This study aimed evaluating the impacts of landuse in the limnological variables and spectral reflectance of the water of three watersheds, located in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul. The areas studied were: the watershed of the Cadena Creek and Vacacaí Mirim and Ibicuí-Mirim rivers - RS (Brazil). To obtain the data of the coverage and landuse topographic charts and images CCD/CBERS 2 were used (October 2006). Images were processed using the software IDRISI 32, and the supervised classification allowed the identification and quantification of different landuse areas (Urban Area, Agriculture, pastures, fields and small size vegetation, water and Forestation). Limnological variables examined were: water transparency, total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), water and air temperature, pH and electrical conductivity (EC). It performed ten field trips that occurred on days 21, 23, 26, 28 and 30/11 and 03, 05, 07, 10 and 12/12, 2007. Measures were taken with the radiometric spectroradiometer FieldSpec3 (spectral range of 350 to 2500nm and spectral resolution ranging from 3 to 10nm), the collections were performed on days 11/30/2007 and 12/07/2007. Identification of the landuse allowed the evaluation of the variables behavior for each limnological watershed. Concentrations of TDS and TSS were lower in the river Ibicuí- Mirim SB, due to the increased presence of vegetation on its banks, which also influenced their reflectance (low albedo). In Cadena Creek the highest values of TDS were found and the river Vacacaí-Mirim the TSS was the highest. The EC assumed high values in the river Vacacaí-Mirim (207 to 397 μScm-1), and in Cadena Creek (459 to 563 μScm-1), due to the proximity to urban areas, mainly the creek for about 63% of their urban area. The pH variations occurred among the three watersheds, between 6.0 and 7.0. Due to the high concentration of organic matter on the Vacacaí-Mirim is river surface, it presented a range of green wavelength (between 500nm and 600nm) most expressive reflectance values than the watershed of Cadena Creek and Ibicuí-Mirim River. The integrated analysis of the results showed how the metabolism and its aquatic reflectance are influenced by the way of the landuse in each type of watershed, being the rural area the most affected on the TSS and the urban reflectance on the TDS. / A pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar os impactos do uso da terra nas variáveis limnológicas e reflectância espectral dos corpos d água de três sub-bacias, localizadas na região central do Rio Grande do Sul. As áreas trabalhadas foram: as sub-bacias do arroio Cadena e dos rios Vacacaí-Mirim e Ibicuí-Mirim RS (Brasil). Para o levantamento do uso e cobertura da terra foram utilizadas cartas topográficas e imagens CCD/CBERS 2 (outubro de 2006). As imagens foram processadas com o uso do software IDRISI 32, por classificação supervisionada que permitiu a identificação e quantificação das diferentes áreas de uso da terra (Área Urbana, Agricultura, Pastagens, Campos e Vegetação de pequeno porte, Corpos d água e Florestamento). As variáveis limnológicas analisadas foram: transparência da água, total de sólidos em suspensão (TSS), total de sólidos dissolvidos (TDS), temperatura da água e do ar, pH e condutividade elétrica (CE). Foram realizadas dez campanhas de campo que ocorreram nos dias 21, 23, 26, 28 e 30/11 e 03, 05, 07, 10 e 12/12 de 2007. As medidas radiométricas foram realizadas com o espectrorradiômetro FieldSpec3 (intervalo espectral de 350 a 2500nm e resolução espectral variando de 3 a 10nm), as coletas foram executadas nos dias 30/11/2007 e 07/12/2007. A identificação das formas de uso da terra permitiu avaliar o comportamento das variáveis limnológicas para cada sub-bacia. As concentrações de TSS e TDS foram menores na SB do rio Ibicuí-Mirim, em decorrência da maior presença de vegetação em suas margens, o que influenciou também em sua reflectância (baixo albedo). Já no arroio Cadena foram encontrados os maiores valores de TDS, e no rio Vacacaí-Mirim o TSS foi o mais elevado. A CE assumiu valores elevados no rio Vacacaí-Mirim (207 a 397μScm-1) e no arroio Cadena (459 a 563μScm-1), por possuírem uma elevada quantidade de sais dissolvidos, devido a proximidade com a área urbana, principalmente o arroio Cadena por ter cerca de 63% de sua área urbanizada. Quanto aos valores de pH, ocorrem variações entre as três sub-bacias, ficando entre 6,0 e 7,0. Devido à elevada concentração de matéria orgânica na superfície do rio Vacacaí-Mirim, este apresentou na faixa de comprimento de onda do verde (entre 500nm e 600nm) valores mais expressivos de reflectância que as sub-bacias do arroio Cadena e do rio Ibicuí-Mirim. A análise integrada dos resultados permitiu constatar como o metabolismo aquático e sua reflectância são influenciados pela forma de uso da terra em cada tipo de sub-bacia analisada, sendo a rural mais afetada quanto ao TSS e a reflectância e a urbana no TDS.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Eucalyptus globulus one of the most important species for paper and pulp industries, nowadays faces development problems in several countries due to its susceptibility to the fungus Mycosphaerella spp., which causes leaf spots that may cause the crown defoliation. The study aims at analyzing the spectral behavior of E. globulus leafs in response to the severity of the disease caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella spp. The stand evaluated is located at Herval - RS. Four collections were performed during the different climate seasons. In each collection, with the aid of a spectroradiometer, we carried out the reading of the foliar reflectance with different severity levels (healthy, little affected, median attack and severely attacked) in leafs from the lower, medium and higher part of the crown. The reflectance values were then analyzed according to two divisions of the electromagnetic spectrum (visible and proximal infrared). The results obtained through ANOVA for the mean value of foliar reflectance in the visible band of the electromagnetic spectrum indicate the existence of differences between levels of severity, between the positions of collection, as well as interaction between two factors: position in the tree collection and disease severity. In the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that corresponds to proximal infrared, we verified significant differences between climate seasons, collection positions and severity level. It was found interaction between collection positions and climate seasons as well as among the three factors, climate seasons, and collection positions in the tree and disease severity. It was then possible to conclude that there are variations in the spectral behavior of severity levels according to leaf position in the tree and to the climate season. The reflectance of severely attacked leafs is clearly distinguished from leafs in the healthy and little affected levels. / Eucalyptus globulus uma das espécies mais importantes para a indústria do papel e celulose, atualmente enfrenta problemas de desenvolvimento em diversos países por ser suscetível ao ataque de Mycosphaerella spp., fungo causador de manchas foliares às quais sucedem o desfolhamento das copas. O estudo tem como objetivo analisar o comportamento espectral de folhas de E. globulus em resposta à severidade da doença causada pelo fungo Mycosphaerella spp. O povoamento avaliado localiza-se no município de Herval-RS. Foram realizadas quatro coletas nas diferentes estações climáticas. Em cada coleta, com auxílio de espectrorradiômetro, efetuaram-se as leituras de reflectância das folhas classificadas em diferentes níveis de severidade (sadio, pouco atacado, medianamente atacado e muito atacado) presentes na base, no meio e na parte superior da copa. Os valores de reflectância foram então analisados segundo duas subdivisões do espectro eletromagnético (visível e infravermelho próximo). Os resultados obtidos através da ANOVA, para os valores médios de reflectância foliar na faixa do visível do espectro eletromagnético, indicam a existência de diferenças entre os níveis de severidade, entre as posições de coleta, bem como interação entre os dois fatores: posição de coleta na árvore e severidade da doença. Na porção do espectro eletromagnético correspondente ao infravermelho próximo, também foram verificadas diferenças significativas entre as posições de coleta e entre os níveis de severidade. Constatou-se a interação entre as posições de coleta na árvore e a severidade da doença. Foi possível concluir que existem variações no comportamento espectral dos níveis de severidade de acordo com a posição das folhas na árvore nas diferentes estações climáticas. Na resposta espectral das folhas de Eucalyptus globulus é detectada diferenças significativas entre os menores e maiores níveis de infecção por Mycosphaerella spp., tanto na região do visível quanto na do infravermelho.

For children with intractable seizures, surgical removal of epileptic foci, if identifiable and feasible, can be an effective way to reduce or eliminate seizures. The success of this type of surgery strongly hinges upon the ability to identify and demarcate those epileptic foci. The ultimate goal of this research project is to develop an effective technology for detection of unique in vivo pathophysiological characteristics of epileptic cortex and, subsequently, to use this technology to guide epilepsy surgery intraoperatively. In this PhD dissertation the feasibility of using optical spectroscopy to identify unique in vivo pathophysiological characteristics of epileptic cortex was evaluated and proven using the data collected from children undergoing epilepsy surgery. In this first in vivo human study, static diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectra were measured from the epileptic cortex, defined by intraoperative ECoG, and its surrounding tissue from pediatric patients undergoing epilepsy surgery. When feasible, biopsy samples were taken from the investigated sites for the subsequent histological analysis. Using the histological data as the gold standard, spectral data was analyzed with statistical tools. The results of the analysis show that static diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and its combination with static fluorescence spectroscopy can be used to effectively differentiate between epileptic cortex with histopathological abnormalities and normal cortex in vivo with a high degree of accuracy. To maximize the efficiency of optical spectroscopy in detecting and localizing epileptic cortex intraoperatively, the static system was upgraded to investigate histopathological abnormalities deep within the epileptic cortex, as well as to detect unique temporal pathophysiological characteristics of epileptic cortex. Detection of deep abnormalities within the epileptic cortex prompted a redesign of the fiberoptic probe. A mechanical probe holder was also designed and constructed to maintain the probe contact pressure and contact point during the time dependent measurements. The dynamic diffuse reflectance spectroscopy system was used to characterize in vivo pediatric epileptic cortex. The results of the study show that some unique wavelength dependent temporal characteristics (e.g., multiple horizontal bands in the correlation coefficient map g(λref = 800 nm, λcomp,t)) can be found in the time dependent recordings of diffuse reflectance spectra from epileptic cortex defined by ECoG.

In recent decades, the rapid development of optical spectroscopy for tissue diagnosis has been indicative of its high clinical value. The goal of this research is to prove the feasibility of using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy to assess myocardial infarction (MI) in vivo. The proposed optical technique was designed to be an intra-operative guidance tool that can provide useful information about the condition of an infarct for surgeons and researchers. In order to gain insight into the pathophysiological characteristics of an infarct, two novel spectral analysis algorithms were developed to interpret diffuse reflectance spectra. The algorithms were developed based on the unique absorption properties of hemoglobin for the purpose of retrieving regional hemoglobin oxygenation saturation and concentration data in tissue from diffuse reflectance spectra. The algorithms were evaluated and validated using simulated data and actual experimental data. Finally, the hypothesis of the study was validated using a rabbit model of MI. The mechanism by which the MI was induced was the ligation of a major coronary artery of the left ventricle. Three to four weeks after the MI was induced, the extent of myocardial tissue injury and the evolution of the wound healing process were investigated using the proposed spectroscopic methodology as well as histology. The correlations between spectral alterations and histopathological features of the MI were analyzed statistically. The results of this PhD study demonstrate the applicability of the proposed optical methodology for assessing myocardial tissue damage induced by MI in vivo. The results of the spectral analysis suggest that connective tissue proliferation induced by MI significantly alter the characteristics of diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectra. The magnitudes of the alterations could be quantitatively related to the severity and extensiveness of connective tissue proliferation.

Orientadores: Alvaro Penteado Crósta, Catarina Labouré Bemfica Toledo, Adalene Moreira Silva / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T00:13:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carrino_ThaisAndressa_D.pdf: 37700269 bytes, checksum: 1032551af9407d69e558467ba552091e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: O sul do Peru contém importantes depósitos epitermais de Au-Ag (±metais base) de pequeno a médio porte, associados com a orogenia Andina do Mioceno-Plioceno. Uma análise sinóptica da região abrangendo os alvos Chapi Chiara, Cerro Millo, San Antonio de Esquilache e Cerro Chucapaca ¿ localizados em distintos paleoestratovulcões¿, foi feita via processamento e análise de imagem do sensor ASTER. Todos estes alvos são caracterizados por extensas zonas de alteração argílica avançada (alunita-caulinita) (AAA), à exceção de San Antonio de Esquilache, cuja alteração argílica (AA) (esmectita/ilita) e argílica avançada se restringe a intrusões dioríticas aflorantes. Diferentemente, o depósito epitermal de sulfetação intermediária Canahuire (Au-(Cu, Ag)) foi discriminado por extensos afloramentos NW-SE de rochas quartzosas (Grupo Yura/Juro-Cretáceo), e rochas carbonáticas (Formação Gramadal/Grupo Yura) e brechas freáticas e freatomagmáticas pobres em sílica que hospedam a mineralização. Modelo de favorabilidade para depósitos "tipo-Canahuire" foi produzido a partir da integração dos produtos ASTER usando-se a lógica fuzzy. Estudo de detalhe foi realizado no prospecto Chapi Chiara usando-se petrografia, geoquímica, espectroscopia de reflectância, dados de susceptibilidade magnética (SM), imagens da amplitude do sinal analítico e da primeira derivada vertical do campo magnético anômalo, além do processamento de imagens do sensor HyMap. As principais rochas vulcânicas amostradas compreendem andesito porfirítico (SM ~28×10-3 SI), tufo e lapilli tufo de composição riolítica (SM~0). O setor SW do prospecto é caracterizado por três subáreas com extensa AAA, marcadas por quartzo, K-alunita, alunita intermediária, Na-alunita, caulinita, dickita (±topázio, ±huangita, ± minerais APS, ±pirofilita, ±diásporo, ±rutilo) (SM ~0 a ~0,15×10-3 SI). Restritas zonas de AA (quartzo, ilita ± , ilita paragonítica ± , esmectita, ±pirita, ±rutilo) (SM ~0,01×10-3 SI) e de alteração propilítica (clorita, quartzo, calcita, epidoto, esmectita, ±caulinita, ±pirita, ± calcopirita, ± titanomagnetita e magnetita)) (SM ~3,45×10-3 a ~36,03 × 10-3 SI) ocorrem em setores distais. O setor central é marcado por brechas hidrotermais métricas/decamétricas com SM ~0 a 0,01×10-3 SI, compostas de fragmentos de rochas ricos em quartzo vuggy. Há considerável concentração de pirita e forte associação geoquímica de Au, Ag, As, Bi, Hg, Se, Sb, e Te. Os principais minerais supergênicos compreendem jarosita e goethita. As assembléias minerais hipógenas acima mencionadas revelam a existência de um sistema epitermal de alta sulfetação similar ao do prospecto aurífero Cerro Millo e aos dos depósitos auríferos Tucari e Santa Rosa, permitindo a inferência de idade relativa do paleoestratovulcão e da concomitante atividade hidrotermal em Chapi Chiara entre ~11 e ~4 Ma. Intenso processo de lixiviação magmático-hidrotermal visto nas zonas de AAA e AA paramagnéticas e diamagnéticas gerou duas extensas zonas desmagnetizadas NW-SE, compatíveis com o sistema de falhas regionais Condoroma-Caylloma. Estruturas de menor magnitude também aparecem (e.g., NE-SW, E-W). Embora estes trends sejam interessantes vetores exploratórios, a exposição de minerais formados em condições de maior temperatura (e.g., alunita+topázio, alunita+dickita+pirofilita, diásporo, alunita intermediária no setor SW), sugere tratar-se de núcleos mais erodidos, reduzindo-se o potencial de mineralização local, e/ou indicando a proximidade do limite de transição do domínio epitermal para um mesotermal em profundidade, com a possível existência de intrusão(ões) diorítica(s) próxima(s) à superfície do prospecto, similarmente ao que já é observado no alvo análogo de San Antonio de Esquilache / Abstract: Southern Peru contains important small- to medium-sized Au-Ag (± base metals) epithermal deposits, associated with the Miocene-Pliocene Andean orogeny. A synoptic analysis of the region covering the Chapi Chiara, Cerro Millo, San Antonio de Esquilache and Cerro Chucapaca targets ¿ each one located in distinct paleostratovolcanoes ¿ was done through the processing and analysis of ASTER data. These targets are characterized by extensive advanced argillic alteration zones, except San Antonio de Esquilache, that is marked by argillic alteration (AA) (smectite-illite) and advanced argillic alteration (alunite-kaolinite) (AAA) zones restricted to outcropping diorite intrusions. Unlikely, the Canahuire intermediate sulfidation epithermal Au-(Cu, Ag) deposit was discriminated by extensive NW-SE quartz-rich rocks (Yura Group/Juro-Cretaceous), and carbonate rocks (Gramadal Formation/Yura Group) and silica-poor phreatic and phreatomagmatic breccias that host the mineralization. Favorability model for "Canahuire-type" deposits was created through the integration of ASTER data using the fuzzy logic technique. A detailed study was conducted at Chapi Chiara prospect through petrography, geochemistry, reflectance spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility (MS), images of the amplitude of analytic signal and of first vertical derivative of the anomalous magnetic field, besides the processing of HyMap hyperspectral remote sensing data. The main sampled volcanic rocks comprise porphyritic andesite (MS ~28×10-3 SI), and rhyolitic tuff and lapilli tuf (MS~0). The SW sector of the prospect is characterized by three sub-areas with extensive AAA zones, marked by quartz, K-alunite, intermediate alunite, Na-alunite, kaolinite, dickite (±topaz, ±huangite, ±APS minerals, ±pyrophyllite, ±diaspore, ±rutile) (MS ~0 to ~0,15×10-3 SI). Restricted AA zones (quartz, illite ± , paragonitic illite ± , smectite, ±pyrite, ±rutile) (MS ~0,01×10-3 SI), and of propylitic alteration (chlorite, quartz, calcite, epidote, smectite, ±kaolinite, ±pyrite, ±chalcopyrite, ±titanomagnetite and magnetite)) (MS ~3,45×10-3 to ~36,03×10-3 SI) occur in distal sectors. The central sector is marked by metric/decametric hydrothermal breccias with MS ~0 to 0,01×10-3 SI, composed of vuggy quartz-rich fragments. There is a considerable concentration of pyrite and strong geochemical association of Au, Ag, As, Bi, Hg, Se, Sb, e Te. The main supergene minerals comprise jarosite and goethite. The above mentioned hypogene mineral assemblages reveal a high sulfidation epithermal system similar to the Cerro Millo gold prospect and to Tucari and Santa Rosa gold deposits, allowing to infer a relative age between ~11 and ~4 Ma for the paleoestratovolcano and the concomitant hydrothermal activity in Chapi Chiara. Intense magmatic-hydrotermal leaching seen in the paramagnetic and diamagnetic AAA and AA zones generated two NW-SE extensive demagnetized zones, compatible with the regional Condoroma-Caylloma fault system. Smaller structures also occur (e.g., NE-SW, E-W). Although these trends are interesting exploration vectors, the exposure of minerals formed at higher temperature (e.g., alunite+topaz, alunite+dickite+pyrophyllite, diaspore, intermediate alunite in the SW sector), suggest possible eroded cores, reducing the local potential for mineralization, and/or indicating the proximity of the limit between epithermal and mesothermal domains in depth. In addition, there is a possible proximity of dioritic intrusion(s) near the surface of the prospect, similarly to the currently exposed intrusions at the surface in the analogous target of San Antonio de Esquilache / Doutorado / Geologia e Recursos Naturais / Doutora em Ciências

Independent control of the surface and bulk properties is advantageous for many applications such as adhesives, release coatings, and antimicrobial films. Traditional methods for achieving independent control typically require multiple processing steps such as wet-on-wet or wet-on-dry coating methods. Independent control over the surface properties can achieved in a single step utilizing the temporal and spatial control inherent to photopolymerization. Specifically, a co-photopolymerization of monomers with different reactivities in the presence of a light gradient is capable of producing a polymer film with a surface chemistry that differs from the bulk chemistry. The light gradient, produced via the concentration of photoinitiator in the formulation, results in a reaction gradient through the film with the higher rates of reaction occurring in the high light intensity regions of the film. The preferentially reacting monomer adds at a greater rate in the high light intensity regions resulting in non-uniform consumption yielding a concentration gradient. Consequently, diffusion of the preferentially reacting monomer from the bulk to the surface of the film and a counter-diffusion of the other monomer from the surface to the bulk of the film occurs from the non-uniform monomer consumption thus producing a film with a concentration gradient through the depth of the film with the preferentially reacting monomer enriching the high light intensity regions. A variety of kinetic differences capable of producing a stratified film will be presented including inherent monomer reactivity, number of functional groups per monomer, oxygen inhibition, thiol-ene chemistry, and Norrish type two initiation. Additionally, parameters that control the degree of stratification, such as methods of varying polymerization rate and the light gradient, will be examined. Changes in surface properties (such as contact angle, surface hardness, adhesion) and bulk properties (such as mechanical properties measured by dynamic mechanical analysis and polymer swelling) are studied as a function of stratification. Finally, a mathematical model which describes and predicts the production of stratified films via photopolymerization is presented. Photopolymerization allows for a facile, single step method of generating stratified films with controllable surface chemistries.

Semi-natural landscapes are recognized as suitable habitats for different plant species and provide ecosystem services that contribute to increased plant biodiversity. At the stand level, plant biodiversity is influenced by vegetation structure, of which vegetation height is an important parameter. Photogrammetry from drone captured images has the potential to provide a quick and cost-effective analysis of vegetation height. In addition, the relation between spectral signatures and species distribution can indicate where higher plant biodiversity can be found, as species can be identified based on their spectral signature. Spectral signatures are thus used in the current study in conjunction with vegetation height as a proxy for plant biodiversity in herbaceous-dominated patches. Two field surveys were conducted to collect drone data and reflectance data in July and August 2019. Twelve plots of ten metres diametre were delimited in the drone-derived orthophotos around the reflectance readings coordinates. In order to assess vegetation height, the difference between the digital surface model derived from the orthophotos and the national digital elevation model was determined. Two statistical indices were calculated: the modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI) and the coefficient of variation of heights (CV). The relationship between the two indices was evaluated as a proxy for plant biodiversity. Drone-derived point clouds can be used to measure vegetation height in herbaceous-dominated environments due to the very fine scale of drone imagery. A possible negative correlation was found between MSAVI and CV on both surveyed months (July r2 = 0.675; August r2 = 0.401) if the outlier plots were removed from the analysis. There is not enough evidence to clearly explain the anomalous behaviour of the outlier plots. Further research is needed to confirm the use of the relationship between vegetation height variability and reflectance as a proxy for plant biodiversity assessment in herbaceous-dominated environments.

The use of lasers for diagnosis and treatment in medical and cosmetic applications is increasing worldwide. Not all of these modalities are superficial and many require laser light to penetrate some distance into the tissue or skin to reach the treatment site. Human skin is highly scattering for light in the visible and near infrared wavelength regions, with a consequent reduction of the fluence rate. Melanin, which occurs in the epidermis of the skin, acts as an absorber in these wavelength regions and further reduces the fluence rate of light that penetrates through the epidermis to a treatment site. In vivo fluence rate measurements are not viable, but validated and calibrated computer models may play a role in predicting the fluence rate reaching the treatment site. A layered planar computer model to predict laser fluence rate at some depth into skin was developed in a commercial raytracing environment (ASAP). The model describes the properties of various skin layers and accounts for both the absorption and scattering taking place in the skin. The model was validated with optical measurements on skin-simulating phantoms in both reflectance and transmission configurations. It was shown that a planar epidermal/dermal interface is adequate for simulation purposes. In the near infrared wavelength region (676 nm), melanin (consisting of eumelanin and pheomelanin) is the major absorber of light in the epidermis. The epidermal absorption coefficient is one of the required input parameters for the computer model. The range of absorption coefficients expected for typical South African skin phototypes (ranging from photo-sensitive light skin, phototype I on the Fitzpatrick scale, to the photo-insensitive darker skin phototype V) was not available. Non-invasive diffuse reflectance spectroscopy measurements were done on 30 volunteers to establish the expected range of absorption coefficients. In the analysis it became apparent that the contributions of the eumelanin and pheomelanin must be accounted for separately, specifically for the Asian volunteers. This is a new concept that was introduced in the diffuse reflectance probe analysis. These absorption coefficient measurements were the first to be done on the expected range of skin phototypes for the South African population. Other authors dealing with diffuse reflectance probe analysis only account for the dominant eumelanin. Both the epidermal absorption coefficient and thickness are important in the prediction of the fluence rate loss. The computer model was used to evaluate the effect of the epidermal absorption coefficient (a parameter dictated by an individual’s skin phototype) and the epidermal thickness on the fluence rate loss through the skin. The epidermal absorption is strongly wavelength dependent with the higher absorption at the shorter wavelengths. In the computer model a longer wavelength of 676 nm (typical for a photodynamic treatment (PDT) of cancer) was used. For the darker skin phototypes (V) only about 30% of the initial laser fluence rate reached a depth of 200 ìm into the skin (just into the dermis). For the PDT application, results from the computer model indicated that treatment times need to be increased by as much as 50% for very dark skin phototypes when compared to that of very light phototypes. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Physics / unrestricted

The goal of this thesis is to, on behalf of JB Eco Tech, investigate a novel method of interconnecting photovoltaic (PV) modules. The principle is to stick the interconnecting strings on the cells with a transparent tape instead of soldering. As a part of the assembly process, the module is laminated under heat which makes the strings stick to the PV cell. The method is going to reduce one step in the production process, replacing the soldering procedure with the lamination of the strings onto the cells. Also, the replacement of lead and silver will spare costs and the environment. To analyse the effects of the novel method on the performance of the cell, the optical properties of the module were investigated by mathematical models and Light Beam Induced Current (LBIC). Also, the electrical properties were compared to the conventional method of soldering by analysing the I-V characteristics. The experiments were done on mini modules. Although the mini module displayed a reflectance of about 5.7 – 6.0% the contribution of the tape only accounted for a maximum of 0.5%. Since the tape only covers a fraction of the cell, this reflectance is negligible. Only 3 modules were successfully analysed, and the electrical properties of the novel method did not differ from the conventional method. To solidify the later a claim a more extensive rapport has to be made. The thesis opens up a new research area where improvements to the novel method can be done. / Det här examensarbetet är gjort på uppdrag av JB Eco Tech. De har utvecklat en ny metod i produktionen av solcells moduler. Syftet med studien är att undersöka metoden som baseras på att fästa transparant tejp med en belagd koppartråd på solcellerna istället för den konventionella metoden som använder sig av lödning. Metoden kommer att reducera ett steg i produktionskedjan genom att utesluta lödningsprocessen. Processen kommer också bidra till en minskning i användandet av silver och bly vilket bidrar till en reducerad kostnad och en minskad miljöpåverkan. För att analysera effekterna av prestandan till följd av den nya metoden så analyserades de optiska egenskaperna med hjälp av matematiska modeller och Light Beam Induced Current (LBIC). De elektriska egenskaperna hos solcells modulerna jämfördes med den konventionella metoden som involverar lödning genom att analysera I-V karakteristiken för de båda metoderna. De ovannämnda experimenten utfördes på miniatyr moduler. Resultaten som erhållits visade på att modulerna hade en reflektans av 5.7 – 6.0% och att tejpen endast stod för max 0.5%. Tejpen täcker endast en bråkdel av cellen därför går det att konstatera att reflektansen som härstammar från tejpen är försumbar. Det innebar att de optiska egenskaperna inte bidrog till en signifikant påverkan på prestandan av modulerna. De elektriska egenskaperna av modulerna påvisade ingen signifikant skillnad mellan de två olika metoderna. För att säkerställa det senare antagandet krävs en utökad studie inom området. Studien har öppnat upp för nya rön som grundas på den nya metoden där det finns utrymme för förbättringar av tejpen.

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