Today, nanotechnology has added a new dimension to materials technology by creating opportunities to significantly enhance the properties of existing conventional materials. Polymer nanocomposites belong to one such class of materials and even though they show tremendous promise for dielectric/electrical insulation applications (“nanodielectrics” being the buzzword), the understanding related to these systems is very premature. Considering the desired research needs with respect to some of the dielectric properties of polymer nanocomposites, this study attempts to generate an understanding on some of the existing issues through a systematic and detailed experimental investigation coupled with a critical analysis of the data. An epoxy based nanocomposite system is chosen for this study along with four different choices of nano-fillers, viz. TiO2, Al2O3, ZnO and SiO2. The focus of this study is on the properties of nanocomposites at low filler loadings in the range of 0.1 - 5% by weight and the properties under investigation are the permittivity/tan delta behaviors, DC volume resistivity, AC dielectric strength and electrical discharge resistant characteristics. Significant efforts have also been directed towards addressing the interface interaction phenomena in epoxy nanocomposites and their subsequent influence on the dielectric properties of the material. The accurate characterization of the dielectric properties for polymer nanocomposites depends on the dispersion of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix and to achieve a good dispersion of nanoparticles in the epoxy matrix for the present study, a systematic design of experiments (DOE) is carried out involving two different processing methods. Consequently, a laboratory based epoxy nanocomposite processing methodology is proposed in this thesis and this process is found to be successful in dispersing nanoparticles effectively in the epoxy matrix, especially at filler concentrations lower than 5% by weight. Nanocomposite samples for the study are prepared using this method and a rigorous conditioning is performed before the dielectric measurements. The dielectric properties of epoxy nanocomposites obtained in the present study show interesting and intriguing characteristics when compared to those of unfilled epoxy and microcomposite systems and few of the results are unique and advantageous. In an unexpected observation, the addition of nanoparticles to epoxy is found to reduce the value of nanocomposite real permittivity below that of unfilled epoxy over a wide range of frequencies. Similarly, it has been observed that irrespective of the filler type, tan delta values in the case of nanocomposites are either same or lower than the value of unfilled epoxy up to a filler loading of 5% by weight, depending on the frequency and filler concentration. In fact, the nanocomposite real permittivities and tan delta values are also observed to be lower as compared to the corresponding microcomposites of the same constituent materials at the same filler loading. In another significant result, enhancements in the electrical discharge resistant characteristics of epoxy nanocomposites (with SiO2/Al2O3 nanoparticles) are observed when compared to unfilled epoxy, especially at longer durations of discharge exposures. Contrary to these encouragements observed for few of the dielectric properties, the trends of DC volume resistivity and AC dielectric breakdown strength characteristics in epoxy nanocomposites are found to be different. Irrespective of the type of filler in the epoxy matrix, it has been observed that the values of both AC dielectric strengths and DC volume resistivities are lower than that of unfilled epoxy for the filler loadings investigated. The results mentioned above seem to suggest that there has to be an interaction between the nanoparticles and the epoxy chains in the nanocomposite and therefore, glass transition temperature (Tg) measurements are performed to characterize the interaction phenomena, if any. The results of Tg for all the investigated nanocomposites also show interesting trends and they are observed to be lower than that of unfilled epoxy up to certain nanoparticle loadings. This lowering of the Tg in epoxy nanocomposites was not observed in the case of unfilled and microcomposite systems thereby strongly confirming the fact that there exists an interaction between the epoxy chains and nanoparticles in the nanocomposite. Considering the variations obtained for the nanocomposite real permittivity and Tg with respect to filler loading, a dual nanolayer interface model is utilized to explain the interaction dynamics and according to the model, interactions between epoxy chains and nanoparticles lead to the formation of two epoxy nanolayers around the nanoparticle. Analysis shows that the characteristics of the interface region have a strong influence on the dielectric behaviors of the nanocomposites and the suggested interface model seems to fit the characteristics obtained for the different dielectric/electrical insulation properties rather well. Further investigations are performed to understand the nature of interaction between nanoparticles and epoxy chains through FTIR studies and results show that there is probably an occurrence of hydrogen bonding between the epoxide groups of the epoxy resin and the free hydroxyl (OH) groups present on the nanoparticle surfaces. The results obtained for the dielectric properties of epoxy nanocomposites in this study have widened the scope of applications of these functional materials in the electrical sector. The occurrence of lower values of real permittivity for nanocomposites is definitely unique and unexpected and this result has huge potential in electronic component packaging applications. Further, the advantages related to tan delta and electrical discharge resistance for these materials carry lot of significance since, electrical insulating materials with enhanced electrical aging properties can be designed using nanocomposite technology. Although the characteristics of AC dielectric strengths and DC volume resistivities are not found to be strictly advantageous for epoxy nanocomposites at the investigated filler loadings, these properties can be optimized when designing insulation systems for practical applications. In spite of all these advantages, serious and systematic research efforts are still desired before these materials can be successfully utilized in electrical equipment.

The Hall resistivity in ferromagnetic materials has an anomalous contribution proportional to the magnetization, which is defined as the anomalous Hall effect (AHE). Being a central topic in the study of ferromagnetic materials for many decades, the AHE was revived in recent years by generating many new understandings and phenomena, e.g. spin-Hall effect, topological insulators. The phase diagram of the AHE was shown recently to exhibit three distinct regions: a skew scattering region in the high conductivity regime, a scattering-independent normal metal regime, and an insulating regime. While the origin of the metallic regime scaling has been understood for many decades through the expected dependence of each contribution, the origin of the surprising scaling in the insulating regime was completely unexplained, leaving the primary challenge to the last step to understand fully the AHE. In this dissertation work we developed a theory to study the AHE in the disordered insulating regime, whose scaling relation is observed to be omega_xy^AH is proportional to omega_xx^(1.40∼1.75) in a large range of materials. This scaling is qualitatively different from the ones observed in metals. In the metallic regime where kFl > > 1, the linear response theory predicts that omega_xx is proportional to the quasi-particle lifetime tau, while omega_xy^AH scales as alpha*tau beta*tau^0, indicating that the upper limit of the scaling exponent is 1.0. Basing our theory on the phonon-assisted hopping mechanism and percolation theory, we derived a general formula for the anomalous Hall conductivity (AHC), and showed that the AHC scales with the longitudinal conductivity as omega_xy^AH ~ omega_xx^gamma with gamma predicted to be 1.33 <= gamma <= 1.76, quantitatively in agreement with the experimental observations. This scaling remains similar regardless of whether the hopping process is long range type (varible range hopping) or short range type (activation E3 hopping), or is influenced by interactions, i.e. Efros-Shklovskii (E-S) regime. Our theory completes the understanding of the AHE phase diagram in the insulating regime.

The diploma thesis aimed to create a concept of a universal vehicle meeting the requirements for safe transportation of patients with risk of environmental contamination including the possibility of repeated use. The vehicle should meet the highest degree of public health protection, namely the Biological safety levels 4 (BSL 4). The questionnaire was used to gather the information about the current status of Biohazard teams, their material and technical equipment, and the way of transport security, including the possibility of rotating/substitution of the intervening staff. The questionnaire was distributed to the providers of health rescue services in individual regions and in the capital city of Prague. The results of the questionnaire survey formed the basis for processing the concept of the vehicle to ensure the transport of patients suspected of a highly dangerous contagion. The concept of the vehicle should serve as the basis for the real vehicle construction that will be able to provide protection at the level of BSL 4. It counts on a separate cabin for two drivers, a rear cabinet superstructure with a clean area for storing material and medical equipment, and rest facilities for the staff. At the rear, a separate insulating container consisting of an insulating box for patients, a decontamination area for the needs of the rotating staff, and a transfer box for medical supplies and devices. The proposed vehicle brings numerous improvements that meet BSL 4 protection and thus the highest level of the public health protection. The vehicle can carry up to seven patients at one intervention with the risk of environmental contamination. During the transport, it is possible for the staff to rotate continuously. The separate storage of medical supplies and devices ensures the use and degradation of only the necessary materials and devices. To cover the territory of the Czech Republic, the optimal number of six vehicles would be optimal.

Tratando-se de construções leves, para as condições climáticas de Curitiba, é recomendável o uso de materiais de cobertura que minimizem a transferência de calor no verão, porém evitando perdas de calor no inverno. A utilização de materiais isolantes como barreiras radiantes, formadas, por exemplo, por folhas de alumínio justapostas, pode trazer vantagens térmicas nessas duas situações. Uma opção de baixo custo para exercer a função de uma barreira radiante baseia-se no uso de embalagens Tetra Pak® , as quais têm uma de suas faces aluminizada. A pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho térmico das seguintes mantas isolantes: placas de 50 mm de Isopor® , foil dupla face e mantas Tetra Pak® em coberturas de guaritas de fibra de vidro, em condições reais de exposição aos elementos do clima e nos períodos de transição outono-inverno e primavera-verão. Os procedimentos metodológicos no período de transição outono-inverno compreenderam a comparação das temperaturas do ar e superficiais da cobertura. No período de transição primavera-verão, realizou-se a comparação das temperaturas do ar, superficiais da cobertura e das paredes face leste e face sul e da medição do fluxo de calor, para cálculo da resistência térmica. A utilização das mantas Tetra Pak® com a face aluminizada voltada para a cobertura ou com revestimento em dupla face (duas mantas Tetra Pak® coladas - ambas as faces aluminizadas expostas) apresentaram uma redução na temperatura superficial máxima de 9,8°C e 9,3°C, respectivamente e um aumento na temperatura superficial mínima de 2,7°C e 2,0°C, respectivamente. Para o período de transição primavera-verão os resultados para as mantas Tetra Pak® mostraram-se superiores aos das placas de Isopor® e do foil dupla face. / In light-weight buildings under the climatic conditions of Curitiba, it is recommended the use of roofing materials that minimize heat gains in summer while avoiding heat losses in winter. The use of insulating materials such as radiant barriers, formed, for example, by juxtaposed aluminum sheets, can bring thermal advantages in such situations. A low-cost option to perform the function of a radiant barrier is based on the use of open Tetra Pak® packages, which have one of their aluminized sides exposed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the thermal performance of the following insulation sheets: 50mm Styropor® , double-sided foil and Tetra Pak® sheets for fiberglass enclosures, in conditions of natural exposure to weather elements and in transitional periods in fall-winter and spring-summer. The methodological procedures in the autumn-winter transitional period comprised the comparison of air and surface temperatures of the roof elements. In spring-summer, air and surface temperatures of roof and walls (east- and south-facing) were compared and the measurement of the heat flow, to calculate the thermal resistance. The use of Tetra Pak® sheets with an upward-facing aluminized side or with double-sided coating (two glued, open Tetra Pak® packages - aluminized faces exposed) showed a reduction in the maximum surface temperature of 9.8°C and 9.3°C, respectively, and an increase in the minimum surface temperature of 2.7°C and 2.0°C, respectively. For the spring-summer transitional period, results for Tetra Pak® sheets were superior to those of Styropor® and double-sided foils.

Tratando-se de construções leves, para as condições climáticas de Curitiba, é recomendável o uso de materiais de cobertura que minimizem a transferência de calor no verão, porém evitando perdas de calor no inverno. A utilização de materiais isolantes como barreiras radiantes, formadas, por exemplo, por folhas de alumínio justapostas, pode trazer vantagens térmicas nessas duas situações. Uma opção de baixo custo para exercer a função de uma barreira radiante baseia-se no uso de embalagens Tetra Pak® , as quais têm uma de suas faces aluminizada. A pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho térmico das seguintes mantas isolantes: placas de 50 mm de Isopor® , foil dupla face e mantas Tetra Pak® em coberturas de guaritas de fibra de vidro, em condições reais de exposição aos elementos do clima e nos períodos de transição outono-inverno e primavera-verão. Os procedimentos metodológicos no período de transição outono-inverno compreenderam a comparação das temperaturas do ar e superficiais da cobertura. No período de transição primavera-verão, realizou-se a comparação das temperaturas do ar, superficiais da cobertura e das paredes face leste e face sul e da medição do fluxo de calor, para cálculo da resistência térmica. A utilização das mantas Tetra Pak® com a face aluminizada voltada para a cobertura ou com revestimento em dupla face (duas mantas Tetra Pak® coladas - ambas as faces aluminizadas expostas) apresentaram uma redução na temperatura superficial máxima de 9,8°C e 9,3°C, respectivamente e um aumento na temperatura superficial mínima de 2,7°C e 2,0°C, respectivamente. Para o período de transição primavera-verão os resultados para as mantas Tetra Pak® mostraram-se superiores aos das placas de Isopor® e do foil dupla face. / In light-weight buildings under the climatic conditions of Curitiba, it is recommended the use of roofing materials that minimize heat gains in summer while avoiding heat losses in winter. The use of insulating materials such as radiant barriers, formed, for example, by juxtaposed aluminum sheets, can bring thermal advantages in such situations. A low-cost option to perform the function of a radiant barrier is based on the use of open Tetra Pak® packages, which have one of their aluminized sides exposed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the thermal performance of the following insulation sheets: 50mm Styropor® , double-sided foil and Tetra Pak® sheets for fiberglass enclosures, in conditions of natural exposure to weather elements and in transitional periods in fall-winter and spring-summer. The methodological procedures in the autumn-winter transitional period comprised the comparison of air and surface temperatures of the roof elements. In spring-summer, air and surface temperatures of roof and walls (east- and south-facing) were compared and the measurement of the heat flow, to calculate the thermal resistance. The use of Tetra Pak® sheets with an upward-facing aluminized side or with double-sided coating (two glued, open Tetra Pak® packages - aluminized faces exposed) showed a reduction in the maximum surface temperature of 9.8°C and 9.3°C, respectively, and an increase in the minimum surface temperature of 2.7°C and 2.0°C, respectively. For the spring-summer transitional period, results for Tetra Pak® sheets were superior to those of Styropor® and double-sided foils.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2016-10-19T16:18:12Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Felipe Resende de Carvalho Sousa - 2016.pdf: 6672203 bytes, checksum: b0d857b45451fe225dfdbd424c35be00 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2016-10-19T16:18:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Felipe Resende de Carvalho Sousa - 2016.pdf: 6672203 bytes, checksum: b0d857b45451fe225dfdbd424c35be00 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-19T16:18:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Felipe Resende de Carvalho Sousa - 2016.pdf: 6672203 bytes, checksum: b0d857b45451fe225dfdbd424c35be00 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-10 / Prediction ofmoisture levels inside power transformers shown itselfas an important technique for maintenance engineering, because in addition to being associated with the useful life of equipment, it also provides arguments for decision making about intervention in them. Despite concerns about water in transformers existed for over half a century, the monitoring of this variable is still done in a simply way, given little information to weave a diagnosis, which can lead to superficial interpretations of equipment, and therefore, the misdiagnosis. Given such a scenario, this work aims to obtain an equation that models classical curves relative to moisture in transformers, as well as the development of a mathematical model that simulates water migration inside these equipments. For this purpose, computational techniques and numerich methods are used. Thus, the main contribution of this work is to optimize the above diagnostic process. During the work a literature review of the subject is presented, with further explanations of the mathematical tools used. To prove the effectiveness of the project presented, case studies with data from energized power transformers are analysed. Some values found in other works are also uses to validate the work. Ending with some conclusions, this paper proves that the use of the approach presented here is effective, and its application is fundamental in the area of maintenance engineering. / A predição dos níveis de umidade no interior de transformadores de potência se mostra como uma técnica importante para a Engenharia de Manutenção, pois, além de estar associada à vida útil destes equipamentos, fornece argumentos para a tomada de decisão quanto a intervenções nos mesmos. Apesar da preocupação com a presença de água em transformadores existir há mais de meio século, o acompanhamento de tal variável ainda é realizado de maneira superficial, considerando-se poucas informações para se apresentar um diagnóstico eficiente, o que pode levar a interpretações equivocadas sobre o equipamento e, consequentemente, a falsos diagnósticos. Tendo em vista tal cenário, este trabalho possui como objetivo a obtenção de um equacionamento que modele curvas clássicas relativas à umidade em transformadores, bem como o desenvolvimento de um modelo matemático que simule o comportamento da migração de água no interior destes equipamentos. Para isso, técnicas computacionais e métodos numé- ricos são utilizados. Desta forma, a principal contribuição do trabalho é otimizar o processo de diagnóstico supracitado. Durante o trabalho, é realizada uma análise bibliográfica do tema, com posteriores explicações sobre as ferramentas matemáticas utilizadas. Para comprovar a eficácia do projeto apresentado, são realizados estudos de caso com dados obtidos de transformadores energizados. Alguns valores encontrados em outros trabalhos também são utilizados para validar o trabalho. Finalizando com conclusões sobre o exposto, comprova-se que a utilização da abordagem aqui apresentada é eficaz e de fundamental aplicação na área de Engenharia de Manutenção.

En France, le secteur du bâtiment est le plus grand consommateur d'énergie et représente environ 43% de la consommation totale d'énergie. L'isolation thermique dans le bâtiment est nécessaire afin d'améliorer son efficacité énergétique. Dans certains pays dont la France, la rénovation des bâtiments occupe une place essentielle dans la stratégie de transition énergétique. La stratégie mise en place consiste donc à renforcer l'isolation thermique des enveloppes de bâtiment et ceci en perdant le moins de surface habitable possible. Ceci justifie le fait de développer et de mettre en œuvre à l'avenir des matériaux super isolants comme les aérogels. Les objectifs de cette étude sont d'examiner le comportement thermique des bâtiments et d'étudier l'amélioration possible de leur efficacité énergétique en utilisant un nouvel enduit isolant à base d'aérogels de silice et ainsi que l'énergie solaire. Tout d'abord, la performance thermique et hygrothermique des murs extérieurs est étudiée afin de trouver la meilleure structure de ces murs. Deuxièmement, nous étudions l'évolution du confort thermique et du comportement énergétique des maisons en adoptant le nouvel enduit isolant comme isolation extérieure. Cette évolution a aussi été représentée par un modèle mathématique. On a comparé les résultats obtenus à l'aide de ces modèles avec les mesures expérimentales faites sur une maison récemment construite. Enfin, le potentiel de réduction de la charge de chauffage en adoptant un système actif dans la paroi est analysé. Ce système est proposé pour capter une partie de l'énergie solaire qui tombe sur la façade sud et qui est disponible pendant les journées non nuageuses en hiver, et la transférer vers la façade nord par l'intermédiaire de canalisations d'eau intégrées dans l'enduit isolant objet de l'étude. / In France, the building sector is the largest consumer of energy and accounts for about 43% of the total energy consumption. The building sector offers significant potential for improved energy efficiency through the use of high-performance insulation and energy-efficient systems. For existing buildings, renovation has a high priority in France because these buildings represent a high proportion of energy consumption and they will be present for decades to come. Nowadays, there is a growing interest in the so-called super-insulating materials, such as Aerogels. The objectives of this study are to examine the thermal behavior of buildings and to foster energy efficiency through the use of a newly developed aerogel-based insulating coating as well as the use of renewable energy sources, specifically solar energy. Firstly, the thermal and hygrothermal performance of exterior walls having different layer composition structures are examined. Secondly, the heating energy demand as well as the risk of summer overheating is examined for different construction periods and under different climates. Also, a mathematical model is built and compared to experimental measurement of a recently built full-scale house. Finally, the potential to decrease the heating load by adopting a closed wall loop system is scrutinized. The latter is a proposed system to capture some of the solar energy falling on the south facade available during non-cloudy winter days and transfer it to the north facade through water pipes embedded in the aerogel-based coating.

L’indisponibilité d’un transformateur de puissance a de fortes répercussions financières aussi bien pour les exploitants de réseaux d’énergie électriques que pour les clients qui y sont connectés. Afin de prévenir les pannes et d’optimiser la performance de ces équipements d’importance stratégique, de nombreuses techniques et outils de diagnostic ont été développés. L’huile contient environ 70 % des informations de diagnostic sur l’état des transformateurs. Le défi consiste à y accéder et à les utiliser efficacement. L’atteinte d’un tel objectif passe nécessairement par des techniques de diagnostic fiables. En plus des techniques traditionnellement utilisées, trois nouvelles techniques de diagnostic issues des normes ASTM sont utilisées : (1) le test de stabilité qui permet de simuler le comportement sous champ électrique d’une huile en fournissant des informations sur la qualité de celle-ci ; (2) la spectrophotométrie UV/Visible qui permet de mesurer la quantité relative de produits de décomposition dissous dans l’huile ; et (3) la turbidité qui mesure la pureté d’une huile neuve ou usagée. Une méthode quantitative permettant de déterminer les paramètres affectant la formation du soufre corrosif sur les conducteurs en cuivre dans les transformateurs de puissance est proposée. Il est montré entre autres que la tendance au gazage des esters naturels est plus faible que celle de tous les autres types d’huile (minérales, esters synthétiques, silicone). La turbidité et la spectrophotométrie UV/Visible permettent de quantifier efficacement les contaminants qui résultent de l’action d’une décharge électrique sur l’huile isolante. Un nombre important de cycles de régénération (au moins 15) est nécessaire pour qu’une huile vieillie en service retrouve les aptitudes d’une huile neuve. Une nouvelle technique de régénération est présentée pour réduire le nombre de cycles de régénération ; celle-ci consiste à utiliser la terre à foulon traitée avec de l’azote. Il est montré également que le temps constitue le paramètre le plus nuisible dans la formation de soufre corrosif. L’action combinée du temps et de l’agressivité de l’oxygène dissous l’accélère fortement. / A power transformer outage has a dramatic financial consequence not only for electric power systems utilities but also for interconnected customers. In order to prevent any failure and to optimize their maintenance, various diagnostic techniques and tools have been developed. Insulating oil contains about 70% of diagnostic information on the transformer condition. The challenge is to access and use them efficiently. To meet this objective reliable diagnostic techniques are required. In addition to traditional testing methods, three recently developed ASTM testing techniques were used: (1) oil stability testing that simulates the behaviour of oil under electrical stress by providing information on its quality; (2) the UV/Visspectrophotometry that measures the amount of the relative dissolved decay products in insulating oil; and (3) the turbidity that measures the purity of virgin and aged oil. A quantitative laboratory technique capable of determining the parameters affecting the formation of corrosive sulphur deposition on copper conductors in power transformer is proposed. It is shown among other that the gassing tendency of natural esters is lower than that of the other types of insulating fluids (mineral oil, synthetics esters and silicone oil). The turbidity and UV/Vis spectrophotometry allow quantifying effectively, the relative amount of contaminants resulting from electrical discharge in oils. A large number of reclamation cycles (around 15 passes) are required for in-service aged oil to regenerate to the level of new oil. Anew technique enabling reducing the number of reclamation cycles is proposed; this latter consists in the use of Fuller’s Earth previously treated with dry nitrogen. It is also shown that time is the most influential parameter in the formation of corrosive sulfur. The process is accelerated when time and aggressiveness of oxygen are partnered.

Plusieurs types de dispositifs mécaniques (à vibration, à cylindre tournant, à lit fluidisé) mettant en jeu l'effet triboélectrique sont actuellement utilisés pour charger électriquement les constituants des mélanges de matériaux isolants granulaires, en vue de leur séparation dans un champ électrique intense. La non-uniformité de la charge des granules à la sortie de ces dispositifs affecte l'efficacité de la séparation, d'où l'intérêt des recherches visant la mise au point de procédés électrostatiques nouveaux, notamment pour des applications dans le domaine du recyclage des déchets. L'utilisation simultanée de l'effet triboélectrique, de la force de Coulomb et de la force d'image électrique est la solution innovante selon laquelle ont été conçus les quatre dispositifs à lit fluidisés réalisés ou améliorés dans le cadre de cette thèse. L'évaluation des performances de ces dispositifs a été rendue possible par la mise en oeuvre de systèmes de mesure complexes, permettant l'enregistrement continu et simultané des charges et des masses des produits de la séparation. Ainsi, la méthode des plans d'expériences pour surfaces de réponse a pu être utilisée pour modéliser le processus de séparation et déterminer les valeurs optimales des variables de contrôle de chacun des dispositifs, tels que le niveau de la haute tension d'alimentation ou la vitesse de l'air de fluidisation. Les résultats obtenus sur les installations de laboratoire et sur un prototype préindustriel recommandent cette classe de procédés tribo-aéro-électrostatiques comme la solution de choix pour le recyclage des déchets granulaires d'équipements électriques et électroniques. / Several types of mechanical devices (vibratory trays, rotating drums, fluidized beds) make use of the triboelectric effect for electrically charge the constituents of insulating materials granular mixtures, in view of their separation in a high-intensity electric field. The non-uniformity of granule charge at the exit of these devices adversely affects the separation efficiency, justifying the researches aimed at the development of novel electrostatic processes, mainly for applications in the field of waste recycling. Simultaneous usage of the triboelectric effect, the Coulomb force and the electric image force is an innovative technical solution according to which four fluidized bed devices were built or improved within the framework of this thesis. The performances of these devices could be evaluated by setting up complex measurement systems that enable the continuous and simultaneous recording of the charges and masses of the separated products. Thus, the experimental design methodology could be used for modeling the separation process and identify the optimum values of the control variables of each device, such as the high voltage level of the speed of the fluidization air. The results obtained on laboratory devices as well on an semi-industrial pilot installation recommend this class of tribo-aero-electrostatic separation processes as the solution of choice for the selective sorting of plastics from waste electric and electronic equipment.

L'étude des phases de la matière est d'un intérêt fondamental en physique. La théorie de Landau, qui est le "modèle standard" des transitions de phases, caractérise les phases de la matière en termes des brisures de symétrie, décrites par un paramètre d'ordre local. Cette théorie a permis la description de phénomènes remarquables tels que la condensation de Bose-Einstein, la supraconductivité et la superfluidité.<p><p>Il existe cependant des phases qui échappent à la description de Landau. Il s'agit des phases quantiques topologiques. Celles-ci constituent un nouveau paradigme et sont caractérisées par un ordre global défini par un invariant topologique. Ce dernier classe les objets ou systèmes de la manière suivante: deux objets appartiennent à la même classe topologique s'il est possible de déformer continument le premier objet en le second. Cette propriété globale rend le système robuste contre des perturbations locales telles que le désordre. <p><p>Les atomes froids constituent une plateforme idéale pour simuler les phases quantiques topologiques. Depuis l'invention du laser, les progrès en physique atomique et moléculaire ont permis un contrôle de la dynamique et des états internes des atomes. La réalisation de gaz quantiques,tels que les condensats de Bose-Einstein et les gaz dégénérés de Fermi, ainsi que la réalisation de réseaux optiques à l'aide de faisceaux lasers, permettent d'étudier ces nouvelles phases de la matière et de simuler aussi la physique du solide cristallin.<p><p>Dans cette thèse, nous nous concentrons sur l'etude d'isolants topologiques avec des atomes froids. Ces derniers sont isolants de volume mais possèdent des états de surface qui sont conducteurs, protégés par un invariant topologique. Nous traitons trois sujets principaux. Le premier sujet concerne la génération dynamique d'un isolant topologique de Mott. Ici, les interactions engendrent l'isolant topologique et ce, sans champ de jauge de fond. Le second sujet concerne la détection des isolants topologiques dans les expériences d'atomes froids. Nous proposons deux méthodes complémentaires pour caractériser celles-ci. Finalement, le troisième sujet aborde des thèmes au-delà de la définition standard d'isolant topologique. Nous avons d'une part proposé un algorithme efficace pour calculer la conductivité de Berry, la contribution topologique à la conductivité transverse lorsque l'énergie de Fermi se trouve dans une bande d'énergie. D'autre part, nous avons utilisé des méthodes pour caractériser les propriétés quantiques topologiques de systèmes non-périodiques.<p><p>L'étude des isolants topologiques dans les expériences d'atomes froids est un sujet de recherche récent et en pleine expansion. Dans ce contexte, cette thèse apporte plusieurs contributions théoriques pour la simulation de systèmes quantiques sur réseau avec des atomes froids. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished