<p>Aluminum is present throughout the environment and in many industrial processes and consumer goods. While very useful in everyday lives, it has no inherent biological functions in humans. High quantities in the human body can be toxic, resulting a range of skeletal, neurological, and hematopoietic effects. A system has been developed to analyze aluminum using the neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique in vivo. NAA was performed with a transportable neutron generator as a neutron source and a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector for spectroscopy. The neutron generator and HPGe detector were completely modelled in MCNP6. Measurements were carried out to evaluate the accuracy of the MCNP6 simulations and to determine the detection capabilities of the system for aluminum. Simulations were also conducted to determine the acceptability of radiation dose to subjects undergoing analysis. The detection limit for the system was evaluated using skeletal bone as a long-term aluminum biomarker. The detection limit was determined to be 3.41 x 10¹ μg of Al per g of dry bone for an irradiation time of six minutes. This detection level is below a point at which physiological effects have been observed in humans. A lower detection level was demonstrated to be possible with a longer irradiation time. The radiation absorbed dose was determined to be 7.30 mGy for an irradiation of six minutes. The system can therefore be utilized as a potential screening and monitoring tool for high skeletal burdens of aluminum that may lead to physiological effects.</p> <p>The simulation and calculation techniques developed herein were applied to a set of human subject data that were acquired for a purpose other than evaluating aluminum. The human subject data included both bone Al from NAA and fingernail Al from mass spectrometry measurements. No significant aluminum signals were observed when assessing the in vivo NAA spectra data. Through simulation and calculation, it was demonstrated that the NAA experimental parameters resulted in an elevated detection limit for aluminum that is above Al skeletal loads observed in healthy individuals. The elevated detection limit prevented the in vivo detection of aluminum in a healthy population, thus confirming the NAA results. </p>

Le désir de miniaturisation des circuits électroniques a mené l’électronique à développer de nouvelles méthodes d’assemblage. Les progrès réalisés passent par la complexification des fonctions, le développement de nouvelles interconnexions liant le circuit au composant ou par les choix d’architecture, une optimisation du volume. Après avoir repoussé les limites d’optimisation avec les assemblages en trois dimensions, la technologie s’est tournée vers un volume présent dans toutes les cartes électroniques mais qui ne joue aucun rôle actif dans celui-ci : le support des fonctions, le PCB. La solution apportée est l’enfouissement de composant dans ce volume. Les premiers bénéfices de cette solution apparaissent rapidement : gain de volume et protection des composants, c’est pourquoi elle se développe rapidement dans l’industrie.Partant de ce postulat, Valeo souhaite adapter cette technologie pour réduire la taille d’une caméra de recul dédiée à l’automobile. Les exigences du domaine automobile étant plus strictes que dans d’autres industries, l’investigation plus poussée de la technologie d’enfouissement est nécessaire. L’objectif est de valider la fiabilité et la robustesse du circuit selon une méthode de fabrication. Ainsi, l’IMS de Bordeaux intègre le projet EDDEMA pour apporter une expertise, via des simulations thermomécaniques par éléments finis, sur la conception du circuit.Dans le cadre de cette thèse et pour répondre aux attentes du projet, deux axes d’études sont suivis. Une méthodologie généraliste est proposée pour parvenir à définir les interconnexions jugées les plus fragiles dans le cadre de l’emploi de la technologie d’enfouissement et justifier l’utilisation des simulations par éléments finis selon les exigences attendues. L’objectif est de déterminer la durée de vie d’une interconnexion liant le composant au circuit en fonction de sa nature (brasure, via,…) et des caractéristiques du composant et du circuit (dimensions, hauteur,…) et valider les choix technologiques tels que les matériaux ou les techniques faits dès la fabrication. Cette étude s’inscrit dans une recherche locale autour du composant. La seconde étude se recentre sur le circuit développé dans le cadre du projet. Il sera étudié l’impact de la position des composants actifs enfouis dans le PCB sur le circuit (déformation, contraintes) et la représentation des composants passifs dans cette structure pour définir, selon les considérations thermomécaniques, les limites de positionnement dans la conception du circuit. Affiner le modèle passera par des mesures réalisées sur les premiers prototypes pour corroborer les simulations réalisées.Tout ceci mène à déterminer les avantages sur la technologie d’enfouissement et le gain apporté en terme de fiabilité et de robustesse du circuit et des composants et valider son utilisation dans le secteur automobile. / The desire for miniaturization of electronic circuits led the electronics to develop new methods of assembly. Progress is made through the complexification of functions, the development of new interconnections linking the circuit to the component or by the choice of architecture, an optimization of the volume. After pushing the limits of optimization with the three-dimensional assemblies, the technology turned to a volume present in all the electronic cards but which plays no active part in this one: the support of the functions, the PCB. The solution provided is to embed component in this volume. The first benefits of this solution appear quickly: volume gain and protection of components, which is why it is developing rapidly in the industry.Based on this premise, Valeo wants to adapt this technology to reduce the size of a rearview camera dedicated to the automobile. As automotive requirements are stricter than in other industries, further investigation of embedded technology is required. The objective is to validate the reliability and robustness of the circuit according to a manufacturing method. Thus, the IMS Bordeaux integrates the EDDEMA project to provide expertise, via finite element thermomechanical simulations, on the design of the circuit.As part of this thesis and to meet the expectations of the project, two studies are investigated. A general methodology is proposed to define the interconnections considered the most fragile in the context of the use of embedded technology and justify the use of finite element simulations according to the expected requirements. The objective is to determine the lifetime of an interconnection linking the component to the circuit according to its nature (solder, via, ...) and the characteristics of the component and the circuit (dimensions, height, ...) and validate the choices. such as materials or techniques made from the time of manufacture. This study is part of a local search around the component. The second study focuses on the circuit developed in the project. The impact of the position of the active components embedded in the PCB on the circuit (deformation, constraints) and the representation of the passive components in this structure will be studied to define, according to the thermomechanical considerations, the positioning limits in the circuit design. . To refine the model will pass by measurements realized on the first prototypes to corroborate the realized simulations.All this leads to determining the advantages on the embedded technology and the gain in terms of reliability and robustness of the circuit and components and validating its use in the automotive sector.

Title: Self-assembly of polyelectrolytes in aqueous solutions (dissipative particle dynamics) Author: Karel Šindelka Department: Faculty of science, Charles University in Prague Supervisor: Doc. Ing. Zuzana Limpouchová, CSc. Consultant: Doc. Ing. Martin Lísal, DSc. Abstract In the thesis, the coarse-grained dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) is used for the study of self-assembly of equimolar mixtures of oppositely charged symmetric block PEs with one PE block (either strong polycation or strong polyanion) and one readily water-soluble neutral block in aqueous media. In the first part of the diploma thesis, the principles of DPD simulations are described and the correct implementation of electrostatic interactions in the DPD method is demonstrated on the example of counterion (Manning) condensation. In the second main part, the effect of the blocks solubility, incompatibility and the interplay of different forces on electrostatic assembly is investigated. The cor- responding neutral systems are also simulated for comparison. The study shows that the hydrophobicity of the PE backbone and the incompatibility of blocks sig- nificantly affects the electrsotatic co-assembly. The presence of opposite charges on different chains promotes the aggregation process and the aggregation number in- creases in comparison...

This PhD thesis is devoted to the study of the conformational behavior of branched polymers in confined volumes. This behavior depends not only on polymer architecture and composition but also on steric confinement and on interaction of polymer segments with the confining wall. Better understanding of complex entropy-to-enthalpy interplay can elucidate the mechanism of the chromatographic separation at the microscopic level. An unambiguous size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis of mixtures containing different polymer architectures is difficult because the sizes of polymer coils, which determine the separation, depend not only on molar mass but also on the polymer architecture. Modern chromatographic methods combine the SEC with the interaction chromatography (IC). They exploit the fact that polymer interactions with pore walls, which are the prerequisite for efficient IC separation, depend strongly on polymer architecture. The knowledge of the conformational behavior of linear and branched polymers in confined volumes and of their interactions with confining medium enables to find optimum conditions either for enhancing or for suppressing the role of individual factors that influence the separation. We have shown that the complex entropy-to-enthalpy interplay in polymer solutions in confined...

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a simulation with workedexamples on the creation of episodic memories and the troubleshooting ability of maintenance technician students. Previous research shows that domain knowledge, conceptual knowledge, strategic knowledge, and episodic memories are all required to successfully troubleshoot. While domain, conceptual, and strategic knowledge can all be taught using traditional instruction, episodic memories require students to experience the actual troubleshooting of a fault. Simulations and worked examples are two instructional methods that have proven effective at teaching troubleshooting. This research specifically examined how a simulation combined with worked examples would affect 1) immediate troubleshooting abilities, 2) the creation of episodic memories, and 3) delayed troubleshooting abilities. This study was conducted in two stages and administered via a learning management system due to COVID-19 restrictions. The first stage included a pre-test, a training session using the simulation with worked examples, and an immediate post-test for near and far transfer of troubleshooting abilities. The second stage occurred one week later and included the final posttest for near and far transfer of troubleshooting abilities and creation of episodic memories. Answers to four troubleshooting questions on each of the pre-test and immediate and delayed post-tests were collected to determine any differences in the immediate and retained troubleshooting abilities. Answers to the solution mapping questions were collected to determine the creation of episodic memories. A repeated measure analysis of variance was conducted in SPSS to analyze the results of the troubleshooting pre- and post-tests. A correlational coefficient was used to determine any interaction between episodic memories and delayed troubleshooting abilities. Previous experience levels and participants’ major of study were also examined to determine their effect on the results. The findings show the simulation with worked examples had a statistically significant effect on delayed troubleshooting abilities and the created episodic memories had a positive correlation with the delayed troubleshooting, both with a medium effect size. However, the simulation with worked examples had no statistically significant effect on immediate troubleshooting abilities. Levels of previous experience and participants’ major of study had little effect on the results.

Electric field can be a viable method in controlling various combustion properties. Comparing to traditional actuators, an application of electric field requires very small power consumption. Especially, alternating current (AC) has received attention recently, since it could modulate flames appreciably even for the cases when direct current (DC) has minimal effects. In this study, the effect of AC electric fields on small coflow diffusion flames is focused with applications of various laser diagnostic techniques. Flow characteristics of baseline diffusion flames, which corresponds to stationary small coflow diffusion flames when electric field is not applied, were firstly investigated with a particular focus on the flow field in near-nozzle region with the buoyancy force exerted on fuels due to density differences among fuel, ambient air, and burnt gas. The result showed that the buoyancy force exerted on the fuel as well as on burnt gas significantly distorted the near-nozzle flow-fields. In the fuels with densities heavier than air, recirculation zones were formed very close to the nozzle exit. Nozzle heating effect influenced this near-nozzle flow-field particularly among lighter fuels. Numerical simulations were also conducted and the results showed that a fuel inlet boundary condition with a fully developed velocity profile for cases with long fuel tubes should be specified inside the fuel tube to obtain satisfactory agreement in both the flow and temperature fields with those from experiment. With sub-critical AC applied to the baseline flames, particle image velocimetry (PIV), light scattering, laser-induced incandescence (LII), and laser-induced fluores- cence (LIF) techniques were adopted to identify the flow field and the structures of OH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), soot zone. Under certain AC condi- tions of applied voltage and frequency, the distribution of PAHs and the flow field near the nozzle exit were drastically altered from the baseline case, leading to the formation of toroidal vortices. Increased residence time and heat recirculation inside the vortex resulted in appreciable formation of PAHs and soot near the nozzle exit. Decreased residence time along the jet axis through flow acceleration by the vortex led to a reduction in the soot volume fraction in the downstream sooting zone. Electromagnetic force generated by AC was proposed as a viable mechanism for the formation of the toroidal vortex. By varying applied AC in a wide range of frequency and voltage, several insta- bility modes were observed, including flicking flames, partial pinch-off of flames, and spinning flames. High speed imaging together with Mie scattering techniques were combined to reveal the flame dynamics as well as the flow structure inside the flames. Original steady toroidal vortices triggered by AC were noted to exhibit axisymmetric axial instability in the flicking and partial pinch-off modes and non-axisymmetric azimuthal instability in the spinning mode. Electrical measurements were also conducted simultaneously to identify the voltage, current, and electrical power responses. Integrated power was noted to be sensitive to indicate subtle variation of flames properties and to the occurrence of axial instability. Under low frequency AC forcing with electrical conditions not generating toroidal vortices, responses of flames were further investigated. Several nonlinear flame responses, including frequency doubling and tripling phenomena, were identified. Spectral analysis revealed that such nonlinear responses were attributed to the combined effects of triggering buoyancy-induced oscillation of the flame as well as the Lorenz force generated by applying AC. Phase delay behaviors between the applied voltage and the heat release rate (or flame size) were also studied to explore the potential of applying AC in controlling flame instability. It was found that the phase delay had large variations for AC frequency smaller than 80 Hz and became saturated at over 80 Hz, which has been explained based on the interaction between the buoyancy and ionic wind. Electrical measurement showed the power consumed by the AC was smaller than 0.01% of the heat release rate from the flame. To improve the understanding on the electric current resulting from applying electric field on flames, a simplified one-dimensional model was developed in that the reaction zone was modeled as a thin ionized layer. Model governing equations were derived from species equations by implementing mobility differences depending on the type of charged particles, especially between ions and electrons. The result showed that the sub-saturated current along with field intensity was significantly influenced by the polarity of DC due to the combined effect of non-equal mobility of charged particles as well as the position of the ionized layer in a gap relative to two electrodes. Experiments with quasi-one-dimensional flames under DC were conducted to substantiate the model and measured currents agreed qualitatively well with the model predictions.

Simulation-based tools are complex and obscure software. However, a company may benefit from using such tools, as they provide more precise and accurate information. Ericsson has developed a RAN simulator that allows to model cellular networks taking into account even their smallest aspects. This allows to compare di↵erent solutions for particular case and select the best one. Therefore, Ericsson can propose better, i. e. most e cient and less cost, solutions to its customers. However, the RAN simulator is developed in MATLAB and does not have any graphical user interface. Therefore, it is not possible for people who manage sales at Ericsson to use it, because they have no skills for it. This, in fact, raises the need of development of a tool that will provide sales people with a convenient way to access the RAN simulator. This research describes a process of prototyping three simulation-based tools for Ericsson. It covers a process of providing interaction designers with the knowledge about simulations. The research gives insights on important details of the simulations that are needed to be delivered to the designers, as well as aspects of developing simulation-based tools within multidisciplinary team. Moreover, the research introduces a “mediator person” who can significantly help and improve the process of the development of simulation-based tools. / Simuleringsbaserade verktyg är komplex programvara. Dock kan ett företag tjäna på att använda sådana verktyg, eftersom de kan ge tydlig och korrekt information. Ericsson har utvecklat en RAN-simulator som gör det möjligt att detaljerat modellera mobilnät. Simulatorn gör det möjligt att jämföra lösningar för specifika fall och därmed välja den bästa lösningen. Utifrån detta kan Ericsson sedan föreslå effektiva lösningar till lägre kostnad till sina kunder. RAN simulatorn är utvecklad i MATLAB och har inte har något grafiskt användargränssnitt. Av denna anledning är det svårt för försäljare utan MATLAB-kunskaper att använda simulatorn. Detta har gjort att det finns ett behov att utveckla ett grafiskt verktyg som gör det tillgängligt och enkelt att använda RAN-simulatorn. Denna forskningsstudie beskriver en process för att skapa tre simuleringsprototyper. Det omfattar en process för att tillhandahålla kunskaper om simuleringar till interaktionsdesigners för att de ska kunna utveckla användargränssnittet. Forskningen ger insikter om vilka kunskaper interaktionsdesigners behöver, samt aspekter för att kunna arbeta med utvecklingen av simuleringsverktyg i ett multidisciplinärt team. Resultatet visar på behovet av en medlar-roll  - någon som kan stödja och förbättra utvecklingsprocessen av komplexa simuleringsverktyg.

This thesis focuses on the improvement of the Hermite-Fourier spectral method for solving kinetic plasma problems. In the first part of the thesis a novel dynamically adaptive techniques for changing the number of Hermite modes and Hermite basis are presented. Preconditioning of the problem and use of high-end scientific toolkit PETSc are discussed. The technique of changing the number of modes and preconditioning are believed to reduce computational time, while a change of basis improves robustness and numerical convergence of the method. The second part of the thesis focuses on paralellization strategies and performance analysis of the code implemented in the Fortran programming language.

This thesis presents controllers that use relative range and bearing measurements to steer unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to circular trajectories around stationary, constantly moving and constantly accelerating targets. The range and bearing to the target, along with their derivaties are estimated. These, along with the estimated local heading of the UAVs, are used in the control law, and to estimate the velocity of the target. In this work, six controllers are presented. The controller for a stationary target is derived using Lyapunov's direct method, and feedback linearization is used for the constant velocity and accelerating targets. A new controller is proposed to control the direction of encirclement for moving targets, using Lyapunov's direct method. Additional terms are introduced to maintain a temporally equi-spaced formation around the targets. Theoretical proofs are provided for all controllers using Lyapunov theory. Numerical simulations show vehicles converging to circular formations around both stationary and moving targets. Results are shown using MATLAB simulations with Gaussian noise added to the measurements. Further, a technique is proposed for information exchange between UAVs, with bounds provided for the time taken to dissipate information throughout the system in a scenario with multiple groups of UAVs tracking multiple targets.

Industrial Development Centre (IUC) in Olofström inc. has constructed a measurement value logger which can sample values from eight channels, buffer them and then send them wireless with the Bluetooth technology to e.g. a computer.&lt;/p&gt; In this thesis the data transfer rate, i.e. the number of values per second has been studied for different logger settings and when there are interferences in the Bluetooth traffic. How Bluetooth is affected by interferences has been studied with a number of experiments performed at IUC's RF-damped Faraday's cage. The thesis provides a model for this Bluetooth logger. The model extends the existing simulation system NS2-UCBT with a 'logger protocol'. NS2-UCBT was also extended to better support modeling of losses (due to Bluetooth channel impairments) and for the model of these losses to be based on experiments. The resulting simulation program allows developers to construct and evaluate a measurement system utilizing such a Bluetooth logger. Using the simulation model, the data rate measured in samples per second was examined for the logger. The simulations shows that optimizing the logger's configuration will improve that data rate considerable. This report contains: a summary of the problem and earlier research, an explanation of the simulation system and the simulation program, comparisons between simulations and experiments, some conclusions, and proposes future work in this area. / Industriellt Utvecklings Centrum (IUC) i Olofström AB har tagit fram en mätvärdeslogger som kan sampla värden från åtta kanaler, mellanlagra dem och skicka dem till exv. en dator trådlöst med Bluetooth teknologin. I det här examensarbetet har överföringshastigheten, dvs antal mätvärden per sekund studerats för olika inställningar på loggern och då det förekommer störningar i Bluetooth trafiken. Hur Bluetooth påverkas av störningar har undersökts genom en rad experiment i IUC's RF-dämpade skärmlabb. Arbetet har lett fram till en modell för mätvärdesloggern och ett simuleringsprogram som gör det möjligt för utvecklare att konstruera och utvärdera sina mätsystem med mätvärdes logger. Modellen använder det befintliga NS2-UCBT simuleringssystemet utvidgat med ett 'logger protokoll', mer utvecklad förlusthantering än NS2-UCBT i grundutförandet erbjuder och flexibel förlusthantering baserad på experiment. Med simuleringsmodellen undersöktes loggerns datahastighet i sampel per sekund. Simuleringarna visa att genom att förbättra loggerns konfiguration kan avsevärt högre datahastighet nås. Den här rapporten innehåller: en sammanfattning av problemställningen och tidigare forskning, en beskrivning av simulationssystemet och simulationsprogrammet, jämförelser mellan simuleringar och experiment, en del slutsatser, och förslag på framtida arbete i området.