Polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer which is attracting much attention for environmental issues imposed by the petroleum-based polymers. PLA can be used as medical polymer in surgical sutures, implants tissue and many other areas. However, one of the main shortcomings of PLA is its brittleness in nature and relatively poor mechanical properties, which often limits its further application. It is generally accepted for polymeric materials that some mechanical properties of oriented structures can be improved as the molecular weight of PLA increases. The outcome of this thesis will provide the knowhow to achieve ultrahigh molecular weight of polylactides, and further to improve the mechanical properties and extend its range of applications. In this work, different catalytic systems for the synthesis of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polylactide are considered. For the catalytic systems considered, the reaction conditions and initiators are investigated. The resulting molecular characteristics and mechanical properties of the synthesized polymers will be evaluated. On the contrary to the brittle nature of PLA, Poly(ε-carprolactone) (PCL) is elastic and flexible with a relatively low melting point (60 oC) and low glass transition temperature (-60 oC). Hence, ultra-high molecular weight PCL will be also synthesized by using the same catalytic systems employed for achieving UHMWPLAs. PCL is also used in different biomedical applications, such as in scaffolds for tissue engineering. It is well documented that the complementary physical properties of PLA and PCL have the potential to enhance toughness of PLA. To enhance the toughness and mechanical properties of the block copolymers attempt is made to synthesize ultra-high molar mass of the two polymers in the block copolymer. But their molar masses (and consequently their mechanical properties) are always on the low side. For this reason, the synthesis of high molecular mass PLA and PCL multiblocks will be attempted. Furthermore, it is interesting to study the synthesis of high molar masses PLLA and PDLA stereoblocks especially their ability to crystallize during the polymerization and test the possibility to prepare stereocomplex only during synthesis. The resulting molecular characteristics and mechanical properties of the synthesized multiblock-polymers will be also evaluated.

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Yes / This is a study of the modelling and prediction of strain recovery in a polylactide. Strain recovery near the glass transition temperature is the underlying mechanism for the shape memory in an amorphous polymer. The investigation is aimed at modelling such shape memory behaviour. A PLA-based copolymer is subjected to stress–strain, stress relaxation and strain recovery experiments at large strain at 60 C just below its glass transition temperature. The material is 13% crystalline. Using published data on the mechanical properties of the crystals, finite element modelling was used to determine the effect of the crystal phase on the overall mechanical behaviour of the material, which was found to be significant. The finite element models were also used to relate the stress–strain results to the yield stress of the amorphous phase. This yield stress was found to possess strain rate dependence consistent with an Eyring process. Stress relaxation experiments were also interpreted in terms of the Eyring process, and a two-process Eyring-based model was defined that was capable of modelling strain recovery behaviour. This was essentially a model of the amorphous phase. It was shown to be capable of useful predictions of strain recovery. / Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, grant number EP/L020572/1

Yes / This is a study of the modelling and prediction of strain recovery in a polylactide. Strain recovery near the glass transition temperature is the underlying mechanism for the shape memory in an amorphous polymer. The investigation is aimed at modelling such shape memory behaviour. A PLA-based copolymer is subjected to stress-strain, stress relaxation and strain recovery experiments at large strain at 60 °C just below its glass transition temperature. The material is 13% crystalline. Using published data on the mechanical properties of the crystals, finite element modelling was used to determine the effect of the crystal phase on the overall mechanical behaviour of the material, which was found to be significant. The finite element models were also used to relate the stress-strain results to the yield stress of the amorphous phase. This yield stress was found to possess strain rate dependence consistent with an Eyring process. Stress relaxation experiments were also interpreted in terms of the Eyring process, and a two-process Eyring-based model was defined that was capable of modelling strain recovery behaviour. This was essentially a model of the amorphous phase. It was shown to be capable of useful predictions of strain recovery. / Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, grant number EP/L020572/1. / . Not submitted within 3 months from acceptance or publication but is a Gold paper.

Le vétérinaire aide le producteur laitier à garder son troupeau en santé. Lorsqu’une vache est malade, il peut prescrire des antibiotiques. Le cas échéant, le lait de la vache traitée aux antibiotiques est jeté. Il n’est donc pas vendu pour consommation. Tout le lait produit est analysé avant d’être pasteurisé et transformé afin de s’assurer que les produits laitiers ne contiennent pas de résidus d’antibiotiques. Si les analyses indiquent que le lait renferme des traces d’antibiotiques, il est jeté et le producteur en cause doit assumer la perte. Les épreuves de dépistage actuelles de ces résidus médicamenteux sont onéreuses et inapplicables sur le terrain. Pour résoudre cette problématique aux pieds de la vache, la solution proposée dans ce projet est la fabrication d’un kit de détection basé sur les polymères à empreinte moléculaire. Il s’agit de polymères dont la conformation moléculaire est complémentaire à celle des antibiotiques. Dans ce projet, il est question d’améliorer l’efficacité des épreuves de dépistages des résidus de tétracyclines en augmentant le nombre de sites d’interaction entre l’antibiotique et des polyesters. Trois polymères sont utilisés portant respectivement des groupements aromatiques, carboxyliques et hydroxyles. Une étude antérieure dans notre laboratoire avait déjà donné un pourcentage de rétention de tétracycline de 50% pour une composition de 1/3 PLAOH- 1/3 PLACOOH- 1/3 PLAOBn. Avec des ajustements, le pourcentage passe à 38.93 % pour une composition de 1/4 PLAOH- 1/2 PLACOOH- 1/4 PLAOPh, de 44.81 % pour une composition de 1/4 PLACOOH- 1/2 PLAOH- 1/4 PLAOPh, de 66.34 %pour une composition de 1/4 PLAOH- 1/4 PLACOOH- 1/2 PLAOPh et de 78.07 % pour une composition de 1/6 PLAOH- 1/6 PLACOOH- 2/3 PLAOPh. Notre hypothèse était que la présence accrue du groupement phényle augmenterait le nombre de sites d’interaction spécifique avec l’antibiotique augmentant ainsi le pourcentage de rétention de l’antibiotique à travers les MIP. Les résultats ont confirmé cette hypothèse. / The veterinarian is helping the dairy farmer to keep his flock healthy. When a cow is sick, he may prescribe antibiotics. But in that case, the cow milk treated with antibiotics is discarded, and not sold for consumption. All milk products are analyzed before being pasteurized and processed to ensure that dairy products do not contain residues of antibiotics. If the analyses show that milk contains traces of antibiotics, it is discarded and the producer must bear the loss. On place, the current screening tests for drug residues are expensive and inapplicable. To resolve this problem at the feet of the cow, the solution proposed in this project is the production of a detection kit based on molecular imprinted polymers. These are polymers whose molecular conformation is complementary to that of antibiotics. This project is about improving the effectiveness of screening tests for residues of tetracyclines by increasing the number of interaction sites between the antibiotic and polyester. Three polymers are used respectively, aromatic, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. A previous study in our laboratory had already shown a tetracycline retention percentage of 50% for a composition of 1 / 3 PLAOH-1 / 3 PLACOOH-1 / 3 PLAOBn. After variation in the polymers ratio, the percentage obtained is, 38.93 % for a composition of 1 / 4 PLAOH-1 / 2 PLACOOH-1 / 4 PLAOPh, 44.81 % for a composition of 1 / 4 PLACOOH- 1 / 2 PLAOH- 1 / 4 PLAOPh, 66.34 % for a composition of 1/4 PLAOH- 1/4 PLACOOH- 1/4 PLAOPh and 78.07 % for a composition of 1/6 PLAOH- 1 / 6 PLACOOH- 2 / 3 PLAPh. Our hypothesis was that the increase of the amount of the phenyl group, increases the number of specific interaction sites with the antibiotic, and so increases the percentage of retention of the antibiotic through the MIP. The results confirmed this hypothesis.

Les inquiétudes concernant la gestion des déchets sont croissantes dans un contexte environnemental préoccupant. De ce fait, il est apparu urgent de trouver des substituts aux plastiques conventionnels et les biopolymères semblent être une réponse prometteuse. Leurs propriétés leur permettent des usages très divers, de l'emballage alimentaire à la bio-ingénierie tissulaire en passant par la formulation cosmétique ou la pharmaceutique. S'ils jouissent d'une image positive et de l'intérêt croissant des scientifiques comme des industriels, on ne connait encore que peu leur comportement lors du vieillissement. Ce travail de thèse se propose d'étudier d'une part le vieillissement en enceinte climatique à paramètres contrôlés de certains polymères bio-sourcés et biodégradable (HPMC, Chitosan, PLA) et d'autre part, l'influence d'un traitement micro-onde sur des films de chitosan dans le cadre d'une utilisation comme le packaging alimentaire. Au cours du vieillissement, les biopolymères subissent plusieurs modifications structurales telles que des ruptures de chaînes et des phénomènes de cristallisation. Ces modifications altèrent les propriétés mécaniques des films de biopolymères. Par ailleurs, les films de chitosan, exposés au micro-onde, vont présenter un phénomène de jaunissement, révélateur de la production de composés néo-formés issus de la réaction de Maillard et susceptibles de migrer vers l'aliment en cas de contact avec le film de biopolymère / Today's increased environmental concerns and the growing questions about disposal management are contributing to growth in biopolymer industry. These materials are used in various fields such as pharmaceutic, bioengineering or tissue engineering as cell support, food formulation or packaging. In spite of a positive perception of biopolymers to improve environmental issues, biopolymers properties remain unknown, even though their biodegradability is well documented. Here we consider the influence of aging in climatic chamber on different biopolymers (HPMC, Chitosan and PLA) and in to what extent it could modify their structure and properties. Moreover, considering the opportunity for theses materials to be used as food packaging, influence of microwave heating was also tested on chitosan films. The food consumption trends tend, indeed, to the development of ready-to-eat meal that is why it is crucial to investigate theses biopolymers behavior when used in microwave oven in food contact. The aim of this study is to bring new knowledge of theses materials and to guarantee an optimal and safe use as a food contact packaging. The results showed several deep modifications in the biopolymers structure such as chain scissions or crystallization. These modifications involved a decrease in the polymer's properties. Chitosan films, exposed to increasing microwave heating times, showed gradually increasing yellowing. Maillard neoformed compounds are responsible for this color change and could be deleterious for consumer safety because of the possibility of migration in case of food contact

O amido termoplástico (TPS) é um material biodegradável, de baixo custo, com grande potencial para aplicação na composição de plásticos biodegradáveis. Muitos estudos têm sido realizados no sentido de melhorar algumas de suas propriedades, principalmente a sua baixa resistência mecânica, elevada hidrofilicidade, e baixa miscibilidade com polímeros comerciais, fatores que dificultam a ampliação da utilização desse material como plástico biodegradável. Uma alternativa para melhorar tais propriedades, é a produção de blendas destes materiais com outros polímeros. Contudo, quando a natureza química dos materiais a serem combinados é muito diversa, faz-se necessário compatibilizar os materiais, em geral obtida pela adição de agentes compatibilizantes ou promovendo reações durante a extrusão, processo denominado compatibilização reativa. No trabalho, diferentes alternativas foram investigadas com o intuito de aumentar o potencial de aplicação do amido, entre elas: o efeito do ácido cítrico na modificação do amido; o uso da ureia para estabilização da massa molar do amido via extrusão reativa permitindo seu reprocessamento; a modificação do amido com ácido cítrico e ou 4,4\'-difenil metano diisocianato e o uso de dois processos de extrusão reativa para produção do amido termoplástico; a produção de blendas de amido com poli(butileno adpato co-tereftalato) e poli(ácido lático); a produção do amido termoplástico com reticulação termorreversível pela incorporação de reações de Diels-Alder. Foram feitas diversas caracterizações entre elas, análise das propriedades térmicas por meio das técnicas de termogravimetria (TGA), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), análise dinâmicomecânica (DMA) ensaios mecânicos, absorção de umidade, espectroscopia de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), análises reológicas, cromatografia (HPSEC) e viscosimetria. Os resultados das investigações contribuíram para o desenvolvimento de novos polímeros termoplásticos ou termorrígidos a base de amido de milho e esclareceram questões não abordadas na literatura, sobre a modificação do amido via processo de extrusão reativa. / Thermoplastic starch (TPS) is a biodegradable material, inexpensive, with high potential of usage in the biodegradable plastics composition. Many studies have been performed to improve some properties, mainly its low mechanical strength, high hydrophilicity and low miscibility with commercial polymers, factors that hinder the usage expansion such material as plastic. An alternative to improve these properties is the polymer blends of starch production with other polymers. However, when the materials chemical nature is quite variable then is necessary to make the polymers compatible. Usually, the reactive compatibility is obtained by the addition of coupling agents or promoting reactions during extrusion. In the present study, new alternatives were studied in order to increase the starch application potential including: the citric acid effect on starch modification; use of urea to stabilize the starch molecular weight by reactive extrusion allowing its reprocessing; the starch modification with citric acid and 4,4\'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate and the use of two reactive extrusion processes for thermoplastic starch producing; starch blends production with poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate) and poly (lactic acid); the starch modification by incorporating crosslinking thermoreversible Diels-Alder adduct. Several characterizations were made including thermal analysis by means of thermogravimetry (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) mechanical testing, moisture absorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), rheology analysis, chromatography (HPSEC) and viscometry. The research results have contributed to the development of new thermoplastic polymers or thermosetting from corn starch and helped to clarify issues not addressed in the literature about the starch modification by reactive extrusion process.

Šiuo metu egzistuoja įvairiausių sudėtingų sistemų imitacinių modelių kūrimo technologijų ir priemonių. Šiame darbe aiškinama, kaip imitacinis modelis gali būti integruojamas į verslo valdymo sistemą. Taip pat įvertinama, kad verlo valdymo sistemos gali būti paskirstytos atskiruose kompanijose ar kompiutersiuose. Šiame darbe bus išanalizuota koncepcija, kaip apjungti atskirus imitacinius modelius. Išanalizuota modelių integravimo į informacinę sistemą technologija. Pateikiami gamybos ir paskirstymo imitacinių modelių matematiniai aprašai, naudojant DEVS(Discrete Event Simulation) ir PLA(Piece-Linear Aggregates) specifikacijų metodus. / At present, a large number of modeling and simulation techniques and tools have been developed to deal with complex business systems. In this paper, we concentrate on scenario illustrating, how simulation models can be integrated in to business management system. Different infrastructure forms are possible, because services may be implemented on single machine or distributed throughout several companies’ networks. In this paper a concept will be analyzed - how to combine different simulation models. The technology for involvement of simulation models in to information systems will be created. Also the problem of simulation model transformation in to program code will be solved. For model formalization we can use a method of Piece-Linear Aggregates (PLA) that belongs to the class of time automata model. PLA method is close to Discrete Event Simulation (DEVS) formalism, which is used to create wide purpose simulation models.

Le vétérinaire aide le producteur laitier à garder son troupeau en santé. Lorsqu’une vache est malade, il peut prescrire des antibiotiques. Le cas échéant, le lait de la vache traitée aux antibiotiques est jeté. Il n’est donc pas vendu pour consommation. Tout le lait produit est analysé avant d’être pasteurisé et transformé afin de s’assurer que les produits laitiers ne contiennent pas de résidus d’antibiotiques. Si les analyses indiquent que le lait renferme des traces d’antibiotiques, il est jeté et le producteur en cause doit assumer la perte. Les épreuves de dépistage actuelles de ces résidus médicamenteux sont onéreuses et inapplicables sur le terrain. Pour résoudre cette problématique aux pieds de la vache, la solution proposée dans ce projet est la fabrication d’un kit de détection basé sur les polymères à empreinte moléculaire. Il s’agit de polymères dont la conformation moléculaire est complémentaire à celle des antibiotiques. Dans ce projet, il est question d’améliorer l’efficacité des épreuves de dépistages des résidus de tétracyclines en augmentant le nombre de sites d’interaction entre l’antibiotique et des polyesters. Trois polymères sont utilisés portant respectivement des groupements aromatiques, carboxyliques et hydroxyles. Une étude antérieure dans notre laboratoire avait déjà donné un pourcentage de rétention de tétracycline de 50% pour une composition de 1/3 PLAOH- 1/3 PLACOOH- 1/3 PLAOBn. Avec des ajustements, le pourcentage passe à 38.93 % pour une composition de 1/4 PLAOH- 1/2 PLACOOH- 1/4 PLAOPh, de 44.81 % pour une composition de 1/4 PLACOOH- 1/2 PLAOH- 1/4 PLAOPh, de 66.34 %pour une composition de 1/4 PLAOH- 1/4 PLACOOH- 1/2 PLAOPh et de 78.07 % pour une composition de 1/6 PLAOH- 1/6 PLACOOH- 2/3 PLAOPh. Notre hypothèse était que la présence accrue du groupement phényle augmenterait le nombre de sites d’interaction spécifique avec l’antibiotique augmentant ainsi le pourcentage de rétention de l’antibiotique à travers les MIP. Les résultats ont confirmé cette hypothèse. / The veterinarian is helping the dairy farmer to keep his flock healthy. When a cow is sick, he may prescribe antibiotics. But in that case, the cow milk treated with antibiotics is discarded, and not sold for consumption. All milk products are analyzed before being pasteurized and processed to ensure that dairy products do not contain residues of antibiotics. If the analyses show that milk contains traces of antibiotics, it is discarded and the producer must bear the loss. On place, the current screening tests for drug residues are expensive and inapplicable. To resolve this problem at the feet of the cow, the solution proposed in this project is the production of a detection kit based on molecular imprinted polymers. These are polymers whose molecular conformation is complementary to that of antibiotics. This project is about improving the effectiveness of screening tests for residues of tetracyclines by increasing the number of interaction sites between the antibiotic and polyester. Three polymers are used respectively, aromatic, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. A previous study in our laboratory had already shown a tetracycline retention percentage of 50% for a composition of 1 / 3 PLAOH-1 / 3 PLACOOH-1 / 3 PLAOBn. After variation in the polymers ratio, the percentage obtained is, 38.93 % for a composition of 1 / 4 PLAOH-1 / 2 PLACOOH-1 / 4 PLAOPh, 44.81 % for a composition of 1 / 4 PLACOOH- 1 / 2 PLAOH- 1 / 4 PLAOPh, 66.34 % for a composition of 1/4 PLAOH- 1/4 PLACOOH- 1/4 PLAOPh and 78.07 % for a composition of 1/6 PLAOH- 1 / 6 PLACOOH- 2 / 3 PLAPh. Our hypothesis was that the increase of the amount of the phenyl group, increases the number of specific interaction sites with the antibiotic, and so increases the percentage of retention of the antibiotic through the MIP. The results confirmed this hypothesis.