Nous proposons l’étude d’une machine supraconductrice à flux axial composée d’un stator bobiné en cuivre et d’un inducteur avec des solénoïdes supraconducteurs à hautes températures critiques (HTc). Ce type de machine est adapté pour des applications de fortes puissances (plusieurs MW) avec de faibles vitesses de rotation (quelques centaines de tr/min), comme la propulsion de navire. Un accouplement magnétique, intégré au moteur, est utilisé pour transmettre le couple de l’inducteur supraconducteur vers la charge à température ambiante sans contact. On peut ainsi se passer des « torques tubes » qui sont habituellement présents dans les moteurs supraconducteurs pour relier mécaniquement l’inducteur à la charge et ainsi réduire les pertes thermiques par conduction. De plus, les accouplements magnétiques offrent une protection naturelle contre les surcharges mécaniques. Pour évaluer les performances de la solution proposée, nous avons développé un modèle analytique en 3D prenant en compte le comportement non linéaire des supraconducteurs en fonction du champ magnétique appliqué et de la température de fonctionnement. Ce modèle est ensuite intégré dans un processus de dimensionnement utilisant un algorithme génétique multi objectifs. Les résultats de cette optimisation montrent un gain en compacité (machine avec accouplement magnétique) 2 à 3,5 fois plus importants par rapport à des machines conventionnelles. Un prototype de machine supraconductrice à flux axial avec accouplement magnétique intégré est aussi réalisé. La conception, la fabrication et les tests sont présentés dans ce manuscrit. Tous les résultats sont validés par des calculs par éléments finis. / The study of an axial-field high temperature superconducting (HTS) motor for applications requiring high torque densities is proposed. The HTS motor consists of a stator with copper winding and an inductor with superconducting coils. A HTS magnetic coupler is used as a part of the system, to transmit the torque from the HTS motor to the load. This solution is a good alternative to the usually used torques tubes as it results in the reduction of conduction thermal losses and offers an intrinsic protection against overloads. To evaluate the performance of the studied device, a 3D electromagnetic analytical model has been developed. This model takes into account the dependence on the applied magnetic field and temperature of the HTS material. Finally, a genetic algorithms optimization of the studied device is carried out to find the optimum geometric dimensions. The results show that the proposed solution (machine with magnetic coupling) is about 2 to 3,5 times more compact than a conventional machine drive solution. An axial-field HTS motor with integrated magnetic coupling has been also designed, constructed and tested. The test results have been checked by 3D finite element computations.

Le travail proposé s’inscrit dans le contexte général de la maîtrise des propriétés des matériaux en relation avec les conditions d’usinage. Cette étude s'intéresse en particulier aux relations entre Microstructure et Usinage. La problématique développée dans ce travail concerne la mise en forme des alliages cuivre-béryllium à usinabilité améliorée (C17300) qui ont la réputation d’être versatiles à l'usinage, en dépit de propriétés mécaniques macroscopiques comparables. La mise en évidence de ces variations d'usinabilité et la recherche des causes et des solutions est l'objectif principal. Après la description du matériau d'étude et des méthodes de caractérisation, l'usinage des alliages C17300 est conduit en réalisant le suivi des efforts et des températures au cours d'une opération de coupe orthogonale stricte. Les résultats expérimentaux, à la fois de la caractérisation multi-échelle et de l'usinage des nuances industrielles dans un état de livraison et de remise en solution, sont présentés. Ils permettent de mettre en œuvre et de valider un modèle analytique de coupe. La question de l'influence de l'usinage sur la microstructure de la pièce usinée est complétée par le développement d'alliages modèles à dureté contrôlée élaborés en interne. Une caractérisation très précise de ces alliages (en surface, en sous-surface et dans les copeaux) permet d’évaluer l’impact de la microstructure initiale sur leur usinabilité. Enfin, une discussion confronte l'ensemble des résultats obtenus. Grâce à l'utilisation du modèle analytique validé, des informations essentielles (temps de contact, temps de transit et température au sein des bandes de cisaillement) permettent de mettre en évidence des phénomènes diffusionnels en cours d'usinage. L'adaptation de différents modèles de diffusion assistée permet d'expliquer les phénomènes observés. Pour clôturer l'étude, de nouveaux chemins de mise en forme des C17300 sont proposés, afin d'assurer l'obtention de propriétés mécaniques excellentes avec une usinabilité améliorée / The document presented hereby study the relationship existing between machining and materials behaviors, especially from a microstructure's perspective. The main purpose of this study is to understand the variability of cutting process of copper-beryllium alloys with improved machining capabilities, despite the fact that their macroscopic mechanical properties are even. After a description of those alloys and the characterization methods used in the present work, the machining of different materials are presented. The stresses and temperatures reached during orthogonal cutting are recorded and will describe the machinability. Experimental results of machining alloys which are in different metallurgical states are then presented. Those results will help the implementation of an analytical model of chips formation. The influence of machining process on work pieces and chips produced by orthogonal cutting of copper-beryllium alloys are then completed by a study of model materials developed in this work. Those alloys presenting well defined microstructure still possess the same hardness despite different thermo-mechanical treatments including mechanical deformation and ageing. A very detailed microstructure analysis of those model materials shows the influence of initial microstructure on their machinability. Diffusion mechanisms are put in light thanks to the information delivered by the analytical model (interaction time, transit time and temperature obtained through the different shear bands). Those assisted diffusion mechanisms explain the material behaviour during the orthogonal cutting. At last, better ways of material forming are exposed in order to have simultaneously excellent mechanical properties and excellent machinability for copper-beryllium alloys

[pt] Existe uma crescente necessidade em transferir energia e comunicar dados entre dispositivos através de paredes metálicas de forma não intrusiva. Os meios de comunicação tradicionais para este fim, em sua maioria, baseiam-se essencialmente no uso de condutores elétricos ou ondas eletromagnéticas. O primeiro necessita de algum mecanismo de penetração e o segundo, apesar de não intrusivo, torna-se limitado devido ao efeito de blindagem de Faraday. Uma alternativa é encontrada no uso de ondas acústicas para transferir os dados e energia através de paredes metálicas. Recentemente, grande esforço tem sido empregado nesse tipo de comunicação, todavia há ainda carência de trabalhos que tratem do canal acústico na presença de multicamadas além de resultados experimentais com paredes metálicas curvas. Possíveis aplicações nestes contextos são encontrados no monitoramento de vasos de pressão com fluido no seu interior ou até mesmo de tubulações metálicas transportando líquidos. A presente dissertação avalia, de forma analítica, numérica e experimental, a transmissão de energia e a comunicação através de um canal acústico composto por camadas metal-líquido-metal com paredes curvilíneas. Para tal, inicialmente, são analisados e comparados dois modelos, existentes na literatura, fundamentados na propagação de ondas ultrassônicas, um analítico e outro numérico, ambos baseados em analogias acustoelétricas. Os dois modelos são estendidos permitindo a inclusão de múltiplas camadas de diferentes materiais. A avaliação da eficiência de energia e a capacidade de transferência de dados é feita com base nos modelos e validada experimentalmente utilizando uma placa reta de alumínio e um par de transdutores piezoelétricos axialmente alinhados e acoplados ao mesmo. Um circuito elétrico é desenvolvido para a transmissão de energia entre as duas faces da placa e para a comunicação de dados digitais por meio de modulação do tipo ASK. O circuito é então simulado utilizando-se um software de simulação de circuitos elétricos, PUC-Rio - Certificação Digital N. 1521906/CA projetado e montado com placas de circuito impresso. Em seguida, é realizado um segundo experimento utilizando uma seção curva metálica com uma camada intermediária de água como canal acústico . Nesse, são estudadas as transferências de energia e dados utilizando o circuito elétrico desenvolvido o qual é conectado a um par de transdutores piezoelétricos acoplados ao canal acústico. Resultados do experimento na placa reta de alumínio revelam boa consonância entre os modelos e o experimento, tanto por uma análise em frequência quanto no domínio do tempo. Tendo sido o modelo analítico o que melhor representa o fenômeno físico em questão devido ao maior rigor no tratamento do mecanismo de perdas. Para o segundo experimento, resultados comprovam a possibilidade de comunicação através de múltiplas camadas metálicas e líquidas em paredes curvas, mostrando que o sistema é capaz de transmitir dados de um sensor de temperatura e pressão a uma taxa de 9600 bps. Tanto o sensor quanto os seus circuitos periféricos são integralmente alimentados pela energia que atravessa o canal acústico, num total de aproximadamente 140 mW. / [en] Nonintrusive power transfer and data communication between devices through metallic walls is an increasing need in several sensing systems. Traditional means of communication mainly use electric conductors or electromagnetic waves. The first needs some mechanism for penetration whereas the latter, although nonintrusive, can be extremely limited due to the Faraday shielding effect. An alternative is found in the use of acoustic waves to transfer data and energy through metallic walls. Although great effort has been recently directed towards this type of communication, there still is a shortage of data dealing with the acoustic channel in the presence of multiple layers as well as of experimental results with curved metallic walls. Possible applications in these contexts may be found when monitoring pressure vessels filled with a fluid or pipes conveying liquids. The present dissertation evaluates, analytically, numerically and experimentally, the transmission of energy and data communication through a multi-layered, liquidmetal acoustic channel, composed of two curved metallic walls with a layer of liquid between them. For this, initially, two models based on propagation of ultrasonic waves are analyzed and compared, one analytical and the other numerical, both relying on electric-acoustic analogies. Both are extended to include more than one layer of material. The energy efficiency assessment and data transfer capability are addressed through the models and also experimentally validated using an acoustic channel comprising a flat aluminum plate and two axially aligned piezoelectric transducers coupled to it. In addition, an electric circuit is developed for the transmission of energy from outside to inside and the communication of digital data from the inside to the outside by ASK modulation and demodulation. The circuit is simulated using electrical circuit simulation software, designed and assembled with printed circuit boards. Thereafter, a second experiment where the acoustic channel is composed by a curved metallic section with an intermediate PUC-Rio - Certificação Digital No 1521906/CA fluid layer is implemented. In this, the power and data transfer are studied using the developed electric circuit, which is connected to a pair of piezoelectric transducers coupled to the acoustic channel. Results for the flat aluminum plate reveal good agreement between both models and the experiment, both by frequency and time domain analysis. The analytical model best reproduced the physical phenomenon of interest due to its stricter treatment of loss mechanisms. The second experiment proved the feasibility of multi-layered liquid-metal communication on curved walls and showed that the system is able to transmit data from temperature and pressure sensors at a rate of 9600 bps. The sensor and all its peripheral circuitry were fully powered by the energy flowing through the acoustic channel in total of approximately 140 mW.

Modern wireless communication systems call for ultra wideband operations to meet the continuous growth in the number of users of these systems. Since antenna is an integral part of any wireless communication system (transmitter or receiver), designing antennas with good gain over large bandwidth needs to be considered first. To meet the popular demand, wireless communication systems should be as cheap as possible which require antennas with small size, light weight, low profile and low cost, and that are easy to fabricate and assemble. A type of antenna that satisfies most of these requirements is the microstrip antenna. Most of the wideband techniques for microstrip antennas utilize complicated geometries such as stacked multiple metal/dielectric layers, complicated feed arrangements etc., which elude the primary attraction of microstrip antennas. On the other hand, single layer suspended configurations are considered the best choice as these are simple to fabricate and assemble. The objective of this research is to investigate simple microstrip antennas with large bandwidth. A single layer suspended microstrip configuration was chosen for the purpose. In the first part of the research, the bandwidth was increased to about 50% with linear phase characteristics by optimizing the feed configurations while retaining the overall simplicity. This study has resulted in proposing a criterion for obtaining maximum bandwidth in the suspended microstrip configuration. An analytical model has been developed for such an antenna configuration. Although several analytical tools are available for the microstrip antenna analysis, equivalent circuit based approach proves to be a simple one and offers convincingly accurate results. Another advantage of the proposed equivalent circuit modeling scheme is that it is suitable for computer aided design (CAD). In order to make this approach even more useful, the antenna designed in the first part was modified to meet desired specifications such as reduction in the air gap to make the antenna compact, symmetrical patterns, making antenna circularly polarized (LHCP or RHCP) without changing the feed configuration. Nearly symmetrical patterns were obtained throughout the band of operation by modifying the profile of patch close to the feed strip. Circular polarization (CP) operation has been obtained from the basic antenna by cutting a diagonal slot on the radiator patch. Here the slot orientation decides the type of CP i.e., LHCP or RHCP. In this work obtained of 7.1% axial ratio (3dB) bandwidth with other characteristics unaffected. The overall height of the antenna is reduced by 55% by cutting a slot and re-optimizing the feed strip dimensions. These studies emphasize flexibility offered by the design approach in realizing practical antennas for various applications.

Prior experimental research clearly reveals that the performance of reinforced concrete frame structures under earthquake loading is closely related to the behavior of beam-to-column connection regions. In order for a reinforced concrete building to have an adequate response under high lateral deformations, beam-to-column connections should be able to preserve their integrity. However, even today beam-to-column connections are assumed to be rigid or elastic, leading to an incorrect estimation of the structural response under earthquake loading. One of the basic reasons for the assumption of rigid joints is the lack of analytical models that adequately represent the seismic behavior of the connection region. In this thesis, an analytical model that realistically represents the beam-to-column connection response is developed, in the light of prior experimental data. The experimental subassemblies used in the generation of the analytical model are later modeled in OpenSees environment in order to verify the accuracy of the model. Throughout the research, utmost attention is paid for the model to be simple enough to be used practically and also to cover a wide range of beam to column connection properties.

Millions of users world-wide are sharing content using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks, such as Skype and Bit Torrent. While such new innovations undoubtedly bring benefits, there are nevertheless some associated threats. One of the main hazards is that P2P worms can penetrate the network, even from a single node and then spread rapidly. Understanding the propagation process of such worms has always been a challenge for researchers. Different techniques, such as simulations and analytical models, have been adopted in the literature. While simulations provide results for specific input parameter values, analytical models are rather more general and potentially cover the whole spectrum of given parameter values. Many attempts have been made to model the worm propagation process in P2P networks. However, the reported analytical models to-date have failed to cover the whole spectrum of all relevant parameters and have therefore resulted in high false-positives. This consequently affects the immunization and mitigation strategies that are adopted to cope with an outbreak of worms. The first key contribution of this thesis is the development of a susceptible, exposed, infectious, and Recovered (SEIR) analytical model for the worm propagation process in a P2P network, taking into account different factors such as the configuration diversity of nodes, user behaviour and the infection time-lag. These factors have not been considered in an integrated form previously and have been either ignored or partially addressed in state-of-the-art analytical models. Our proposed SEIR analytical model holistically integrates, for the first time, these key factors in order to capture a more realistic representation of the whole worm propagation process. The second key contribution is the extension of the proposed SEIR model to the mobile M-SEIR model by investigating and incorporating the role of node mobility, the size of the worm and the bandwidth of wireless links in the worm propagation process in mobile P2P networks. The model was designed to be flexible and applicable to both wired and wireless nodes. The third contribution is the exploitation of a promising modelling paradigm, Agent-based Modelling (ABM), in the P2P worm modelling context. Specifically, to exploit the synergies between ABM and P2P, an integrated ABM-Based worm propagation model has been built and trialled in this research for the first time. The introduced model combines the implementation of common, complex P2P protocols, such as Gnutella and GIA, along with the aforementioned analytical models. Moreover, a comparative evaluation between ABM and conventional modelling tools has been carried out, to demonstrate the key benefits of ease of real-time analysis and visualisation. As a fourth contribution, the research was further extended by utilizing the proposed SEIR model to examine and evaluate a real-world data set on one of the most recent worms, namely, the Conficker worm. Verification of the model was achieved using ABM and conventional tools and by then comparing the results on the same data set with those derived from developed benchmark models. Finally, the research concludes that the worm propagation process is to a great extent affected by different factors such as configuration diversity, user-behaviour, the infection time lag and the mobility of nodes. It was found that the infection propagation values derived from state-of-the-art mathematical models are hypothetical and do not actually reflect real-world values. In summary, our comparative research study has shown that infection propagation can be reduced due to the natural immunity against worms that can be provided by a holistic exploitation of the range of factors proposed in this work.

Dans le contexte du concept de l’avion «plus électrique », l’électricité prend une part croissante dans les systèmes embarqués aéronautiques. Ainsi, de nombreuses évolutions ont eu lieu, concernant les réseaux de bord, notamment l’architecture du réseau qui est devenue de plus en plus complexe, intégrant de nombreux équipements de différentes natures ; ceci entraîne de multiples questions relatives à la qualité et la stabilité du réseau. C’est dans ce contexte que s’inscrivent ces travaux de thèse, qui aboutissent d’une part à la mise en œuvre de méthodes d’analyse de la stabilité et de la qualité du réseau aéronautique embarqué et d’autre part à l’analyse de couplage entre plusieurs équipements connectés sur un seul réseau. Les études menées au cours de ces travaux reposent sur l’utilisation des expressions analytiques représentant le comportement fréquentiel de réseaux continus. Une méthode de calcul basée sur les lois de la physique a été développée et validée par des approches de simulation et d’expérimentation. Par ailleurs, en absence d’un modèle analytique, nous choisissons de déterminer l'expression littérale du modèle équivalent du réseau à partir de l'identification des données issues de l’approche expérimentale en se basant sur des algorithmes d'optimisation. Ces modèles analytiques sont associés aux critères mathématiques de stabilité (Routh-Hurwitz, MiddleBrook), et aux contraintes de qualité imposées par les standards aéronautiques, dans le but de dimensionner les éléments de filtrage à placer entre le réseau et l’équipement. Le calcul des composants assurant le filtrage repose sur la recherche d’une solution optimale : nous introduisons les algorithmes d’optimisation utilisés en première étape, et nous proposons par la suite une formulation de la procédure de calcul des paramètres du filtre pour une meilleure illustration des résultats intéressants pour un concepteur de réseau. Enfin, nous clôturons ce travail par une analyse des couplages entre plusieurs équipements connectés sur un réseau continu et nous concluons par une approche expérimentale afin d’appuyer les résultats théoriques. / In the concept of the "more electric" aircraft, power takes an increasing proportion in aeronautic embedded systems. So many changes have occurred on board networks, including the network architecture that has become more and more complex, integrating many different types of equipment that causes quality and stability issues on the network. In this context that this thesis is inscribed, firstly it leads to the implementation of methods for stability and quality analyzing of the embedded network and secondly to coupling analysis of several devices connected to a single network. Studies conducted in this work are based on analytical expressions representing the frequency behavior of networks. A compute based on fundamental physical laws has been developed and validated by simulation and experimental approaches. Moreover, in the absence of an analytical model, we choose to determine the literal expression of the equivalent model of the network by identifying data, come from the experimental approach, using optimization algorithms. These analytical models are associated with mathematical criteria: Routh-Hurwitz, Middlebrook, and quality constraints imposed by aeronautic standards, in order to size the elements of the filter cell placed between the voltage source and the equipment to ensure the stability and quality of the entire system. The sizing of cell parameters based on optimal search by means of optimization algorithms in the first step, and then we propose a formulation of the calculation procedure of the filter parameters to illustrate some interesting results for designer’s network. Finally, we close this work with a coupling analysis of several devices connected to a single DC bus and we conclude by an experimental approach to support the theoretical results.

L’objectif de ce travail de thèse est de développer une approche analytique permettant de définir la charge ultime d’une poutre cellulaire à ouvertures sinusoïdales. En effet, l’évolution des techniques de production a permis le développement d’une nouvelle forme de poutre cellulaire munie d’ouvertures sinusoïdales : la poutre AngelinaTM. Cette nouvelle forme d’ouverture implique de nouveaux modes de ruine. De ce fait, en vue de développer un modèle de calcul analytique adapté à cette nouvelle forme d’ouverture, une campagne d’essais expérimentaux a été menée sur des poutres cellulaires à ouvertures sinusoïdales à grande échelle (≈10m). Au travers de ces études expérimentales sur trois configurations de poutre, nous avons montré que le principal mode de ruine est lié à la flexion Vierendeel. En effet, la flexion locale des membrures de l’ouverture la plus sollicitée engendre soit la formation de 4 rotules plastiques aux 4 coins de l’ouverture, soit l’instabilité locale des parois d’âme comprimées. Un modèle aux éléments finis a été développé sur le logiciel SAFIR afin d’analyser les différents modes de ruines observés. Ce modèle a été validé sur la base des résultats expérimentaux et nous a permis d’identifier deux points particuliers : d’une part l’existence d’un maintien rotationnel entre le montant intermédiaire et la paroi d’ouverture et d’autre part, la ruine de l’ouverture ne se produit qu’au travers d’un mécanisme combinant les ruines des différents quarts d’ouverture. Une seconde campagne d’études expérimentales et numériques a ensuite été menée sur des parties isolées, extraites des poutres préalablement testées, afin d’étudier de manière locale le comportement à la flexion des quarts d’ouverture. Ces études ont servi à valider un second modèle aux éléments finis, développé sur le logiciel Cast3m. Celui-ci nous a permis, au travers d’une étude paramétrique, de quantifier le maintien rotationnel apporté par le montant intermédiaire sur la paroi d’âme d’ouverture adjacente. Cette étude a confirmé l’importance de la rigidité apportée par le montant intermédiaire aux parois d’âme adjacente. Ainsi, cet apport de rigidité doit être pris en compte dans l’approche analytique pour définir de manière réaliste la résistance au voilement local des différentes parties d’une ouverture sinusoïdale. Finalement, cette thèse a abouti au développement d’un nouveau modèle analytique de calcul de la résistance ultime des parois d’une ouverture sinusoïdale. Du fait des éventuelles instabilités locales, le modèle analytique s’est appuyé sur des éléments théoriques de stabilité des plaques. De plus, une étude numérique détaillée du mécanisme de ruine d’une ouverture isolée nous a permis de justifier une approche cinématique de ruine de l’ouverture sinusoïdale. Cette approche combine les résistances ultimes des différents quarts d’ouverture. Le modèle analytique proposé permet de considérer à la fois la résistance ultime de chaque partie de l’ouverture et leurs modes de ruine. Une étude comparative avec des résultats numériques a montré que ce modèle est fiable et représentatif de la réalité pour caractériser l’état limite ultime des poutres cellulaires à ouvertures sinusoïdales. / The aim of this thesis is to develop an analytical approach so as to define the ultimate failure load of cellular beams with sinusoidal openings. Indeed, the evolution of the conception techniques led to the development of a new opening shape for cellular beams: the sinusoidal openings (AngelinaTM beam). This new opening shape involves new failure modes at ultimate limit state and cannot be calculated with existing methods. Thus, experimental tests have been carried out on full scale cellular beams with sinusoidal openings (≈10m span). It has been shown, through those experimental studies led on three beam configurations, that the main failure mode is linked to the Vierendeel mechanism. At ultimate limit state, the local bending of the members of the most stressed opening leads to either the formation of four plastic hinges or the local buckling of the compressed opening web panels. A finite element model has been developed on the software SAFIR in order to better understand the different observed failure modes. This model has been validated on the basis of the experimental results and allowed identifying two main points: firstly, the existence of a rotational restraint between the intermediate web-post and the opening web panel and secondly, the failure of the sinusoidal opening corresponds to a mechanism combining the failure of each opening quarters. A second experimental and numerical test campaign has been conducted on isolated parts of the previous tested beams, in order to study locally the behavior of the opening quarters under local bending. Those studies allowed validating a finite element model developed on Cast3m software. This model has been used for a parametrical study which allowed quantifying the rotational restraint supplied by the intermediate web-post on the adjacent opening panel. This study confirmed the importance of the stiffness supplied by the intermediate web-post to the opening panels. Thus, it has to be taken into account to get a representative analytical failure load of each opening quarter. Finally, this thesis led to the development of a new analytical model for the calculation of the ultimate strength of the different opening parts. Due to the possible local buckling, the model is based on theoretical elements on the stability of plates. Furthermore, a detailed numerical study of the mechanism of failure of an isolated opening allowed justifying a cinematic approach for the failure of the opening. This approach combines the ultimate strength of each opening parts. The proposed analytical model permits to consider each opening quarter failure mode and strength. A comparative study with finite element results has showed that this model is reliable and representative of reality for defining the ultimate limit state of cellular beams with sinusoidal openings.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / There have been a number of attempts to measure the expansion rate of the Universe using age-dating of Luminous Red Galaxies (LRGs).Assuming stars in LRGs form at the same time, age-dating of two populations of LRGs at different redshifts can provide an estimate of the time difference associated with the corresponding redshift interval (dt/dz). This gives a direct estimate of the Hubble parameter at the average redshift of the two populations. In this thesis, we explore the validity of the assumptions in this method using LRGs identified in the Millenium Simulation.We study the properties of LRGs simulated using two semi-analytical models for galaxy evolution and discuss LRG selection criteria. We use stellar population modelling and spectral synthesis to estimate the errors on ages that can be expected and discuss optimization of an age-dating experiment.We find that H(z) using simulated galaxies from MS can be recovered with high accuracy. Using Single Stellar Populations (SSPs) to age -date LRGs is not sufficient for this experiment but if the star formation histories of galaxies are used, accurate ages are obtainable. We discuss an observing program to carry out this experiment using SALT (Southern African Large Telescope).

L'invention de l'antenne fût à la base de la création des communications sans fil à l'orée du XXe siècle. A l'origine des objets métalliques destinés à transmettre et recevoir des ondes électromagnétiques, les antennes n'ont cessé de se complexifier pour satisfaire l'impressionnant développement des communications sans fil. C'est dans ce contexte qu'est né le concept d'antenne « wearable » il y a moins de deux décennies ouvrant un nouveau champ de recherche sur les antennes souples. C'est dans ce cadre que ce travail de thèse se consacre à la conception d’antennes souples en bande UHF.Une première étude a permis de concevoir une antenne Vivaldi antipodale [150 - 900 MHz] souple pour la Section Technique de l'Armée de Terre. Six de ces antennes sont destinées à être placées sous un ballon gonflé à l'hélium pour réceptionner des signaux RF.Une seconde étude est effectuée en collaboration avec la société Syrlinks et le CNES. L'objectif du projet est de concevoir des antennes souples pour le suivi de personnes avec le système ARGOS (401 et 466 MHz). La solution retenue est une PIFA planaire de largeur inférieure à lambda/3. Elle a l'avantage d'être fine et légère. Le matériau souple employé est un caoutchouc silicone sélectionné parmi plusieurs matériaux souples grâce à des caractérisations diélectriques. Cependant, le problème de cette antenne est qu'elle possède un rayonnement quasi-omnidirectionnel. Etant donné qu'il n'était pas envisageable d'utiliser un plan réflecteur métallique pour des raisons de dimensions, il a été décidé de concevoir un conducteur magnétique artificiel (CMA) souple. Toutefois, la conception de CMA dans le bas de la bande UHF se heurte à des difficultés de miniaturisation. Pour contourner ce problème, il a été développé deux concepts de CMA à cellules unitaires de faibles dimensions devant la longueur d'onde. La première solution utilise des capacités interdigitées et la seconde une structure double couche. Pour ces deux concepts, un modèle circuit est proposé et validé par des mesures expérimentales. Les mesures de l'association CMA - antenne montrent une bande passante suffisante pour des applications ARGOS et un rayonnement majoritairement dirigée dans la direction opposé à celle du CMA. / The invention of antennas was the base of wireless communications appearance at the dawn of the twentieth century. Originally metal objects for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, antennas have steadily become more complex to meet the impressive development of wireless communications. It is in this context that the concept of wearable antennas was born less than two decades ago opening a new field of research namely flexible antennas. It is in this framework that this thesis is dedicated to the design of flexible antennas for UHF band.A first study enabled the design of a flexible antipodal Vivaldi antenna [150-900 MHz] for Technical Section of the Army. Six of these antennas are intended to be placed under a balloon inflated with helium for receiving RF signals.A second study was conducted in collaboration with the company Syrlinks and CNES. The objective of the project is to design flexible antennas for tracking people with ARGOS system (401 and 466 MHz). The selected solution is a planar PIFA which width is smaller than lambda/3. This antenna has the advantage of being thin and light. The flexible material used is a silicone rubber and it was selected among several others due to some dielectric characterizations. However, the drawback of this antenna is that it has a quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern. Since it was not possible to use a reflector metal plane due to size constraints, it was decided to design a flexible artificial magnetic conductor (AMC). However, the design of AMCs in the lower UHF band is challenged with the miniaturization difficulties. Two concepts of small size (compared to the wavelength) AMCs unit cells were developed to work around this problem. The first solution uses interdigitated capacitors and the second a double layer structure. For these two concepts, a circuit model is proposed and validated by experimental measurements. The measurement of the AMC associated antenna demonstrates a bandwidth sufficient for ARGOS applications and a radiation pattern mostly directed in the direction opposite to that of the AMC.