7), which is similar to local ULIRGs. Future prospects: Herschel provided a glimpse into the star formation of DSFGs, but only the brightest at z > 2 could be studied in detail without gravitational lensing. ALMA will revolutionize the study of DSFGs with its high spatial resolution submm/mm imaging of their dust continuum and molecular gas, and it will begin to unravel their physical properties. In order to detect nebular emission lines in fainter higher redshift sources, 20-30 meter class telescopes, with next generation near-IR spectrographs, will be necessary. JWST will play a significant role as it will target rest-frame optical nebular emission lines in DSFGs unobtainable from the ground as well as weaker Hydrogen series lines (such as Paschen and Brackett series) to better understand their instantaneous star formation and dust attenuation.

Nanozirconia ceramics have great potential to be used in a range of applications from dental implants to petrochemical valves due to their enhanced mechanical properties and superior hydrothermal ageing resistance. Unlike conventional ceramic components that are normally produced in large quantities with low costs using various conventional dry forming or wet forming methods, industry scale processing of nanoceramics has not yet been achieved. Concentration and granulation of nanostructured 3 mol% yttria stabilised zirconia via a spray freeze drying (SFD) technique was investigated to determine whether large scale dry forming of nanoceramics would be possible. Commercial nanosuspension with a primary particle size of 16 nm was concentrated to 55 wt% solids content using an electrosteric dispersant, β-alanine, whilst retaining low viscosities of ~20 mPa s at a 200 s-1 shear rate. The nanosuspensions concentrated using the β-alanine also displayed good ageing resistance and it has been proven that a large scale vacuum assisted rotary evaporator can be used to perform concentration in industry.

Ce travail de thèse a pour objectif une meilleure connaissance des formulations filmogènes développées par les Laboratoires URGO. Deux aspects ont été développés.Il a tout d’abord été recherché un système d’encapsulation afin de protéger des molécules d’intérêt dans des solutions filmogènes. Des polymersomes en phase aqueuses et en phase organique ont été développés à base de copolymères amphiphiles m-PEG-PCL synthétisés et caractérisés au laboratoire. Ces auto-assemblages des copolymères possèdent des tailles variables (40 nm à 800 nm) avec une membrane en bicouche. Leur caractérisation a été réalisée en phase aqueuse et organique par différentes techniques : DLS, NTA, microscopie biphotonique et AFM. Puis des techniques de caractérisation ont été mises au point pour évaluer une formulation filmogène à base de nitrocellulose contenant de l’urée libre ou encapsulée dans des polymersomes. Cette formulation a été suivie au cours d’essais de stabilité à 25°C et à 40°C pendant 6 mois. Il a été observé une chute de viscosité, surtout à 40°C, attribuée à une coupure des chaînes macromoléculaires de la nitrocellulose (par CES). Les films formés ont un module de Young stable dans le temps avec apparition d’un jaunissement (paramètre b en colorimétrie). La quantité d’urée reste stable dans le temps mais elle accélère les phénomènes de vieillissement. Le jaunissement est dû à la décomposition de l’huile de ricin. L’encapsulation de l’urée au sein des polymersomes n’a pas amélioré la stabilité de la formulation prouvant ainsi le rôle catalyseur de l’urée. / This work aims at a better understanding of film-forming formulations developed by Laboratoires Urgo. Two parts have been developed. First, an encapsulation system to protect a model drug in film forming solutions was investigated. Polymersomes in aqueous and organic media have been developed based on amphiphilic copolymers m-PEG-PCL which were synthesized and characterized in the laboratory. Auto-assemblies of copolymers display variable sizes (40 nm to 800 nm) with a bilayer membrane. Their characterization was carried out in aqueous and organic phase by various techniques: DLS, NTA, bi-photonic microscopy and AFM. In a second part, characterization techniques have been developed to assess a film forming solution based on nitrocellulose, containing free or encapsulated urea in polymersomes. This formulation was investigated during stability studies at 25°C and 40°C up to 6 months. A drop in viscosity was observed, especially at 40°C, due to cleavage of the macromolecular chains of nitrocellulose (SEC). The formed films have a stable Young's modulus over time with an appearance of yellowing (parameter b in colorimetry). The urea quantity remains stable in time, but accelerates the aging of the solution. Yellowing is caused by the decomposition of castor oil. The encapsulation of the urea within polymersomes did not improve the stability of the formulation thus proving the catalytic role of urea.