Smart structures are relevant and significant because of their relevance to phenomena such as hazard mitigation, structural health monitoring and energy saving. Electrical resistance could potentially serve as an indicator of structural well-being or damage in the structure. To this end, the development of a microprocessor-based automated resistance measurement system with customized GUI is desired. In this research, a nodal electrical resistance acquisition circuit (NERAC) system was designed. The system hardware interfaces to a laptop, which houses a customized GUI developed using DAQFactory software. Resistance/impedance was measured using DC/AC methods with four-point probes technique, on three substrates. Baseline reading before damage was noted and compared with the resistance measured after damage. The device was calibrated and validated on three different substrates. Resistance measurements were taken from PVDF samples, composite panels and smart concrete. Results conformed to previous work done on these substrates, validating the effective working of the NERAC device.

Experiments using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) have shown promising results in reducing the uncertainty of solute plume characteristics related to estimates based on the analysis of local point measurements only. To explore the similarities and differences between two cross-borehole ERT inversion approaches for characterizing salt tracer plumes, namely the classical smoothness-constrained inversion and a geostatistically based approach, we performed two-dimensional synthetic experiments. Simplifying assumptions about the solute transport model and the electrical forward and inverse model allowed us to study the sensitivity of the ERT inversion approaches towards a variety of basic conditions, including the number of boreholes, measurement schemes, contrast between the plume and background electrical conductivity, use of a priori knowledge, and point conditioning. The results show that geostatistically based and smoothness-constrained inversions of electrical resistance data yield plume characteristics of similar quality, which can be further improved when point measurements are incorporated and advantageous measurement schemes are chosen. As expected, an increased number of boreholes included in the ERT measurement layout can highly improve the quality of inferred plume characteristics, while in this case the benefits of point conditioning and advantageous measurement schemes diminish. Both ERT inversion approaches are similarly sensitive to the noise level of the data and the contrast between the solute plume and background electrical conductivity, and robust with regard to biased input parameters, such as mean concentration, variance, and correlation length of the plume. Although sophisticated inversion schemes have recently become available, in which flow and transport as well as electrical forward models are coupled, these schemes effectively rely on a relatively simple geometrical parameterization of the hydrogeological model. Therefore, we believe that standard uncoupled ERT inverse approaches, like the ones discussed and assessed in this paper, will continue to be important to the imaging and characterization of solute plumes in many real-world applications. (C) 2016 Hohai University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.

Ce travail étudie le potentiel du silicium de type n purifié par voie métallurgique pour la fabrication de cellules photovoltaïques à bas coût. Les teneurs élevées en dopants conduisent à des gammes de résistivités larges et faibles, ainsi qu’à une diminution de la durée de vie des porteurs de charge.La fabrication de cellules photovoltaïques a permis d’obtenir des rendements de conversion variant de 13.7% à 15.0% sur 148.6cm². Avec un procédé de fabrication amélioré, des rendements de 16.0% pourraient être obtenus. La résistivité des plaquettes a été identifiée comme facteur limitant les performances des cellules. Le co-dopage au gallium a été proposé pour augmenter la gamme de résistivité.Les cellules photovoltaïques réalisées montrent une excellente stabilité sous illumination et de faibles coefficients en température de la tension de circuit-ouvert. Ces travaux de thèse ont permis de définir le potentiel du silicium de type n purifié par voie métallurgique et de définir les spécifications nécessaires initiales au niveau de la charge à purifier pour permettre la fabrication de cellules photovoltaïques efficaces. / This work studies the potential of n-type silicon purified via the metallurgical route for the fabrication of low cost photovoltaic cells. The high level of doping species leads to a large range of low resistivity, as well as reduced carriers’ lifetime. The fabrication of photovoltaic cells led to conversion efficiencies varying from 13.7% to 15.0% on 148.6 cm². With an improved fabrication process, efficiencies of 16.0% could be obtained. The resistivity has been identified as the limiting factor on the cells’ efficiency. Gallium co-doping has been proposed in order to increase the resistivity range.The fabricated photovoltaic cells show an excellent stability under illumination with weak temperature coefficients of the open circuit voltage. This PhD work led to the knowledge of the potential of n-type silicon purified via the metallurgical route, and to define the charge specifications required to the fabrication of efficient photovoltaic cells.

Orientador: César Augusto Moreira / Resumo: Aterros sanitários de resíduos sólidos são a forma de disposição final adequada mais utilizada no mundo devido a suas vantagens operacionais. O processo de instalação, no entanto, exige o desenvolvimento de diversos sistemas tecnológicos a fim de garantir uma disposição de resíduos segura em termos ambientais e de saúde pública. Ainda assim, a contaminação do ambiente subterrâneo pelos produtos da degradação dos resíduos sólidos (chorume) é recorrente. Diante dessas ocorrências, é necessário investigar a área com o objetivo de encontrar as falhas nos sistemas do aterro responsáveis pela contaminação; propor projetos de remediação e monitoramento. Este trabalho aplicou o método geofísico da eletrorresistividade em uma vala de resíduos de um aterro sanitário de pequeno porte com o intuito de diagnosticar a presença de chorume no aquífero e detectar possíveis imperfeições no sistema de impermeabilização. Adicionalmente, por meio de um monitoramento temporal do parâmetro resistividade, entender a dinâmica da geração e fluxo do chorume na área do aterro. Para tanto, o levantamento geofísico contou com 12 linhas de tomografia elétrica, adquiridas durante um período de 3 anos (2016, 2017 e 2018). Para complementar os resultados o método do potencial espontâneo foi aplicado na área no ano de 2018 com o objetivo de adicionar informações a respeito do estágio de degradação dos resíduos sólidos. Os resultados do parâmetro resistividade elétrica são apresentados em seções 2D e modelos de... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Landfills are the most widely used destination in the world for municipal solid waste due to their operational advantages. The installation, however, requires the development of several technological systems in order to ensure a safe and environmentally correct disposal of waste. Nevertheless, the contamination of the subsurface by leachate is recurrent. In view of these occurrences, it is necessary to investigate the area in order to find the faults in the landfill systems responsible for the contamination; propose projects for remediation and monitoring of the area. Therefore, this project predicted the application of the resistivity method in order to diagnose the sources of contamination and to detect possible point of percolation through the geomembrane. By means of a temporal monitoring the present project aimed to understand the leachate generation and flow in the landfill area. For this purpose, the geophysical survey consisted of 12 electrical tomography lines, acquired during a three-year acquisition period (2016, 2017 and 2018). To complement the results, the self-potential method was applied in the area in the year 2018 with the purpose of adding information about the solid waste degradation stage. The results of the resistivity parameter are presented in 2D sections and 3D visualization models with discussions for the superficial level of acquisition, for the geomembrane level (-4m) and for the aquifer level (-10m). The analysis over the years allowed the identif... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Orientador: César Augusto Moreira / Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta a caracterização geológico-geofísica de duas ocorrências auríferas, uma na Fazenda do Funcho e a outra no Gabro Santa Catarina, ambas situadas no município de São Sepé, região centro-sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Ocorrências de ouro em concentrado de bateia em geoquímica de sedimentos de correntes realizados por trabalhos anteriores motivaram a continuidade da pesquisa nas duas áreas. A metodologia utilizada para atingir os objetivos foi o reconhecimento geológico de campo, levantamento de medidas estruturais e aquisição de dados geofísicos com aplicação dos métodos eletrorresistividade (ER) e polarização induzida (IP), por meio da técnica de tomografia elétrica, com execução dos arranjos dipolo-dipolo e Schlumberger. Os dados foram processados com base na técnica de inversão elétrica 2D e posteriormente interpolados para uma visualização em 3D. A análise dos dados permitiu a delimitação tridimensional de possíveis mineralizações sulfetadas em profundidade provenientes de fluidos hidrotermais provavelmente oriundos da intrusão do Granito São Sepé, que se caracterizou como uma fonte de calor e que remobilizou o ouro de outras rochas da região para as rochas das áreas estudo. A integração dos dados geoelétricos e estruturais, associados ao contexto metalogenético da região sugerem que as mineralizações de ouro estão hospedadas em fraturas, foliação e veios de quartzo nas rochas da Fazenda do Funcho e em fraturas do Gabro Santa Catarina. A partir da análise e... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This thesis presents the geological and geophysical characterization of two gold occurrences, one at Funcho Farm and the other at Santa Catarina Gabbro, both located in the city of São Sepé, south-central region of Rio Grande do Sul. Gold occurrences in pan concentrate in stream sediment geochemistry performed by previous works motivated the continuity of the research in both areas. The methodology used to achieve the objectives was the geological field recognition, structural measures survey and geophysical data acquisition with the application of the electroresistivity (ER) and induced polarization (IP) methods, by means of the electric tomography technique, with the execution of the arrangements dipole-dipole and Schlumberger. Data were processed based on the 2D electrical inversion technique and then interpolated for a 3D view. The data analysis allowed the three-dimensional delimitation of possible deep sulphide mineralizations from hydrothermal fluids probably from the São Sepé Granite intrusion, which was characterized as a heat source and remobilized the gold from other rocks of the region to the rocks of the areas. study. The integration of geoelectric and structural data associated with the region's metallogenetic context suggests that gold mineralizations are hosted in fractures, foliation and quartz veins in the rocks of Funcho Farm and in fractures of Santa Catarina Gabbro. From the analysis and interpretation of 2D inversion and 3D visualization models acquired ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

De nombreuses applications industrielles nécessitent le dépôt de films métalliques à la surface de polymères afin de conférer une fonction de conduction électrique à ces matériaux isolants. Cette étude a été motivée par la volonté de la société Radiall, dont une partie de l’activité concerne la réalisation de connecteurs à haute performance, de remplacer le procédé de métallisation par voie humide par un procédé de dépôt par voie sèche plasma. Le travail présenté ici porte ainsi sur l’étude du procédé de pulvérisation cathodique magnétron avec ionisation de la vapeur par plasma radiofréquence (RF-IPVD) pour le dépôt de couches minces de cuivre sur substrats de formes complexes en poly-sulfure de phénylène. Cette thèse regroupe d’une part les résultats concernant la métallisation des connecteurs et d’autre part l’analyse de la phase plasma. La validation du procédé RF-IPVD a comporté plusieurs étapes : i) le développement du traitement du polymère par plasma ICP avant dépôt du film de cuivre afin que l’adhérence satisfasse la norme ISO 2409. ii) la détermination des paramètres d’élaboration permettant d’optimiser la conductivité des films et leur conformité sur les substrats 3D. Ces travaux se sont concrétisés par la définition d’un réacteur pilote dans l’optique de réaliser la transposition à l’échelle industrielle du procédé RF-IPVD. Plusieurs études à caractère fondamental ont également été menées afin, d’une part, de comprendre les mécanismes régissant l’adhérence (analyses XPS) et ceux régissant la résistivité (analyses DRX). D’autre part, l’utilisation de divers diagnostics de la phase plasma ont été employés afin de comprendre les mécanismes de transfert d’énergie prenant place dans le milieu gazeux et responsables des propriétés des dépôts. / Many industrial applications require the deposition of metal thin films on polymer surfaces in order to confer electrical conductive function to these insulating materials. This study was motivated by the will of Radiall company, which is a high performance connectors maker, to substitute the chemical bath metallization process by a plasma deposition process. The present work focuses on the study of a magnetron sputtering process with ionization of the mettalic vapor plasma (RF-IPVD) for depositing thin copper films on complex shapes poly-phenylene sulfide substrates. This thesis shows the results for the connectors metallization and also the analysis of the plasma. RF-IPVD process validation involves several steps: i) the development of polymer treatment by ICP plasma before depositing copper films in order to meet ISO 2409 adhesion standard. ii) determining the processing parameters to optimize the conductivity of the films and their compliance on the 3D substrates. The industrial part has been concluded by the definition of a prototype reactor with a view to achieve the implementation of the RF-IPVD process on an industrial scale. Several fundamental studies have been performed to understand the mechanisms governing the adhesion (XPS analysis) and those governing the resistivity (XRD analysis). Moreover, the use of various plasma diagnostics were used to understand the energy transfer mechanisms taking place in the gaseous medium and responsible of the films properties.

Des mesures de résistivité électrique et des campagnes d’observations géologiques ont été menées pour cartographier le contact sédiment/roche basale ainsi que les structures d’impact associées au cratère d’impact Bosumtwi datant de 1,07 millions d’années. Le cratère de 10,5 km de diamètre s’est formé dans des roches métamorphiques du Précambrien (2,1 à 2,2 milliard d’années), d’origine sédimentaire et volcanique. Il est actuellement rempli par le lac Bosumtwi de 8,5 km de diamètre. Ce cratère est la source des tektites et microtektites dispersées jusqu’en Côte d’Ivoire et au large des côtes ouest africaine. La campagne de mesures éophysiques consiste en 16 tomographies de résistivité électrique effectuées radialement des rives du lac vers les bords du cratère d’impact. Chaque profil utilise un système d’acquisition multi – électrodes avec une distance minimum entre les électrodes de 5 m. Les données ont été corrigées des effets topographiques et inversées en utilisant le programme commercial d’inversion Res2DInv, avec la norme L1 considérée plus robuste. La zone comprise entre les rives du lac et le bord externe du cratère de divise en trois formations géologiques principales. Les régions de faibles résistivités (< 64 .m) représentent les sédiments de lac. Les zones de resistivités moyennes (entre 128 et 200 .m) sont interprétées comme des brèches liées à l’impact, en dikes, allochtones ou parautochtones. Les régions de hautes résistivités (> 128 .m) représentent les roches métamorphiques sous-jacentes, d’origine volcanique ou sédimentaire. Les profils de résistivités permettent de retrouver la géométrie et l’extension latérale de ces trois types de roches. Une correspondance directe entre la lithologie observée en surface et les structures mises en évidence par les mesures de résistivité électrique dans le sous-sol est observée à Dwamam au Sud-Est dulac. À Dwamam, les sédiments sont environ à 200 m de la rive du lac et s’étendent environ sur 400 m vers les les bords du cratère, à la différence des autres zones où ont pu être cartographiés les sédiments. La topographie du contact sédiment/roche basale présente une direction particulière NE-SO avec un pendage variant entre 16 degrés au NE et 36 degrés au SO. Une majorité de fractures ont été remarquées dans le SO, remplies par des clasts et des brèches d’impacts. Les failles sont surtout présentent à l’Ouest du lac. En moyenne elles présentent un pendage variant entre 60o à l’Est et 80 degrés à l’Ouest du cratère. Des analyses statistiques ont été effectuées sur les directions et les pendages des failles selon les loi de von Mises et Fisher. Elles démontrent que les failles s’alignent préférentiellement le long de deux directions principales. L’analyse cumulée de la surface de contact sédiment/roche, des failles et de la localisation du champ de dispersion des tektites indique que le bolide d’environ 0,8 à 1 km de diamètre responsable du cratère est arrivé du NE. Les résultats démontrent que les panneaux de résistivité électrique fournissent des informations utiles pour l’étude des cratères d’impact. / Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and geological field surveys have been used to map the sediment/bedrock contact and impact related structures of the 1.07 Myr old Bosumtwi impact crater. The 10.5 km complex crater excavated in 2.1–2.2 Gyr Precambrian metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks is filled by the 8.5 km Lake Bosumtwi. It is the source crater of the tektites and microtektites of the Ivory Coast strewn field. Electrical resistivity survey was carried out sixteen (16) profiles running from the shore of the lake towards the rim of the crater. The multi-electrode gradient array method with minimum electrode separation of 5 m was used. The data were corrected for topography and inverted using the L1–norm (robust inversion) techniqueof the Res2DInv software. The area extending from the lake shore towards the crater rim contains essentially three formations. The low resistivity regions (< 64 .m) represent the lake sediments. The moderately high resistivity regions with values between 128 and 200 .m were interpreted as impact related breccias (dikes, allochthonous or parautochthonous) depending on their geometries. Lastly, the model clearly differentiate the resistive basement metamorphic rocks (> 128 .m) fromthe lake sediments and the breccias due to their geometry and lateral extent. Also observed was a direct correspondence between the lithology on the surface and the subsurface resistivity structures at Dwamam in the southeast section of the lake. At Dwamam, the sediments were about 200 m away from the shore and stretch about 400 m towards the crater rim unlike in other areas where the sediments were mapped from the shore. The gradient of the sediments/bedrock contact showsa symmetry in the NE–SW direction and dips between the lowest of 16 degrees in the NE to the highest 36 degrees in the SW. Majority of the fractures marked were in the southwest and were filled with clasts or impact breccia matrix. The faults were mostly delineated in the west. Averagely, the dips of the faults are about 60 degrees and 80 degrees for the east and west sections of the crater respectively. The dips of the faults were statistically treated using the von Mises and Fisher statistics, it was found that the faults have a preferred direction and it is possible to determine at least two different orientations. Theanalysis of the results of the sediments/bedrock surface and the faults combined with the location of the tektite strewn field indicate that the about 0.8–1 km bolide that created the complex crater came from the NE. The findings have shown that the ERT is efficient and a useful tool in impact cratering science research.

Os métodos de eletrorresistividade (ER) com a técnica de caminhamento elétrico (CE), método da polarização induzida (IP) e o método eletromagnético indutivo (EM) foram aplicados no aterro Delta A, localizado ao lado da rodovia dos Bandeirantes no município de Campinas (SP). Dentro do aterro há uma região de aproximadamente 5.200 m² denominada célula experimental, com impermeabilização de base por meio de geomembrana de PEAD (Polietileno de alta densidade) onde ocorre um monitoramento regular pelo Departamento de Geotecnia da UNICAMP. Esse projeto teve como objetivo principal verificar como o corpo de resíduos e a geomembrana são imageados com os métodos geofísicos, e se existe evidência de zonas de concentração de chorume e como seriam as imagens caso houvesse ruptura da geomembrana com vazamento. Na área foram executadas 6 linhas com extensão de 110 m e espaçamento de 12 m entre elas, utilizando arranjo dipolo-dipolo com espaçamento entre eletrodos de 4 m e 5 m e cabo de 10 e 20 m para as medidas de EM. Com os resultados apresentados podemos afirmar que o método que melhor forneceu informações sobre a célula experimental foi o de eletrorresistividade, pois identificou a camada resistiva (geomembrana) e nos permitiu comparar os dados com as simulações feitas em laboratório. No entanto, para uma melhor resolução dos dados de ER se faz necessário diminuir a distância entre os eletrodos, aumentando assim a acurácia do levantamento. / The methods of resistivity (ER) with the electrical profiling technique (EP), the method of induced polarization (IP) and the inductive electromagnetic method (EM) were applied to landfill Delta A, located next to the highway dos Bandeirantes in Campinas (SP). Within the landfill there is a region of approximately 5,200 m² called \"experimental cell\" with waterproofing base through HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) geomembrane which is regular monitoring by the UNICAMP Geotechnical Department. The main objective was to verify how the body of waste and the geomembrane are imaged with geophysical methods, and if there is evidence of leachate concentration areas and how the images would be if there was rupture of the geomembrane leaking. In the area were performed 6 lines with a length of 110 m and 12 m spacing between them using dipole-dipole array with electrode spacing of 4 m and 5 m and cable of 10 and 20 m for EM measures. With the results presented we can say that the method that best provided information on the experimental cell was the resistivity method, as identified resistive layer (geomembrane) and allowed us to compare the data with simulations in the laboratory. However, for better resolution of the ER data is needed to close the distance between the electrodes, thereby increasing the accuracy of the survey.

As campanhas de investigação geotécnica e geoambiental do subsolo utilizam diversos tipos de sondagem e ensaios com objetivo de mapear a distribuição espacial das unidades e definir os parâmetros de projeto específicos para cada tipo de intervenção. A etapa de identificação da distribuição e da constituição dos materiais é comum a grande parte dos projetos e normalmente é conduzida através de sondagens em campo que produzem uma perfilagem pontual e vertical do terreno. Os estudos realizados durante esta pesquisa tiveram como principal objetivo avaliar a influência da história geológica na execução e na interpretação dos ensaios de piezocone para identificação estratigráfica. Os ensaios de piezocone sísmico foram realizados com objetivo de identificar a interface entre solos lateríticos e os não-laterítico. Os ensaios de piezocone de resistividade foram realizados principalmente para avaliação de intrusões de cunhas de águas salinas em aqüíferos sedimentares rasos. Desta forma, foram selecionadas nove áreas localizadas em regiões com diferentes condições geológicas, representativas do território brasileiro. Abrangem sedimentos quaternários das planícies litorâneas, sedimentos cenozóicos de bacias tafrogênicas e solos tropicais desenvolvidos a partir de rochas sedimentares e ígneas da Bacia do Paraná. Os locais foram selecionados em função da disponibilidade de informações adequadas às análises pretendidas. Nos sedimentos os resultados dos ensaios de piezocone foram eficazes na caracterização estratigráfica, classificação dos sedimentos e estimativa de parâmetros de projeto a partir de correlações. Nestes sedimentos, a experiência internacional, adquirida principalmente em sedimentos da América do Norte e Europa, pôde ser utilizada. Os ensaios com piezocone de resistividade foram eficazes em identificar intrusões salinas no aqüífero, contribuindo também para identificação da estratigrafia do perfil. Nestes sedimentos foram observadas relações consistentes entre a história de formação do perfil e as propriedades geotécnicas estimadas a partir da interpretação dos ensaios de piezocone. Já, nos solos tropicais, os processos de intemperísmo produzem transformações no perfil que dificultam a definição da estratigrafia, a classificação dos solos e a estimativa de parâmetros com base em correlações. Em solos tropicais, os ensaios com piezocone de resistividade foram ineficientes na identificação da profundidade do nível d’água e na definição da sequência estratigráfica, provavelmente devido à presença de óxidos de ferro e nível de água profundo. Já, os ensaios de piezocone sísmico foram eficazes para diferenciar os solos de comportamento laterítico dos de comportamento não-laterítico através da relação Go/qc. Conclui-se que o entendimento da história geológica é fundamental na interpretação dos ensaios de piezocone, principalmente na etapa de integração entre ensaios pontuais, para identificação da geometria e variabilidade dos solos. A quantidade de processos ou de variáveis independentes que contribuem para a formação do perfil de solo normalmente aumenta a variabilidade. Neste sentido, ensaios combinados, como o piezocone sísmico, onde vários parâmetros podem ser obtidos em um mesmo ponto, contribuem para minimizar os efeitos da variabilidade na estimativa de parâmetros de projeto / In situ tests for geotechnical and geo-environmental site investigation embraces a variety of soundings and tests to map and define stratigraphic logging and specific design parameters for each kind of job. Stratigraphic logging and soil classification are a common stage to all investigation programs and frequently they are performed throughout logging tests which results in local vertical information. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the influence of geological history in the interpretation of piezocone tests for stratigraphic logging. Seismic piezocone tests were carried out to try to identify difference response between lateritic and non lateritic soils. Resistivity piezocone tests were carried out to evaluate salt-water intrusion within a shallow sedimentary aquifer. In this sense, nine sites with different geologic conditions, representing extensive area from Brazil, were selected and investigated. They include quaternary sediment sequences on the brazilian coast, tafrogenic sedimentary sequences and tropical soils originated from weathering of Paraná basin sedimentary and igneous rocks. Piezocone tests were effective for stratigraphic logging, sediment classification as well as to estimate geotechnical design parameters based on correlations for sedimentary sediments. For these type of soils, the international experience developed for sedimentary soils from North America and Europe can be used. Resistivity piezocone tests were effectively useful to identify salt-water intrusion within a sedimentary aquifer and contributed to refine soil stratigraphy. Consistent relations between geologic history and geotechnical properties were established based on piezocone test results. In the other hand, the weathering process produces profile transformations in the tropical soils and imposes limitations to stratigraphy definition, soil classification and to estimate geotechnical soil parameters based on these correlations. For tropical soils, the resistivity piezocone test was not efficient to identify the groundwater level and to refine stratigraphic logging, probably due to the presence of iron oxides and deep groundwater. The seismic piezocone tests were effective to separate lateritic and non-lateritic soils throughout the relation between maximum shear modulus and poit resistance (Go/qc). It is concluded that the geological information is fundamental for the interpretation of piezocone results, especially to integrate several logging test data, to identify spatial distribution and variability of soil layers. In this sense, combined tests, such as the seismic piezocone, where more than one parameter can be measured at the same location, contribute to minimize variability effects in the estimation of geotechnical soil parameters

Atualmente existem diversos métodos e equipamentos disponíveis no mercado para análise da biomecânica do movimento humano. No entanto, mesmo uma equipe multidisciplinar, dispondo de um laboratório completo de análise do movimento, pode falhar na identificação de quais grupos musculares estão sendo recrutados durante um exercício. Sobretudo quando a musculatura de interesse é profunda. O objetivo desta tese é propor formas de detectar a contração muscular através da Tomografia por Impedância Elétrica (TIE). Um modelo de elementos finitos de condução elétrica é utilizado para resolver o problema inverso através do algoritmo de Newton-Raphson de forma a obter as imagens de TIE. Um novo modelo de eletrodo e o método de erro de discretização da malha são introduzidos como forma de melhorar as imagens de TIE. Além disso, a variabilidade da impeditividade de tecidos musculo-esqueléticos é medida experimentalmente, in vivo tanto em repouso quanto em exercício. Os resultados mostram que o sangue tem um papel importante nas mudanças de impeditividade e que as variações medidas durante as contrações musculares parecem estar relacionadas à taxa de contração do movimento. As imagens de TIE, obtidas in vivo de um voluntário, apresentam um aumento de resistividade durante a contração muscular. / Presently, there are several methods and equipment available in the market for the biomechanical analysis of human movement. However, even a well trained multidisciplinary team, equipped with a complete motion analysis laboratory, may fail to identify which muscle groups are being recruited during an exercise. Specially when deep muscles are being considered. The main objective of this work is to propose forms to detect muscle contraction from Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) images. A finite element electrical conduction model is used to solve an inverse problem with Newton-Raphson algorithm in order to produce EIT images. A new electrode model is proposed and the mesh discretization error method is implemented to improve EIT images. Additionally the variability of impeditivity of musculo-skeletal tissues is measured experimentally in vivo both at rest and during exercise. The results show that blood has an important role in muscle impeditivity changes and that resistivity variations during muscle contractions seem to be related to movement contraction rate. The EIT images, obtained in vivo from a volunteer, show an increase of resistivity during muscle contraction.