This dissertation aims to develop, characterize, and fundamentally understand a new class of materials termed "molecular ionic composites" (MICs). MICs show promise as next-generation solid electrolytes for batteries. MICs form when mixing a rigid polyanion with purely ionic fluids, and they behave mechanically as a solid but contain a high density of ions that move nearly as in a neat liquid. Specifically, prototypical MICs are based on solutions of the rigid-rod polyelectrolyte poly(2,2'-disulfonyl-4,4'-benzideneterephthalamide) (PBDT), which forms a double helix, combined with imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs). The IL comprises 75-97 wt% of the final solid, even though the Young's modulus can reach ~ 2 GPa at 80 wt% IL. We propose that these properties are driven by a biphasic internal structure in MICs corresponding to IL-rich "puddles" (an interconnected liquid phase) and PBDT-IL associated "bundles" where IL ions form the collective electrostatic associations that cause the MICs to be a solid. Through this dissertation I will discuss a wide variety of MICs that have been created through the use of two different formation processes, the "ingot" method and the "solvent casting" method, which allow for the use of many different ionic fluid sources to further tune MIC properties. The following chapters build to the fundamental knowledge and our current understanding of the wide variety of materials that can be created from PBDT and IL. / Doctor of Philosophy / Battery electrolytes, biosensors, and hydrogels all depend on new materials for next-generation applications. For these new materials to be used characterization on the interactions, morphological restrictions, and/or what unique internal structures used to generate their properties must be performed. Through This analysis using common polymeric characterization techniques these materials can be further optimized. This dissertation highlights a new class of materials termed "molecular ionic composites" (MICs) which are formed from a rigid double helical polymer, poly(2,2'-disulfonyl-4,4'-benzideneterephthalamide) (PBDT), and fluids composed entirely of ions, including ionic liquids (ILs). These composite systems feature a unique combination of properties including high thermal stability, mechanical stability, and excellent ionic conductivity, all of which are highly tunable through the amount of PBDT incorporated or the fluid ion types. Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 present fundamental investigations of MICs to determine how tunable they are, the processes by which they form, and the various ways we can fabricate them. Chapter 7 describes the creation of another impressive material formed from PBDT-low-polymer-content hydrogels. These studies are intended to provide deeper understanding of the behaviors of these unique materials and how they may be used in the future.

Among the myraid energy storage technologies, polymer electrolytes have been widely employed in diverse applications such as fuel cell membranes, battery separators, mechanical actuators, reverse-osmosis membranes and solar cells. The polymer electrolytes used for these applications usually require a combination of properties, including anisotropic orientation, tunable modulus, high ionic conductivity, light weight, high thermal stability and low cost. These critical properties have motivated researchers to find next-generation polymer electrolytes, for example ion gels. This dissertation aims to develop and characterize a new class of ion gel electrolytes based on ionic liquids and a rigid-rod polyelectrolyte. The rigid-rod polyelectrolyte poly (2,2'-disulfonyl-4,4'-benzidine terephthalamide) (PBDT) is a water-miscible system and forms a liquid crystal phase above a critical concentration. The diverse properties and broad applications of this rigid-rod polyelectrolyte may originate from the double helical conformation of PBDT molecular chains. We primarily develop an ionic liquid-based polymer gel electrolyte that possesses the following exceptional combination of properties: transport anisotropy up to 3.5×, high ionic conductivity (up to 8 mS cm⁻¹), widely tunable modulus (0.03 – 3 GPa) and high thermal stability (up to 300°C). This unique platform that combines ionic liquid and polyelectrolyte is essential to develop more advanced materials for broader applications. After we obtain the ion gels, we then mainly focus on modifying and then applying them in Li-metal batteries. As a next generation of Li batteries, the Li-metal battery offers higher energy capacity compared to the current Li-ion battery, thus satisfying our requirements in developing longer-lasting batteries for portable devices and even electric vehicles. However, Li dendrite growth on the Li metal anode has limited the pratical application of Li-metal batteries. This unexpected Li dendrite growth can be suppressed by developing polymer separators with high modulus (~ Gpa), while maintaining enough ionic conductivity (~ 1 mS/cm). Here, we describe an advanced solid-state electrolyte based on a sulfonated aramid rigid-rod polymer, an ionic liquid (IL), and a lithium salt, showing promise to make a breakthrough. This unique fabrication platform can be a milestone in discovering next-generation electrolyte materials. / Ph. D.

In summary, this thesis focuses on developing an a priori theory for geometric finite element discretizations of a Cosserat rod model, which is derived from incompatible elasticity. This theory will be supported by corresponding numerical experiments to validate the convergence behavior of the proposed method. The main result describes the qualitative behavior of intrinsic H1-errors and L2-errors in terms of the mesh diameter 0 < h ≪ 1 of the approximation scheme. Geometric Finite Element functions uh with its subclasses Geodesic Finite Elements and Projection- based Finite Elements as conforming path-independent and objective discretizations of Cosserat rod configurations were used. Existence, regularity, variational bounds and vector field transport estimates of the Cosserat rod model were derived to ob- tain an intrinsic a-priori theory. In the second part, this thesis concerns the derivation of the Cosserat rod from 3D elasticity featuring prestress together with numerical experiments for microheteroge- neous prestressed materials.

FRP laminates and fabrics, used as an externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) to strengthen or repair concrete members, have proven to be an economical retrofitting method. However, when used to strengthen long-span members or members with limited access, the labor and equipment demands may negate the benefits of using continuous EBR FRP. Recently, CFRP rod panels (CRPs) have been developed and deployed to overcome the aforementioned limitations. Each CRP is made of several small diameter CFRP rods placed at discrete spacing. To fulfill the strengthening length, CRP’s are spliced together and made continuous by means of overlaps (or finger joints). In this doctoral dissertation, the effectiveness of spliced CRPs as flexural strengthening reinforcement for RC members was investigated by experimental, analytical and numerical methods. The experimental research includes laboratory tests on (1) RC beams under four-point bending and (2) double-lap shear concrete specimens. The first set of tests examines the behavior of concrete members strengthened with spliced CRPs. Several beams were fabricated and tested, including: (a) unstrengthened, (b) strengthened with spliced CRPs, (c) strengthened with full-length CRPs, and (d) strengthened with full-length and spliced CFRP laminates. The double-lap shear tests serve to characterize the development length and bond strength of two commonly used CRPs. Several small-scale CRPs, with variable bond lengths, were tested to arrive to an accurate estimation of development length and bond strength. Several other specimens were additionally tested to preliminarily examine the effects of bond width and rod spacing. A 3D nonlinear finite element simulation was utilized to further study the response of CRP strengthened RC beams, by extracting essential data, that couldn’t be measured in the experimental tests. Additionally, analytical tools were added to investigate the behavior of tested bond and beam specimens. The first tool complements the double-lap shear tests, and provides mathematical terms for important characteristics of the CRP/concrete bond interface. The second tool investigates concrete cover separation failure, which was observed in the beam testing, for RC beams strengthened with full-length and spliced CRPs.

<p>Analyses of nuclear reactor safety have increasingly required coupling of full three dimensional neutron kinetics (NK) core models with system transient thermal-hydraulics (TH) codes. To produce results within a reasonable computing time, the coupled codes use different spatial description of the reactor core. The TH code uses few, typically 5 to 20 TH channels, which represent the core. The NK code uses explicit node for each fuel assembly. Therefore, a spatial mapping of coarse grid TH and fine grid NK domain is necessary. However, improper mappings may result in loss of valuable information, thus causing inaccurate prediction of safety parameters.</p><p>The purpose of this thesis is to study the sensitivity of spatial coupling (channel refinement and spatial mapping) and develop recommendations for NK-TH mapping in simulation of safety transients – Control Rod Drop, Turbine Trip, Feedwater Transient combined with stability performance (minimum pump speed of recirculation pumps).</p><p>The research methodology consists of spatial coupling convergence study, as increasing number of TH channels and different mapping approach the reference case. The reference case consists of one TH channel per one fuel assembly. The comparison of results has been done under steady-state and transient conditions. Obtained results and conclusions are presented in this licentiate thesis.</p>

Un nombre croissant d’applications telles que le micro-usinage ou le diagnostique de composants électroniques nécessitent de fortes puissances moyennes dans différentes gammes de longueurs d’onde (infra-rouge à 1030 nm, vert à 515 nm ou ultra-violet à 343 nm). Ces fortes puissances moyennes lasers ne sont généralement atteignables qu’à l’aide d’architecture laser de type MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier). C’est dans cette optique que la société Eolite Systems veut développer ses propres oscillateurs car elle maitrise déjà l’amplification à l’aide de fibres de type barreau à large aire modale. Le développement d’oscillateurs picosecondes de fortes puissances moyennes est ainsi une brique essentielle dans la chaîne d’amplification globale. Dans le cadre d’un contrat CIFRE entre Eolite Systems et le Laboratoire Onde et Matière d’Aquitaine de l’Universitéde Bordeaux 1, nous avons développé différents laser dont la puissance moyenne est supérieure à 10W, à une cadence de 74 MHz. La durée des impulsions générées s’étend de 20 ps à 130 fs. Le fonctionnement de ces différents lasers repose sur l’utilisation de la rotation non-linéaire de polarisation dans la fibre optique qui, dans le régime de fonctionnement à dispersion normale, permet d’atteindre le verrouillage en phase des modes et ainsi la génération d’impulsions d’énergie de l’ordre de 150nJ. Nous avons développé un code de simulation numérique afin de rendre compte de la dynamique des impulsions dans la cavité. Les résultats obtenus à l’aide de ce code sont en bon accord avec ceux obtenus lors des différentes expériences. / A growing number of applications such as micro-machining of electronical components need high average power in a various range of wavelengths (infrared at 1030 nm, green at 515 nm and ultravioletat 343 nm). These high average power lasers are generally design using a MOPA (MasterOscillator Power Amplifier) scheme. Following this idea, Eolite systems wants to develop its own oscillators since it already masters the different difficulties when trying to reach high average power,especially by using rod-type fibers with a large mode area. The development of high power picosecondfiber oscillators is a essential piece in the global amplification scheme. In the frame of a CIFRE contract between Eolite Systems and the Laboratoire Onde et Matière d’Aquitaine of the Universitéde Bordeaux 1 we have developed different laser oscillators with an average power of more than10 W at a repetition rate of 74 MHz. The pulse duration generated is ranging from 20 ps down to130 fs. The pulsed regime was initiated using non-linear polarization evolution in the fiber and in anormal dispersion laser cavity. This lead to the generation of pulse energies in the range of 150 nJ for the different architectures. We also developed a numerical code in ordre to fully understand the influence of the different elements in the laser cavity. The results are in good agreement with those obtained with the experimental setup.

4 Abstract This thesis is devoted to Ludmilla of Bohemia, the daughter of Frederick, Duke of Bohemia and his wife Elizabeth of Hungary, Duchess of Bohemia. In the first part of this thesis history of the Bogen dynasty and the beginning of the House of Wittelsbach are described. The main part of this thesis deals with the life of Ludmilla of Bohemia. Along with it brief biographies of both of her husbands, Albert III, Count of Bogen and Ludwig I, Duke of Bavaria member of Wittelsbach dynasty as well as the biographies of her four sons Berhtold, Luitpold and Albert of Bogen and Otto II, Duke of Bavaria are included. The last chapter of this thesis deals with Seligenthal monastery by the town of Landshut which Ludmilla founded in 1232. Key words: the Middle ages, Bavaria, Ludmilla of Bohemia, Counts of Bogen, House of Wittelsbach, Seligenthal monastery

Este trabalho apresenta uma teoria de barras não-linear geometricamente exata, com multi-parâmetros para a representação geral de deslocamentos no plano da seção transversal (distorção) e também fora do plano da seção (empenamento). A formulação apresentada constitui-se em uma extensão de trabalhos anteriores, [1] a [6], [8] e [9], no sentido de que a hipótese de seção rígida (Timoshenko) e a função de empenamento elástico de Saint-Venant foram removidos. Essa abordagem define os esforços internos energeticamente conjugados, atuantes na seção transversal, em função de deformações e tensões generalizadas, baseadas no conceito de vetor diretor da seção transversal. Além da importância prática, o uso do vetor diretor simplifica a formulação das equações de equilíbrio e a imposição das condições de contorno, tanto na forma fraca quanto na forma forte do equilíbrio. Além disso, facilita a obtenção da matriz de rigidez tangente, resultando sempre simétrica pra materiais hiper-elásticos e carregamento externo conservativo, mesmo em situações distantes da condição de equilíbrio. Permite também a introdução de graus de liberdade independentes para descrever tanto os deslocamentos no plano quanto fora do plano da seção transversal. Equações constitutivas tri-dimensionais adequadas para problemas com grandes deslocamentos e grandes deformações podem ser implementadas sem a ocorrência de enrijecimentos espúrios. A formulação é absolutamente geral e sua extensão para materiais inelásticos, em particular materiais elasto-plásticos, é imediata uma vez qua a integração de tensões com carregamentos incrementais está disponível. Rotações finitas são tratadas através da expressão de Euler-Rodrigues em uma abordagem puramente Lagrangeana. Assume-se o eixo reto como configuração de referência da barra, porém, barras inicialmente curvas também podem ser consideradas como configurações de referência deformadas, sem tensões iniciais, obtidas a partir de configurações inicialmente retas [11]. É importante ressaltar que a teoria apresentada permite uma modelagem consistente e precisa de distorções da seção transversal, típicas de perfis metálicos esbeltos dobrados a frio. Acredita-se que esta seja uma das principais contribuições dessa formulação como opção ao uso de modelos de cascas. / The main purpose of this work is to present a fully nonlinear geometrically-exact multi-parameter rod model that incorporates general in-plane cross-sectional changes as well as general out-of-plane cross-sectional warping. The formulation constitutes an extension of the earlier works presented in [1] to [6], [8] and [9], in the sense that the restrictions to a rigid cross-section and to a Saint-Venant-like elastic warping are now removed from the theory. Our approach defines energetically conjugated cross-sectional resultants in terms of generalized stresses and strains, based on the concept of a cross-section director. Besides their practical importance, the use of cross-sectional resultants simplifies the derivation of equilibrium equations and the enforcement of boundary conditions, in either weak or strong senses. In addition, the corresponding tangent bilinear weak form is obtained in a more expedient way, rendering always symmetric for hyperelastic materials and conservative loadings (even far from equilibrium states). Definition of a cross-section director plays a central role in the present model. Accordingly, it allows the introduction of independent degrees-of-freedom to describe both the in-plane cross-sectional changes and the out-of-plane warping. Fully three-dimensional finite strain constitutive equations can therefore be employed with no spurious stiffening. The ideas are general and extension to inelastic rods, in particular to those of elastoplastic materials, is straightforward once a stress integration scheme within a time step is at hand. Finite rotations are treated here by the Euler-Rodrigues formula in a pure Lagrangean framework. We assume a straight reference configuration for the rod axis, but initially curved rods can also be considered if regarded as a stress-free deformed state from the straight position (see [11]). The use of convective non-Cartesian coordinate systems is this way avoided and only components on orthogonal frames are employed. Moreover, initial curvatures that are completely independent of the isoparametric concept are possible to be attained, which can be used even in (for example) straight finite elements. Altogether, the present assumptions allow a consistent basis for the proper representation of profile (distortional) deformations, which are typical of coldformed thin-walled rod structures. We believe this is one of the main features of our formulation, as the use of more complex shell models in order to capture such phenomena becomes unnecessary.

"A Java pre- and post-processing graphical user-oriented interface has been developed by the authors to aid a mill engineer with little or no finite element experience throughout the analysis process of the finishing rolling stands. A case study is presented that uses the commercial finite element code ABAQUS/Explicit to predict roundness and tolerance customer requirements. Other parameters that are determined include spread, crosssectional area, percentage reduction in area, incremental plastic strain, total plastic strain and roll force. All parameters are compared to theoretical models and some are compared to full-scale mill testing."

(in English): This thesis focuses on describing the process of assigning grammatical gender to new words and loanwords in contemporary Spanish using corpus analysis. After introducing the area of study, the second chapter sums up the theoretical foundations of grammatical gender, its definition and function in language, and sets out basic rules for its assigning. The third chapter presents a summary of historical development of the perception of grammatical gender in Spanish, from its roots in Latin to main authors of the 20th century. The fourth chapter is dedicated to the transformation of Latin gender system into Spanish. The fifth chapter sums up basic information about neology, its processes and categorisation. These theoretical foundations are drawn upon in the sixth chapter, the corpus analysis, where the thesis presents the results of the research of a sample of neologisms drawn from Banco de Neologismos and analysed using the corpus Araneum Hispanicum Maius. The thesis focuses on the relationship between the grammatical gender used by speakers using neologisms, and the natural gender, the form of neologisms, the type of neology and the etymological gender of loanwords.