A aplicação de uma ou mais camadas de tinta sobre as superfícies metálicas é a maneira mais comum e eficaz de proteger os substratos metálicos contra o fenômeno da corrosão. No entanto, os sistemas de pintura podem vir a falhar precocemente por diferentes motivos, causando um ataque corrosivo inesperado no metal a ser protegido. Por esta razão, o processo de repintura em estruturas metálicas é realizado frequentemente para garantir a integridade da estrutura pintada e aumentar sua vida útil. Como o processo de repintura gera impactos econômicos e ambientais, sistemas de pintura capazes de sofrerem uma reparação sem a necessidade de uma intervenção humana, precisam ser desenvolvidos. O encapsulamento de agentes de reparação, com propriedades de formação de filme, em microcápsulas poliméricas é uma excelente alternativa para que os sistemas de pintura se autorreparem, aumentando os intervalos de repintura. Após o processo de encapsulamento, as microcápsulas contendo o agente de reparação são incorporadas na preparação da tinta, para que o sistema de pintura seja aplicado sobre a estrutura metálica. Este tipo de aditivação confere ao revestimento a propriedade de autorreparação, pois quando o sistema de pintura é danificado as microcápsulas são rompidas e liberam o agente de reparação no local danificado, protegendo novamente o substrato metálico. Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um sistema autorreparador monocomponente, através do microencapsulamento de uma resina a base de éster de epóxi, pelo método de polimerização in-situ. Também foi desenvolvido um sistema autorreparador bicomponente, através do microencapsulamento de uma resina a base de epóxi, pelo método de emulsão e polimerização in-situ de ureia-formaldeído-melamina e do seu endurecedor a base de poliamida, pelo método de extração de solvente em paredes de poliestireno. Foi realizado um planejamento estatístico para estudar a emulsão precursora das microcápsulas de poli(ureia-formaldeído-melamina) contendo o sistema monocomponente, onde foram estudados: o tipo e a velocidade de agitação, a presença de cloreto de sódio na formulação, o uso de uma sonda ultrassônica após a etapa de dispersão, a concentração de tensoativo na formulação e o tensoativo utilizado. Como variáveis de resposta foram determinadas: a estabilidade visual das emulsões e o diâmetro das gotículas formadas. A melhor condição de emulsificação determinada foi utilizada para a obtenção das microcápsulas de poli(ureia-formaldeídomelamina) contendo a resina éster de epóxi e das microcápsulas de poli(ureiaformaldeído-melamina) contento a resina epóxi. Entre as condições de emulsificação estudadas, apenas a condição utilizando o tensoativo goma arábica possibilitou a obtenção das microcápsulas de poli(ureia-formaldeído-melamina) na faixa de diâmetro desejada. O método escolhido para o encapsulamento do endurecedor possibilitou a obtenção de microcápsulas de poliestireno, porém com uma baixa capacidade de armazenamento. A liberação dos agentes de reparação encapsulados foi observada pela microscopia óptica e comprovada pela técnica de espectroscopia na região do infravermelho (FTIR) e pela técnica de espectroscopia Raman. Os aditivos autorreparadores desenvolvidos (mono e bicomponente) foram adicionados separadamente em uma tinta epóxi, nas proporções mássicas em base seca de 10 e 15 %. O sistema de pintura foi aplicado em um esquema de três camadas e o aditivo de autorreparação foi incorporado na primeira e/ou segunda camada aplicada. O sistema de pintura contendo o aditivo autorreparador monocomponente apresentou um aspecto visual melhor do que o sistema de pintura contendo o aditivo autorreparador bicomponente, porém o sistema bicomponente forneceu melhores propriedades de aderência, de impermeabilidade, anticorrosivas e de autorreparação à tinta aditivada. As medidas com as técnicas eletroquímicas de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE) e de varredura com eletrodo vibratório (SVET) comprovaram que os dois aditivos desenvolvidos proporcionaram o efeito autorreparador aos sistemas de pintura aditivados, quando estes foram danificados mecanicamente com uma microbroca ou com um estilete. Ensaios acelerados de corrosão em câmara de névoa salina e ensaios de exposição ao intemperismo natural mostraram que os aditivos desenvolvidos promoveram uma proteção adicional ao aço carbono, quando o sistema de pintura foi danificado mecanicamente. / The application of one or more coating layers on the metallic surfaces is the most common and effective way to protect metallic substrates against corrosion. Nevertheless, the coating layer may fail early for different reasons, leading to an unexpected corrosive attack on the protected metal. For this reason, the coating repair process is performed to ensure the integrity during the service life of the coated metallic structures. Due to the fact that coating repair process generates economic and environmental impacts; there is a great need for the development of systems capable to repair themselves, without human intervention. The encapsulation of repairing agents, with film forming properties, in polymeric microcapsules is an excellent alternative to the coating self-repair, decreasing the coating repair process frequency. After the encapsulation process, the microcapsules containing the repair agent are incorporated into the paint preparation and the coating system could be applied normally to the metallic surface. This kind of additivation confers to the coating the self-healing property, because when the coating system is damaged the microcapsules suffers a rupture and release the repair agent into the damaged site, protecting the metallic substrate from corrosion. In this work, a mono-component self-healing system was developed, through the microencapsulation of an epoxy ester resin, by the in-situ polymerization method. A bi-component self-healing system was also developed, by the microencapsulation of an epoxy resin, through the emulsion and in-situ polymerization method and by the microencapsulation of a polyamide hardener, by the double emulsion and solvent extraction method. A factorial design was developed to study the precursor emulsion of the poly (urea-formaldehyde-melamine) microcapsules containing the monocomponent system, where the studied factors were: the type and speed of the agitation, the presence of sodium chloride in the formulation, the use of an ultrasonic probe after the emulsification, the surfactant type and concentration. The analyzed response variables were: the visual stability of the emulsions and the mean diameter of the formed droplets. The best obtained emulsification conditions were employed to produce the poly(urea-formaldehyde-melamine) microcapsules containing the epoxy ester resin and poly(urea-formaldehyde-melamine) microcapsules containing the epoxy resin. Among the studied emulsification conditions, only using arabic gum surfactant the poly (urea-formaldehyde-melamine) microcapsules were obtained. The selected method for the hardener encapsulation was efficient to obtain polystyrene microcapsules, but with low loading capacity. The release of the encapsulated repair agents was observed by optical microscopy and confirmed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique and Raman spectroscopy technique. The developed self-healing additives (mono and bicomponent) were added separately in an epoxy commercial coating, using the dry mass ratios 10% and 15 %. The coating system was applied in a three layer coating system and the self-healing additive was incorporated into the first and/or second layer. The coated samples containing the mono-component additive had a better visual appearance than the bi-component additive system; nevertheless the bi-component system provided better adhesion, impermeability, anti-corrosion and self-healing properties to the doped coating. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) measurements proved that the two developed additives provided self-healing properties to the doped coating systems, when they were mechanically damaged with a micro drill or a blade. Accelerated corrosion tests in the salt spray chamber and natural atmospheric corrosion tests showed that the developed additives provided an additional protection to the carbon steel, when the coating system has been mechanically damaged.

Es heißt, moderne Marktwirtschaften seien sich selbst regulierende Systeme. Dies gelte auch für die Moral der Akteure. Die Finanzkrisen der letzten Jahre haben die Frage nach der Stärke der Selbstheilungskräfte aufgeworfen. Dies wird im Aufsatz untersucht. Dazu werden zunächst die geisteswissenschaftlichen Konzeptionen des Liberalismus, des Ordoliberalismus und der Zentralverwaltungswirtschaft vorgestellt. Dann wird eine evolutionswissenschaftliche Konzeption dagegengestellt. Es zeigt sich, dass die geisteswissenschaftlichen Konzeptionen das „eigentliche“ Zielsystem der Akteure nur unvollkommen berücksichtigen. Sie über- oder unterschätzen daher das Vermögen der Systeme zur Selbstheilung. Die größte Übereinstimmung finden wir beim Ordoliberalismus, der mit seiner Skepsis in die Selbstheilungskräfte freier Märkte Recht hat: Es muss einen institutionellen Ordnungsrahmen geben, der mit der wünschenswerten gesellschaftlichen Moral besser als bisher zu verknüpfen ist. Für die weitere Forschung sehen wir die wichtige Aufgabe, die Selbstheilungskräfte der Gesellschaft in Bezug auf moralisches Verhalten genauer zu erforschen. / It has been said, modern market economies are self-regulating systems. This would also be true for the moral standards of its actors. The financial crises of recent years have put the strength of self-healing capacities in question. This will be investigated in the following paper. In order to do so, concepts of social sciences such as liberalism, ordoliberalism and central command economy will be presented. Subsequently, evolution theory will oppose these concepts. The analysis shows that social sciences only imperfectly recognize the essential objectives of actors. They over- or underestimate the self-healing capabilities of the economy systems. The largest conformity was found in the ordoliberalism, whose skeptics in self-healing capacities of free markets have been upheld. An institutional framework has to be put in place, which is more strongly linked to the morals of civil society as has been the case so far. In the future, one important task for research will be to further investigate self-healing capacities of societies in light of moral behavior.

Les matériaux composites à matrice céramique CMC, sont généralement formés d’au moins deux matériaux ayant une forte capacité d’adhésion. Ces matériaux sont principalement composés de renforts fibreux assurant la tenue mécanique de la structure et d’une matrice qui permet sa cohésion. Utilisées principalement dans le domaine de l’aéronautique, elles sont reconnues pour leur bonne tenue mécanique, leur réfractarité élevée tout en conservant une densité faible. Par contre, l’inconvénient majeur associé à ces matériaux est l’apparition de fissures qui sont dues soit au procédé de fabrication soit aux sollicitations mécaniques externes.Dans ce travail, une attention toute particulière est consacrée aux composites à matrice auto-cicatrisante dont la principale propriété est l'aptitude à "réparer" les effets de la fissure par formation d'un verre visqueux.Ces verres visqueux se forment au sein de la fissure grâce à l’oxydation des éléments qui constituent la matrice. Selon la température, différents verres peuvent être formés.Leur fonction est de reboucher les fissures de taille micrométrique de façon à ralentir la diffusion de l'oxygène en direction des fibres et éviter leur rupture par oxydation.Cependant, pour des systèmes en rotation rapide tels que les turbines basse pression des moteurs d’avion (pièce étudiée actuellement), on peut s'interroger quant à la mobilisation du verre visqueux cicatrisant dans un système complexe géométriquement et inhomogène du point de vue de la nature des surfaces. Pour approcher le comportement du verre cicatrisant dans un système modèle mais néanmoins réaliste, une approche de modélisation numérique a été entreprise. L'outil numérique utilisé pour cette étude est le code de calcul Thétis développé à l’I2M. Celui-ci est adapté à ce type de simulation puisqu'il permet la modélisation d'écoulements diphasiques incluant des phénomènes physiques complexes tels que le mouillage. Ainsi, l'objectif de ce travail est-il de déterminer les limites d'utilisation de ce type de matériau en fonction des conditions auxquels il est soumis en évaluant la mobilité du verre cicatrisant dans la fissure. / The Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) are generally formed of at least two materials having strong adhesion ability. These materials are mainly composed of fibrous reinforcement which ensures the mechanical resistance of the structure and a matrix which allows its cohesion.Used mainly in aerospace, the CMCs are highly valued for their good mechanical strength, their good refractory properties associated with a low density.However, the major drawback of these materials is cracks formation due to manufacturing process or to external mechanical stresses.In this study, we focus on composite materials having self-healing properties. These materials have the ability to produce healing viscous glasses in presence of oxygen.These viscous glasses are formed in the crack under the influence of oxidation of matrix compounds. Depending on the temperature level, glasses of different natures are formed.Their main role is to reseal the micrometric cracks, to limit oxygen access to the fibers in order to prevent their rupture by oxidation.However, for fast rotating systems such as the low pressure turbine of aircraft engines, we may question about mobilization of such a viscous glass in a system characterized by a complex geometry and chemically inhomogeneous surfaces.Therefore, a numerical approach was undertaken, using "Thetis" software. Developed at I2M, this software allows us modelling two-phase flow in model simplified geometry (reflecting however reality) including complex phenomena such as wetting. Numerical results yield to the determination of operating limitations of CMCs in terms of healing efficiency as a function of external mechanical stresses (rotation) and crack geometry.

Web services have become a prominent paradigm for building of both inter and intra-enterprise business processes. These processes are composed from existing Web services based on defined requirements. Standards and techniques have been developed to aid in the dynamic composition of services. However, these approaches are limited when it comes to the handling of unexpected events. This dissertation presents the results of experiments that investigated numerous problems related to Web service composition processes. Based on the investigation, a fault taxonomy was formulated. Faults were grouped into three broad categories, each representing a distinct problem stage. The investigation into faults gave rise to the issue of fault recovery and continued process execution. A list of requirements for self-healing Web service composition was identified, while a new self-healing cycle was exploited based on the MAPE cycle (Monitor, Analyzer, Planner, Executive). The proposed self-healing composition cycle consists of three modules: Plan Generation Module, Plan Execution Module and Failure Analysis Module. The plan execution module, consisting of the execution and run-time monitoring phases, and the failure analysis module, consisting of the analysis and sensemaking phases, were found to be vital to self-healing Web service composition. Self healing Web service composition and the goal of self-healing were achieved through the use of Hierarchical Task Network (HTN) planning systems. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Computer Science / unrestricted

No description available.

Dans le cadre des recherches menées sur l'amélioration de la résistance à l'oxydation des gaines de combustible en conditions accidentelles, des revêtements Cr-Al-C et Cr2AlC ont été développés dans ce travail. Dans la première partie, nous avons étudié le procédé HiPIMS afin de comprendre l'effet de différents paramètres de dépôt sur le plasma et les propriétés des films obtenus. Il en ressort que malgré un bombardement ionique plus intense, un apport supplémentaire d'énergie est requis pour obtenir un revêtement cristallin. Des recuits à partir de 500°C sous argon de systèmes Cr-Al-C tels que déposés permettent ainsi une cristallisation partielle des revêtements en Cr2AlC à une température suffisamment basse pour être compatible avec la métallurgie des alliages de zirconium. Dans un second temps, l'évaluation du comportement à haute température de ces deux types de revêtements, recuits ou non, a révélé un effet protecteur contre l'oxydation rapide du zirconium jusqu'à 1200°C en atmosphère oxydante grâce à la formation d'une couche d'oxyde continue. Cette couche est constituée d'un mélange d'alumine α et de chromine pour le revêtement de Cr-Al-C tandis que seule l'alumine α est présente pour le revêtement Cr2AlC dans les premiers instants de l'oxydation. Ensuite, en raison de l'appauvrissement en Al, les revêtements se dégradent en formant une couche intermédiaire résiduelle de carbure Cr7C3 servant de réservoir de Cr jusqu'à complète oxydation. Ces résultats ont également montré la perte d'une partie du réservoir d'Al par diffusion dans les alliages Zr. Une architecture multicouche a été développée pour limiter cette diffusion et ainsi prolonger la durée de vie du revêtement. L'ajout d'un intercalaire en Mo pour bloquer la diffusion d'Al dans le substrat s'est avéré peu concluant, le molybdène s'évaporant à haute température. Les systèmes base Cr-Al-C revêtus chrome, présentent quant à eux, un comportement amélioré par rapport aux revêtements monocouches. / This study aims to improve oxidation resistance of nuclear fuel claddings in accident conditions. In this context, Cr-Al-C and Cr2AlC coatings deposition and their behavior were studied. Firstly, we investigated the influence of HiPIMS process parameters on the properties of the plasma and the deposited films. Despite more intense ionic fluxes due to the HiPIMS process, coatings do not crystallize without an additional energy supply. Partially crystallized Cr2AlC thin films were obtained by a 500°C annealing of as-deposited Cr-Al-C coatings. This two-step process is a viable solution to protect nuclear claddings with Cr2AlC coating while maintaining the metallurgical properties of the zirconium-based substrates. Secondly, the assessment of the oxidation resistance of as-deposited and annealed coatings revealed significant protective effect against rapid oxidation under dry and wet air at high temperatures (up to 1200°C) owing to the formation of a continuous oxide layer. During the first stages of oxidation, this layer is made of α Al2O3 and Cr2O3 for as-deposited coating while only α-Al2O3 is present for the annealed one. Because of Al depletion, coatings later deteriorate and form a residual and porous intermediate chromium carbide (Cr7C3) layer which further fully oxidizes. It was shown that the inward diffusion of Al with Zr also accelerates the coating deterioration. To improve the oxidation resistance of these coatings, multilayered architectures were developed. Adding a molybdenum interlayer as diffusion barrier globally decreased the oxidation resistance of the coating. In contrast, topping Cr-Al-C and Cr2AlC with a Cr layer improved oxidation behavior over single-layer coatings.

Orientador: Peter Hammer / Resumo: Este trabalho relata uma investigação detalhada das propriedades estruturais e eletroquímicas de revestimentos de polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA)-sílica. Espectroscopia Raman e análise térmica mostraram que o ajuste da quantidade de peróxido de benzoíla (BPO), como um parâmetro crítico de síntese, melhora a eficiência de polimerização do metilmetacrilato (MMA), levando a uma estrutura híbrida altamente reticulada. A espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIS) mostrou para revestimentos depositados sobre aço carbono (A1020) e liga de Al (AA7075) uma resposta de impedância capacitiva quase ideal, mantendo o módulo de impedância de baixa frequência de até 10 GΩ cm2 essencialmente inalterado durante 19 meses de imersão em NaCl 3,5%. Embora revestimentos passivos de alto desempenho tenham sido desenvolvidos, pites de corrosão podem afetar significativamente sua durabilidade. Assim, a inibição da corrosão ativa induzida por íons lítio e cério em revestimentos de sílica sol-gel de PMMA foi investigada. A adição de carbonato de lítio produziu revestimentos com melhor conectividade dos nós de sílica nanométricos e forte adesão ao substrato de alumínio. Os resultados de EIS mostraram que as concentrações de lítio mais altas resultam em um aumento no módulo de impedância e induzem a autorregeneração que aumenta significativamente sua vida útil dos revestimentos. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToFSIMS) e a espectroscopia de fotoelétrons excitados por raios-X (XPS) suger... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This work reports on a detailed investigation of the structural and electrochemical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-silica coatings. Raman spectroscopy and thermal analysis showed that the fine-tuning of the benzoyl peroxide (BPO) amount, as a critical synthesis parameter, improves the polymerization efficiency of methyl methacrylate (MMA), leading to a highly cross-linked hybrid structure. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed for coatings deposited on carbon steel (A1020) and Al alloy (AA7075) a quasi-ideal capacitive impedance response, maintaining the low frequency impedance modulus of up to 10 GΩ cm2 essentially unchanged during 19 months of immersion in 3.5% NaCl. Although high performance passive coatings have been developed, pitting can significantly affect their durability. Hence, active corrosion inhibition induced by lithium and cerium ions in PMMA-silica sol-gel coatings was investigated. The addition of lithium carbonate yielded coatings with improved connectivity of nanometric silica cross-link nodes and stronger adhesion to the aluminum substrate. EIS results showed that higher lithium concentrations result in an increased impedance modulus and induce the self-healing ability, extending significantly the service life of the coatings. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) suggest that the regeneration process occurs by means of lithium ions leaching from the adjacent coat... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Orientador: Assis Vicente Benedetti / Resumo: Os revestimentos de poliuretano (PU) foram preparados a partir de óleos vegetais (crambe e mamona) e modificados pela incorporação de inibidores de corrosão (tanino condensado). A reação foi monitorada caracterizando os produtos intermediários (poliéster e pré-polímero). O poliéster foi caracterizado pela solubilidade em metanol, índice de acidez, grupos hidroxila e espectroscopia no infravermelho por transformada de Fourier com refletância total atenuada (FTIR), e o pré-polímero foi caracterizado por teor de sólido, teor de solvente, isocianato livre (NCO) e FTIR. Os revestimentos de PU foram caracterizados por FTIR e absorção de água. Esses revestimentos foram aplicados sobre as ligas de alumínio com extensômetro. O processo de cura foi conduzido em temperatura ambiente (~25 oC). A espessura dos revestimentos foi determinada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM) e a adesão foi avaliada pela Norma ASTM D3359. Após a caracterização química e morfológica dos revestimentos foi realizado o estudo eletroquímico. A resistência à corrosão e o processo de degradação do filme (longevidade da ação do revestimento), foram estudadas por medidas de potencial em circuito aberto (EOCP) e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIS) em solução aquosa 0,6 mol L-1 NaCl com o tempo de imersão. Foram empregadas técnicas eletroquímicas localizadas como espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica local (LEIS) em solução aquosa 0,005 mol L-1 NaCl e as técnicas de varredura com eletrodo ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Polyurethane (PU) coatings were prepared from vegetable oils (crambe and castor) and modified by the incorporation of corrosion inhibitors (condensed tannins). The reaction was monitored by characterizing the intermediate products (polyester and prepolymer). Polyester was characterized by solubility in methanol, acidity index, hydroxyl groups and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the prepolymer was characterized by solid content, solvent content, free-isocyanate (NCO) groups and FTIR. PU coatings were characterized by FTIR and water uptake. These coatings were applied on aluminum alloys with an extensometer. The curing process was carried out at room temperature (~25 oC). The thickness of the coatings was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the adhesion was assessed using the ASTM D3359 standard. After the chemical and morphological characterization of the coatings, the electrochemical study was carried out. The corrosion resistance and the film degradation process (longevity of the coating action) were studied by open circuit potential measurements (EOCP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 0.6 mol L-1 NaCl aqueous solution with the immersion time. Localized electrochemical techniques were also used, such as local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (LEIS) in 0.005 mol L-1 NaCl aqueous solution and scanning techniques with vibrating electrode (SVET) and with ion-selective electrode (SIET), in ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

As software systems have grown in size and complexity, the costs of maintaining such systems increases steadily. In the early 2000's, IBM launched the autonomic computing initiative to mitigate this problem by injecting feedback control mechanisms into software systems to enable them to observe their health and self-heal without human intervention and thereby cope with certain changes in their requirements and environments. Self-healing is one of several fundamental challenges addressed and includes software systems that are able to recover from failure conditions. There has been considerable research on software architectures with feedback loops that allow a multi-component system to adjust certain parameters automatically in response to changes in its environment. However, modifying the components' source code in response to failures remains an open and formidable challenge. Automatic program repair techniques aim to create and apply source code patches autonomously. These techniques have evolved over the years to take advantage of advancements in programming languages, such as reflection. However, these techniques require mechanisms to evaluate if a candidate patch solves the failure condition. Some rely on test cases that capture the context under which the program failed---the patch applied can then be considered as a successful patch if the test result changes from failing to passing. Although test cases are an effective mechanism to govern the applicability of potential patches, the automatic generation of test cases for a given scenario has not received much attention. ReCrash represents the only known implementation to generate test cases automatically with promising results through the use of low-level instrumentation libraries. The work reported in this thesis aims to explore this area further and under a different light. It proposes the use of Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP)---and in particular of AspectJ---as a higher-level paradigm to express the code elements on which monitoring actions can be interleaved with the source code, to create a representation of the context at the most relevant moments of the execution, so that if the code fails, the contextual representation is retained and used at a later time to automatically write a test case. By doing this, the author intends to contribute to fill the gap that prevents the use of automatic program repair techniques in a self-healing architecture. The prototype implementation engineered as part of this research was evaluated along three dimensions: memory usage, execution time and binary size. The evaluation results suggest that (1) AspectJ introduces significant overhead with respect to execution time, (2) the implementation algorithm causes a tremendous strain on garbage collection, and (3) AspectJ incorporates tens of additional lines of code, which account for a mean size increase to every binary file of a factor of ten compared to the original size. The comparative analysis with ReCrash shows that the algorithm and data structures developed in this thesis produce more thorough test cases than ReCrash. Most notably, the solution presented here mitigates ReCrash's current inability to reproduce environment-specific failure conditions derived from on-demand instantiation. This work can potentially be extended to apply in less-intrusive frameworks that operate at the same level as AOP to address the shortcomings identified in this analysis. / Graduate

Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cells in ultra-low power Integrated Circuits (ICs) based on nanoscale Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) devices are likely to be the most vulnerable to large-scale soft errors. Conventional error correction circuits may not be able to handle the distributed nature of such errors and are susceptible to soft errors themselves. In this thesis, a distributed error correction circuit called Self-Healing Cellular Automata (SHCA) that can repair itself is presented. A possible way to deploy a SHCA in a system of SRAM-based embedded program memories (ePM) for one type of chip multi-processors is also discussed. The SHCA is compared with conventional error correction approaches and its strengths and limitations are analyzed.