Hydrogen fuel cells are devices used to generate electricity from the electrochemical reaction between air and hydrogen gas. An attractive advantage of these devices is that their byproduct is water, which is very safe to the environment. However, hydrogen fuel cells still lack some improvements in terms of increasing their life time and electricity production, decreasing power losses, and optimizing their operating conditions. In this thesis, the cathode part of the hydrogen fuel cell will be considered. This part mainly consists of an air gas channel and a gas diffusion layer. To simulate the fluid dynamics taking place in the cathode, we present two models, a general model and a simple model both based on a set of conservation laws governing the fluid dynamics and chemical reactions. A numerical method to solve these models is presented and verified in terms of accuracy. We also show that both models give similar results and validate the simple model by recovering a polarization curve obtained experimentally. Next, a shape optimization problem is introduced to find an optimal design of the air gas channel. This problem is defined from the simple model and a cost functional, $E$, that measures efficiency factors. The objective of this functional is to maximize the electricity production, uniformize the reaction rate in the catalytic layer and minimize the pressure drop in the gas channel. The impact of the gas channel shape optimization is investigated with a series of test cases in long and short fuel cell geometries. In most instances, the optimal design improves efficiency in on- and off-design operating conditions by shifting the polarization curve vertically and to the right. The second primary goal of the thesis is to analyze mathematical issues related to the introduced shape optimization problem. This involves existence and uniqueness of the solution for the presented model and differentiability of the state variables with respect to the domain of the air channel. The optimization problem is solved using the gradient method, and hence the gradient of $E$ must be found. The gradient of $E$ is obtained by introducing an adjoint system of equations, which is coupled with the state problem, namely the simple model of the fuel cell. The existence and uniqueness of the solution for the adjoint system is shown, and the shape differentiability of the cost functional $E$ is proved.

Hydrogen fuel cells are devices used to generate electricity from the electrochemical reaction between air and hydrogen gas. An attractive advantage of these devices is that their byproduct is water, which is very safe to the environment. However, hydrogen fuel cells still lack some improvements in terms of increasing their life time and electricity production, decreasing power losses, and optimizing their operating conditions. In this thesis, the cathode part of the hydrogen fuel cell will be considered. This part mainly consists of an air gas channel and a gas diffusion layer. To simulate the fluid dynamics taking place in the cathode, we present two models, a general model and a simple model both based on a set of conservation laws governing the fluid dynamics and chemical reactions. A numerical method to solve these models is presented and verified in terms of accuracy. We also show that both models give similar results and validate the simple model by recovering a polarization curve obtained experimentally. Next, a shape optimization problem is introduced to find an optimal design of the air gas channel. This problem is defined from the simple model and a cost functional, $E$, that measures efficiency factors. The objective of this functional is to maximize the electricity production, uniformize the reaction rate in the catalytic layer and minimize the pressure drop in the gas channel. The impact of the gas channel shape optimization is investigated with a series of test cases in long and short fuel cell geometries. In most instances, the optimal design improves efficiency in on- and off-design operating conditions by shifting the polarization curve vertically and to the right. The second primary goal of the thesis is to analyze mathematical issues related to the introduced shape optimization problem. This involves existence and uniqueness of the solution for the presented model and differentiability of the state variables with respect to the domain of the air channel. The optimization problem is solved using the gradient method, and hence the gradient of $E$ must be found. The gradient of $E$ is obtained by introducing an adjoint system of equations, which is coupled with the state problem, namely the simple model of the fuel cell. The existence and uniqueness of the solution for the adjoint system is shown, and the shape differentiability of the cost functional $E$ is proved.

Title: Flows of incompressible fluids with pressure-dependent viscosity (and their application to modelling the flow in journal bearing) Author: Martin Lanzendörfer Department: Mathematical Institute of Charles University Supervisor: prof. RNDr. Josef Málek, DSc. Abstract: The viscosity of the fluids involved in hydrodynamic lubrication typically depends on pressure and shear rate. The thesis is concerned with steady isothermal flows of such fluds. Generalizing the recent results achieved in the case of homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions, the existence and uniqueness of weak solutions subject to the boundary conditions employed in practical applications will be established. The second part is concerned with numerical simulations of the lubrication flow. The experiments indicate that the presented finite element method is successful as long as certain restrictions on the constitutive model are met. Both the restrictions involved in the theoretical results and those indicated by the numerical experiments allow to accurately model real-world lubricants in certain ranges of pressures and shear rates. The last part quantifies those ranges for three representative lubricants. Keywords: existence and uniqueness of weak solutions, finite element method, pressure- thickening, shear-thinning, incompressible fluids,...

A obra de Ibn Arab (1165 d.C. /560 H.) é bastante extensa, compreendendo cerca de 400 títulos, dos quais Kitb fu½½ al-¬ikam (O livro dos engastes das sabedorias) destaca-se como um dos principais escritos no qual o autor apresenta sua concepção metafísica, de forma mais sistematizada, como sua teoria dos nomes divinos através dos quais a essência do real procede, manifestando todos os existentes, assim como trata, de maneira aprofundada, do significado dos profetas e das sabedorias por eles transmitidas, propondo uma conotação totalmente metafísica para o profético. A profecia assume, nessa obra, uma importância fundamental, ela é apresentada como a condição de possibilidade da existência determinada, assim como também a condição de possibilidade do conhecimento da essência do real, ou seja, a condição de possibilidade de conhecer a realidade primeira. É interessante notar ainda a riqueza e a complexidade discursiva, na qual vida e obra encontram-se implicadas nesse processo de existenciação, de modo que tanto o autor quanto sua obra recebem estatutos muito significativos e particulares referentes ao sistema metafísico apresentado. Servindo-se da filosofia, da teologia e da mística arabo-islâmicas, oferecendo, com isso, um pensamento, embora complexo, de alcance universal que reconhece todos os profetas do ciclo histórico e as diversas tradições reveladas, a hermenêutica de Ibn Arab evidencia-se em muito original, promovendo um diálogo criativo e conciliador entre diversas culturas, permanecendo, até os dias de hoje, profundamente rico, inovador e inspirador para as mais diversas culturas e domínios do pensamento. / The work of Ibn \'Arab (1165 AD / H. 560) is quite extensive, comprising about 400 titles, of which Kitb fu½½ al-¬ikam (The Book of the bezels of wisdom) stands out as one of the major writings in which the author presents his metaphysical conception in a more systematic way as his theory of divine names, by which the essence of real conceives, showing all as he deeply addresses, the meaning of the prophets and the wisdom transmitted by them, proposing an entirely metaphysical connotation for the prophetic. On this work, the prophecy itself assumes a fundamental importance. It is presented as the condition of possibility of determined existence, as well as the condition of possibility of knowledge of the essence of real, i.e.: the condition of possibility of knowing the first reality. It is quite interesting to notice the richness and discursive complexity, in which life and the paper are implied in this existence process, so that both the author and his work receive very significant and specific status relating to the metaphysical system presented. Making use of philosophy, theology and the Arab-Islamic mysticism, offering thereby a thought, though complex, universal reach that recognizes all the prophets of the historical cycle and several revealed traditions, the hermeneutic of Ibn \'Arab evidences itself as being very original, promoting a creative and conciliatory dialogue among several cultures and remaining until this day, deeply rich, innovative and inspiring for several cultures and thought domains.

Durant les trois années de la thèse, j’ai eu le plaisir de travailler en collaboration avec à la fois des volcanologues, des physiciens de laboratoire et des mathématiciens. Ce mémoire est l’occasion de présenter la démarche et les résultats de mes recherches dans le domaine de la modélisation d’écoulements granulaires denses fluidisés. Ces derniers consistent à développer un nouveau modèle mathématique et son étude théorique et numérique. Sur la base d’observations faites lors d’expériences de laboratoire, nous proposons une façon de modéliser le changement comportemental d’un écoulement granulaire initialement fluidisé au travers de la définition de sa rhéologie viscoplastique à seuil variable. Plus précisément, le seuil de plasticité est défini par la différence entre la pression lithostatique et la pression du fluide interstitiel. La nouveauté apportée par ce modèle ouvre de nouvelles perspectives à la fois pour le champ de recherche en mathématiques et pour la compréhension des lits granulaires fluidisés et leur application à la volcanologie. Du point de vue mathématique, une étude théorique du modèle a été menée. En proposant une preuve de l’existence de solutions faibles à un problème lié à la version homogène du modèle, nous apportons une extension au champ de connaissances autour des écoulements des fluides non-newtoniens. D’autre part, dans le but de reproduire numériquement des expériences de laboratoire de chute de colonne granulaire fluidisée, nous avons développé un code de simulation numérique incluant une nouvelle méthode de résolution des équations d’écoulement de fluides à seuil. Dans ce manuscrit, je décris et justifie les différents choix stratégiques pour le développement de ce code. Par ailleurs, je présente quelques tests académiques permettant de valider le code. Enfin, je donne les résultats de simulation de chute de colonne granulaire, qu’elle soit fluidisée ou non. Une comparaison avec les données de laboratoire est effectuée afin d’évaluer les points forts et les défauts du modèle par rapport à la réalité des expériences. En conclusion, dans la continuité du travail mené dans ce projet, des perspectives d’amélioration sont proposées. / During these three years, I enjoyed to work with collaborators from volcanology, laboratory physics and mathematics. This document presents the steps and results of my research in the field of modelling of fluidised granular flows. The last consists in the development of a new mathematical model and its theoretical and numerical study. Based on observations made on experimental studies, the model focuses on the change in the behaviour of an initially fluidised granular flow through the definition of its viscoplastic rheology with variable threshold. More precisely, the threshold (aslo called yield stress) is defined via the difference between the lithostatic pressure and the pressure of the interstitial fluid. The innovation of this model opens perspectives for the mathematical research as well as for the study of fluidised granular flows and their application to volcanology. From a mathematical point of view, a theoretical study has been conducted. Proving the existence of weak solution for the homogeneous version of the model, we offer an extension in the field of knowledges of non-newtonian fluid flows. Also, we have developped a numerical code to simulate dambreak experiments with fluidised granular media. This one includes a new method to solve the flow equations of viscoplastic fluids. In this thesis, I describe and justify the numerical strategy chosen. Moreover, I present some academic tests to validate the code. At the end, I give the numerical results in the case of the dambreak simulation for dry and fluidised fluids. By comparing with experimental data, we evaluate the validity of the model and its resolution, and highlight the advantages and inconvenients. To conclude the project, I propose some perspectives of improvement for later work.

L'objectif de cette thèse est l'étude qualitative de certains modèles de la dynamique et la distribution des bactéries dans une rivière. Il s'agit de la stabilité des états stationnaires et l'existence des solutions périodiques. Nous considérons, dans la première partie de la thèse, un système d'équations différentielles ordinaires qui modélise les interactions et la dynamique de quatre espèces de bactéries dans une rivière. Nous avons étudié le comportement asymptotique des états stationnaires. L'étude de la stabilité des états stationnaires est essentiellement faite par la construction d'une fonction de Lyapunov combinée avec le principe d'invariance de LaSalle. D'autre part, l'existence des solutions périodiques est démontrée en utilisant le théorème de continuation de Mawhin. La deuxième partie de la thèse est consacrée à l'étude d'un système de convection-diffusion non-autonome. Ce modèle tient compte du transport des bactéries. Nous étudions l'analyse qualitative des solutions, nous déterminons l'ensemble limite du système et nous démontrons l'existence des états stationnaires positifs. L'étude de l'existence des états stationnaires (les seuls qu'il soit possible d'obtenir) est basée sur le théorème de Leray-Schauder. / The objective of this thesis is the qualitative study of some models of the dynamic and the distribution of bacteria in a river. We are interested in the stability of equilibria and the existence of periodic solutions. The thesis can be divided into two parts; the first part is concerned with a mathematical analysis of a system of differential equations modelling the dynamics and the interactions of four species of bacteria in a river. The asymptotic behavior of equilibria is established. The stability study of equilibrium states is mainly done by construction of Lyapunov functions combined with LaSalle's invariance principle. On the other hand, the existence of periodic solutions is proved under certain conditions using the continuation theorem of Mawhin. In the second part of this thesis, we propose a non-autonomous convection-reaction diffusion system with nonlinear reaction source functions. This model refers to the quantification and the distribution of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in a river. Our main contributions are : (i) the determination of the limit set of the system; it is shown that it is reduced to the solutions of the associated elliptic system; (ii) sufficient conditions for the existence of a positive solution of the associated elliptic system based on the Leray Schauder's degree theory.

Le thème de cette thèse est l'analyse mathématique de modèles décrivant l'intrusion saline dans les aquifères côtiers. On a choisi d'adopter la simplicité de l'approche avec interface nette : il n'y a pas de transfert de masse entre l'eau douce et l'eau salée (resp. entre la zone saturée et la zone sèche). On compense la difficulté mathématique liée à l'analyse des interfaces libres par un processus de moyennisation verticale nous permettant de réduire le problème initialement 3D à un système d'edps définies sur un domaine, Ω, 2D. Un second modèle est obtenu en combinant l'approche 'interface nette' à celle avec interface diffuse ; cette approche est déduite de la théorie introduite par Allen-Cahn, utilisant des fonctions de phase pour décrire les phénomènes de transition entre les milieux d'eau douce et d'eau salée (respectivement les milieux saturé et insaturé). Le problème d'origine 3D est alors réduit à un système fortement couplé d'edps quasi-linéaires de type parabolique dans le cas des aquifères libres décrivant l'évolution des profondeurs des 2 surfaces libres et de type elliptique-parabolique dans le cas des aquifères confinés, les inconnues étant alors la profondeur de l'interface eau salée par rapport à eau douce et la charge hydraulique de l'eau douce. Dans la première partie de la thèse, des résultats d'existence globale en temps sont démontrés montrant que l'approche couplée interface nette-interface diffuse est plus pertinente puisqu'elle permet d'établir un principe du maximum plus physique (plus précisèment une hiérarchie entre les 2 surfaces libres). En revanche, dans le cas de l'aquifère confiné, nous montrons que les deux approches conduisent à des résultats similaires. Dans la seconde partie de la thèse, nous prouvons l'unicité de la solution dans le cas non dégénéré, la preuve reposant sur un résultat de régularité du gradient de la solution dans l'espace Lr (ΩT), r > 2, (ΩT = (0,T) x Ω). Puis nous nous intéressons à un problème d'identification des conductivités hydrauliques dans le cas instationnaire. Ce problème est formulé par un problème d'optimisation dont la fonction coût mesure l'écart quadratique entre les charges hydrauliques expérimentales et celles données par le modèle. / The theme of this thesis is the analysis of mathematical models describing saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers. The simplicity of sharp interface approach is chosen : there is no mass transfer between fresh water and salt water (respectively between the saturated zone and the area dry). We compensate the mathematical difficulty of the analysis of free interfaces by a vertical averaging process allowing us to reduce the 3D problem to system of pde's defined on a 2D domain Ω. A second model is obtained by combining the approach of 'sharp interface' in that with 'diffuse interface' ; this approach is derived from the theory introduced by Allen-Cahn, using phase functions to describe the phenomena of transition between fresh water and salt water (respectively the saturated and unsaturated areas). The 3D problem is then reduced to a strongly coupled system of quasi-linear parabolic equations in the unconfined case describing the evolution of the DEPTHS of two free surfaces and elliptical-parabolic equations in the case of confined aquifer, the unknowns being the depth of salt water/fresh water interface and the fresh water hydraulic head. In the first part of the thesis, the results of global in time existence are demonstrated showing that the sharp-diffuse interface approach is more relevant since it allows to establish a mor physical maximum principle (more precisely a hierarchy between the two free surfaces). In contrast, in the case of confined aquifer, we show that both approach leads to similar results. In the second part of the thesis, we prove the uniqueness of the solution in the non-degenerate case. The proof is based on a regularity result of the gradient of the solution in the space Lr (ΩT), r > 2, (ΩT = (0,T) x Ω). Then we are interest in a problem of identification of hydraulic conductivities in the unsteady case. This problem is formulated by an optimization problem whose cost function measures the squared difference between experimental hydraulic heads and those given by the model.

Notre recherche interroge la philosophie existentielle du premier Sartre en la replaçant dans le paysage de la philosophie française post-comtienne du début du XXe siècle et en restituant un moment anthropologique où le problème de la magie traverse les sciences psychologiques et sociales. En suivant les différentes voies du transfert de conceptualité par lequel la notion de magie devient chez Sartre le magique, nous étudions trois pôles de l'ontologie phénoménologique sartrienne, à savoir la conscience intentionnelle, la réalité-humaine et l'être-dans-le-monde. Notre hypothèse est que, selon différentes modalités allant de la thématisation à l'effacement, le magique joue un rôle déterminant dans l'élaboration de l'existentialisme dont nous retraçons la genèse à partir des premiers travaux philosophiques et écrits littéraires de 1927. Face à l'héritage d'une anthropologie positiviste à la méthodologie analytique, Sartre privilégie une approche synthétique et conçoit la conscience dans ses dimensions affective et irrationnelle. Les figures de la pensée magique sont alors mobilisées pour penser l'ouverture au monde de la conscience ainsi que ses rapports à soi et aux autres dans les termes d'une spontanéité irréfléchie et absolue. Nous faisons ensuite retour sur l'anthropologie sartrienne telle qu'elle conçoit la réalité-humaine à partir de ses attitudes et de ses conduites, et notamment à travers la manière dont elle affronte sa propre liberté, fondamentalement et irrémédiablement exposée à la contradiction. Cette structure de la réalité-humaine comme projet existentiel conduit Sartre à repenser l'être-dans-le-monde à partir de ce que nous appelons la dépossession originaire par laquelle l'ontologie est ramenée au magique. / This research deals with Sartre's early existential philosophy by resituating it in the field of French post-Comtian philosophy in the early twentieth century and by re-establishing an anthropological moment in which the issue of magic is explored in the psychological and social sciences. Following the different paths of the conceptual exchange through which the notion of magic becomes that the magical in Sartre's view, we study three poles of sartrian phenomenological ontology : intentional consciousness, human reality and being-in-the-world. The hypothesis advanced by this thesis is that the magical, according to different modes ranging from topicalization through obliteration, plays a determining role in the elaboration of existentialism whose genesis is traced here from Sartre's very first writings in 1927.Faced with the legacy of a positivist anthropology in terms of an analytical methodology, Sartre privileges a synthetic approach and conceives consciousness in its affective and irrational aspects. Images of magical thought are called upon for rethinking openness to the world of consciousness and its relationship to itself and to Others. Returning to Sartrian anthropology, we question how consciousness can be grasped as an irreflexive and absolute spontaneity and how human reality is interpreted through its attitudes and behaviours; in particular through the way it faces its own freedom which is fundamentally and irremediably exposed to contradiction. This structure of human reality as existential project leads Sartre to reconsider being-in-the-world as based in originary dispossession through which ontology is brought back to the magical.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to elucidate the ambiguous relation between the concepts of absolute alterity (tout Autre), there is (il y a) and the element (L'élément) in the work of Emmanuel Levinas. The investigation starts with a presupposition, that the above-mentioned concepts can all be considered a form of alterity. First part of the thesis thematises il y a against the backdrop of two seminal texts - From Existence to Existents and Time and the Other - and also in relation to Martin Heidegger's philosophy. Second part is structured around the analysis of the element, as it is presented in Totality and infinity. Part three deals with the concept of absolute alterity, which is contrasted to the conception of the totalizing subject. In the last part of the thesis, these three distinct kinds of alterity are brought into relation and qualitatively differentiated from one another. Key words: Levinas, Heidegger, alterity, radical alterity, totality, il y a, there is, element, From Existence to Existents, Totality and Infinity, Time and the Other

Hydrogen fuel cells are devices used to generate electricity from the electrochemical reaction between air and hydrogen gas. An attractive advantage of these devices is that their byproduct is water, which is very safe to the environment. However, hydrogen fuel cells still lack some improvements in terms of increasing their life time and electricity production, decreasing power losses, and optimizing their operating conditions. In this thesis, the cathode part of the hydrogen fuel cell will be considered. This part mainly consists of an air gas channel and a gas diffusion layer. To simulate the fluid dynamics taking place in the cathode, we present two models, a general model and a simple model both based on a set of conservation laws governing the fluid dynamics and chemical reactions. A numerical method to solve these models is presented and verified in terms of accuracy. We also show that both models give similar results and validate the simple model by recovering a polarization curve obtained experimentally. Next, a shape optimization problem is introduced to find an optimal design of the air gas channel. This problem is defined from the simple model and a cost functional, $E$, that measures efficiency factors. The objective of this functional is to maximize the electricity production, uniformize the reaction rate in the catalytic layer and minimize the pressure drop in the gas channel. The impact of the gas channel shape optimization is investigated with a series of test cases in long and short fuel cell geometries. In most instances, the optimal design improves efficiency in on- and off-design operating conditions by shifting the polarization curve vertically and to the right. The second primary goal of the thesis is to analyze mathematical issues related to the introduced shape optimization problem. This involves existence and uniqueness of the solution for the presented model and differentiability of the state variables with respect to the domain of the air channel. The optimization problem is solved using the gradient method, and hence the gradient of $E$ must be found. The gradient of $E$ is obtained by introducing an adjoint system of equations, which is coupled with the state problem, namely the simple model of the fuel cell. The existence and uniqueness of the solution for the adjoint system is shown, and the shape differentiability of the cost functional $E$ is proved.