This thesis provides a novel investigation into rainfall-runoff processes occurring within a unique two-tiered depth-driven overland flow physical modelling environment, as well as within a numerical model context where parameterisation and DEM/building resolution influences have been investigated using an innovative de-coupled methodology. Two approaches to simulating urban rainfall-runoff responses were used. Firstly, a novel, 9 m2 physical modelling environment consisting of a: (i) a low-cost rainfall simulator component able to simulate consistent, uniformly distributed rainfall events of varying duration and intensity, and; (ii) a modular plot surface layer was used. Secondly, a numerical hydroinundation model (FloodMap2D-HydroInundation) was used to simulate a short-duration, high intensity surface water flood event (28th June 2012, Loughborough University campus). The physical model showed sensitivities to a number of meteorological and terrestrial factors. Results demonstrated intuitive model sensitivity to increasing the intensity and duration of rainfall, resulting in higher peak discharges and larger outflow volumes at the model outflow unit, as well as increases in the water depth within the physical model plot surface. Increases in percentage permeability were also shown to alter outflow flood hydrograph shape, volume, magnitude and timing due to storages within the physical model plot. Thus, a reduction in the overall volume of water received at the outflow hydrograph and a decrease in the peak of the flood event was observed with an increase in permeability coverage. Increases in the density of buildings resulted in a more rapid receding limb of the hydrograph and a steeper rising limb, suggesting a more rapid hydrological response. This indicates that buildings can have a channelling influence on surface water flows as well as a blockage effect. The layout and distribution of permeable elements was also shown to affect the rainfall-runoff response recorded at the model outflow, with downstream concentrated permeability resulting in statistically different hydrograph outflow data, but the layout of buildings was not seen to result in significant changes to the outflow flood hydrographs; outflow hydrographs appeared to only be influenced by the actual quantity and density of buildings, rather than their spatial distribution and placement within the catchment. Parameterisation of hydraulic (roughness) and hydrological (drainage rate, infiltration and evapotranspiration) model variables, and the influence of mesh resolution of elevation and building elements on surface water inundation outputs, both at the global and local level, were studied. Further, the viability of crowdsourced approaches to provide external model validation data in conjunction with dGPS water depth data was assessed. Parameterisation demonstrated that drainage rate changes within the expected range of parameter values resulted in considerable losses from the numerical model domain at global and local scales. Further, the model was also shown to be moderately sensitive to hydraulic conductivity and roughness parameterisation at both scales of analysis. Conversely, the parameterisation of evapotranspiration demonstrated that the model was largely insensitive to any changes of evapotranspiration rates at the global and local scales. Detailed analyses at the hotspot level were critical to calibrate and validate the numerical model, as well as allowing small-scale variations to be understood using at-a-point hydrograph assessments. A localised analysis was shown to be especially important to identify the effects of resolution changes in the DEM and buildings which were shown to be spatially dependent on the density, presence, size and geometry of buildings within the study site. The resolution of the topographic elements of a DEM were also shown to be crucial in altering the flood characteristics at the global and localised hotspot levels. A novel de-coupled investigation of the elevation and building components of the DEM in a strategic matrix of scenarios was used to understand the independent influence of building and topographic mesh resolution effects on surface water flood outputs. Notably, the inclusion of buildings on a DEM surface was shown to have a considerable influence on the distribution of flood waters through time (regardless of resolution), with the exclusion of buildings from the DEM grid being shown to produce less accurate results than altering the overall resolution of the horizontal DEM grid cells. This suggests that future surface water flood studies should focus on the inclusion and representation of buildings and structural features present on the DEM surface as these have a crucial role in modifying rainfall-runoff responses. Focus on building representation was shown to be more vital than concentrating on advances in the horizontal resolution of the grid cells which make up a DEM, as a DEM resolution of 2 m was shown to be sufficiently detailed to conduct the urban surface water flood modelling undertaken, supporting previous inundation research.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-07-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:47:22Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 correa_fs_dr_rcla.pdf: 17492057 bytes, checksum: 8cc4d1d3ffe575008117e1eb0708fac5 (MD5) / O interesse pela exploração petrolífera em armadilhas associadas à halocinese motivou a realização deste trabalho, que teve como objetivo caracterizar e descrever a evolução halocinética da região centro-norte da Bacia de Santos. Dados sísmicos e de poços foram utilizados na determinação do arcabouço estrutural-estratigráfico e na evolução cinemática do sal, por meio de técnicas de restauração palinspática. O contexto geológico-estrutural estabelecido serviu de alicerce para análise da dinâmica do sal em experimentos físicos análogos em caixa de areia com silicone. A área foi palco de intensa atividade halocinética a partir do Albiano, em resposta à distensão provocada pela abertura do Atlântico Sul e pela sobrecarga sedimentar, especialmente durante o Senoniano, quando imensas cunhas clásticas progradantes adentraram a bacia e expulsaram a espessa camada de sal, resultando numa extensa zona de falhas antitéticas, cujo bloco baixo consiste numa cicatriz da halocinese. Concomitantemente, falhas lístricas sintéticas se desenvolveram na porção norte da área, coexistindo dois sistemas de cisalhamento que resultou na instalação da zona de acomodação da distensão. No Paleoceno-Eoceno, importante sedimentação adentrou na porção sul da área exercendo sobrecarga diferencial sobre os diápiros adjacentes às mini-bacias senonianas, resultando na remobilização do sal e na inversão das mini-bacias para anticlinal tipo casco de tartaruga / The interest in petroleum traps associated to salt tectonics was the motivation to conduct this work. The objective of the thesis is to characterize and explain the halokinetic evolution of north-central region of Santos Basin. Seismic data and wells were used to construct the structural-stratigraphic framework leading to halokinetics evolution by using palinspatic restoration techniques. The structural geologic framework was the basis of salt dynamics analyses using silicone in sandbox analogues experiments. The studied area underwent intense halokinetic activities since Albian age in response to stretching associated to Atlantic South opening and sediment loading. During Senonian huge prograding clastics wedges entered the basin expelling thick layer of salt creating an extensive antithetic fault zone, known as Cabo Frio Fault Zone, where the hangingwall rests on a salt weld. Two sets of synthetic listric fault developed concomintantly in the northern portion of area, producing an accommodation zone. During Paleocene-Eocene an important sedimentation event estabilished in the southern area causing differential loading on diapirs adjacent to senonian mini basins, resulting in salt remobilization and inversion of mini basins to form turtle structures

Esta pesquisa apresenta a monitoração de modelos reduzidos para a investigação do comportamento de estruturas. O estudo do comportamento estrutural consistiu basicamente na medição de grandezas físicas de forma experimental, para o qual os modelos físicos reduzidos foram submetidos a múltiplos ensaios em laboratório. Posteriormente, os dados experimentais foram tratados e analisados, para então serem comparados com os resultados dos modelos teóricos, avaliando assim, sua capacidade de simulação. No total foram monitorados três modelos reduzidos, cujas grandezas físicas foram medidas utilizando-se sensores elétricos, tais como: extensômetros, LVDTs e um servoatuador hidráulico, os quais estavam ligados ao sistema de aquisição da National Instrument, controlado por um computador de comando e pelos programas LabView e DynaTester. Um dos modelos construído em alumínio foi utilizado a fim de se estudar o comportamento da ponte do rio Suaçui, assim como calibrar os modelos teóricos em função dos dados experimentais da estrutura real e do modelo reduzido e estabelecer uma relação entre eles. Os outros dois modelos construídos em microconcreto foram utilizados para estudar o comportamento de estruturas na fase não linear e em fratura, para o qual foram submetidos a carregamentos incrementais. A ponte de microconcreto foi ensaiada com o intuito de se verificar a variação da rigidez de sua seção transversal e a construção de uma relação experimental de momento-curvatura. As vigas levemente armadas foram ensaiadas a flexão em três pontos até a ruptura, com a finalidade de se verificar que seu comportamento depende de vários parâmetros tais como: taxa de armadura, tamanho da viga, forma da seção transversal e a aderência aço-concreto. O estudo experimental foi complementado com ensaios de caracterização de materiais, estudos teóricos e o desenvolvimento de aplicativos como o programa PUENFLEX para o cálculo de relações de momento-curvatura de seções e o aplicativo desenvolvido em LabView para monitoração de estruturas que permite visualizar seu comportamento em tempo real. / This research presents the monitoring of scale reduced models for investigation the behavior of structures. The study of structural behavior consisted basically in the measurement of physical quantities on an experimental basis, to which the reduced physical models were subjected to multiple laboratory tests. Then the experimental data were processed and analyzed, so at the finally the results were compared with theoretical models and thereby to evaluate their ability to simulation. In total were monitored three reduced models, whose physical quantities were measured using electrical sensors such as strain gauges, LVDT\'s and a system hydraulics load, which in the same time were connected to the system of acquisition of the National Instrument, controlled by a computer command and DynaTester and LabView programs. One of the models constructed of aluminum was used to study the behavior of Suaçuí river bridge, as well as calibrate the theoretical models on the basis of experimental data of the real structure and the reduced model and to establish a relationship between them. The other two models built in microconcrete were used to study the behavior of structures in the nonlinear phase and fracture, for which they were subjected to incremental loads. The bridge of microconcrete was tested in order to verify the variations the rigidity of their cross section and the construction of an experimental relationship for the moment-curvature. The beams with minimum flexural reinforcement were tested in three-point bending to failure, in order to verify that his behavior depends on various parameters such as reinforcement ratio, the beam size, shape of cross section and steel-concrete adherence. The experimental study was completed with material characterization tests, theoretical studies and the development of applications such as PUENFLEX program for calculating the moment-curvature relationships for cross sections and the program developed in LabView for monitoring structures to visualize their behavior in real time.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:39:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jose Ricardo Lemes de Almeida.pdf: 10266228 bytes, checksum: 65b1cb994ef14d0ca73bd5cbfa547e03 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-07 / One of the difficulties in teaching Chemistry is establishing relationships between representations of the microscopic and the macroscopic levels while exploring a concept. Earlier studies have shown that the use of computer or physical visualization tools result in a more efficient learning of these concepts. It is believed that part of the positive effect is related to training visual-spatial abilities. Based on these studies, this research sought to investigate the impact of an educational intervention on the accomplishments of tasks that measure visual-spatial abilities. A group of 56 students paired by gender was divided randomly into two groups. One of the groups received an educational intervention using a kit for building a tetrahedron; the other group received a list of exercises of molecular geometry. To evaluate the effects of the proposed intervention, students were asked to take part of two mental rotation tests of three dimensional images after each intervention. In one of them, the stimuli were images of molecules, and in the other they were solid three dimensional objects; the images appeared at different rotations on a computer screen. The task was to say the name of the molecules and, in the case of the objects, compare them to other objects that had not been rotated. The tests were applied using equipment that registers eye movements (Tobii® 1750). The analysis was based on response time, right answers, wrong answers, and strategies of eye movement to follow stimuli. The main results showed a larger number of right answers in the group that used the kit, both in the test with images of molecules and in the test of geometric objects. These results lead us to believe that the kit was effective for the visualization of molecules, becoming an important teaching tool in Chemistry. Besides, the effect of the kit in tests of three dimensional objects pointed out to the positive impact that this strategy had on the visual-spatial abilities in general. / Uma das dificuldades encontradas no ensino da Química é o estabelecimento de relações entre representações do nível microscópico e as do macroscópico na exploração de um conceito. Estudos anteriores mostraram que a utilização de ferramentas de visualização computacional ou física resulta em aprendizado mais efetivo de conceitos. Acredita-se que parte do efeito positivo deva estar relacionada a um treinamento de habilidades visoespaciais. Para verificar essa hipótese, um grupo de 56 alunos pareados por gênero foi dividido aleatoriamente em dois grupos. Um dos grupos recebeu intervenção educacional com o kit de montagem física de um tetraedro; o outro recebeu uma lista de exercícios de geometria molecular. Para a avaliação dos efeitos das intervenções propostas, após essas intervenções os alunos realizaram testes de rotação mental de figuras tridimensionais. Em um deles, os estímulos eram figuras de moléculas e, no outro, eram objetos sólidos tridimensionais; as figuras apareciam rotacionadas em uma tela de computador. A tarefa era dizer o nome das moléculas e, no caso dos objetos, compará-los com outros objetos não rotacionados. Os testes foram realizados em equipamento de registro dos movimentos oculares (Tobii® 1750). Foram analisados o tempo de resposta, o número de acertos e erros, e as estratégias visuais de rastreio dos estímulos. Os resultados sinalizaram que o uso do kit foi efetivo para melhor visualização de moléculas, o que o caracterizou como importante ferramenta no ensino-aprendizagem de Química. Além disso, o efeito do kit em testes de figuras tridimensionais apontou para o impacto positivo que esta estratégia teve nas habilidades visoespaciais de forma geral.

The present thesis evaluates numerically and experimentally if the axial capacity of Auger Cast Piles (ACPs) constructed in interbedded layers of granular soil and Limestone should be reduced as a function of pile spacing. The numerical component of this thesis includes a series of parametric studies that consider different sets of normalized spacings, stiffness ratios, relative densities, unconfined compressive strengths, and installation effects for multiple subsurface conditions. The experimental program designed herein involves the construction of multiple components for a laboratory testing program of small-scale physical models that will validate the results of the numerical models in terms of capacities, efficiency ratios and normalized spacings.

Ces travaux s'articulent autour du calcul des solutions périodiques dans les systèmes dynamiques non linéaires, au moyen de méthodes numériques de continuation. La recherche de solutions périodiques se traduit par un problème avec conditions aux limites périodiques, pour lequel nous avons implémenté deux méthodes d'approximation : - Une méthode spectrale dans le domaine fréquentiel, l'équilibrage harmonique d'ordre élevé, qui repose sur une formulation quadratique des équations. Nous proposons en outre une extension de cette méthode aux cas de non-linéarités non rationnelles. - Une méthode pseudo-spectrale dans le domaine temporel, la collocation à l'aide fonctions polynômiales par morceaux. Ces méthodes transforment le problème continu en un système d'équations algébriques non linéaires, dont les solutions sont calculées par continuation à l'aide de la méthode asymptotique numérique. L'ensemble de ces outils, complétés d'une analyse linéaire de stabilité, sont intégrés au code de calcul MANLAB. Applications : Un modèle physique non-régulier de clarinette est étudié en détail : à partir de la branche de solutions statiques et ses bifurcations, on calcule les différentes branches de solutions périodiques, ainsi que leur stabilité et leurs bifurcations. Ce modèle est ensuite adapté au cas du saxophone, pour lequel on intègre une caractérisation acoustique expérimentale, afin de mieux tenir compte de la géométrie complexe de l'instrument. Enfin, nous étudions un modèle physique simplifié de violon, avec une non-régularité liée frottement de Coulomb. / Periodic solutions of nonlinear dynamical systems are the focus of this work. We compute periodic solutions through a BVP formulation, solved with two numerical methods: - a spectral method, in the frequency domain: the hogh-order Harmonic Balance Method, using a quadratic formulation of the original equations. We also propose an extension to nonrational nonlinearities. - a pseudo-spectral method, in the time domain : the arthogonal collocation at Gauss point, with piece-wise polynomial interpolation. Both methods lead to a system of nonlinear algebraic equations, and its solutions are computed by a continuation algorithm : the Asymptotic Numerical Method. These methods are embeded in the numerical package MANLAB, together with a linear stability analysis. Application We then apply these methods to physical models of several instruments : a clarinet, a saxophone, and a violin. The clarinet model contains a non-smooth contact between the reed and the mouthpiece. The study focuses on the evolution of frequency, loudness, and spectrum along the branch of periodic solutions when varying the mouth pressure. The saxophone model is very similar, but an experimental characterization of the bore is used in that case. Finally, the violin model with a non-smooth Coulomb contact law and a simplified resonator is studied, showing the variety of models that can be treated using this method.

Cette thèse porte sur l'optimisation et la commande prédictive des centrales de production d'énergie en utilisant des modèles physiques des installations. Les modèles sont réalisés à l'aide du langage Modelica, un langage équationnel adapté à la modélisation de systèmes multi-physiques. La modélisation de systèmes physiques dans ce langage est présentée dans une première partie, ainsi que les traitements symboliques réalisés par les compilateurs Modelica pour mettre les modèles sous une forme adaptée à l'optimisation. On présente dans une seconde partie le développement d'une méthode d'optimisation dynamique hybride pour les centrales de production d'énergie, qui fournit une trajectoire optimisée de l'installation sur un horizon long. Les trajectoires calculées incluent les trajectoires des commandes continues ainsi que les décisions d'engagement des différents équipements. L'algorithme d'optimisation combine la méthode de collocation et une méthode nommée Sum Up Rounding (SUR) pour la prise en compte des décisions d'engagement. Un algorithme de commande prédictive (MPC) est enfin introduit afin de garantir le suivi des trajectoires optimales et de prendre en compte en temps réel la présence de perturbations et les erreurs du modèle d'optimisation. L'algorithme MPC utilise des modèles linéarisés tangents générés automatiquement à partir du modèle non linéaire. / This thesis deals with hybrid optimal control and Model Predictive Control (MPC) of power plants by use of physical models. Models of the facilities are developped with Modelica, an equation based language tailored for modelling multi-physics systems. Modeling of physical systems with Modelica is introduced in a first part, as well as some of the symbolic processing done by Modelica compilers that transform the original model to a form suited for optimization. Then, a method to solve optimal control problems on hybrid systems (such as power plants) is presented. This methods provides an optimal trajectory for the power plant on a long horizon. The optimal trajectory computed by the method includes the trajectories of continuous inputs as well as switching decisions for components in the plant. The optimization algorithm combines the collocation method and a method named Sum Up Rounding (SUR) for dealing with switches. Finally, a Model Predictive Controller is developped in order to follow this optimal trajectory in real time, and to cope with disturbances on the actual system and modelling errors. The proposed MPC uses tangent linear models of the plant that are derived automatically from the nonlinear model.

La Tomographie Volumique à Faisceau Conique (TVFC) est une technologie d’imagerie tridimensionnelle très pertinente à utiliser en odontologie. Notre travail a pour objectifs de montrer ses intérêts et les applications spécifiques en endodontie. Après avoir redéfini les conséquences délétères possibles per et post opératoires des traitements endodontiques et expliqué les principes de la TVFC, nous explorons dans un premier temps les effets de la préparation canalaire in vitro à l’aide de la microtomographie à haute résolution puis, dans un second temps, la problématique et les intérêts de la création de reconstructions tridimensionnelles fiables et précises. Cette dernière partie aborde les notions de traitement des images issues de TVFC avant d’expliquer la démarche adoptée pour élaborer une classification tridimensionnelle des lésions inflammatoires périapicales d’origine endodontique sous formes numérique et physique. / Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) is a highly relevant three-dimensional imaging technology for use in dentistry. Our work aims to show its interests and specific applications in endodontics. After having redefined the possible deleterious per and post-operative consequences of endodontic treatments and explained the principles of CBCT, we first explore the effects of in vitro canal preparation, using high resolution microtomography and then, in a second time, the problematic and the interests of the creation of reliable and precise three-dimensional reconstructions. This last part deals with the notions of CBCT image processing before explaining the approach adopted to develop a three-dimensional classification of endodontic periapical lesions in digital and physical form.

Cette thèse porte sur l'optimisation et la commande prédictive des centrales de production d'énergie en utilisant des modèles physiques des installations. Les modèles sont réalisés à l'aide du langage Modelica, un langage équationnel adapté à la modélisation de systèmes multi-physiques. La modélisation de systèmes physiques dans ce langage est présentée dans une première partie, ainsi que les traitements symboliques réalisés par les compilateurs Modelica pour mettre les modèles sous une forme adaptée à l'optimisation. On présente dans une seconde partie le développement d'une méthode d'optimisation dynamique hybride pour les centrales de production d'énergie, qui fournit une trajectoire optimisée de l'installation sur un horizon long. Les trajectoires calculées incluent les trajectoires des commandes continues ainsi que les décisions d'engagement des différents équipements. L'algorithme d'optimisation combine la méthode de collocation et une méthode nommée Sum Up Rounding (SUR) pour la prise en compte des décisions d'engagement. Un algorithme de commande prédictive (MPC) est enfin introduit afin de garantir le suivi des trajectoires optimales et de prendre en compte en temps réel la présence de perturbations et les erreurs du modèle d'optimisation. L'algorithme MPC utilise des modèles linéarisés tangents générés automatiquement à partir du modèle non linéaire. / This thesis deals with hybrid optimal control and Model Predictive Control (MPC) of power plants by use of physical models. Models of the facilities are developped with Modelica, an equation based language tailored for modelling multi-physics systems. Modeling of physical systems with Modelica is introduced in a first part, as well as some of the symbolic processing done by Modelica compilers that transform the original model to a form suited for optimization. Then, a method to solve optimal control problems on hybrid systems (such as power plants) is presented. This methods provides an optimal trajectory for the power plant on a long horizon. The optimal trajectory computed by the method includes the trajectories of continuous inputs as well as switching decisions for components in the plant. The optimization algorithm combines the collocation method and a method named Sum Up Rounding (SUR) for dealing with switches. Finally, a Model Predictive Controller is developped in order to follow this optimal trajectory in real time, and to cope with disturbances on the actual system and modelling errors. The proposed MPC uses tangent linear models of the plant that are derived automatically from the nonlinear model.

Liquid crystals (LCs) are important materials for flat panel display and photonic devices. Most LC devices use electrical field-, magnetic field-, or temperature-induced refractive index change to modulate the incident light. Molecular constituents, wavelength, and temperature are the three primary factors determining the liquid crystal refractive indices: ne and no for the extraordinary and ordinary rays, respectively. In this dissertation, we derive several physical models for describing the wavelength and temperature effects on liquid crystal refractive indices, average refractive index, and birefringence. Based on these models, we develop some high temperature gradient refractive index LC mixtures for photonic applications, such as thermal tunable liquid crystal photonic crystal fibers and thermal solitons. Liquid crystal refractive indices decrease as the wavelength increase. Both ne and no saturate in the infrared region. Wavelength effect on LC refractive indices is important for the design of direct-view displays. In Chapter 2, we derive the extended Cauchy models for describing the wavelength effect on liquid crystal refractive indices in the visible and infrared spectral regions based on the three-band model. The three-coefficient Cauchy model could be used for describing the refractive indices of liquid crystals with low, medium, and high birefringence, whereas the two-coefficient Cauchy model is more suitable for low birefringence liquid crystals. The critical value of the birefringence is deltan~0.12. Temperature is another important factor affecting the LC refractive indices. The thermal effect originated from the lamp of projection display would affect the performance of the employed liquid crystal. In Chapter 3, we derive the four-parameter and three-parameter parabolic models for describing the temperature effect on the LC refractive indices based on Vuks model and Haller equation. We validate the empirical Haller equation quantitatively. We also validate that the average refractive index of liquid crystal decreases linearly as the temperature increases. Liquid crystals exhibit a large thermal nonlinearity which is attractive for new photonic applications using photonic crystal fibers. We derive the physical models for describing the temperature gradient of the LC refractive indices, ne and no, based on the four-parameter model. We find that LC exhibits a crossover temperature To at which dno/dT is equal to zero. The physical models of the temperature gradient indicate that ne, the extraordinary refractive index, always decreases as the temperature increases since dne/dT is always negative, whereas no, the ordinary refractive index, decreases as the temperature increases when the temperature is lower than the crossover temperature (dno/dT<0 when the temperature is lower than To) and increases as the temperature increases when the temperature is higher than the crossover temperature (dno/dT>0 when the temperature is higher than To ). Measurements of LC refractive indices play an important role for validating the physical models and the device design. Liquid crystal is anisotropic and the incident linearly polarized light encounters two different refractive indices when the polarization is parallel or perpendicular to the optic axis. The measurement is more complicated than that for an isotropic medium. In Chapter 4, we use a multi-wavelength Abbe refractometer to measure the LC refractive indices in the visible light region. We measured the LC refractive indices at six wavelengths, lamda=450, 486, 546, 589, 633 and 656 nm by changing the filters. We use a circulating constant temperature bath to control the temperature of the sample. The temperature range is from 10 to 55 oC. The refractive index data measured include five low-birefringence liquid crystals, MLC-9200-000, MLC-9200-100, MLC-6608 (delta_epsilon=-4.2), MLC-6241-000, and UCF-280 (delta_epsilon=-4); four middle-birefringence liquid crystals, 5CB, 5PCH, E7, E48 and BL003; four high-birefringence liquid crystals, BL006, BL038, E44 and UCF-35, and two liquid crystals with high dno/dT at room temperature, UCF-1 and UCF-2. The refractive indices of E7 at two infrared wavelengths lamda=1.55 and 10.6 um are measured by the wedged-cell refractometer method. The UV absorption spectra of several liquid crystals, MLC-9200-000, MLC-9200-100, MLC-6608 and TL-216 are measured, too. In section 6.5, we also measure the refractive index of cured optical films of NOA65 and NOA81 using the multi-wavelength Abbe refractometer. In Chapter 5, we use the experimental data measured in Chapter 4 to validate the physical models we derived, the extended three-coefficient and two-coefficient Cauchy models, the four-parameter and three-parameter parabolic models. For the first time, we validate the Vuks model using the experimental data of liquid crystals directly. We also validate the empirical Haller equation for the LC birefringence delta_n and the linear equation for the LC average refractive index . The study of the LC refractive indices explores several new photonic applications for liquid crystals such as high temperature gradient liquid crystals, high thermal tunable liquid crystal photonic crystal fibers, the laser induced 2D+1 thermal solitons in nematic crystals, determination for the infrared refractive indices of liquid crystals, comparative study for refractive index between liquid crystals and photopolymers for polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) applications, and so on. In Chapter 6, we introduce these applications one by one. First, we formulate two novel liquid crystals, UCF-1 and UCF-2, with high dno/dT at room temperature. The dno/dT of UCF-1 is about 4X higher than that of 5CB at room temperature. Second, we infiltrate UCF-1 into the micro holes around the silica core of a section of three-rod core PCF and set up a highly thermal tunable liquid crystal photonic crystal fiber. The guided mode has an effective area of 440 ƒÝm2 with an insertion loss of less than 0.5dB. The loss is mainly attributed to coupling losses between the index-guided section and the bandgap-guided section. The thermal tuning sensitivity of the spectral position of the bandgap was measured to be 27 nm/degree around room temperature, which is 4.6 times higher than that using the commercial E7 LC mixture operated at a temperature above 50 degree C. Third, the novel liquid crystals UCF-1 and UCF-2 are preferred to trigger the laser-induced thermal solitons in nematic liquid crystal confined in a capillary because of the high positive temperature gradient at room temperature. Fourth, we extrapolate the refractive index data measured at the visible light region to the near and far infrared region basing on the extended Cauchy model and four-parameter model. The extrapolation method is validated by the experimental data measured at the visible light and infrared light regions. Knowing the LC refractive indices at the infrared region is important for some photonic devices operated in this light region. Finally, we make a completely comparative study for refractive index between two photocurable polymers (NOA65 and NOA81) and two series of Merck liquid crystals, E-series (E44, E48, and E7) and BL-series (BL038, BL003 and BL006) in order to optimize the performance of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC). Among the LC materials we studied, BL038 and E48 are good candidates for making PDLC system incorporating NOA65. The BL038 PDLC cell shows a higher contrast ratio than the E48 cell because BL038 has a better matched ordinary refractive index, higher birefringence, and similar miscibility as compared to E48. Liquid crystals having a good miscibility with polymer, matched ordinary refractive index, and higher birefringence help to improve the PDLC contrast ratio for display applications. In Chapter 7, we give a general summary for the dissertation.