Le carbure de silicium est pressenti comme un matériau prometteur dans plusieurs domaines de l’électroniquetels que la nano-électronique, l’électronique de puissance ou les capteurs travaillant en milieuxhostiles (hautes températures, milieux corrosifs, milieux biologiques) du fait de ses propriétés physicochimiquessupérieures à celles du silicium, notamment. Cependant, parmi les différentes méthodesd’élaboration par voie descendante ou ascendante permettant de fabriquer des nano-objets à 1D enSiC, aucune n’a pour l’instant permis d’obtenir du SiC d’excellente qualité cristalline.Le travail de cette thèse a porté sur la démonstration de l’élaboration de nanostructures 1D àbase de SiC, à savoir nanofils coeur-coquille Si-SiC, nanofils de SiC et nanotubes de SiC, par unprocédé original de carburation de nanofils de silicium, eux-mêmes élaborés par gravure plasma. Cettedémonstration a été possible grâce au contrôle de la pression de carburation, ce qui permet la maîtrisede l’exodiffusion des atomes de silicium à travers le carbure de silicium.À pression atmosphérique l’exodiffusion des atomes de silicium est restreinte ce qui permet d’élaborerdes nanofils coeur-coquille Si-SiC avec une coquille de SiC monocristalline et entièrement recouvrante.En se servant de la biocompatibilité du SiC et du bon contrôle électronique dans le silicium, ilest possible d’envisager l’utilisation de ces nanofils coeur-coquille Si-SiC pour des bio-nano-capteurs.En diminuant la pression au cours de la carburation, il est possible d’augmenter l’exodiffusion etainsi d’obtenir des nanotubes de SiC cubique de très bonne qualité cristalline avec des parois denses.Ces nanotubes de SiC sont largement modulables en termes de dimensions, et la faisabilité de leurouverture a été démontrée, permettant ainsi l’utilisation du fort rapport surface sur volume de telsnano-objets pour des capteurs électroniques notamment.Un premier pas a été franchi vers les applications des nanofils coeur-coquille Si-SiC et des nanotubesde SiC, puisque les mesures électriques réalisées sur des nano-transistors à effet de champ utilisant cesdeux types de nano-objets comme canal sont prometteurs. / Due to their superior physical and chemical properties —such as high breakdown field, high thermalconductivity and biocompatibility— compared to other semiconductors, silicon carbide is forseento be a promising materials for power electronics, bio-nano-sensors and nano-electronics in harsh environments.However, among the numerous top-down or bottom-up methods used to synthesise siliconcarbide 1D nano-objects, none has been able yet to produce SiC with a high cristalline quality.The aim of this project is to demonstrate the synthesis of silicon carbide- based 1D nanostructures—e.g. core-shell Si-SiC nanowires, SiC nanowires and SiC nanotubes— through an original processbased on the carburization of plasma-etched silicon nanowires. This demonstration is based on thecontrol of the pressure during the carburization process, which leads to the monitoring of the outdiffusionof silicon atoms through silicon carbide.Thus if the pressure is kept at the atmospheric pressure, the out-diffusion of silicon is limited andSi-SiC core-shell nanowires can be synthesized with a single-crystalline cubic SiC shell. Thanks to thebiocompatibility of the SiC shell and the good electronic transport into the Si core, bio-nano-sensorscan be considered.If the pressure is decreased during the carburization process, the outdiffusion of silicon atomsthrough SiC is enhanced, and leads to SiC nanotubes synthesis. SiC nanotubes sidewalls are dense,with an excellent crystalline quality. These original SiC nanotubes have a high surface to volume ratioand thus can be used for sensors or storage devices.The first step for direct applications has also been demonstrated since first results on electricalperformances of nano-field effect transistors, with these nano-objects as channel, are promising.

Les tapis de nanotubes de carbone verticalement alignés sont des candidats potentiels pour des applications telles que les interconnexions ou les matériaux d'interface thermique. Ce travail de recherche porte sur la synthèse de tapis de nanotubes de carbone alignés selon le procédé de dépôt chimique en phase vapeur (CVD) d'aérosols liquides, sur l'élaboration de nanocomposites constitués de différentes nuances de matrices époxy infiltrées au sein de ces tapis, ainsi que sur l'étude des propriétés mécaniques et thermiques longitudinales et transverses des tapis secs eux-mêmes et des nanocomposites 1D formés. Les conditions de synthèse permettent notamment de faire varier les caractéristiques des tapis telles que leur épaisseur, leur masse volumique, le diamètre externe moyen des nanotubes de carbone (NTC), l'espace intertube et la teneur volumique en NTC, alors que leur structure cristalline peut être modifiée par le biais d'un traitement thermique à haute température. L'objectif principal de ce travail consiste à démontrer et quantifier l'effet de certaines caractéristiques des tapis de nanotubes de carbone sur les propriétés mécaniques et thermiques des différents types de tapis et matériaux composites obtenus. Les deux méthodes d'imprégnation mises en oeuvre, voie liquide et infusion, conduisent à des tapis de NTC alignés denses avec un alignement des NTC conservé et une répartition homogène des NTC au sein du système époxy. La fraction volumique en NTC s'avère être le paramètre-clé permettant d'exacerber, dans la direction longitudinale aux NTC, les propriétés mécaniques et thermiques des nanocomposites. Par ailleurs, les tapis de NTC et les nanocomposites voient leurs propriétés de conduction thermique longitudinale nettement exacerbées lorsque les NTC présentent une amélioration de leur structure cristalline. L'augmentation significative des performances apportées par les tapis de NTC verticalement alignés au sein de ces matériaux nanocomposites anisotropes par rapport aux matrices organiques non chargées est prometteuse et ouvre des pistes de réflexion visant à répondre aux nouvelles exigences de multifonctionnalité des secteurs de l'aéronautique et de l'aérospatial. / Vertically aligned carbon nanotube carpets are potential candidates for applications such as interconnections or thermal interface materials (TIMs). This research work deals with the synthesis of aligned carbon nanotube carpets from the aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (CVD) technique, with the elaboration of nanocomposites made of different grades of epoxy matrix infiltrated within these carpets, as well as the study of both longitudinal and transverse mechanical and thermal properties of dry carpets themselves and 1D-nanocomposites separately. The synthesis conditions notably enable to vary characteristics of the differents carpets such as their thickness, their density, the mean external diameter of the carbon nanotubes (CNT), the intertube space and the CNT volume fraction, whereas their crystalline structure can be modified with a high temperature thermal treatment. The main goal of this work is to prove and quantify the effect of some of the characteristics of the carbon nanotubes carpets on both mechanical and thermal properties of the different kinds of CNT carpets and resulting composite materials. The two impregnation methods used, liquid way and infusion, lead to dense CNT carpets with a preserved alignment of the CNT and an homogeneous distribution of these latest within the epoxy system. The CNT volume content is evidenced as the key-parameter exacerbating the mechanical and thermal properties mainly in the longitudinal direction compared with the alignment axis of the CNTs. Moreover the mechanical and thermal conduction properties of the CNT carpets and the 1D-nanocomposites are clearly increased when the crystalline structure of the CNT is improved. The significant increasing of the properties brought by the vertically aligned CNT within these anisotropic 1D-nanocomposites compared with the only organic matrixes is promising and opens new pathways aiming to meet the latest specifications related to multifunctionnality in fields such as aeronautics and aerospace.

Les matériaux composites prennent une place de plus en plus importante dans la conception et la fabrication des moyens de transport et notamment dans le domaine naval où ils sont particulièrement privilégiés. En effet, ces matériaux sont utilisés pour leur légèreté, insensibilité à la corrosion et leurs caractéristiques mécaniques. Dans le domaine militaire, où l'optimisation des moyens de communication et de protection électromagnétique est primordiale, le développement de matériaux composites dotés de propriétés de reconfigurabilité sous commande(s) externe(s), présente un atout opérationnel majeur pour les parois structurales exploitant ces matériaux. Afin d'explorer cette voie, DCNS et l'Institut d’Électronique et de Télécommunications de Rennes (IETR, UMR-6164) se sont associés. Les travaux de thèse engagés ont pour objectif d'étudier et de développer des matériaux composites présentant des fonctions de reconfigurabilité applicables aux systèmes navals tels que les radômes, les antennes et exploitables pour répondre aux problématiques de furtivité (SER). Une première étude a permis d'explorer les matériaux à base de carbone, présentant une potentielle agilité de leurs caractéristiques diélectriques sous actuateur électrique. Ces matériaux présentent également un fort pouvoir absorbant électromagnétique, tributaire des propriétés diélectriques, elles-mêmes potentiellement reconfigurables. La seconde étude engagée a étudié l'impact des matériaux ferroélectriques, c'est-à-dire des matériaux reconfigurables sous champ électrique, lorsqu'ils sont intégrés comme charge dans une résine d'imprégnation. Ce nouveau matériau composite présente alors une reconfigurabilité de ses caractéristiques diélectriques, rendant commandable en fréquence sa structure hôte. Une troisième étude, exploitant aussi le matériau ferroélectrique a permis l'obtention d'une reconfigurabilité des caractéristiques de réflectivité de panneaux composites grâce au développement de surfaces sélectives en fréquence reconfigurables. De nouvelles propriétés ont ainsi été mises en évidence en hyperfréquences. Enfin, les matériaux d'âmes et spécifiquement les nids d'abeilles diélectriques ont fait l'étude d'une fonctionnalisation pour des applications DC et hyperfréquences. / Composite materials are used for their lightness, high resistance to corrosion and high mechanical properties over large application areas, such as naval, ground and aerial. Collaboration between DCNS group and the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications of Rennes (IETR, UMR-6164) has been initiated to develop smart composite materials with tunable properties at microwaves. Three different routes have been investigated during the thesis work. The first one is based on carbon composite material, its electromagnetic absorbing ability and its potential dielectric tunability. For this, we develop composite materials loaded with various carbon particles (carbon nanotube, graphene, black carbon). Next, to elaborate smart composite materials, a ferroelectric material has been used as filler. The dielectric characteristics of such materials can be tuned under external biasing for example. Thus we develop an active composite material under various external actuators for naval application, and especially for new reconfigurable frequency selective surface (RFSS). Finally dielectric honeycomb materials have been specifically elaborated and studied to develop smart properties for DC and microwave applications. During this work, three different prototypes improving composite materials in naval area have been performed: reconfigurable radome, RCS reduction, and antenna isolation.

Le travail présenté dans ce manuscrit de thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une coopération scientifique notamment à travers le projet Région Centre « Connectic » en partenariat avec la société STMicroelectronics de Tours, les laboratoires LMR et CEMHTI. Il concerne les interconnexions des générations futures de circuits intégrés. Par rapport aux technologies d’interconnexion à base d’alliage métallique l’intégration de nanotubes de carbone (NTC) comme connecteur en microélectronique de puissance limiterait les effets d’échauffement dans les empilements de puces grâce à leurs propriétés de transport intéressantes. Les NTC peuvent assurer simultanément une bonne conduction électrique et un maintien mécanique des assemblages de puces. Les objectifs de ce travail étaient d’établir dans un premier temps un procédé reproductible d’élaboration de NTC verticalement alignés sur des substrats de nature multiple, et de réaliser dans un deuxième temps un véhicule test qui permet de caractériser leurs propriétés électrique, thermique et mécanique. Le dispositif expérimental d’élaboration présenté dans cette étude utilise le dépôt de catalyseur (Ni, Fe), la structuration par plasma d’hydrogène simultanément à un recuit thermique, ainsi que la méthode de CVD assistée par plasma radiofréquence d’éthylène et d’hydrogène pour la croissance des NTC. Des conditions optimales reproductibles d’obtention des NTC ont été établies à la suite d’une étude paramétrée utilisant notamment un diagnostic original de suivi in situ par spectroscopie Raman développé en collaboration avec le CEMHTI. Dans le cas d’un tapis de NTC de 10 µm de haut, des performances électrique (⍴ = 10⁻⁵ Ω.m), thermique (λth = 40-60 W.m⁻¹.K⁻¹), et mécanique (E = 480 GPa) comparables aux alliages métalliques ont été établies. Enfin, nous avons été capables d’assembler les substrats de la microélectronique et les NTC par un procédé de thermocompression. / The work presented in this thesis was a scientific cooperation between the society ST Microelectronics in Tours, the laboratories of LMR and CEMHTI within the framework of the project Région Centre “ConnectiC”. The main issue of that project concerns the interconnections for the future generation of integrated circuits. In comparison with the current interconnection technologies on metallic alloys as connectors; the integration of carbon nanotubes (CNT) as connector in power microelectronics would limit effects of overheating in the chip-structure due to their interesting transport properties. CNT can provide at the same time good electrical, thermal conduction characteristics and can be a mechanical support of chip packages. The aims of this work were: firstly, obtain a reproducible growth process of vertically aligned CNT on different kinds of substrate; secondly: to elaborate a test vehicle with CNT interconnects allowing the electrical, thermal and mechanical characterization. The experimental method used herein for synthesis of CNT interconnects combines the catalyst deposition (Ni, Fe), the structuration by both means of hydrogen plasma treatment and thermal annealing, and a RF PECVD method using ethylene and hydrogen for the CNT growth. Optimal reproducible conditions were found using a novel in situ Raman spectroscopy diagnostic developed in collaboration with the CEMHTI. The carpet of CNT (height of 10 µm) produced presents the electrical (⍴ = 10⁻⁵ Ω.m), thermal (λth = 40-60 W.m⁻¹.K⁻¹), and mechanical (E = 480 GPa) performances comparable with the metallic. Finally, by means of thermocompression, we assembled CNT on substrates from the microelectronics.

The main motivation in this thesis is to compare the conformation and charge transport in conducting polymers and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and to investigate those physical properties in their combined form of nanocomposites. It is known that both conducting polymers and carbon nanotubes are intrinsically 1-dimensional systems which consist of delocalized π-electrons. However, the main difference between these is the fact that flexibility of conducting polymers can be varied depending on the extent of conjugation while CNTs are rigid. Hence a comparison of electronic properties as correlated to their morphology has been carried out and their individual role in nanocomposites is further studied. The thesis consists of 6 chapters and appendix. Chapter 1 consists of brief introduction of general properties of both conducting polymers, CNTs and their nanocomposites. Chapter 2 deals with the sample preparation and experimental techniques used for the work. Chapter 3 elaborates on the conformational / structural studies on the systems. Chapter 4 focuses on the transport measurements to study the electronic properties of the samples. Chapter 5 reveals the magnetic properties of these systems which can be applied in technological devices. And chapter 6 gives the conclusion and future directions of the work being done. Chapter 1: Nanocomposites represent a guest-host matrix consisting of easily processible functionalized conjugated polymer as host, incorporating carbon nanotubes as fillers with versatile electronic and magnetic properties, which provide a wide range of technological applications. The conformation, charge dynamics as well as magnetic properties of these conducting polymers and carbon nanotubes, and various aspects of transport mechanism and spin dynamics present in the nanocomposite matrix are studied and presented in a consistent framework. Chapter 2: The multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are grown by thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The MWNTs are dispersed in solution of conducting polymers by ultrasonication and then the suspension is cast on glass substrate and slowly dried by moderate heating. Once dried completely, the free-standing films of thickness 15-25 μm are peeled off the substrate for measurements. The MWNTs, above a certain concentration, form an interconnected network in the 3-dimensional polymer matrix, following percolation mechanism. The disorder is brought into the system mainly by bundling of tubes and bundle intersections. The morphology and conformation of the samples are studied by SEM, TEM and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques. Chapter 3: Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies in polymeric systems are carried out to probe local nanoscale morphology at various length scales to show the correlation among conformation and assembly of chains. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies are carried out in poly [2-methoxy5-(2’–ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) solution of varying conjugation lengths as well as different solvents. By increasing the extent of πconjugation from 30 to 100 %, the persistence length increases by a factor of three. Moreover, a pronounced second peak in the pair distribution function is observed in fully conjugated chain, at larger length scales which indicates that the chain segments tend to self-assemble as the conjugation along the chain increases. The chain assembly and aggregation are further studied for suspensions of MWNTs in polyethylene dioxythiophene-polystyrene (PEDOT-PSS) with aqueous medium and DMSO (dimethyl sulphoxide). The SAXS profile of MWNT dispersion in aqueous PEDOT-PSS clearly show rigid-rod feature of the individual nanotubes evident by the q-1 behavior at short ranges. The crossover from q-1 to q-2 in the longer range further suggest that the suspension consists of individual nanotubes, nanotubes bundles and aggregates that give rise to a 3-dimensonal meshwork of intersecting tubes and ropes. For the MWNT dispersion in PEDOT-PSS with DMSO, however, such q-1 behavior is absent; which evidently shows that the rods are not isolated in the solution and are rather agglomerated. How these conformations affect the electrical and magnetic properties of these systems are studied further in Chapter 4. Chapter 4: Transport mechanism in single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), MWNT pellets, and nanocomposite films of MWNT and PEDOT-PSS is studied. The positive and negative magnetoresistance (MR) data in various SWNT samples are analyzed by taking into account the electron-electron interaction (EEI) contribution, in addition to the weak localization (WL) regime. The contribution from EEI to the total MR is confirmed from the universal scaling of MC relation showing that EEI plays a significant role at higher fields and lower temperatures. Intrinsic parameters like inelastic scattering length extracted for barely metallic sample follows the T-3/4 dependence due to inelastic electron-electron scattering in the dirty limit. Conductivity and magnetoresistance (MR) measurements on nanocomposite films with varying MWNT content (0.03 - 3 %) are performed at a field range 0-11 Tesla, and temperature range 1.3–300 K. The temperature dependence of resistance above 4 K suggests a Coulomb-gap variable range hopping (CG-VRH) transport in the network. Alhough solely negative MR (~ 5-6 %) is observed for pristine MWNT pellets; the nanocomposite films show a combination of large negative MR (~ 80 %) at T < 4 K, and a comparatively weaker positive MR (~ 30 %) for T > 4 K. This suggest that there are two mechanism interplaying and dominant at different temperature regimes which can be explained by the mechanism of transport of the charge carriers of MWNT intervened by that of the polymer matrix. In conclusion how the individual properties of conducting polymer and carbon nanotubes contribute to the unique electronic and conformational properties in their nanocomposites is framed in this investigation. Chapter 5: Magnetic properties of the pristine MWNTs as well as metal nanowires of nickel, nickel-iron (NiFe), nickel-iron-cobalt (NiFeCo) encapsulated in the MWNTs are studied using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. A typical example of Ni nanowires encapsulated in MWNT (Ni-MWNT) is taken and the results are compared to other forms of nickel (bulk, nanorod cluster, nanowire) to see the effect of size, shape and environment on the magnetic kproperties. The saturation magnetization and coercivity for Ni-MWNTs are 1.0 emu/gm and 230 Oe. The temperature dependence of magnetization indicates superparamagnetic which is supported by the field-cooled and zero-field-cooled plots determining a blocking temperature ~ 300 K. These altered magnetic properties of Ni-MWNTs are mainly due to the contribution from carbon nanotube encapsulation. Both the shape and environment enhance the total magnetic anisotropy of encapsulated nanowires at least by a factor of four. The encapsulation of metal nanowires in MWNTs tunes the magnetic properties of the system widely, e.g. from diamagnetic (pristine MWNTs) to paramagnetic (Ni-MWNT) to ferromagnetic (NiFe-MWNT) and a combination of para and ferro (NiFeCo-MWNT). Chapter 6: The conclusions of the different works presented in the thesis are coherently summarized in this chapter. Thoughts for future directions are also summed up. Appendix A: Spin dynamics in conducting polymer PEDOT-PSS in its pristine, processed with DMSO and nanocomposite form (with carbon nanotubes) is studied using solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Plots of proton spin lattice relaxation times vs. temperature at a fixed frequency 23.4 MHz are compared to study the effect of the external agents on the polymer dynamics.

Since many years, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been considered for a wide range of applications due to their outstanding mechanical properties. CNTs are tubular structures, showing a graphene like hexagonal lattice. Our interest in the calculation of the mechanical properties is motivated by several applications which demand the knowledge of the material behavior. One application in which the knowledge of the material behavior is vital is the CNT based fiber. Due to the excellent stiffness and strength of the individual CNTs, these fibers are expected to be a promising successor for state of the art carbon fibers. However, the mechanical properties of the fibers fall back behind the properties of individual CNTs. It is assumed that this gap in the properties is a result of the van-der-Waals interactions of the individual CNTs within the fiber. In order to understand the mechanical behavior of the fibers we apply a molecular mechanics approach. The mechanical properties of the individual CNTs are investigated by using a modified structural molecular mechanics approach. This is done by calculating the properties of a truss-beam element framework representing the CNT with the help of a chemical force field. Furthermore, we also investigate the interactions of CNTs arranged in basic CNT assemblies, mimicking the ones in a simple CNT fiber. We consider the van-der-Waals interactions in the structure and calculate the potential surface of the CNT assemblies.

La thèse détermine les principaux paramètres de la formation des structures de la phase conductrice de nanocomposites polymères chargés avec des nanotubes de carbone (NTC) ou des nanocharges combinées, pour étudier l'influence de la morphologie de la structure hétérogène du composite et l'interaction des nanocharges sur les propriétés électriques, thermophysiques et mécaniques des composites. Les trois types de systèmes polymères ont été étudiés, à savoir: 1) les systèmes ségrégés avec distribution ordonnée de nanocharges, 2) les mélanges polymère conducteur; 3) les composites avec des charges binaires où les nanotubes de carbone ont été combinés avec des composés organo-argileux modifiés (MOC) dans un cas et des nanoparticules métalliques d’autre part. Les résultats sur les composites polymères ségrégés chargés avec des NTC ont montré que dans de tels systèmes, la charge conductrice crée un réseau continu conducteur au sein de la matrice polymère. Cela conduit à un seuil de percolation ultra faible avec la valeur de φc~0,045vol.%. Il a été démontré que les systèmes conducteurs à base de mélanges de polymères ont un seuil de percolation inférieur en raison d'effet de double percolation. Il a été constaté que l'introduction simultanée de composés MOC et de NTC dans la matrice thermoplastique permet une meilleure répartition des nanotubes de carbone, ce qui empêche leur agrégation. Il en résulte une diminution du seuil de percolation des composites. Il a été démontré que la formation de la phase conductrice est plus efficace avec des charges mixtes CNT/nanométal en comparaison avec les charges individuelles / The thesis research field determines the main parameters, of the conductive phase structure formation in polymer nanocomposites filled with conductive fillers such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or combined nanofillers. The influence of the morphology of the heterogeneous structure of the composite and interaction of nanofillers on the electrical, thermophysical and mechanical properties of the composites was studied. The three types of polymer systems filled with carbon nanotubes have been investigated, namely: 1) segregated systems with ordered distribution of the nanofiller; 2) conductive polymer blends; 3) composites with binary fillers in which carbon nanotubes have been combined with organo-modified clay (OMC) in one case and with metal nanoparticles in another case. The investigation of the segregated polymer composites filled with CNTs has shown that the conducting filler creates continuous conductive framework inside the polymer matrix. This provides the presence of ultralow percolation threshold with the value of φc~0.045vol.%. Conductive polymer blends have demonstrated a lower percolation threshold in comparison with individually filled polymers due to a double percolation effect. It has been found that the simultaneous introduction of OMC and CNTs into thermoplastic matrix provides a better distribution of carbon nanotubes, preventing their aggregation and decreasing the percolation threshold. It has been shown that the formation of the conducting phase is more effective in the polymeric matrix with combined nanofillers CNT/nanometal in comparison with individual fillers and the higher conductivity of such conductive system is due to metallic filler content

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women. The choice of treatment is based on the expression of markers such as the estrogen receptor (ER), the membrane receptor HER2 and the proliferation marker KI-67, detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Although some breast tumors may be heavily infiltrated by immune cells, the expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) by both immune and cancer cells promotes tumor growth. In particular, tumor expression of B7H4 has been associated with a high rate of metastasis and an inverse correlation with CD8+ T cells. In order to better characterize B7H4 expression patterns, levels of this protein as well as markers of immune infiltrate, immune checkpoint and EMT were characterized by IHC using six tissue microarrays constructed from 123 FFPE samples from the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). B7H4 expression (% positive cells) was quantified by QuPath software (version 0.2.0 m9), while EMT was assessed semi-quantitatively by Khadri et al. (2020). Our results show that B7H4 is highly expressed exclusively by tumor cells in all subtypes (mean 22.5% to 43.3%), with lower levels in luminal B (LB) and HER2-positive (HER2+) tumors. Multivariate analysis of the Metabric cohort of breast tumor transcriptome profiles (1980 tumors) further showed that B7H4 RNA levels are inversely associated with those of Ecad (p=0.0001), the same trend was observed in our cohort, and are strongest in lobular tumors (Ecad-). Furthermore, analysis of a TCGA cohort (754 tumors) revealed a positive correlation of B7H4 transcripts with YAP, TAZ, VGLL1 and TRIM29 (Pearson correlation coefficient >0.4), inducers of TEAD transcription factors repressed by the Hippo signaling pathway. In particular, YAP has a similar expression pattern to B7H4, higher in basal and luminal subtypes. These results suggest that the role of B7H4 in the progression of these tumors may be linked to the Hippo pathway, which controls the growth, proliferation and migration of mammary tumor cells. Capturing the intertumoral and intratumoral tumor heterogeneity necessitates new detection methods enabling higher multiplexing than IHC or immunofluorescence (IF). Nanoparticles (NP) such as carbon-nanotubes (CNT) or gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which can be functionalized with antibodies and detected without fluorescent labels, are promising to become powerful tools in bioimaging. We have explored the capacity of PEGylated CNT linked to anti-KRT19 and anti-Ecad antibodies to detect the corresponding proteins in breast cancer T47D (ER+/Ecad+/KRT19+) and MDA-MB-231 (ER-/Ecad-/KRT19-) cell lines. NP-Ecad and NP-KRT19 with internalized -sexithiophene and β-carotene dyes, respectively, present specific Raman signature upon excitation with 532 nm laser. Dynamic light scattering detected a shift in the size of functionalized NP and immunogold labeling confirmed the antibodies are in the right orientation. Although NPs remained in cluster, both bound the surface of T47D cells while only background was observed in MDA-MB-231 cells, as expected. In an alternative approach, PEGylated gold-NP were conjugated to anti-HER2 and anti-CD44 antibodies and detected by scattered light in dark-field microscope. NP-HER2 were incubated with HER2+ SKBR3 and MDA-MB-453 cells in increasing concentration and time. Results show an average of 48 NP per cell in SKBR3 and 8 NP-HER2/cell in MDAMB453, consistent with IF detection. NP-CD44 are highly sensitive, as we observed up to 1000 NP-CD44/cell in CD44+ cells versus 10 NP-CD44/cell in CD44- cells, with an average of 250 NP per cell in SKBR3, stratified as CD44+. These promising approaches both bear the potential of multiplexed biomarker detection in a rapid and quantitate manner. / Le cancer du sein est le cancer le plus fréquent chez les canadiennes. Le choix du traitement est basé sur l’expression de marqueurs tels que le récepteur des oestrogènes (ER), le récepteur membranaire HER2 et le marqueur de prolifération KI-67, détectés par immunohistochimie (IHC). Bien que certaines tumeurs mammaires puissent être fortement infiltrés par des cellules immunitaires, l'expression d’inhibiteurs du point de contrôle immunitaire (ICI) à la fois par les cellules immunitaires et cancéreuses favorise la croissance de la tumeur. En particulier, l'expression tumorale de B7H4 a été associée à un taux élevé de métastases et à une corrélation inverse avec les cellules T CD8+ . Afin de mieux caractériser les patrons d’expression de B7H4, les niveaux de cette protéine ainsi que de marqueurs d’infiltrat immun, du point de contrôle immunitaire et de l’EMT ont été caractérisés par IHC à l’aide de six micropuces tissulaires construites à partir de 123 échantillons en FFPE provenant du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). L’expression de B7H4 (% de cellules positives) a été quantifiée par le logiciel QuPath (version 0.2.0 m9), tandis que l’EMT a été évaluée semi-quantitativement par Khadri et al. (2020). Nos résultats montrent que B7H4 est fortement exprimé exclusivement par les cellules tumorales dans tous les sous-types (moyenne de 22,5% à 43,3%), avec des niveaux plus faibles dans les tumeurs de type luminal B (LB) et HER2-positive (HER2+ ). L'analyse multivariable de la cohorte Metabric de profils transcriptomiques de tumeur mammaires (1980 tumeurs) a de plus montré que les niveaux d’ARN de B7H4 sont inversement associés à ceux de Ecad (p=0.0001), la même tendance a été observée dans notre cohorte, et sont plus forts dans les tumeurs lobulaires (Ecad- ). En outre, l’analyse d’une cohorte TCGA (754 tumeurs) a révélé une corrélation positive des transcrits de B7H4 avec YAP, TAZ, VGLL1 et TRIM29 (coefficient de corrélation Pearson >0.4), des inducteurs des facteurs de transcription TEAD réprimés par la voie de signalisation Hippo. En particulier, YAP a un patron d’expression similaire à celui de B7H4, plus élevé dans les sous-types basal et luminal. Ces résultats suggèrent que le rôle de B7H4 dans la progression de ces tumeurs pourrait être lié à la voie Hippo, qui contrôle la croissance, la prolifération et la migration des cellules tumorales mammaires. L’hétérogénéité inter- et parfois intra-tumorale du cancer du sein nécessite de nouvelles méthodes afin d’identifier simultanément une plus grande variété de marqueurs lors du diagnostic que par IHC ou immunofluorescence (IF). Les nanoparticules (NP) telles que les nanotubes de carbone (CNT) ou les nanoparticules d'or (AuNPs) peuvent être détectées sans besoin d’étiquette fluorescence et deviennent des outils puissants pour la bio-imagerie. Nous avons exploré la capacité de CNT PEGylés fonctionnalisés avec des anticorps anti-Keratin19 (KRT19) et anti-Ecad à détecter les protéines correspondantes dans les lignées cellulaires de cancer du sein T47D (ER+ /Ecad+ /KRT19+ ) et MDA-MB-231 (ER- /Ecad- /KRT19- ). Les NP-Ecad et NPKRT19, avec les colorants α-sexithiophène et β-carotène internalisés, respectivement, présentent une signature Raman spécifique lors de l'excitation avec un laser de 532 nm. La technique de diffusion dynamique de la lumière a montré un changement de taille des NP fonctionnalisées et le marquage immunogold a confirmé que les anticorps sont dans la bonne orientation. Bien que les NP soient restées agrégées, les deux NP se sont fixées à la surface des cellules T47D, alors que seul du bruit de fond a été observé dans la lignée MDA-MB-231, tel qu’attendu. Dans une approche alternative, des NP d'or PEGylées ont été conjuguées à des anticorps anti-HER2 et antiCD44 et détectées par la lumière diffusée dans un microscope à champ sombre. Les NP-HER2 ont été incubées avec des cellules HER2+ SKBR3 et MDA-MB-453 (HER2+ ) à des différentes concentrations et temps. La quantification montre une moyenne de 48 NP par cellule dans les SKBR3 et 8 NP-HER2 par cellule dans les MDA-MB-453, en accord avec les niveaux observés par IF. Les NP-CD44 permettent une détection très sensible, puisque nous avons observé plus de 1000 NP-CD44 par cellule dans les cellules CD44+ versus 10 NP-CD44 parcellule dans les CD44- , avec une moyenne de 250 NP par cellule dans la lignée SKBR3 stratifiée comme CD44+ . Ces approches prometteuses ont toutes deux la capacité d’être utilisées en multiplex pour la détection rapide et quantitative de marqueurs mammaires.

One interesting approach is the development of conductive polymer composite fibers for innovative textile applications such as in sensors, actuators and electrostatic discharge. In this study, conductive polymer composite fibers were prepared using several different blends containing conductive components: a conjugated polymer (polyaniline-complex) and/or carbon nanotubes. Different factors such as processing parameters, the morphology of the initial blends and the final fibers, fiber draw ratio and material selection were studied separately to characterize their effects on the fiber properties. In binary blends of PP/polyaniline-complex, the processing conditions, the matrix viscosity and the fiber draw ratio had substantial effects on the electrical conductivity of the fibers and linearity of resistance-voltage dependence. These factors were associated with each other to create conductive pathways through maintaining an appropriate balance of fibril formation and breakage along the fiber. The blend morphology was defined as the initial size of the dispersed conductive phase (polyaniline-phase), which depended on the melt blending conditions as well as the PP matrix viscosity. Depending on the initial droplet phase size, an optimum draw ratio was necessary to obtain maximum conductivity by promoting fibril formation (sufficient stress) and preventing fibril breakage (no excess stress) to create continuous pathways of conductive phase. Ternary blend fibers of PP/PA6/polyaniline-complex illustrated at least three-phase morphology with matrix/core-shell dispersed phase style. When ternary fibers were compared to binary fibers, the former could combine better mechanical and electrical properties only at a specific draw ratio; this showed that draw ratio was a more determinant factor for the ternary fibers, as both conductivity and tensile strength depended on the formation of fibrils from the core-shell droplets of the PA6/polyaniline-complex through the polypropylene matrix. The achieved maximum conductivity so far was in the range of 10 S/cm to 10 S/cm, which for different samples were observed at different fiber draw ratios depending on the mixing conditions, the matrix viscosity or whether the fiber was a binary or ternary blend. To improve the properties, PP/polyaniline-complex blends were filled with CNTs. The CNTs and the polyaniline-complex both had an increasing effect on the crystallization temperature and the thermal stability of PP. Furthermore, the maximum conductivity was observed in samples containing both CNTs and polyaniline-complex rather than the PP with either one of the fillers. Although increasing the content of CNTs improved the conductivity in PP/CNT fibers, the ease of melt spinning, diameter uniformity and mechanical properties of fibers were adversely affected. Diameter variation of PP/CNT as-spun fibers was shown to be an indication of hidden melt-drawings that had occurred during the fiber extrusion; this could lead to variations in morphology such as increases in the insulating microcracks and the distance between the conductive agglomerates in the drawn parts of the fiber. Variations in morphology result in variations in the electrical conductivity; consequently, the conductivity of such inhomogeneous fiber is no longer its physical property, as this varies with varying size. / Thesis to be defended in public on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 10.00 at KC-salen, Kemigården 4, Göteborg, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Carbon nanotubes have been envisioned to become a very important material in various applications. This is due to the unique properties of carbon nanotubes which can be exploited in applications on length scales spanning from the nano world to our macroscopic world. For example, the electronic properties of carbon nanotubes makes them utterly suitable for nano electronics while the strength of them makes them suitable for reinforcements in plastics. Both of these applications do however require... mer the ability for systematic production of carbon nanotubes with certain properties. This is called selective carbon nanotube growth and today this has not been achieved with total success. In the work presented in the thesis several different computational methods have been applied in our contribution to the systematic search for selective carbon nanotube growth. Put in a context of previous knowledge about carbon nanotube growth our results provide valuable clues to which parameters that control the carbon nanotube growth. In association with the latest results we even dare to, with all modesty, speculate about a plausible control mechanism. The studies presented in the thesis addressed different stages of carbon nanotube growth, spanning from the properties affecting the initiation of the growth to the parameters affecting the termination of the growth. In some more detail this included studies of the melting temperatures of nanoscaled metal clusters. The expected size dependence of the melting temperatures was confirmed and the melting temperatures of clusters on substrates were seen to depend both on the material and shape of the surface. As this constitute the premises prior to the carbon nanotube growth it was followed by studies of the interaction between carbon nanotubes and metal clusters of different size and constitution. This was done using different computational methods and at different temperatures. It soon became apparent that the clusters adapted to the carbon nanotube and not vice versa. This held true irrespectively of the constitution of the cluster, that is for both pure metal and metal carbide. It was also seen that there exist a minimum cluster size that prevent the carbon nanotube end from closing. Closure of the carbon nanotube end is likely to lead to the termination of the growth which lead to studies of other reasons for growth termination, e.g., Ostwald ripening of the catalyst particles. This was investigated with the result that the rate of the Ostwald ripening may depend on both the chirality and diameter of the carbon nanotubes. It is suggested that this may provide some answers to the controlled growth of carbon nanotubes. / <p>Disputationen sker fredagen den 3 december 2010, kl. 10:15, Kollektorn, Kemivägen 9</p>