Este trabalho de tese de doutorado visou identificar as matérias primas naturais produzidas no Brasil e possíveis de serem utilizadas na produção de concretos de elevada massa específica. Desenvolver uma metodologia para a caracterização, preparo, moldagem, ensaios para determinação do coeficiente de atenuação linear experimental, calculo do coeficiente de atenuação linear teórico, e determinação do Z efetivo, culminando com a confecção de um banco de dados embrionário para os concretos de elevada massa específica preparados com matérias primas nacionais. Para tanto foram identificadas onze matérias primas produzidas no Brasil com caracteísticas adequadas para a produção de concretos de elevada densidade. Apresentamos os fundamentos teóricos ao bom entendimento do trabalho tanto no campo da proteção radiológica como naquela dos conceitos que podem ser usados para a produção de blindagem às radiações gama e X. Preparamos vinte e dois tipos de concretos de elevada massa específica com a utilização de matérias primas naturais e nacionais. Os concretos desenvolvidos foram preparados, moldados e ensaiados com uma fonte de 137Cs, de 3,7 1010 Bq (1Ci) de atividade. Foram calculados os coeficientes de atenuação linear com a utilização das análises químicas dos concretos preparados e encontrados os coeficientes de atenução linear experimentais para comparação e avaliação da técnica proposta. Foram medidas as massas específicas dos concretos preparados em virtude de sua importância para a formação da seção de choque do composto quando da predominância do efeito Compton, e determinado o Z efetivo para a região predominante do efeito fotoelétrico. Por fim foram calculados os custos de produção levando-se em conta somente os custos das matérias primas. Para as massas específicas os concretos apresentaram uma variação de 2,74 kg/dm3 até 3,76 kg/dm3, já para o coeficiente de atenuação linear experimental a variação foi de 0,2137 cm-1 a 0,2860 cm-1, o Z efetivo variou de 19 a 25. Finalizando o trabalho foram discutidos os resultados e sugeridos preferências de concretos para utilização em blindagens com a aplicação de alguns conceitos. Comparando os resultados encontrados com vários outros publicados em trabalhos internacionais, verificamos o grau de similaridade. / This PhD thesis the natural raw materials produced in Brazil and in the production of high density concrete. Furthermore, we also develop a methodology for characterization, preparation, molding, testing to determine the linear attenuation coefficient of experimental, theoretical calculation of the linear attenuation coefficient, and determination of the effective Z, culminating with the production of an embryo stock data for the specific high density prepared with local raw materials. For this, we identified eleven raw materials produced in Brazil with suitable characteristics for the production of high density concrete. We present the theoretical understanding of radiological protection and in the fundamental concepts that can be used to produce shielding for gamma and X radiation. During the work, we prepared twenty-two concrete types of high specific weight, with the use of natural materials and domestic materials. These new concretes were prepared, molded and tested with a Cs-137 source (3.7.1010 Bq (1Ci) activity). The linear attenuation coefficients were calculated employing the chemical analyzes of the prepared concrete and the experimental linear attenuation coefficients were also determined for comparison and evaluation of the proposed technique. The specific masses of the concrete samples were determined, given their importance to the cross section for the Compton Effect predominance. The effective Z was also determined were the photoelectric effect was predominant. Finally, the production costs were considered, taking into account only the cost of the raw materials. For the specific masses, the concretes presented a variation from 2.74 kg/dm3 to 3.76 kg/dm3. In the case of the experimental linear attenuation coefficient the variation was from 0.2137 cm-1 to 0.2860 cm-1, and the effective Z varied from 19 to 25. As conclusion, the results were discussed e the preferred concretes for the shielding purposes were suggested. Comparing the results with other published international work, we find the degree of similarity.

There are many aspects that have direct effects on total hip replacement performance (THR), such as material properties, applied loads, surgical approach, femur size and quality, prosthesis design, bone-implant interface etc. Bone mechanics and traditional implant materials cause a frequent problem for patients of total hip arthroplasty (THA): the bone becomes shielded from the loading. Bone structure follows what is called "Wolff's Law", meaning it has an adaptive structure, which alters its geometry when experiencing forces over its life (Goldstein, 1987); (Pearson & Lieberman, 2004). The improved femoral stems act weakly in transferring stress onto the remnant bone and bone tissue atrophies at the interface, which will result in loosening of the implant, pain and thus, revision surgery will need to take place to correct the issue ( Feldt, 2011). For the current study, an innovative hollow spherical structure is developed for femoral hip stems. The aim is to extract volume in the spherical shape from the stainless steel hip implant stems, in order to focus solely on correlating with titanium behaviour. Internal geometry for the femoral stem is optimised in order to transfer more stress onto the bone. Moreover, the approach involves extracting volume in the spherical shape from internal structure to reduce stress shieling. New novel implant is proposed that demonstrated reduction in stress shielding. A new structure has been developed in this study for biomedical applications, such as implants, with the aid of the rule of mixtures and finite element analysis was applied to various models with different complex internal structures. Firstly, the rule of mixtures was used as finite element could not handle the simulation due to the large number of elements created, and also helped developing the designs analysed in this study. Secondly, computational analysis was applied to simplified finite elements containing hollow spheres in their outer shell. Moreover, a compression test was applied to a solid sample and the experimental case. This approach was adopted to investigate the effects of a hollow structure near the side surface and the bone-implant interface. The same method was applied to samples containing uniformly distributed hollow spheres. In the both scenarios, the specimens were designed differently based on the sphere size, their distance from wall and that from each other. Finally, finite element was applied to actual implant samples containing hollow spheres. The sphered models have a smaller Young's modulus and strength than the solid stainless steel sample. The spheres in hollowed structures reduce the stress shielding and they transfer more stress onto the bone when compared to the solid stainless steel models. This approach also involves restructuring a hard material, such as stainless steel, to enhance osseointegration. The reduction of the Young's modulus and stress directly depends on the volume of the hollow spheres in the models; however, there is certain volume that can be extracted from solid.

Ces travaux décrivent la réalisation et l'étude d'un procédé original permettant la métallisation de surface de substrats à matrice polymère chargés fibres de carbone (CFRP) par l'intermédiaire d'un revêtement polymère conducteur pour des applications de blindage électromagnétique. Ce revêtement conducteur est constitué d'une matrice polyuréthane (PU) contenant des fils submicroniques d'argent (AgNWs) obtenus par un procédé polyol. L'étude de la mobilité moléculaire de la matrice PU et de l'influence des AgNWs sur les propriétés physiques de la matrice ont été effectuées. Le revêtement PU/AgNWs présente un très faible seuil de percolation volumique et surfacique inférieur à 1 % en volume. Au-delà de ce seuil de percolation, la conductivité de surface est suffisante pour permettre l'électrodéposition. Les paramètres optimaux de l'électrodéposition ont été déterminés. Un dépôt homogène et uniforme est obtenu pour des revêtements faiblement chargés (4 %vol). La couche métallique conserve son adhérence, malgré les grandes variations thermiques, en adaptant les contraintes de dilatation. L'efficacité de blindage a été mesurée de 1 à 26 gigahertz. / This work describes the achievement and the study of an original process to permit the surface metallization of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) substrates filled with carbon fibers through a conductive polymer coating for electromagnetic shielding applications. This conductive coating consists of a polyurethane (PU) matrix containing silver nanowires (AgNWs) obtained by a polyol process. The study of the molecular mobility of PU matrix and the influence of AgNWs on the physical properties of the matrix were carried out. The PU/AgNWs coating exhibits a very low volume and surface percolation threshold less than 1 % by volume. Above this percolation threshold, the surface conductivity allows metal electroplating. Optimal electrodeposition parameters were determined. A homogeneous and uniform deposition is obtained on the low-filled coatings (4 %vol). The metallic layer adheres to substrate for large thermal variations, by adapting the stresses of the thermal expansion. The EM shielding efficiency was measured from 1 to 26 gigahertz.

Proton therapy facilities, as other industrial applications using ionizing radiations, are confronted to radioprotection problems and seek to mitigate the undesirable effects. The aim of this thesis is to study the IBA compact proton therapy center, the Proteus®One in this radioprotection context. The compactness of this system implies important radioprotection issues, mainly the concrete shielding activation where a model allowing to predict and characterize the impact of secondary radiations on the system is required. Numerical simulations using Monte Carlo methods are used and in particular, a benchmark between different existing software has been carried out to validate the use of the Geant4 software in this work. The first part of this thesis focuses on the design of the structural shielding taking into account neutron sources in the model. In particular, the concept of neutron-equivalent source is introduced. In this framework, the quantity and the localization of the generated nuclear waste in concrete are determined. The second part of the work investigates the beam properties and its interactions with matter along the transport beamline. After the analysis of the existing system, a new degrader, which is one of the critical elements for the emission of secondary radiations and for the performances of the device, is proposed. Comparisons between existing (aluminium, graphite, beryllium) and novel (boron carbide and diamond) degrader materials are provided and evaluated against semi-analytical models of multiple Coulomb scattering. The use of diamond with a geometry adaptation allows beam emittance reduction and beam transmission increase. The third part of this thesis considers a complete 3D model of the Proteus®One system. It contributes to acquire a detailed knowledge of the beam properties inside the beamline. This model is validated with experimental data and the assumption of neutron-equivalent source is verified. Finally, maps of proton and neutron interactions are generated to provide a complete mapping of the secondary radiations in the system. These maps can be used to determine dosimetric or radioprotection quantities. / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur et technologie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

This thesis describes experimental work performed (1998-2001) during the author's involvement with the Brachytherapy group at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC), where he was employed by its Department of Physical Sciences and subsequent modeling and analytical studies. When PMCC added HDR brachytherapy to its radiation therapy practice, an existing operating suite was considered the ideal location for such procedures to be carried out. The integration of brachytherapy into the theatre environment was considered logical due to the relatively invasive nature of brachytherapy techniques and the availability of medical equipment. This thesis contains the detailed study of three key Research Questions involved in clinical aspects relating to quality assurance of an HDR brachytherapy practice. An investigative chapter is dedicated to the pursuit of each of the Research Questions. The first question asked… Is the novel approach to using modular shielding combined with time and distance constraints adequately optimized during HDR brachytherapy? In order to establish optimal clinical practices, this project evaluates the effectiveness of additional shielding added to the modular shielding system without modification of the previously determined time and distance constraints for PMCC staff, other patients, and member of the public. The DOSXYZnrc user code for the EGSnrc Monte Carlo radiation transport code has been used to model exposure pathways to strategic locations used for measurement in and around the operating theatre suite. Modeling allowed exposure pathways to various areas with the facility to be tested without the need to use real sources. The second Research Question asked… How well is dose anisotropy characterized in the near field range of the clinic's HDR 192Ir source? This study experimentally investigated the anisotropy of dose around a 192Ir HDR source in a water phantom using MOSFETs as relative dosimeters. In addition, modeling using the DOSRZnrc user code for the EGSnrc Monte Carlo radiation transport code was performed to provide a complete dose distribution consistent with the MOSFET measurements. Measurements performed for radial distances from 5 to 30 mm extend the range of measurements to 5 mm which has not been previously reported for this source construction. The third Research Question is aimed at the patient level. Is the dose delivered to in vivo dosimeters, located within critical anatomical structures near the prostate, within acceptable clinical tolerance for a large group of HDR prostate patients? An in vivo dosimetry technique employing TLDs to experimentally measure doses delivered to the urethra and rectum during HDR prostate brachytherapy was investigated. Urethral and rectal in vivo measurements for 56 patients have been performed in the initial fraction of four-fraction brachytherapy boost. In the absence of comparable in vivo data, the following local corrective action level was initially proposed: more than 50% of the prostatic urethra receiving a dose 10% beyond the urethral tolerance. The level for investigative action is considered from the analyses of dose differences between measured data and TPS calculation.

<p>Implants are commonly used for orthopaedic and dental applications. There is however a problem with implants; they have a tendency to get loose after 10-15 years of usage. Bone that is not used will get weaker; this can be concluded from studies of people being immobilised or in microgravity. When an implant is put into bone, the surrounding bone does not experience any deformation and it will resorb. This is called stress shielding. Finally the implant will get loose. To avoid this problem we want to give electrical stimulation to the bone surrounding the implant. Electricity has been used before to stimulate bone, and it has been shown that immobilised bone can almost be maintained by using electric stimulation.</p><p>Piezoelectricity is a property of certain materials that make them generate electricity when they are deformed. When an implant is coated with a piezoelectric material, electrical stimulation can be achieved for the surrounding bone that is stress shielded.</p><p>In this diploma work, a test-equipment is built to stimulate cells. Cells will be grown on a piezoelectric plate that is bent by the test-equipment. Thus, the cells will be stimulated by both mechanical stress and electric potential since the piezoelectric material generates electricity when it is deformed. Piezoelectric samples and culture wells suitable for bending applications are prepared and tested in the equipment.</p><p>Some initial cell growth experiments have been performed to see that the material is suitable for cell growth.</p>

Implants are commonly used for orthopaedic and dental applications. There is however a problem with implants; they have a tendency to get loose after 10-15 years of usage. Bone that is not used will get weaker; this can be concluded from studies of people being immobilised or in microgravity. When an implant is put into bone, the surrounding bone does not experience any deformation and it will resorb. This is called stress shielding. Finally the implant will get loose. To avoid this problem we want to give electrical stimulation to the bone surrounding the implant. Electricity has been used before to stimulate bone, and it has been shown that immobilised bone can almost be maintained by using electric stimulation. Piezoelectricity is a property of certain materials that make them generate electricity when they are deformed. When an implant is coated with a piezoelectric material, electrical stimulation can be achieved for the surrounding bone that is stress shielded. In this diploma work, a test-equipment is built to stimulate cells. Cells will be grown on a piezoelectric plate that is bent by the test-equipment. Thus, the cells will be stimulated by both mechanical stress and electric potential since the piezoelectric material generates electricity when it is deformed. Piezoelectric samples and culture wells suitable for bending applications are prepared and tested in the equipment. Some initial cell growth experiments have been performed to see that the material is suitable for cell growth.

Abstract Electromagnetic shielding of nylon-66 composites applied to laser modules was studied experimentally and theoretically. The effects of conductive carbon fiber length and weight percentage upon the shielding effectiveness (SE) of nylon composites were investigated. The result showed that the SE of long carbon fiber filled nylon-66 composites was found to be higher SE than short carbon fiber filled nylon-66 composites under the same weight percentage of carbon fibers. In addition, higher electromagnetic shielding was obtained for the composite with higher contents of carbon fibers at the same length. The SE of conductive carbon fiber filled nylon-66 composites was measured to be 41 dB at low frequency of 30 MHz and 59 dB at high frequency of 1.5 GHz. The results of SE predicted by the proposed theoretical model and the results measured by experiments were in good agreement with each other for carbon fibers filled nylon-66 composites of different lengths. The effects of fiber orientation on SE of nylon and LCP composites were also investigated. The result showed that the SE of LCP composites was found to be higher than nylon composites under the same weight percentage of carbon fiber. This is due to that the fiber orientation in LCP composites attempts to keep the same direction.

Thesis (M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 1990. / Thesis Advisor(s): Henline, William D. ; Platzer, Max F. Second Reader: Chandrasekhara, M. S. "September 1990." Description based on title screen as viewed on December 21, 2009. DTIC Identifier(s): Ceramic materials, ablative materials, heat shields, reusable equipment, space flight, thermal insulation, atmospheric entry, hypersonic flow, Mars probes, arc heaters, melting, glass, RSI (reusable surface insulaiton), aerodynamic heating, stagnation pressure, mathematical prediction, theses. Author(s) subject terms: Ablative, hypersonic, NASA, Mars, heat shield. Includes bibliographical references (p. 110). Also available in print.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are a relatively new allotrope of carbon that have potentially useful properties that may improve polymer composites. The work of this thesis explores the interactions between MWNTs and functionalized MWNTs within epoxy matrix and the properties of the MWNT/epoxy composite. These interactions were characterized with an emphasis on finding how well the MWNT/epoxy composite flows and how conductive it is after curing.