L’objectif de cette thèse consiste à mettre en place un système d’émulsion catalysé par des nanoparticules de Pickering afin de synthétiser des tensioactifs bio sourcés. Pour cela nous nous sommes intéressés à des matériaux mésoporeux fonctionnalisés (de type MCM-41). Ces matériaux favorisent la formation des émulsions tout en catalysant la réaction.Après une étude bibliographique sur le glycérol, les tensioactifs, les émulsions de Pickering et les matériaux mésoporeux, nous nous sommes intéressés à la synthèse et à la fonctionnalisation de ces matériaux. Puis après les avoir caractérisés, nous les avons testés dans des réactions modèles biphasiques (acétalysation et hydrolyse d’ester). Enfin, nous avons terminé cette étude en testant ces catalyseurs dans notre réaction cible (éthérification du glycérol par des alcools gras). La MCM-41 a été synthétisée en utilisant un chauffage micro-onde.Les fonctions greffées sur nos matériaux ont permis de faire varier la balance hydrophile hydrophobe de nos matériaux tout en leur fournissant une fonction catalytique. Les nanoparticules ont été caractérisées par leur ATG, BET, DRX, analyse élémentaire, acidité et tailles des particules.Des catalyseurs à base d’Aerosil® 200 et de Nanoparticules de carbone ont également été testés.Une longue chaine alkyke (C18) et des nanoparticules de petites tailles (Aerosil® 200 et nanoparticules de carbone) favorisent la stabilité des émulsions. Cependant la présence de pores dans nos matériaux n’apporte pas d’avantage catalytique déterminant. / The objective of this work is the conception of emulsion catalysed by Pickering nanoparticles inorder to synthetize biosurfactant. Our strategy was based on functionalised mesoporous materials(MCM-41). These materials combine both emulsion stabilisation and reaction catalysis.After a bibliographic study on glycerol, surfactants, Pickering emulsions and mesoporousmaterials; our strategy was to functionalise these materials. After charaterisation, these materialswere tested in bipohasic model reactions (acetalysation and ester hydrolysis). We come to the end of this study by testing these catalysts in our target reaction (glycerol etherifaction from fattyalcohol).The MCM-41 was synthetized by using a microwave heating. The grafted functions on our materials can both make several hydrophilic-hydrophobic materialsas possible and provided them some catalytic functions. The nanoparticles were characterized byTGA, BET, XRD, elemental analysis, acidity and particle size.Catalyst from Aerosil® 200 and carbon nanoparticles were also tested. A long alkyl chain (C18) and small nanoparticles (Aerosil® 200 and carbon nanoparticles) supportthe emulsion’s stability. Nevertheless, the porous inside our materials is not interesting on acatalytic point of view.

Este trabalho foi concebido inicialmente através de projeto, montagem e ensaios preliminares de uma unidade analógica, para propósito didático, composta de um servomecanismo controlado pelas clássicas estratégias Proporcional, Integral e Derivativa (PID). Com este equipamento foi demonstrado os conceitos fundamentais da engenharia de controle com seus ensaios e medidas que permitem exemplificar, de forma simples e bastante pedagógica, o funcionamento e os limites operacionais de um controlador prático. Os valores medidos em experimento foram comparados com valores obtidos pela simulação numérica de um modelo equivalente implementado no software MatLab. Utilizando-se da tecnologia PIC (Controlador de Interface Programável), o hardware analógico foi substituído, com a intenção de comparar os resultados para melhor ilustrar os abstratos conceitos da ação PID sobre um dispositivo eletromecânico razoavelmente linear. A unidade desenvolvida permite estabelecer um elo valioso à aprendizagem, buscando unir a teoria clássica, a simulação numérica, a aplicação digital e o comportamento real em uma situação física. Tivemos êxito nos resultados, conseguindo comprovar as modelagens matemáticas em aplicações práticas, além de poder comparar os desempenhos dos resultados analógicos com os resultados digitais. / This work was initially conceived by design, assembly and preliminary tests of an analogic unit, for didactic purpose, composed of a servomechanism controlled by the classic strategies Proportional, Integral and Derivative (PID). With this device was demonstrated the fundamental concepts of control engineering and its trials and measures allow exemplify, in a simple and very interactive way, the functioning and the operational limits of a practical controller. The values measured in assay were compared with values obtained by numerical simulation of an equivalent model implemented in MatLab. By using the technology PIC (Programmable Interface Controller), the analogical hardware will be substituted, in order to compare the results to better explain the abstract concepts of the PID action over a sufficiently linear electromechanical device. The developed unit enables a valuable link to the learning, seeking to unite the classical theory, numerical simulation, digital application and real performance in a physical case. We were successful in results, obtaining proof of the mathematical models in practical applications, besides being able to compare the performances of analogic results with digital ones.

Le domaine de la physique des plasmas froids a émergé avec les premières découvertes fondamentales en physique atomique et en physique des plasmas il y a plus d’un siècle. Toutefois, ce domaine a été rapidement orienté vers les applications. L’une des plus importantes dans la première moitié du XXème est le "Calutron" (California University Cyclotron), inventé par E. Lawrence à Berkeley, qui faisait partie du projet Manhattan, et utilisé comme un spectromètre de masse pour séparer les isotopes de l’uranium. Dans un rapport du projet Manhattan daté de 1949, D. Bohm fait deux observations qui sont fondamentales pour la physique des plasmas froids :(i) Les ions doivent avoir une énergie cinétique minimales lorsqu’ils entrent dans la gaine du plasma, estimée à Te/2, Te étant la température électronique.(ii) Le transport du plasma à travers un champ magnétique est augmenté par des instabilités.La propulsion électrique par plasma est utilisée pour des satellites militaires et des sondes spatiales depuis les années 1960 et a suscité un intérêt grandissant ces vingt dernières années avec le développement des applications commerciales des technologies spatiales. Néanmoins, les mêmes questions que celles auxquelles D. Bohm était confronté, c’est-à-dire le transport multidimensionnel, l’interaction plasma-gaine, et les instabilités, se posent toujours. La théorie et les simulations sont d’autant plus importantes pour la conception des systèmes de propulsion électrique que les tests en conditions réelles nécessitent le lancement d’un satellite dans l’espace.Dans ce travail, nous établissons les équations du transport multidimensionnel dans un plasma isotherme, nous proposons un critère de gaine qui permet de rendre compte de la saturation du champ magnétique dans un plasma froid et faiblement ionisé, et nous modélisons le refroidissement des électrons à travers le filtre magnétique du propulseur PEGASES (Plasma Propulsion with Electronegative Gases). Toutes les théories sont motivées et validées par un grand nombre de simulations particulaires PIC bi-dimensionnelles, en utilisant le code LPPic qui a été partiellement développé dans le cadre du projet. Enfin, les cas de simulation sont étendus à une décharge inductive à plasma dans l’iode, avec un nouvel ensemble de section efficaces de réaction. / The field of low temperature plasma physics has emerged from the first fundamental discoveries in atom and plasma physics more than a century ago. However, it has soon become very much driven by applications. One of the most important of them in the first half of the XXth century is the "Calutron" (California University Cyclotron) invented by E.~Lawrence in Berkeley, that was part of the Manhattan project, and operated as a mass spectrometer to separate uranium isotopes. In a 1949 report of the Manhattan project, D.~Bohm makes two observations that are fundamental for low-temperature plasma physics.(i) The ions must have minimum kinetic energy when they enter the plasma sheath estimated to T_e/2 , Te being the electron temperature in eV ;(ii) Plasma transport across a magnetic field is enhanced by instabilities.Plasma electric propulsion is used on military satellites and space probes since the 1960s and has gained more and more interest for the last twenty years as space commercial applications were developing. However, the same questions as the ones D.~Bohm was faced with, namely multi-dimensional transport, plasma sheath interaction, and instabilities, arise. Theory and simulation are even more important for electric space propulsion systems design since testing in real conditions involves to launch a satellite into space.In this work, we derive the equations of the multi-dimensional isothermal plasma transport, we establish a sheath criterion that causes the magnetic confinement to saturate in low-temperature, weakly ionized plasmas, and we model the electron cooling through the magnetic filter of the PEGASES (Plasma Propulsion with Electronegative Gases) thruster. All the theories are driven and validated with extensive two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, using the LPPic code that was partially developed in the frame of this project. Finally, the simulation cases are extended to an iodine inductively coupled plasma (ICP) discharge with a new set of reaction cross sections.

There are various digital teaching materials as expected due to the always increasing and changing digitization. Digitization is widespread in our everyday lives and our school system. Teaching mathematics is no exception. The national agency for education in Sweden describes digitization as closely connected to teaching mathematics which can be read in the national curriculum.   The purpose of the survey was to see to what extent teachers use digital teaching materials and how they use it in their mathematics teaching. There were 87 mathematics teachers who participated and answered the questions, to what extent teachers use digital teaching materials and how they use it in their mathematics teaching.    With support of PIC-RAT, MDTDK and Choppin- framework, the answers were analyzed and the results indicate that most teachers use digital teaching materials in mathematics teaching, at least once a week. Many teachers use digital teaching materials several times a week and as a variation and extending the context, by choosing exercises and making adjustments for the students needs and levels. / Det finns mycket olika digitala läromedel vilket kan ses som en effekt då digitaliseringen är en ständigt växande och föränderlig faktor som påverkar både i vardagen såsom i skolverksamheten. Matematikundervisningen är inte ett undantag. Skolverket beskriver digitaliseringen som nära kopplad till just matematikundervisningen vilket kan ses i läroplanen. Syftet med studien var att undersöka i vilken utsträckning som lärare använder digitala läromedel samt hur dem används i matematikundervisningen. I studien svarade 87 lärare som undervisar i matematik på en enkät om hur digitala läromedel används i matematikundervisningen och i vilken utsträckning det görs. Med hjälp av valda ramverken PIC-RAT, MDTDK samt Choppin analyserades svaren från respondenterna. Resultaten visar att en stor andel lärare använder digitala läromedel i matematikundervisningen vid minst ett tillfälle i veckan. Många lärare använder digitala läromedel flera gånger i veckan och för att skapa en variation i undervisningen men även för att bredda matematikundervisningens innehåll. Lärarna gör det genom att välja uppgifter och göra anpassningar i det digitala läromedlet utifrån elevernas behov och nivå.

There is suggestion of obtaining exact position in this work, based on GPS and GSM modules controlled by PIC microcontroller. Layout of this work is electronic schematic, PCB footprint and theoretical analysis of used modules. The practical part of work is also dealing with software for both microprocessor and web interface. The function prototype will be created and tested in next phases of this project.

The design and analysis of various distributed space time block coding schemes for cooperative relay networks is considered in this thesis. Rayleigh frequency flat and selective fading channels are assumed to model the links in the networks, and interference suppression techniques together with an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) type transmission approach are employed to mitigate synchronization errors at the destination node induced by the different delays through the relay nodes. Closed-loop space time block coding is first considered in the context of decode-and-forward (regenerative) networks. In particular, quasi orthogonal and extended orthogonal coding techniques are employed for transmission from four relay nodes and parallel interference cancellation detection is exploited to mitigate synchronization errors. Availability of a direct link between the source and destination nodes is studied. Outer coding is then added to gain further improvement in end-to-end performance and amplify-and-forward (non regenerative) type networks together with distributed space time coding are considered to reduce relay node complexity. A novel detection scheme is then proposed for decode-and-forward and amplify-and-forward networks with closed-loop extended orthogonal coding and closed-loop quasi-orthogonal coding which reduce the computational complexity of the parallel interference cancellation. The near-optimum detector is presented for relay nodes with single or dual antennas. End-to-end bit error rate simulations confirm the potential of the approach and its ability to mitigate synchronization errors.

The most common type of electric propulsion in space exploration is the Hall Effect Thruster (HET), mainly due to its high specific impulse and high thrust to power ratio. However, uncertainties about the thruster's lifetime prediction have prevented widespread integration of HETs. Among these limitations, wall erosion of acceleration channel is of greatest concern. The experimental methods of erosion are time consuming and costly, and they are often limited to one single configuration. Hence, developing a computational model not only decreases the costs but also shortens the design time of a HET. This thesis investigates the feasibility of a uid erosion modelling with a multi-physics software (COMSOL) to further decrease the time and the development cost. First of all, this thesis provides an overview of available plasma modelling techniques and the physics behind the erosion phenomenon. Moreover, the effective parameters and available modules in the multiphysics software as well as their theoretical background were studied and discussed in detail. The Electron Anomalous phenomenon and pressure instability are determined as the main limiting factors for such a model. A non-magnetized model is included to find an optimal value for pressure and to reduce the probability of pressure instability occurrence in magnetized model. To fulfill this task, several simulations for various pressure values (0.005 Torr, 0.05 Torr, and 0.5 Torr) were conducted. Next, the simulation of magnetized/full model has been carried out with addition of magnetic coils in non-magnetized model. To avoid the Electron Anomalous phenomenon, the Bohm diffusion approach was implemented. In addition, a full Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulation of a typical HET (SPT-100) with the similar input parameters as in fluid model was conducted, and the results were compared and validated using experimental data. The PIC model was intended to be utilized to investigate the accuracy of erosion model in multiphysics software. The results of this thesis indicate that current application of erosion model in COMSOL is not possible whilst high accuracy of the erosion model based on PIC approach can be achieved. Finally, the application of semi-empirical method through direct input of magnetic field data can allow short time simulation of a HET in COMSOL to gain insight about the preliminary behaviour of plasma, however, the simulation of an erosion model requires either a built-in PIC algorithm in COMSOL or a PIC based code.

Les buts de cette thèse étaient d’évaluer les taux de 25(OH)D chez des jeunes adultes Libanais et d’explorer les relations entre la 25(OH)D, la vitamine D libre et plusieurs paramètres osseux dans la même population. Dans un premier temps, nous avons démontré que l’insuffisance en 25(OH)D est très fréquente chez les jeunes adultes libanais (66 % des femmes vs. 50,7 des hommes) et que les taux de 25(OH)D ne sont pas des déterminants positifs de la DMO. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons démontré que la 25(OH)D était positivement corrélée au BSI et au CSI dans les deux sexes et que certaines de ces corrélations ont persisté même après ajustement pour l’IMC. Dans un troisième temps, nous avons démontré que les taux de 25(OH)D sont positivement corrélés au TBS dans les deux sexes et que les valeurs de TBS sont supérieures chez les sujets ayant des taux suffisants (> 30 ng/ml) en 25(OH)D par rapport aux sujets ayant des taux insuffisants (< 30 ng/ml) en 25(OH)D. Dans un dernier temps, la vitamine D libre était positivement corrélée à plusieurs paramètres osseux dans les deux sexes ; certaines corrélations ont persisté même après ajustement pour le poids corporel. En conclusion, la 25(OH)D est un déterminant positif de plusieurs paramètres osseux chez les jeunes adultes Libanais. De plus, la vitamine D libre semble être un déterminant positif de plusieurs paramètres osseux dans cette population. La mesure des deux formes de vitamine D (25(OH)D et vitamine D libre) est intéressante pour l’évaluation et la prévention de l’ostéoporose. / The aims of this study were to evaluate the levels of 25(OH)D in a group of young Lebanese adults and to explore the relations between 25(OH)D, free vitamin D and many bone parameters in the same population. First, we have demonstrated that vitamin D insufficiency is very frequent in young Lebanese adults (66% in women vs. 50.7 % in men) and that levels of 25(OH)D are not positive determinants of BMD. Second, we have shown that 25(OH)D was positively correlated to BSI and CSI in both sexes, and some of these correlations remained significant after adjustment for BMI. Third, we have demonstrated that 25(OH)D levels were positively correlated to TBS in both sexes and that TBS values were higher in vitamin D sufficient (> 30 ng/ml) subjects compared to vitamin D insufficient subjects (< 30 ng/ml). Finally, free vitamin D was positively correlated to many bone parameters in both sexes; some of these correlations remained significant after adjustment for body weight. In conclusion, 25(OH)D is a positive determinant of many bone parameters in young Lebanese adults. Moreover, free vitamin D seems to be a positive determinant of many bone parameters in this population. The measurement of both forms of vitamin D (25(OH)D and total vitamin D) is interesting for the evaluation and the prevention of osteoporosis.

The development and numerical implementation of a three-dimensional Particle-In-Cell (PIC) methodology on unstructured Voronoi-Delauney tetrahedral grids is presented. Charge assignment and field interpolation weighting schemes of zero- and first-order are formulated based on the theory of long-range constraints for three-dimensional unstructured grids. The algorithms for particle motion, particle tracing, particle injection, and loading are discussed. Solution to Poisson's equation is based on a finite-volume formulation that takes advantage of the Voronoi-Delauney dual. The PIC methodology and code are validated by application to the problem of current collection by cylindrical Langmuir probes in stationary and moving collisionless plasmas. Numerical results are compared favorably with previous numerical and analytical solutions for a wide range of probe radius to Debye length ratios, probe potentials, and electron to ion temperature ratios. A methodology for evaluation of the heating, slowing-down and deflection times in 3D PIC simulations is presented. An extensive parametric evaluation is performed and the effects of the number of computational particles per cell, the ratio of cell-edge to Debye length, and timestep are investigated. The unstructured PIC code is applied to the simulation of Field Emission Array (FEA) cathodes. Electron injection conditions are obtained from a Field Emission microtip model and the simulation domain includes the FEA cathode and anode. Currents collected by the electrodes are compared to theoretical values. Simulations show the formation of the virtual cathode and three-dimensional effects under certain injection conditions. The unstructured PIC code is also applied to the simulation of a micro-Retarding Potential Analyzer. For simple cases the current at the collector plate is compared favorably with theoretical predictions. The simulations show the complex structure of the potential inside the segmented microchannel, the phase space of plasma species and the space-charge effects not captured by the theory.

Cette thèse étudie numériquement l'impact d'une onde déferlante à l'échelle de la vague. Dans un premier temps, le phénomène de percussion présent sur de faibles durées est décrit dans deux cas de lâcher de barrage. Les résultats montrent que la réduction du pas d'espace induit des changements locaux dans le profil d'interface avant l'impact. Ces changements influencent fortement les pics de pression, rendant ainsi leur estimation impossible. L'influence de lagéométrie locale de l'interface est théoriquement étudiée sur le cas d'un jet triangulaire. En développant deux lois semi-empiriques, nous montrons que pour des interfaces fortement inclinées, les pics de pression sont très sensibles aux variations d'angles incidents. L'impact d'une onde déferlante est traité en initialisant le déferlement par la mise en place d'un couplage faible de modèles BEM/VOF afin d'approcher la forme du jet avec une précision optimale. Les efforts critiques sont calculés pour des obstacles situés à différentes altitudes. L'intensité des pics est en accord avec la théorie pour des angles inférieurs à 70°. Deux types d'impacts sont étudiés en appliquant les résultats du jet triangulaire au cas de jets courbes. / Numerical simulations are performed to describe different cases of breaking wave impacts at the wave scale. The main purpose is to assess short duration pressure peak involved in impulsive loads. The academical case of a triangular wedge hitting a vertical wall allows to investigate the origin of pressure peak and connect their magnitudes to the local interface inclination. Theoretical results enable us to derive two semi-empirical laws which show that pressure peaks are very sensitive to angle variations for strong interface inclination, making thus theire assessment difficult. This result is illustrated on a breaking dam case for which mesh size has shown to have a great influence on the incident jet shape, revealing that pressure peak assessment requires to know accurately interface profile. The case of a breaking wave is treated by setting up a coupling approach (VOF / BEM). This method allows to accurately approximate the interface profile at the beginning of the breaking stage. Pressure peaks are in good agreement with the theoretical results for angles lower than 70°. Two differents types of impacts are then treated by applying results from triangular case to breaking wave jet and the influence of interface curvature on pressure peak evolution is studied.