Thesis (MSc.) (Physics) --University of Limpopo, 2007 / Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out in order to examine the mechanism of diffusion of molecules in amorphous polymer matrix. PDMS model was folded in to a periodic cell, generated by rotational isomeric state (RIS) method at a prescribed temperature and density. Molecular dynamics was used to study transport properties of cyclic PDMS oligomers (hexa-methylcyclotrisiloxane (D3), octa-methylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and deca-methylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) using Dreiding and COMPASS force fields. Diffusion coefficients were calculated from the Einstein relation. Only D3 penetrant reached the long time limit from which the Einstein relation is satisfied. Analysis of displacement versus time for all the penetrants in PDMS matrix indicates that the penetrant motion is characterized by relatively long periods interspersed with fairly long and small jumps. Transport of solvent molecules occurs by jumps between individual sections of free volume (cavity/hole) through temporarily open channels. / The National Research Foundation (NRF) and Eskom

Micromirror scanners are the most significant of the micro-optical actuator elements with applications in portable digital displays, automotive head-up displays, barcode scanners, optical switches and scanning optical devices in the health care arena for external scanning diagnostics and in vivo scanning diagnostics. Recent development in microscanning technology has seen a shift from conventional electrostatic actuation to electromagnetic actuation mechanisms with major advantages in the ability to produce large scan angles with low voltages, remote actuation, the absence of the pull-in failure mode and the acceptable electrical safety compared to their electrostatic counterparts. Although attempts have been made to employ silicon substrate based MEMS deposition techniques for magnetic materials, the quality and performance of the magnets are poor compared to commercial magnets. In this project, we have developed novel low-cost single and dual-axis polymer hard magnetic micromirror scanners with large scan angles and low power consumption by employing the hybrid fabrication technique of squeegee coating to combine the flexibility of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and the superior magnetic performance of fine particle isotropic NdFeB micropowders. PCB coils produce the Lorentz force required to actuate the mirror for scanning applications. The problem of high surface roughness, low radius of curvature and the magnetic field interaction between the gimbal frame and the mirror have been solved by a part PDMS-part composite fabrication process. Optimum magnetic, electrical and time dependent parameters have been characterized for the high performance operating conditions of the micromirror scanner. The experimental results have been demonstrated to verify the large scan angle actuation of the micromirror scanners at low power consumption.

L’adhérence et le frottement existent dans de nombreux systèmes techniques ainsi que dans les systèmes naturels. Ces deux phénomènes ont une influence importante sur la durabilité et l’efficacité des dispositifs techniques. Une approche reconnue pour ajuster précisément ces caractéristiques - outre le fait de modifier les propriétés physico-chimiques - est la texturation des surfaces en contact. Les surfaces de feuilles de plantes sont souvent décorées avec des morphologies de surface diverses, et présentent ainsi des fonctionnalités de surface remarquables. Cette thèse visait à réaliser une étude systématique de la mécanique de l’adhérence et du frottement sur des surfaces micro-structurées, répliquées à partir de surfaces de feuilles végétales, en contact avec une sonde qui s’inspire de l’organe adhérent d’un insecte. Les morphologies de surface de trois feuilles végétales différentes ont été directement transférées sur un polymère viscoélastique. Pour ce faire, trois approches différentes de reproduction ont fait l’objet d’une étude approfondie. La microscopie électronique à balayage et la microscopie confocale à balayage laser ont été utilisées pour l'évaluation qualitative et quantitative de la qualité de reproduction. Concernant l’étude de la mécanique du contact, un nano-indenteur a été modifié, permettant d’enregistrer les images in situ des contacts réels. Des tests de pull-off ont été menés afin d’évaluer quantitativement l’effet de la pré-charge sur la force d’adhésion et pour comprendre les modes distincts de collage/décollement. Des essais de frottement ont été effectués afin d’examiner l’effet de la charge normale et de la vitesse de glissement sur la force de frottement. Les résultats ont été discutés en fonction de la topographie de chaque surface. / Adhesion and friction exist in many technical systems as well as in natural ones. Both phenomena have a profound influence on the durability and efficiency of technical systems. A well-recognised way to tune these characteristics - besides altering the physicochemical properties - is the texturing of the interacting surfaces. Inspiringly, plant leaf surfaces are often decorated with diverse surface morphologies, and so show remarkable functionalities. This thesis aimed to perform a systematic investigation of adhesion and friction mechanics on micro-structured surfaces replicated from plant leaves, in contact with a probe, which was inspired from an insect’s adhesive pad. Surface morphologies of three different plant leaves were directly transferred onto a viscoelastic polymer. For this, three different replication approaches were comprehensively explored. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of replication ability. For the contact mechanics investigation, a high-resolution nanoindenter was modified, with incorporating a unique feature to record the in-situ real-contact images. Pull-off tests were carried out to quantitatively evaluate the effect of pre-load on adhesion force characteristics and to understand distinct attachment-detachment modes. Friction investigations were performed to examine the effect of normal load and sliding speed on the friction force. Results were discussed with regard to each surface’s topography.