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Dans cette thèse, nous étudions des modèles mathématiques concernant certains problèmes d'écoulement de fluide à densité variable. Le premier chapitre résume l'ensemble de la thèse et se concentre sur les résultats obtenus, la nouveauté et la comparaison avec la littérature existante. Dans le deuxième chapitre, nous étudions la stabilisation locale des équations non homogènes de Navier-Stokes dans un canal 2d autour du flot de Poiseuille. Nous concevons un contrôle feedback de la vitesse qui agit sur l'entrée du domaine de sorte que la vitesse et la densité du fluide soient stabilisées autour du flot de Poiseuille, à condition que la densité initiale soit donnée par une constante additionnée d'une perturbation dont le support se situe loin du bord latéral du canal. Dans le troisième chapitre, nous étudions un système couplant les équations de Navier-Stokes compressibles à une structure élastique située à la frontière du domaine fluide. Nous prouvons l'existence locale de solutions solides pour ce système couplé. Dans le quatrième chapitre, notre objectif est d'étudier la nulle- contrôlabilité d'un problemè d'interaction fluide-structure linéarisé dans un canal bi dimensional. L'écoulement du fluide est ici modélisé par les équations de Navier-Stokes compressibles. En ce qui concerne la structure, nous considérons une poutre de type Euler-Bernoulli amortie située sur une partie du bord. Dans ce chapitre, nous établissons une inégalité d'observabilité pour le problème considéré d'interaction fluid-structure linéarisé qui constitue le premier pas vers la preuve de la nulle contrôlabilité du système. / In this thesis we study mathematical models concerning some fluid flow problems with variable density. The first chapter is a summary of the entire thesis and focuses on the results obtained, novelty and comparison with the existing literature. In the second chapter we study the local stabilization of the non-homogeneous Navier-Stokes equations in a 2d channel around Poiseuille flow. We design a feedback control of the velocity which acts on the inflow boundary of the domain such that both the fluid velocity and density are stabilized around Poiseuille flow provided the initial density is given by a constant added with a perturbation, such that the perturbation is supported away from the lateral boundary of the channel. In the third chapter we prove the local in time existence of strong solutions for a system coupling the compressible Navier-Stokes equations with an elastic structure located at the boundary of the fluid domain. In the fourth chapter our objective is to study the null controllability of a linearized compressible fluid structure interaction problem in a 2d channel where the structure is elastic and located at the fluid boundary. In this chapter we establish an observability inequality for the linearized fluid structure interaction problem under consideration which is the first step towards the direction of proving the null controllability of the system.

L’identification des paramètres modaux des machines-outils et des robots d’usinage, en service, constitue un levier d’optimisation des performances de coupe. En effet, la connaissance en continue du comportement dynamique d’une machine permet une prédiction fine des conditions de stabilité, bases d’un pilotage intelligent des paramètres du procédé. Cependant, la présence de fortes excitations harmoniques, dues à la rotation de la broche et de l’outil coupant, rend les techniques classiques d’Analyse Modale Opérationnelle (AMO) inapplicables. Le premier objectif de cette thèse consiste à déterminer une méthode d’AMO adéquate pour une application en présence des harmoniques. Une étude comparative des méthodes existantes est conduite, à savoir : la méthode de décomposition dans le domaine fréquentiel (EFDD), la méthode d’identification dans le sous-espace stochastique (SSI), la méthode PolyMAX et la méthode basée sur la fonction de transmissibilité (TFB). La méthode TFB est choisie afin de réaliser une identification modale opérationnelle des robots d’usinage. Cette technique est tout d’abord investiguée sur une machine-outil cartésienne. Cette étape est justifiée par le fait qu’une machine-outil est une structure plus rigide qui présente moins de variations des propriétés dynamiques par rapport à un robot d’usinage. Les résultats montrent la pertinence de la méthode TFB pour identifier les paramètres modaux de la machine-outil en usinage, même en présence des composantes harmoniques fortement dominantes. Ensuite, l’identification modale opérationnelle du robot d’usinage ABB IRB 6660, qui présente une structure moins rigide par rapport à une machine-outil, est menée sur une trajectoire d’usinage. Les résultats obtenus permettent d’établir une base modale du robot montrant l’évolution de son comportement modal en service. L’originalité des travaux présentés réside dans le développement d’une procédure robuste d’identification modale opérationnelle qui permet de suivre l’évolution du comportement modal du robot en cours d’usinage dans son espace de travail. / The identification of the modal parameters of machining robots in service has a significant adverse influence on machining stability, which will, therefore, decrease the quality of the workpiece and reduce the tool life. However, in presence of strong harmonic excitation, the application of Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) is not straightforward. Firstly, the issue of choosing the most appropiate OMA method for an application in presence of harmonic components, is handled. For a comparison purpose, the modified Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition (EFDD) method, the Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSI) method, the PolyMAX method and the Transmissibility Function Based (TFB) method are investigated. The obtained results lead to the adoption of the Transmissibility Function Based (TFB) method for an OMA of machining robots. For an accurate modal identification procedure, the OMA of a machine tool is, initially, conducted. It is a preparation step in order to verify the performance of the chosen method under machining conditions as well as a machine tool is a rigid structure, thus, it has less variation in its dynamic behavior compared to a machining robot. Results demonstrate the efficiency of the TFB method to identify the machine tool modal parameters even in the presence of preponderant harmonic components. Finally, the OMA of the machining robot ABB IRB 6660, which has a flexible structure compared to a machine tool, is carried out for a machining trajectory. The obtained results allow the identification of a modal basis of the machining robot illustrating the evolution of its modal behavior, in service. The main novelty of this thesis lies in the development of a robust procedure for an operational modal identification of machining robots, in service, which makes it possible to continuously follow the variations in the modal parameters of machining robots.

Thesis (doctoral) - Freie Universität, Berlin, 2004. / "with 12 figures and tables". Includes bibliographical references ( p. [143]-155).

This thesis presents a nonadiabatic (4-body) description of the hydrogen-antihydrogen system at a nonrelativistic level. The properties of the system, the rearrangement processes and the possible existence of resonance states are investigated by using a variational method for coupled arrangement channels, the Gaussian Expansion Method, and the stabilization method. The 4-body basis set is optimized by means of prediagonalization of 2-body fragments. In paper I, a mass-scaling procedure of the Born-Oppenheimer potential is introduced for the description of the relative motion between hydrogen and antihydrogen. The nonadiabaticity of the system is investigated in paper II.

Owing to their key role in mucosal functioning as surface barriers with biospecific interaction potentials, the mucins are interesting candidates for use as surface modifiers in biomaterials applications. In this work, “mild” fractionation procedures were used to prepare mucins of bovine (BSM), porcine (PGM), and human (MG1) origin. Biophysicochemical analysis showed the prepared mucins to differ in size, charge, conformation, and composition. In turn, these factors were shown to govern mucin adsorption on hydrophilic and hydrophobic model surfaces. To enable for detailed coating analysis, methods for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of mucin-based coatings were developed. Of particular interest, a method for the determination of the fraction of surface-exposed, presumed bioactive proteins in a complex mucin coating was described. It was shown, using microscopy and activation assays, that mucin precoating effectively suppresses the neutrophil response towards a polymeric model biomaterial. Under optimal coating conditions, all mucins performed equally well, thus indicating them to be functionally similar. Coating analysis suggested that efficient mucin surface-shielding is critical for good mucin coating performance. Following a study on the complexation of albumin with preadsorbed mucin, we investigated the effect of mucin precoating on the conformation and neutrophil-activating properties of adsorbed host proteins. We found that mucin precoating greatly reduces the strong immune-response normally caused by adsorbed proinflammatory proteins (IgG and sIgA). Detailed coating analysis revealed that the fraction of surface-exposed protein in the mucin-protein composite influences the neutrophil response. Unexpectedly low neutrophil activation for composites containing near-monolayer concentrations of exposed IgG, suggested IgG to act synergistically with mucin on the surface. Conformational analysis supported this by showing that a preadsorbed mucin layer could stabilize adsorbed IgG through complexation. Our findings link well to the complex in vivo situation and suggest that functional mucosal mimics can be created in situ for improved biomaterials performance.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are often used for reconnaissance, search and rescue, damage assessment, exploration, and other tasks that are dangerous or prohibitively difficult for humans to perform. Often, these tasks include traversing indoor environments where radio links are unreliable, hindering the use of remote pilot links or ground-based control, and effectively eliminating Global Positioning System (GPS) signals as a potential localization method. As a result, any vehicle capable of indoor flight must be able to stabilize itself and perform all guidance, navigation, and control tasks without dependence on a radio link, which may be available only intermittently. Since the availability of GPS signals in unknown environments is not assured, other sensors must be used to provide position information relative to the environment. This research covers a description of different ranging sensors and methods for incorporating them into the overall guidance, navigation, and control system of a flying vehicle. Various sensors are analyzed to determine their performance characteristics and suitability for indoor navigation, including sonar, infrared range sensors, and a scanning laser rangefinder. Each type of range sensor tested has its own unique characteristics and contributes in a slightly different way to effectively eliminate the dependence on GPS. The use of low-cost range sensors on an inexpensive passively stabilized coaxial helicopter for drift-tolerant indoor navigation is demonstrated through simulation and flight test. In addition, a higher fidelity scanning laser rangefinder is simulated with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) onboard a quadrotor helicopter to enable active stabilization and position control. Two different navigation algorithms that utilize a scanning laser and techniques borrowed from Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) are evaluated for use with an IMU-stabilized flying vehicle. Simulation and experimental results are presented for each of the navigation systems.

Polymer/inorganic nanoparticle hybrid thin films, primarily composed of functional inorganic nanoparticles, are of great interest to researchers because of their interesting electronic, photonic, and optical properties. In the past two decades, layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly has become one of the most powerful techniques to fabricate such hybrid thin films. This method offers an easy, inexpensive, versatile, and robust fabrication technique for multilayer formation, with precisely controllable nanostructure and tunable properties. In this thesis, various ways to control the structure of hybrid thin films, primarily composed of polyelectrolytes and indium tin oxide (ITO), are the main topics of study. ITO is one of the most widely used conductive transparent oxides (TCOs) for applications such as flat panel displays, photovoltaic cells, and functional windows. In this work, polyethyleneimine (PEI) was used to stabilize the ITO suspensions and improve the film buildup rate during the LbL assembly of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and ITO. The growth rate was doubled due to the stronger interaction forces between the PSS and PEI-modified ITO layer. The assembly of hybrid films was often initiated by a polyelectrolyte precursor layer, and the characteristics of the precursor layer were found to significantly affect the assembly of the hybrid thin films. The LbL assembly of ITO nanoparticles was realized on several substrates, including cellulose fibers, write-on transparencies, silicon wafers, quartz crystals, and glasses. By coating the cellulose fibers with ITO nanoparticles, a new type of conductive paper was manufactured. By LbL assembly of ITO on write-on transparencies, transparent conductive thin films with conductivity of 10⁻⁴ S/cm and transparency of over 80 % in the visible range were also prepared. As a result of this work on the mechanisms and applications of LbL grown films, the understanding of the LbL assembly of polyelectrolytes and inorganic nanoparticles was significantly extended. In addition to working with ITO nanoparticles, this thesis also demonstrated the ability to grow bicomponent [PEI/SiO₂]n thin films. It was further demonstrated that under the right pH conditions, these films can be grown exponentially (e-LbL), resulting in much thicker films, consisting of mostly the inorganic nanoparticles, in much fewer assembly steps than traditional linearly grown films (l-LbL). These results open the door to new research opportunities for achieving structured nanoparticle thin films, whose functionality depends primarily on the properties of the nanoparticles.

Die Dissertationsschrift widmet sich einer systemtheoretischen Untersuchung zur verkehrsabhängigen Steuerung von Lichtsignalanlagen in Straßennetzwerken. Aus einem mathematischen Modell für den Verkehrsablauf auf Knotenzufahrten wird ein Verfahren abgeleitet, mit dem sich Umschaltzeitpunkte und Phasenwechsel flexibel an das tatsächliche Verkehrsgeschehen anpassen lassen. Der Ansatzpunkt ist, die einzelnen Knotenpunkte des Netzwerks lokal zu optimieren. Eine "Grüne Welle" soll sich von selbst einstellen, und zwar genau dann, wenn dadurch lokal Wartezeiten eingespart werden. Indem die lokale Optimierung in ein lokales Stabilisierungsverfahren eingebettet wird, können Instabilitäten aufgrund netzwerkweiter Rückkopplungen ausgeschlossen werden. Das vorgestellte Verfahren setzt sich aus drei Teilen zusammen: (i) einem lokalen Prognoseverfahren zur Bewertung von Schaltzuständen und Phasenübergängen bezüglich zukünftig entstehender Wartezeiten, (ii) einem lokalen Optimierungsverfahren, das jeder Phase einen dynamischen Prioritätsindex zuweist und die Phase mit höchster Priorität zur Bedienung auswählt und (iii) einem lokalen Stabilisierungsverfahren, das zum Einhalten einer mittleren und einer maximalen Bedienperiode korrigierend in die lokale Optimierung eingreift. Indem die Knotenpunkte ausschließlich über die Verkehrsströme gekoppelt sind, ergeben sich die Umschaltzeitpunkte unmittelbar aus den Ankunftszeitpunkten der Fahrzeuge selbst. Die Phasenwechsel stellen sich somit von selbst bedarfsgerecht ein. Simulationsergebnisse machen deutlich, dass sich aufgrund der höheren Flexibilität sowohl die Wartezeiten als auch der Kraftstoffverbrauch senken lassen.

Thermo-stabilized lignin fibers from pH-fractionated softwood kraft lignin were carbonized to various temperatures during thermomechanical analysis (TMA) under static and increasing load and different rates of heating. The aim was to optimize the carbonization process to obtain suitable carbon fiber material with good mechanical strength potential (high tensile strength and high E-modulus). The carbon fibers were therefore mainly evaluated of mechanical strength in Dia-Stron uniaxial tensile testing. In addition, chemical composition, in terms of functional groups, and elemental (atomic) composition was studied in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and in energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. The structure of carbon fibers was imaged in scanning electron microscope (SEM) and light microscopy. Thermogravimetrical analysis was performed on thermo-stabilized lignin fibers to evaluate the loss of mass and to calculate the stress-changes and diameter-changes that occur during carbonization. The TMA-analysis of the deformation showed, for thermo-stabilized lignin fibers, a characteristic behavior of contraction during carbonization. Carbonization temperatures above 1000°C seemed most efficient in terms of E-modulus and tensile strength whereas rate of heating did not matter considerably. The E-modulus for the fibers was improved significantly by slowly increasing the load during the carbonization. The tensile strength remained however unchanged. The FTIR-analysis indicated that many functional groups, mainly oxygen containing, dissociate from the lignin polymers during carbonization. The EDS supported this by showing that the oxygen content decreased. Accordingly, the relative carbon content increased passively to around 90% at 1000°C. Aromatic structures in the carbon fibers are thought to contribute to the mechanical strength and are likely formed during the carbonization. However, the FTIR result showed no evident signs that aromatic structures had been formed, possible due to some difficulties with the KBr-method. In the SEM and light microscopy imaging one could observe that porous formations on the surface of the fibers increased as the temperature increased in the carbonization. These formations may have affected the mechanical strength of the carbon fibers, mainly tensile strength. The carbonization process was optimized in the sense that any heating rate can be used. No restriction in production speed exists. The carbonization should be run to at least 1000°C to achieve maximum mechanical strength, both in E-modulus and tensile strength. To improve the E-modulus further, a slowly increasing load can be applied to the lignin fibers during carbonization. The earlier the force is applied, to counteract the lignin fiber contraction that occurs (namely around 300°C), the better. However, in terms of mechanical performance, the lignin carbon fibers are still far from practical use in the industry.