[Truncated abstract] Self-filtration is here defined as particle detachment and re-deposition causing re-arrangement of the particles and therefore pore space which affects water flow in soil by decreasing hydraulic conductivity. This is of particular important in soils which are susceptible to structural breakdown. The objective of this thesis was to examine the dynamics of the self-filtration process in sodic sandy soils as affected by ionic strength and soil solution composition. The temporal changes of hydraulic conductivity and the elution of fine particles from soil columns were used as the main criteria to assess selffiltration. Two porous media exhibiting significantly different structural cohesion were examined, one a loamy sand (Balkuling soil) from agricultural land use and the second a mining residue from mineral sands operations . . . The effects of the composition of mixed calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na) ions in solution (sodium adsorption ratio (SAR)) on the exchange behaviour and saturated hydraulic conductivity were examined by carrying out batch binary exchange and saturated column transport experiments. A strong preference for Ca2+ ions in the exchange complex was observed for both soils. Generally K/Ko was found to decrease with increasing sodium adsorption ratio with the more structured Balkuling soil maintaining K/Ko for SARs 3 and 5 at an electrolyte concentration of 100 mmol/L. However measurements at the critical threshold and turbidity concentrations at a SAR of 15 revealed structural breakdown of the pore matrix system attributed to various extents of slaking, swelling, dispersion and decreases of pore radii as a result of selffiltration during leaching. These experiments illustrate the wide range of complex interactions involving clay mineralogy, solution composition and structural factors which can influence the extent of mobilization, transport and re-deposition of colloidal particles during the leaching process in soil profiles.

Afin d'approfondir la compréhension des mécanismes de vieillissement des batteries Li-ion, des analyses post-mortem ont été effectuées sur des cellules commerciales Li-ion C/NMC. Ces autopsies ont révélé des dégradations inattendues qui remettent en question les connaissances actuelles sur les mécanismes de vieillissement de ces cellules. Ainsi, il semble que la réaction parasite des dépôts de Li métallique sur l'électrode en graphite, actuellement associée dans la littérature à des charges à basses températures et / ou à courants élevés, aurait diverses origines selon la chimie et les conditions d'utilisation de la batterie. Dans ce travail de thèse, des dépôts locaux de Li métallique ont été observés sur des cellules vieillies en calendaire à haute température. Paradoxalement, dans des conditions de cyclage à basse température, ce dépôt de Li métallique a résulté de la perte de porosité au niveau de l’électrode négative. Par ailleurs, un modèle de vieillissement semi-empirique, prenant compte les pertes en cyclage ainsi que celles causées par la croissance de la SEI et la polymérisation du biphényl, est proposé. Pour finir, une méthode d'identification des modes de dégradation grâce à des mesures de capacité incrémentale a été entreprise, sur la base du décalage des potentiels de chacune des électrodes. / In order to deepen the understanding of the aging mechanisms of Li-ion batteries, post-mortem investigations were performed on C/NMC Li-ion commercial cells. These autopsies revealed unexpected degradations that question current knowledge about the aging mechanisms of these cells. Thus, it appears that the parasitic reaction of Li metal depositions on the graphite electrode, nowadays associated in the literature with charging at low temperature and / or high C-rates, would have various origins depending on the chemistry and conditions of use of the battery. In this thesis work, local Li deposits were observed on cells aged in calendar at high temperatures, due to the apparition of dry areas. Paradoxically, under low temperature cycling conditions, this Li resulted from anode porosity hindrance. Besides, a semi-empirical aging model, taking into account cycling losses as well as those caused by the SEI growth and the biphenyl polymerization, is proposed. Finally, a method of identifying degradation modes using incremental capacity measurements has been undertaken, based on the potential shifts of each of the electrodes.