Šio darbo tikslas - nustatyti fizikinių veiksnių įtaką emulsijos su poliakrilo rūgšties polimeru Pemulen TR-1 stabilumui. Tyrimo objektas - vandeninis tirpalas, kuriame disperguotas polimerinis emulsiklis Pemulen TR-1; tiesioginio tipo emulsija, pagaminta su polimeriniu emulsikliu Pemulen TR-1. Tyrimo uždaviniai: ištirti vandeninės dispersijos koncentracijų (0,2-0,6%) ir lipofilinės fazės (10-50%) įtaką pH reikšmei; neutralizatorių (natrio šarmo ir trietanolamino) įtaką emulsijos lašelių dydžiui ir klampai; polimero Pemulen TR-1 koncentracijos įtaką emulsijų fiziniam stabilumui atliekant centrifugavimo testą ir šaldymo-šildymo ciklą; poliakrilo rūgšties polimero Pemulen TR-1 klampos pokyčio priklausomybę nuo emulsijos pH reikšmės; polimerinio emulsiklio ir nejonogeninės paviršiui aktyvios medžiagos įtaką emulsijos lašelių dydžiui ir klampai; įvertinti PAM įtaką emulsijos stabilumui; įvertinti polioksietilen(20)-sorbitano trioleato įtaka emulsijos tiksotropinėms savybėms. Ištyrus vandeninės polimerinės dispersijos pH reikšmes pastebėta, kad polimero koncentracijai pakitus nuo mažiausios (0,2%) iki didžiausios (0.6%), pH reikšmė sumažėjo apie 11% (p<0,05). Lipofilinės fazės koncentracijos pokytis neturi reikšmingos įtakos pH reikšmei. Nustatyta, kad didėjant polimerinio emulsiklio koncentracijai, atitinkamai didėja vandeninės polimerinės dispersijos klampa. Ištyrus emulsijas viskozimetriniu metodu pastebėta, kad neutralizuotos 18% NaOH tirpalu pasižymi didesne klampa, nei... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Thesis goal - to investigate influence of variuos factors to stability of emulsion with hydrophilic polymer of poly acrylic acid Pemulen TR-1. Thesis object – polymeric dispersion of Pemulen TR-1; emulsion (o/w) made with polymeric emulsifier Pemulen TR-1. Thesis objectives: to study influence of concentration of water dispersion and lipophilic phase on pH value; influence of neutralizers (sodium hydroxide and trolamine) to size of emulsion droplets and viscosity; influence of polymer concentration to physical stability of emulsion during centrifugation test and heating-cooling cycle; viscosity change dependance of poly acrylic acid polymer on the emulsion pH range; influence on size of emulsion droplets and viscosity by polymeric emulsifier and non ionic to surface active agent; to evaluate surface active agnet influence on emulsifier‘s stability; to evaluate polioxietilen(20)- sorbitan trioleate influence on emulsifier‘s tixotropic features. After investigating pH meanings of water polymeric dispersion it was noticed, that increasing concentration of polymer (0.2%-0.6%) pH value dicreases (aproximately 11 %, p<0.05). Exploring influence of concentration of lipophilic phase on pH meaning it was stated that its change does not have important influence on pH value. It was noticed, that increasing concentration of polymer emulsifier viscosity of water polymeric dispersion increases accordingly. After reserching viscosity of emulsion the results were as follows that... [to full text]

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Au cours de la dernière décennie, les nanoparticules ont connu un essor sans précédent dans plusieurs domaines. On peut retrouver ces nanoparticules dans des secteurs aussi variés tels que la médecine, l’électronique, les écrans solaires, les cosmétiques et les plastiques, pour ne nommer que ceux-là. Cette utilisation massive a eu un effet pervers sur l’environnement, sachant qu’une grande partie de ces produits se sont retrouvés inévitablement dans les milieux naturels. Plusieurs études révèlent qu’autant la présence des nanoparticules que leurs produits de dissolution sont à prendre en considération lorsque des travaux toxicologiques ou le devenir de ces matériaux sont étudiés. Il est désormais clair que les propriétés de surface de ces nanoparticules jouent un rôle central sur leur comportement dans les solutions aqueuses; que ce soit les interactions avec des organismes ou entre les particules elles-mêmes. Afin d’évaluer le devenir de nZnO, une étude sur la dissolution ainsi que la bioaccumulation a été réalisée avec l’algue modèle Chlamydomonas reinhardtii en présence de nanoparticules ayant différents enrobages. Les nanoparticules d’oxyde de zinc suivantes ont été étudiées : (i) nZnO sans enrobage (nZnO); (ii) nZnO avec enrobage d’acide polyacrylique (nZnO-PAA) et (iii) nZnO avec enrobage d’hexamétaphosphate de sodium (nZnO-HMP). La dissolution était mesurée à l’aide de trois techniques : ultrafiltration par centrifugation (CU); technique potentiométrique (scanned stripping chronopotentiometry, SSCP) et spectrométrie de masse – plasma à couplage inductif couplé à une résine échangeuse d’ions (resin-based inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, resin-based ICP-MS). Les résultats obtenus démontrent une grande tendance à la dissolution pour le nZnO (presque totale) tandis que pour le nZnO-PAA et le nZnO-HMP, la dissolution est dépendante de la nature de l’enrobage le composant. Pour la bioaccumulation sur l’algue testée, les données montrent une grande dépendance au zinc libre issu de la dissolution pour nZnO et nZnO-PAA. À l’inverse, le nZnO-HMP démontre une bioaccumulation plus élevée par comparaison aux mêmes concentrations d’expositions du zinc libre, expliquée par la stimulation de l’internalisation du zinc provoqué par la présence de phosphate constituant l’enrobage de nZnO-HMP. / Over the last decade, the use of nanoparticles (NP) has been increasing exponentially in numerous sectors, leading to their massive release into the environment. For example, zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) can be found in areas such as medicine, electronics, sunscreens, cosmetics and plastics. Concerns have therefore been raised about the impacts of the NP on the natural environment, as well as their consequences for humans. Multiple studies reveal that not only the NP but also their dissolution products may have impacts on environmental systems. It is well understood that surface properties of engineered nanoparticles in aqueous solution play a pivotal role in nanoparticle behavior, including their interactions with organisms. Therefore, in order to assess the behavior of nZnO, this study focuses on their dissolution and evaluates the bioaccumulation of 3 nanoparticles with different surface stabilizations by the freshwater algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The following NP were studied: (i) bare nZnO, (ii) polyacrylic acid coated (nZnO-PAA) and (iii) sodium hexametaphosphate coated (nZnO-HMP). Three different techniques were used to quantify dissolution of the nZnO: centrifugal ultrafiltration (CU), scanned stripping chronopotentiometry (SSCP) and resin-based inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (resin-based ICP-MS). The results reveal a high dissolution of the bare nZnO (nearly total) while the dissolution of the polyacrylate coated and hexamataphosphate coated nZnO were highly dependent on the nature of the stabilizer. As a consequence, bioaccumulation in model algae C. reinhardtii was strongly related to the release of free zinc in the bare nZnO and the nZnO-PAA. On the other hand, algae exposed to nZnO-HMP appeared to be stimulated by the phosphate coating, leading to higher bioaccumulation than for the free zinc, once again demonstrating the importance of the nature of the stabilizer.

Les nouvelles technologies sont de plus en plus demandeuses de sources de forte densité d’énergie respectueuses de l’environnement. Les accumulateurs lithium-ion semblent être la meilleure solution pour les applications mobiles et pour le domaine de l’automobile. Afin de répondre aux besoins en énergie de plus en plus importants, de nouveaux matériaux d’électrode négative sont nécessaires pour remplacer le carbone qui a désormais atteint son stade de maturité. En particulier, les composites silicium/carbone (Si/C) semblent être prometteurs pour augmenter la densité d’énergie des accumulateurs mais présentent de faibles rétentions de capacité au cours du cyclage. L’amélioration de la cyclabilité des composites Si/C fait l’objet de ce travail de thèse. La synthèse des composites par atomisation avec de l’alcool polyvinylique comme précurseur carboné suivie d’une pyrolyse est présentée. Les performances électrochimiques des matériaux résultants sont comparées à celles obtenues par d’autres composites, élaborés par lyophilisation et par broyage. Les propriétés intrinsèques des composites ont été modifiées par deux voies différentes afin d’améliorer leur cyclabilité. Dans un premiers temps, les effets de la réticulation de l’alcool polyvinylique ont été étudiés, puis ceux liés à l’ajout d’un catalyseur favorisant la graphitisation du carbone. La cyclabilité des composites Si/C peut également être améliorée en modifiant la nature du liant utilisé lors de la préparation des électrodes. L’intérêt bénéfique de l’emploi de l’acide polyacrylique en remplacement du fluorure de polyvinylidène couramment utilisé dans des électrodes à base de composites Si/C est démontré. / New technologies require more and more environment friendly sources of high energy density. Lithium-ion batteries seem to be the best solution for mobile and automotive applications. In order to meet the future energy requirements, new negative electrode materials are needed to replace carbon which has now reached a mature stage. Especially, silicon/carbon composites (Si/C) appear to be promising candidates to increase the energy density of batteries, but they still present poor capacity retention upon cycling. The improvement of Si/C composites cyclability is the subject of this thesis. The synthesis of Si/C composites by spray drying with polyvinyl alcohol as carbon precursor, followed by pyrolysis, is presented. The electrochemical performances are compared with those obtained for other composites, prepared by freeze drying and ball-milling. The intrinsic properties of the composites were modified in two different ways to improve their cyclability. First, we studied the effects of polyvinyl alcohol crosslinking, and then those related to the graphitization of carbon contained in these composites. The cyclability of Si/C composites can also be improved by changing the nature of the binder used during the electrodes preparation. The beneficial interest of using polyacrylic acid in replacement of polyvinylidene fluoride binder commonly used in Si/C based electrodes is shown.

The development of new storage materials will facilitate the use of hydrogen as a major energy carrier in near future. Among the chemical hydrides used as hydrogen storage materials for supplying hydrogen at ambient temperature, sodium borohydride seems to be an ideal one because it is stable under ordinary conditions and liberates hydrogen gas in a safe and controllable way in aqueous solutions. However, self hydrolysis of sodium borohydride is so slow that requires a suitable catalyst. This work aims the use of water dispersible cobalt(0) nanoclusters having large portion of atoms on the surface as catalyst for the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. In-situ formation of cobalt(0) nanoclusters and catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride were performed starting with a cobalt(II) chloride as precursor and sodium borohydride as reducing agent and substrate in the presence of a water soluble stabilizer. As stabilizer, water soluble polyacrylic acid as well as hydrogen phosphate ion were tested. Cobalt(0) nanoclusters were characterized by using all the available analytical methods including FT-IR, TEM, XPS, UV-visible electronic absorption spectroscopy. The kinetics of cobalt(0) nanoclusters catalyzed hydrolysis of sodium borohydride were studied depending on the catalyst concentration, substrate concentration, stabilizing agent concentration and temperature.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

С помощью объемного варианта сорбционного метода изучена сорбция воды пленками ПАА, ПАК, ПМАК и смесями ПАА-ПАК, ПАА-ПМАК разного состава. Измерены теплоты смешения образцов с водой с использованием микрокалориметра типа Тиана-Кальве. Рассчитаны разности химических потенциалов воды ∆µ1, полимеров и смесей ∆µ2, энергии Гиббса смешения полимеров с водой ∆gm. Определены энергии Гиббса, энтальпии и энтропии смешения компонентов в полимерных композициях. Показано, что сорбционная способность систем ПАА-ПАК, ПАА-ПМАК определяется их структурой и сродством к воде. ПАК ведет себя как плотноупакованный полимер, имеющий высокое сродство к воде, а сорбция воды ПМАК свидетельствует о менее плотной упаковке цепей и меньшему сродству к воде. Сорбция воды смесями немонотонно изменяется с составом композиции. Установлено, что смешение всех систем с водой сопровождается уменьшением энергий Гиббса (Δgm < 0), величина ∂2g/∂ω22 > 0, что указывает на образование термодинамически устойчивых систем. Чем б льше сорбционная способность полимера или смеси, тем более отрицательны величины Δgm. Обнаружено, что растворение в воде всех изученных систем сопровождается экзотермическим тепловым эффектом. Отклонения энтальпий смесей от аддитивности положительны для всех систем кроме смеси ПАА-ПМАК с ωПАА < 0,2, что свидетельствует о хорошем взаимодействии полимеров друг с другом. Установлено, что энергии Гиббса смешения ПАА с ПАК и ПМАК полученные двумя методами: с помощью расчета по энергиям Гиббса растворения систем и с помощью уравнения Флори-Хаггинса, хорошо коррелируют друг с другом. Показано, что что смешение ПАА с ПАК сопровождается экзотермическим тепловым эффектом во всей области составов и уменьшением энергии Гиббса вплоть до содержания 90% ПАА. При этом ∆gx и ∆hx близки по величине, и энтропийный вклад в совместимость компонентов T∆sx очень невелик. Таким образом, термодинамическая совместимость ПАА с ПАК обусловлена, главным образом, энергетическим взаимодействием компонентов. Обнаружено, что смеси ПАА-ПМАК образуются с отрицательной энергией Гиббса смешения (∆gx<0) и знакопеременной энтальпией смешения: при содержании ПАА менее 20% ∆hx > 0,а при содержании более 20% – ∆hx<0. Энтропия смешения положительна во всей области составов. / Using the volumetric version of the sorption method, water sorption was studied with PAM, PAA, PMAA films and PAM-PAA, PAM-PMAA mixtures of various compositions. The heats of mixing samples with water were measured using a Tiana-Calve type microcalorimeter. The differences between the chemical potentials of water ∆µ1, polymers and mixtures ∆µ2, Gibbs energy of mixing polymers with water ∆gm are calculated. The Gibbs energies, enthalpy, and entropy of mixing of the components in polymer compositions are determined. It was shown that the sorption ability of PAM-PAA, PAM-PMAK systems is determined by their structure and affinity for water. PAA behaves as a close-packed polymer with a high affinity for water, and the sorption of PMAA water indicates a less dense packing of chains and a lower affinity for water. Sorption of water mixtures non-monotonously changes with the composition. It was found that the mixing of all systems with water is accompanied by a decrease in Gibbs energies (Δgm <0), the value ∂2g/∂ω22> 0, which indicates the formation of thermodynamically stable systems. The greater the sorption capacity of the polymer or mixture, the more negative the Δgm values. It was found that dissolution of all the studied systems in water is accompanied by an exothermic thermal effect. Deviations of the enthalpies of the mixtures from additivity are positive for all systems except the PAM-PMAA mixture with ωPAM <0.2, which indicates a good interaction of the polymers with each other. It was established that the Gibbs energies of mixing PAM with PAA and PMAA were obtained by two methods: using the Gibbs energies of dissolution of systems and using the Flory-Huggins equation, they correlate well with each other. It was shown that the mixing of PAM with PAA is accompanied by an exothermic thermal effect in the entire composition range and a decrease in Gibbs energy up to the content of 90% PAM. Moreover, ∆gx and ∆hx are close in magnitude, and the entropy contribution to the compatibility of the components of T∆sx is very small. Thus, the thermodynamic compatibility of PAM with PAA is mainly due to the energy interaction of the components. It was found that PAM-PMAA mixtures are formed with a negative Gibbs mixing energy (∆gx <0) and an alternating mixing enthalpy: with a PAM content of less than 20%, ∆hx> 0, and with a content of more than 20%, ∆hx <0. The entropy of mixing is positive throughout the composition field.

Le but de cette thèse était de concevoir des matériaux à base de nanoparticules de ZnO qui puissent être utilisés de manière efficaces comme couche de down-shifting sur la face avant des cellules solaires photovoltaiques. Le défi principal a donc été d’obtenir des nanoparticules de ZnO avec un rendement de photoluminescence (PL QY) aussi élevé que possible. Diverses méthodes ont été et comparées utilisées pour la synthèse de nanoparticules de ZnO. Nous avons en premier lieu étudié des particules synthétisées par voie physique (le dépôt par jet d’agrégats de basse énergie, LECBD). Les particules résultantes démontrent une faible PL QY. Nous avons par la suite étudié des particules commerciales qui se sont comportées comme celles issues de la LECBD. Par conséquent, nous ne les avons pas retenues. Enfin, nous nous sommes concentrés sur des particules produites par voies chimique humide: la co-précipitation de l’acétate ou du sulfate de zinc en présence d’hydroxyde alcalin. Pour chaque cas, les paramètres de synthèses ont été variés pour optimiser les propriétés optiques en vue de l’effet de down-shifting. Avec un choix approprié de la nature (Li+) et de la quantité d’ions alcalins, le PL QY a été accru à 13 %. Nos résultats reproduisent l’état de l’art concernant cette technique. Cependant, la technique par hydrolyse s’est révélée bien plus intéressante. La seule réaction d’hydrolyse n’a pas initialement conduit à des particules très brillantes. Nous avons donc proposé une approche originale : l’ajout d’un acide faible, l’acide polyacrylique (PAAH), durant la synthèse. Alors que le PAAH a déjà été utilisé comme agent passivant de la surface de ZnO, son utilisation pendant la synthèse n’a jamais été tentée. Notre travail montre que en contrôlant la quantité et le poids moléculaire (longueur de chaine) du PAAH introduit pendant la croissance, un nanocomposite hybride très efficace à base de nanoparticules de ZnO et de PAAH peut être obtenu, avec un PL QY aussi élevé que 20 %. En mélangeant le PAAH avec son sel de sodium, PAANa, le nanocomposite présente un PL QY record de 50%, qui augmente jusqu’à 70 % après un mois. Les raisons physico-chimiques de cet accroissement sont discutées dans le manuscrit. Nos explications pointent vers un effet combiné de la taille, de la morphologie et de la composition. Dans la partie suivante, des nanoparticules de ZnO pouvant être dispersées dans l’eau ont été obtenues avec succès tout en maintenant leur rendement quantique entre 20 % et 34 % ; ce en utilisant un mélange de PAAH/PAANa de ratio volumique, de concentration et de volume réactionnel optimaux. Nous insistons sur la nécessité d’obtenir un compromis entre une bonne capacité de dispersion et un fort PL QY. Cette partie de la thèse pave la voie vers des applications industrielles ultérieures.Finalement, l’effet de down-shifting des nanoparticules luminescentes de ZnO a été simulé pout déterminer le gain potentiel de rendement de cellules photovoltaïques. / In this thesis, we aim at designing mechanically stable ZnO nanoparticle based materials as a luminescent down-shifting layer that can be processed on a scalable amount and deposited on standard solar cells at a reduced cost. The main challenge was thus to get ZnO nanoparticles with as high photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) as possible. Different methods have been used and compared to synthesize ZnO nanoparticles. We have first studied particles synthesized by a physical route (the Low Energy Cluster Beam Deposition relying on the adiabatic expansion of a plasma). The resulting particles did not exhibit a PL QY high enough to be interesting for down-shifting. We next investigated commercial particles which behaved as the LECBD ones. We consequently discarded them. Eventually, we concentrated on nanoparticles produced by wet chemistry. Two routes were explored: the conventional co-precipitation method of Zn acetate or sulfate in presence of an alkaline hydroxide and the hydrolysis of ZnEt2. For both cases the synthesis parameters have been tuned to optimize the optical properties for down-shifting process. When appropriately choosing the alkaline ion (Li+ instead of K+) nature and amount, the PL QY has been increased to 13 % in the co-precipitation method. Our results reproduce the state-of-the-art knowledge concerning this technique. The hydrolysis route proved to be even more interesting. The sole hydrolysis reaction did not lead to very bright particles. We have thus proposed an original strategy: the addition of a weak acid, the polyacrylic acid (PAAH) during the synthesis. If PAAH has been used previously as a passivating capping agent of ZnO, its use during the synthesis has never been tempted. Our work shows that by tuning the amount and molecular weight (chain length) of PAAH introduced during the synthesis, a very efficient hybrid nanocomposite consisting of ZnO nanopaerticles in a PAAH matrix can be obtained with PL QY as high as 20 %. When mixing PAAH to its sodium salt PAANa, the nanocomposite exhibits record values of PL QY of 50 %, increasing to 70 % over a month. The physico-chemical reasons for this enhancement are discussed in the manuscript. Our explanations point to a combined effect of the size, morphology and composition. In the subsequent part, ZnO NPs dispersible in water have been successfully achieved while maintaining their PL QY high, between 20 % - 34 %, using a PAAH/PAANa mixture at the optimal volume ratio, concentration, lengths and volume. We highlight the need to get a compromise between a good dispersibility and a high PL QY. This part of the thesis paves the way for the further industrial applications. Finally, the down-shifting effect of luminescent ZnO nanoparticles on solar cells has been simulated to obtain a potential enhancement of solar cell efficiency by the ZnO NPs down-shifting layer.

Siekiant pagaminti stabilias smulkiadispersines emulsines sistemas, naudojant mažas emulsiklių koncentracijas (0,1-0,4%), optimizuojant technologinį procesą, tiriamos naujų emulsiklių panaudojimo galimybės. Poliakrilo rūgšties polimerai (Pemulen™ TR-1 ir TR-2 )-universalūs a/v emulsijų emulsikliai, nepasižymintys toksiškumu aplinkai bei žmogui, kuriuos naudojant mažomis koncentracijomis – 0,1-0,4% - gali būti pagamintos įvairių formų stabilios emulsijos. Šio darbo tikslas ištirti ir įvertinti poliakrilo rūgšties polimerų Pemulen™ TR-1 ir Pemulen™ TR-2 bei pagalbinių medžiagų, nejonogeninio emulsiklio Span 80 ir Carbopol® Ultrez 20, įtaką emulsijų a/v stabilumui, tyrimo rezultatus panaudoti, kuriant pusiau kietų preparatų receptūras. / In order to prepare stable dispersive emulsion systems using low concentration of emulsifiers (0,1-0,4%) optimizing technological process, the use of new emulsifiers is investigated. Different kinds of stable emulsions can be prepared using polyacrylic acid polymers (Pemulen™ TR-1 and TR-2) while using low concentrations - 0,1-0,4% – environmentally non-toxic and human friendly universal o/w emulsion emulsifiers. Goal of this thesis - to analyse and evaluate the influence of polyacrylic acid polymer Pemulen™ TR-1 and Pemulen™ TR-2 and auxiliary substances nonionic surfactant Span 80 and Carbopol® Ultrez 20 for o/w emulsion stability and to use results of analysis in designing semi-solid formulas.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based artificial sensory hairs for flow sensing have been widely explored, but the processes involved in their fabrication are lithography intensive, making the process quite expensive and cumbersome. Most of these devices are also based on silicon MEMS, which makes the fabrication of out-of plane 3D flow sensors very challenging. This thesis aims to develop new fabrication technologies based on Polymer MEMS, with minimum dependence on lithography for the fabrication of piezoresistive 3D out-of-plane artificial sensory hairs for sensing of air flow. Moreover, the fabrication of a flexible sensor array is proposed and new materials are also explored for the sensing application. Soft lithography based approaches are first investigated for the fabrication of an all elastomer device that is tested in a bench top wind tunnel. Micromolding technologies allow for the mass fabrication of microstructures using a single, reusable mold master that is fabricated by SU-8 photolithography, reducing the need for repetitive processing. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is used as the device material and sputter deposited gold is used as both the piezoresistive as well as the electrode material for collection of device response. The fabrication results of PDMS to PDMS metal transfer micromolding (MTM) are shown and the limitations of the process are also discussed. A dissolving mold metal transfer micromolding process is then proposed and developed, which overcomes the limitations of the conventional MTM process pertinent to the present application. Testing results of devices fabricated using the dissolving mold process are discussed with emphasis on the role of micro-cr  acking as one failure mode in elastomeric devices with thin film metal electrodes. Finally, a laser microfabrication based approach using thin film Kapton as the device material and an electrically conductive carbon-black elastomer composite as the piezoresistor is proposed and demonstrated. Laminated sheets of thick and thin Kapton form the flexible substrate on which the conductive elastomer piezoresistors are stencil printed. Excimer laser ablation is used to make the micro-stencil as well as to release the Kapton cantilevers. The fluid-structure interaction is improved by the deposition of a thin film of silicon dioxide, which produces a stress-gradient induced curvature, strongly enhancing the device sensitivity. This new approach also enables the fabrication of backside interconnects, thereby addressing the commonly observed problem of flow intrusion while using conventional interconnection technologies like wire-bonding. Devices with varying dimensions of the sensing element are fabricated and the results presented, with smallest devices having a width of 400 microns and a length of 1.5 mm with flow sensitivities as high as 60 Ohms/m/s. Recommendations are also proposed for further optimization of the device.