The primary motivation behind this research was to determine whether 3D printed lenses printed out using the non-planar technique can help achieve better beam intensity for a 60 GHz printed-circuit-board based radar and consequently improve radar efficiency. Non-planar printing is a new development in the 3D printing industry. In the non-planar printing method, the printer is moving simultaneously in all X, Y and Z-axis. This process prints with curved layers, which helps achieve a smoother surface. For this, a newly developed version of the Slic3r, specifically called non-planar Slic3r, was used. The modelled lens was imported into this Slic3r software. The G-Code was generated, and using it, non-planar lenses were printed along with planar lenses for comparison purpose. The lenses printed out using the non-planar technique were not perfectly smooth as was thought initially. Both planar and non-planar lenses measurements were taken in a watchful environment, and the measurements were later compared. The comparison of measurements showed that the non-planar lens did not show any noticeable gain in the intensity over planar lenses. The conclusion, however, is limited to the frequency range around 60 GHz, and in the case of higher frequencies, the result may change

Proposed are novel sensors for extreme environment power plants, laser beam analysis and biomedicine. A hybrid wireless-wired extreme environment temperature sensor using a thick single-crystal Silicon Carbide (SiC) chip embedded inside a sintered SiC probe design is investigated and experimentally demonstrated. The sensor probe employs the SiC chip as a Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometer to measure the change in refractive index and thickness of SiC with temperature. A novel temperature sensing method that combines wavelength-tuned signal processing for coarse measurements and classical FP etalon peak shift for fine measurements is proposed and demonstrated. This method gives direct unambiguous temperature measurements with a high temperature resolution over a wide temperature range. An alternative method using blackbody radiation from a SiC chip in a two-color pyrometer configuration for coarse temperature measurement and classical FP laser interferometry via the same chip for fine temperature measurement is also proposed and demonstrated. The sensor design is successfully deployed in an industrial test rig environment with gas temperatures exceeding 1200 C. This sensor is proposed as an alternate to all-electrical thermocouples that are susceptible to severe reliability and lifetime issues in such extreme environments. A few components non-contact thickness measurement system for optical quality semi-transparent samples such as Silicon (Si) and 6H SiC optical chips such as the one used in the design of this sensor is proposed and demonstrated. The proposed system is self-calibrating and ensures a true thickness measurement by taking into account material dispersion in the wavelength band of operation. For the first time, a 100% repeatable all-digital electronically-controlled pinhole laser beam profiling system using a Texas Instruments (TI) Digital Micro-mirror Device (DMD) commonly used in projectors is experimentally demonstrated using a unique liquid crystal image generation system with non-invasive qualities. Also proposed and demonstrated is the first motion-free electronically-controlled beam propagation analyzer system using a TI DMD and a variable focus liquid lens. The system can be used to find all the parameters of a laser beam including minimum waist size, minimum waist location and the beam propagation parameter M2. Given the all-digital nature of DMD-based profiling and all-analog motion-free nature of the Electronically Controlled Variable Focus Lens (ECVFL) beam focus control, the proposed analyzer versus prior-art promises better repeatability, speed and reliability. For the first time, Three Dimensional (3-D) imaging is demonstrated using an electronically controlled Liquid Crystal (LC) optical lens to accomplish a no-moving parts depth section scanning in a modified commercial 3-D confocal microscope. The proposed microscopy system within aberration limits has the potential to eliminate the sample or objective motion-caused mechanical forces that can distort the original sample structure and lead to imaging errors. A signal processing method for realizing high resolution three dimensional (3-D) optical imaging using diffraction limited low resolution optical signals is also proposed.

No description available.

No description available.

L’utilisation de lentilles cornéennes peut servir à améliorer le profil d’administration d’un principe actif dans les yeux. Avec une efficacité d’administration de 5% par l’utilisation de gouttes, on comprend rapidement que l’administration oculaire doit être améliorée. Cette faible administration a donné naissance à plusieurs tentatives visant à fabriquer des lentilles cornéennes médicamentées. Cependant, à cause de multiples raisons, aucune de ces tentatives n’a actuellement été mise sur le marché. Nous proposons dans cette étude, une possible amélioration des systèmes établis par le développement d’une lentille cornéenne à base de 2-(hydroxyéthyle)méthacrylate (HEMA), dans laquelle des microgels, à base de poly N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAM) thermosensible encapsulant un principe actif, seront incorporé. Nous avons donc débuté par développer une méthode analytique sensible par HPCL-MS/MS capable de quantifier plusieurs molécules à la fois. La méthode résultante a été validée selon les différents critères de la FDA et l’ICH en démontrant des limites de quantifications et de détections suffisamment basses, autant dans des fluides simulés que dans les tissus d’yeux de lapins. La méthode a été validée pour sept médicaments ophtalmiques : Pilocarpine, lidocaïne, proparacaïne, atropine, acétonide de triamcinolone, timolol et prednisolone. Nous avons ensuite fait la synthèse des microgels chargés négativement à base de NIPAM et d’acide méthacrylique (MAA). Nous avons encapsulé une molécule modèle dans des particules ayant une taille entre 200 et 600 nm dépendant de la composition ainsi qu’un potentiel zêta variant en fonction de la température. L’encapsulation de la rhodamine 6G (R6G) dans les microgels a été possible jusqu’à un chargement (DL%) de 38%. L’utilisation des isothermes de Langmuir a permis de montrer que l’encapsulation était principalement le résultat d’interactions électrostatiques entre les MAA et la R6G. Des cinétiques de libérations ont été effectuées à partir d’hydrogels d’acrylamide chargés en microgels encapsulant la R6G. Il a été trouvé que la libération des hydrogels chargés en microgels s’effectuait majoritairement selon l’affinité au microgel et sur une période d’environ 4-24 heures. La libération à partir de ces systèmes a été comparée à des formules d’hydrogels contenant des liposomes ou des nanogels de chitosan. Ces trois derniers (liposomes, microgels et nanogels) ont présenté des résultats prometteurs pour différentes applications avec différents profils de libérations. Enfin, nous avons transposé le modèle développé avec les gels d’acrylamide pour fabriquer des lentilles de contact de 260 à 340 µm d’épaisseur à base de pHEMA contenant les microgels avec une molécule encapsulée devant être administrée dans les yeux. Nous avons modifié la composition de l’hydrogel en incorporant un polymère linéaire, la polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). L’obtention d’hydrogels partiellement interpénétrés améliore la rétention d’eau dans les lentilles cornéennes. L’encapsulation dans les microgels chargés négativement a donné de meilleurs rendements avec la lidocaïne et cette dernière a été libérée de la lentille de pHEMA en totalité en approximativement 2 heures qu’elle soit ou non encapsulée dans des microgels. Ainsi dans cette étude pilote, l’impact des microgels n’a pas pu être déterminé et, de ce fait, nécessitera des études approfondies sur la structure et les propriétés de la lentille qui a été développée. En utilisant des modèles de libération plus représentatifs de la physiologie de l’œil, nous pourrions conclure avec plus de certitude concernant l’efficacité d’un tel système d’administration et s’il est possible de l’optimiser. / The development of corneal contact lenses initially aimed to correct vision troubles but more recently targets to improve administration of ophthalmic drugs. Eye drops from ophthalmic solutions has a poor administration efficiency of 5% or less and is currently the most used method to deliver drugs to the eye. Such administration technique needs to be improved and contact lenses could be the solution according to many opticians. However, no marketed therapeutic contact lenses has been marketed up to date. In this project we have developed a model of a contact lens made of 2-(hydroxyethyl)methacrylate embedding microgels of poly N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAM), encapsulating a model drug. We first developed an analytical method capable to quantify simultaneously seven ophthalmic drugs: Pilocarpine, lidocaine, proparacaine, atropine, triamcinolone acetonide, timolol and prednisolone. This method was developed on a HPLC-MS/MS device and was validated according to FDA and ICH criteria. Using this method, we achieved very low detection and quantitation limits with high precision and accuracy in both simulated lachrymal fluids and in rabbit ocular tissues. Each seven drugs was validated using this method. We proceeded with the synthesis of negatively charged microgels of NIPAM using methacrylic acid (MAA) as comonomer. Resulting size were ranging between 200-600 nm and zeta potential was found to increase (absolute value) with temperature. The microgels were used to encapsulate a model molecule, rhodamine 6G (R6G), in different medium and were loaded in the microgel up to 38% (drug loading, DL%). Using Langmuir isotherms to measure affinity and adsorption of R6G, it was found well correlated to MAA content in microgels, suggesting electrostatic interaction was the main parameter for drug loading. Release kinetics was performed using a model hydrogel of acrylamide embedding the R6G-loaded microgels. The measured release was found to follow an affinity-based mechanism for over 4-24 hours. The release kinetics were then compared to a formulation of liposomes and nanogels of chitosan embedded in hydrogel. All formulations exhibited interesting release profiles making them promising systems for different therapeutic applications. Finally, we changed the acrylamide gels for pHEMA designed to reproduce contact lenses containing drug-loaded microgels. The hydrogel composition, in terms of monomer / cross-linker ratio, was first optimized to fit contact lenses properties of 260-340 µm thick contact lenses. We also made use of semi-interpenetrated polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP) in the pHEMA hydrogel matrix to increase its water content. The highest DL% of negatively charged microgels were obtained using lidocaine and were used for release studies, where the total content of lidocaine was released in approximately 2 hours with and without microgels. In the end, this was a pilot study aiming to evaluate the potential of microgel usability in contact lenses. However, the impact of microgels on release was not fully conclusive. Additional studies should be undertaken to achieve a better comprehension and characterization of the release mechanism such as using more eye relevant physiological models. Such studies would provide further insights on the use of such materials for eye drug delivery and its applicability.

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) provide distance and near refraction and are becoming the standard for cataract surgery. Multifocal glasses increase the variability of toe clearance in older adults navigating stairs and increase fall risk; however, little is known about the biomechanics of stair navigation in individuals with multifocal IOLs. This study compared clearance while ascending and descending stairs in individuals with monofocal versus multifocal IOLs. Eight participants with multifocal IOLs (4 men, 4 women; mean age = 66.5 yr, standard deviation [SD] = 6.26) and fifteen male participants with monofocal IOLs (mean age = 69.9 yr, SD = 6.9) underwent vision and mobility testing. Motion analysis recorded kinematic and custom software-calculated clearances in three-dimensional space. No significant differences were found between groups on minimum clearance or variability. Clearance differed for ascending versus descending stairs: the first step onto the stair had the greatest toe clearance during ascent, whereas the final step to the floor had the greatest heel clearance during descent. This preliminary study indicates that multifocal IOLs have similar biomechanic characteristics to monofocal IOLs. Given that step characteristics are related to fall risk, we can speculate that multifocal IOLs carry no additional fall risk.

It is well known that ultraviolet (UV) B (280-315 nm) and blue light (400-500 nm) radiation can produce phototoxic lesions in the neural retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In the first section of this thesis, bovine lens cells (epithelium and superficial cortical fibre cell) and human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells were used to characterize in vitro changes following oxidative stress with UVB radiation in ocular lens optics and cellular function in terms of mitochondrial dynamics. In the second part, human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells and in vitro bioassays were used together to develop an in vitro approach for UV radiation-induced retinal toxicology research. In the third chapter, the in vitro approach developed above was used with intraocular lens (IOL) materials to evaluate the UV radiation blocking efficiency of commercially available IOL’s. Lastly, narrowband blue light irradiation and in vitro assays were used to determine more precisely the wavelengths of blue light responsible for photochemical lesions of the retina as an effort to contribute to future IOL designs. The results from mitochondrial dynamics of lens cells and RPE cells show significant decreases in mitochondrial movement after UVB irradiation in a dose dependent manner. Results obtained from four in vitro assays (Alamar blue assay, confocal microscopy for mitochondrial distribution and nucleic acids damage, phagocytotic activity assay) for evaluating the UVB-induced damage in ARPE-19 show significant decreases in cell viability as well as phagocytotic activity of RPE cells after UVB radiation. In addition, the results show that UV radiation can also induce the degradation of DNA/RNA and mitochondria of RPE cells in a dose dependent manner. The results of the UV blocking efficiency test of commercially available IOL materials show very effective UV blocking ability, allowing no cellular damage at all, in comparison to an IOL uncovered control cell. The results of three different wavelengths of blue light exposure show that only 400 nm blue light radiation can cause significant damage to RPE cells, while 420 and 435.8 nm blue light radiation cause no cellular damage at all. In conclusion, UVB and blue light radiation can cause phototoxic damage to the retinal pigment epithelium as a result of oxidative stress, and in vitro bioassays used for this research may offer a sensitive, and meaningful biomarker approach, not only for evaluating RPE function after oxidative and chemical stress, but also for evaluating IOL effectiveness.

It is well known that ultraviolet (UV) B (280-315 nm) and blue light (400-500 nm) radiation can produce phototoxic lesions in the neural retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In the first section of this thesis, bovine lens cells (epithelium and superficial cortical fibre cell) and human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells were used to characterize in vitro changes following oxidative stress with UVB radiation in ocular lens optics and cellular function in terms of mitochondrial dynamics. In the second part, human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells and in vitro bioassays were used together to develop an in vitro approach for UV radiation-induced retinal toxicology research. In the third chapter, the in vitro approach developed above was used with intraocular lens (IOL) materials to evaluate the UV radiation blocking efficiency of commercially available IOL’s. Lastly, narrowband blue light irradiation and in vitro assays were used to determine more precisely the wavelengths of blue light responsible for photochemical lesions of the retina as an effort to contribute to future IOL designs. The results from mitochondrial dynamics of lens cells and RPE cells show significant decreases in mitochondrial movement after UVB irradiation in a dose dependent manner. Results obtained from four in vitro assays (Alamar blue assay, confocal microscopy for mitochondrial distribution and nucleic acids damage, phagocytotic activity assay) for evaluating the UVB-induced damage in ARPE-19 show significant decreases in cell viability as well as phagocytotic activity of RPE cells after UVB radiation. In addition, the results show that UV radiation can also induce the degradation of DNA/RNA and mitochondria of RPE cells in a dose dependent manner. The results of the UV blocking efficiency test of commercially available IOL materials show very effective UV blocking ability, allowing no cellular damage at all, in comparison to an IOL uncovered control cell. The results of three different wavelengths of blue light exposure show that only 400 nm blue light radiation can cause significant damage to RPE cells, while 420 and 435.8 nm blue light radiation cause no cellular damage at all. In conclusion, UVB and blue light radiation can cause phototoxic damage to the retinal pigment epithelium as a result of oxidative stress, and in vitro bioassays used for this research may offer a sensitive, and meaningful biomarker approach, not only for evaluating RPE function after oxidative and chemical stress, but also for evaluating IOL effectiveness.

In this thesis, different optomechanical design and adhesive configurations for mounting mirrors and prisms used in a laser system are investigated. Maintaining stability and strength of optical components of a laser device is difficult especially if the system is to be used in military environment. In order to determine the strength of prism mounts to high acceleration levels, mathematical correlations derived by Yoder are used. By use of these mathematical correlations, safety factor of different prism mounts and adhesive configurations are calculated for an acceleration level of 40g. So as to decide most stable mirror mount and adhesive configuration, several experiments are conducted. For the experiments, 5 different optomechanical mounts are designed. Then, 25 mirrors are bonded to the designed mounts with 5 different adhesives. These experiments are done to simulate harsh military environmental conditions such as thermal shock, mechanical vibration and mechanical shock. In the experiments, angular movement of mirrors due to adhesive cure, thermal shock, mechanical vibration and mechanical shock are monitored. Thermal shock is applied between -40&ordm / C and 70&ordm / C with a temperature change of 22&ordm / C/min. On the v other hand, mechanical vibration of 14 grms and mechanical shock of 40g for 6 ms is applied in the experiments. Shortly, this study is done for determination of the most stable mirror and prism mount design and adhesive combination of a laser system subjected to extremely harsh environments.

This thesis addresses real-time rendering techniques for 3D information lenses based on the focus & context metaphor. It analyzes, conceives, implements, and reviews its applicability to objects and structures of virtual 3D city models. In contrast to digital terrain models, the application of focus & context visualization to virtual 3D city models is barely researched. However, the purposeful visualization of contextual data of is extreme importance for the interactive exploration and analysis of this field. Programmable hardware enables the implementation of new lens techniques, that allow the augmentation of the perceptive and cognitive quality of the visualization compared to classical perspective projections. A set of 3D information lenses is integrated into a 3D scene-graph system: • Occlusion lenses modify the appearance of virtual 3D city model objects to resolve their occlusion and consequently facilitate the navigation. • Best-view lenses display city model objects in a priority-based manner and mediate their meta information. Thus, they support exploration and navigation of virtual 3D city models. • Color and deformation lenses modify the appearance and geometry of 3D city models to facilitate their perception. The presented techniques for 3D information lenses and their application to virtual 3D city models clarify their potential for interactive visualization and form a base for further development. / Diese Diplomarbeit behandelt echtzeitfähige Renderingverfahren für 3D Informationslinsen, die auf der Fokus-&-Kontext-Metapher basieren. Im folgenden werden ihre Anwendbarkeit auf Objekte und Strukturen von virtuellen 3D-Stadtmodellen analysiert, konzipiert, implementiert und bewertet. Die Focus-&-Kontext-Visualisierung für virtuelle 3D-Stadtmodelle ist im Gegensatz zum Anwendungsbereich der 3D Geländemodelle kaum untersucht. Hier jedoch ist eine gezielte Visualisierung von kontextbezogenen Daten zu Objekten von großer Bedeutung für die interaktive Exploration und Analyse. Programmierbare Computerhardware erlaubt die Umsetzung neuer Linsen-Techniken, welche die Steigerung der perzeptorischen und kognitiven Qualität der Visualisierung im Vergleich zu klassischen perspektivischen Projektionen zum Ziel hat. Für eine Auswahl von 3D-Informationslinsen wird die Integration in ein 3D-Szenengraph-System durchgeführt: • Verdeckungslinsen modifizieren die Gestaltung von virtuellen 3D-Stadtmodell- Objekten, um deren Verdeckungen aufzulösen und somit die Navigation zu erleichtern. • Best-View Linsen zeigen Stadtmodell-Objekte in einer prioritätsdefinierten Weise und vermitteln Meta-Informationen virtueller 3D-Stadtmodelle. Sie unterstützen dadurch deren Exploration und Navigation. • Farb- und Deformationslinsen modifizieren die Gestaltung und die Geometrie von 3D-Stadtmodell-Bereichen, um deren Wahrnehmung zu steigern. Die in dieser Arbeit präsentierten Techniken für 3D Informationslinsen und die Anwendung auf virtuelle 3D Stadt-Modelle verdeutlichen deren Potenzial in der interaktiven Visualisierung und bilden eine Basis für Weiterentwicklungen.