Plasmonics, the science of the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) at the metal-dielectric interface under intense beam radiation, has been studied for its immense potential for developing numerous nanophotonic devices, optical circuits and lab-on-a-chip devices. The key feature, which makes the plasmonic structures promising is the ability to support strong resonances with different behaviors and tunable localized hotspots, excitable in a wide spectral range. Therefore, the fundamental understanding of light-matter interactions at subwavelength nanostructures and use of this understanding to tailor plasmonic nanostructures with the ability to sustain high-quality tunable resonant modes are essential toward the realization of highly functional devices with a wide range of applications from sensing to switching. We investigated the excitation of various plasmonic resonance modes (i.e. Fano resonances, and toroidal moments) using both optical and terahertz (THz) plasmonic metamolecules. By designing and fabricating various nanostructures, we successfully predicted, demonstrated and analyzed the excitation of plasmonic resonances, numerically and experimentally. A simple comparison between the sensitivity and lineshape quality of various optically driven resonances reveals that nonradiative toroidal moments are exotic plasmonic modes with strong sensitivity to environmental perturbations. Employing toroidal plasmonic metasurfaces, we demonstrated ultrafast plasmonic switches and highly sensitive sensors. Focusing on the biomedical applications of toroidal moments, we developed plasmonic metamaterials for fast and cost-effective infection diagnosis using the THz range of the spectrum. We used the exotic behavior of toroidal moments for the identification of Zika-virus (ZIKV) envelope proteins as the infectious nano-agents through two protocols: 1) direct biding of targeted biomarkers to the plasmonic metasurfaces, and 2) attaching gold nanoparticles to the plasmonic metasurfaces and binding the proteins to the particles to enhance the sensitivity. This led to developing ultrasensitive THz plasmonic metasensors for detection of nanoscale and low-molecular-weight biomarkers at the picomolar range of concentration. In summary, by using high-quality and pronounced toroidal moments as sensitive resonances, we have successfully designed, fabricated and characterized novel plasmonic toroidal metamaterials for the detection of infectious biomarkers using different methods. The proposed approach allowed us to compare and analyze the binding properties, sensitivity, repeatability, and limit of detection of the metasensing devices

Magnetic Logic Devices have the advantage of non-volatility, radiation hardness, scalability down to the sub-10nm range, and three-dimensional (3D) integration capability. Despite these advantages, magnetic applications for information processing remain limited. The main stumbling block is the high energy required to switch information states in spin-based devices. Recently, the spin transfer torque (STT) effect has been introduced as a promising solution. STT based magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJs), use a spin polarized electric current to switch magnetic states. They are theorized to bring the switching energy down substantially. However, the switching current density remains in the order of 1 MA/cm2 in current STT-MTJ devices, with the smallest device reported to date around 10nm. This current density remains inadequately high for enabling a wide range of information processing applications. For this technology to be competitive in the near future it is critical to show that it could be favorably scaled into the sub-10-nm range. This is an intriguing size range that currently remains unexplored. Nanomagnetic devices may display promising characteristics that can make them superior to their semiconductor counterparts. Below 10nm the spin physics from the vii surface become dominate versus those due to volume. The goal is to understand the size dependence versus the switching current.

Soft X-ray spectroscopy is a useful observational tool, offering information about high-temperature (10⁶ -- 10⁷ K) astrophysical plasmas and providing useful characterizations of a number of energetic systems, including accreting young stars, cosmic filaments between galaxies, and supermassive black holes. In order to yield high resolution spectra with good signal-to-noise, however, soft X-ray spectrometers must realize improvements in resolving power and effective area through the development of high performance gratings. Off-plane reflection gratings offer the capability to work at high dispersions with excellent throughput, and are a viable candidate technology for future X-ray spectroscopy missions. The off-plane geometry requires a customizable grating meeting distinct fabrication requirements, and a process for producing gratings meeting these requirements has been developed. These fabricated gratings have been evaluated for performance in terms of resolution and diffraction efficiency. Furthermore, these gratings have been conceptually implemented in a soft X-ray spectrometer, the Off-Plane Grating Rocket Experiment (OGRE), whose optical design provides a template for future missions to achieve high performance within a small payload envelope.

Polycarbonate polyurethane (PCPU) has been studied as a novel polymer impregnated with nanoparticles for improved mechanical, thermal and adhesion properties [4]. This study investigates the synthesis of polycarbonate polyurethane (PCPU) polymeric nanofiber membranes by the process of electrospinning. This study further examines all the parameters associated with electrospinning a novel PCPU polymeric solution impregnated with nanofillers, such as nanoparticles, to produce fiber membranes. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and N, N dimethylformamide (DMF) are used as solvents to dissolve PCPU polymer. One percent (1%) of nanofillers like silver and silica nanoparticles are added to PCPU polymer solution to investigate the impact on polymer solution properties, which in turn affects the fiber formation. Process parameters are studied by evaluating the impact each parameter has on the fiber formation. PCPU polymer concentrations of three polymer solutions (PCPU, PCPU + 1% silver and PCPU + 1% silica) with the appropriate solvent mixture ratio are achieved to produce polymeric fiber membranes with minimal bead formation. Polymeric nanofiber membranes of PCPU, PCPU + 1% silver and PCPU + 1% silica are produced using THF/DMF: 70/30 (V/V) solvent mixture. The polymeric nanofiber membranes obtained are characterized by using a scanning electron microscopy, rotational viscometer, tensiometer, contact angle measurement device, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed to evaluate environmental impacts associated with solvents in the process of producing PCPU polymeric nanofiber membranes. The LCA is completed to gauge the potential impacts PCPU nanofiber membranes may have when utilized for various applications. This study discusses the successful production and characterization of good quality (no beading) polymeric nanofiber membranes of PCPU and novel composites of PCPU + 1% silver and PCPU + 1% silica. This two dimensional production of impregnated PCPU in nanofiber form will give researchers the opportunity to capitalize on the large surface areas of PCPU nanofibers versus PCPU thin films.

Nous vous proposons un procédé de fabrication pour obtenir des dispositifs de graphène suspendu avec rendement élevé (~ 90%). Surtout, nous nous concentrons sur l'intégrabilité de procédé ainsi que sa compatibilité avec les technologies existantes de silicium. Pour répondre à ces questions, nous avons développé un système de fabrication à base de graphène qui était synthétisé par dépôt chimique en phase vapeur (CVD).L'étape la plus importante dans le processus de fabrication est liée à la gravure du substrat de SiO2 sous-jacente à suspendre les rubans de graphène. Il est souvent rapporté dans la littérature que, à ce stade, les forces capillaires peuvent provoquer l'effondrement des rubans de graphène. En dehors de cet effet, nous avons trouvé que la qualité de l'interface entre le masque de gravure et le substrat est essentielle pour suspendre les dispositifs de graphène avec succès. Ce n'est que lorsque la qualité de cette interface a été amélioré, nous avons atteint des rendements remarquablement élevés d'environ 90%. Caractérisation par spectroscopie Raman, la microscopie électronique à balayage (MEB) et microscopie à force atomique (AFM), qui était effectuée après chaque étape de fabrication, ont attesté que notre méthodologie n'a aucune dommage sur la qualité du graphène.Par la suite, nous avons utilisé la spectroscopie Raman pour étudier le dopage et la contrainte dans nos dispositifs de graphène CVD. Alors que nous avons observé une forte dopage de type p sur graphène supporté sur SiO2 dans l'air, le dopage seul ne peut pas tenir compte des spectres observés. Au lieu de cela, nous concluons que les échantillons de graphène mesurées présentent une contrainte interne de compression, qui ne se relâche pas complètement pendant la fabrication. Nous attribuons cette contrainte au budget de la température de CVD et au polymère rigide de transfert.Enfin, nous avons étudié les caractéristiques électriques de nos dispositifs à température ambiante ainsi qu'à basse température. Les mesures ont confirmé la forte dopage de type p de graphène, et en suite, ‘back-gating' ont donné une modulation faible de courant. Mesures magnéto-transport, qui sont effectuées à 20 K et 4, ont été utilisés pour extraire la densité de porteurs et la mobilité des dispositifs supportés sur SiO2. Faibles valeurs de mobilité sont attribuées à la diffusion par les joints de grains. À des champs magnétiques faibles, nous avons observé des signatures de localisation faible, ce qui implique que ‘intervalley scattering' est le mécanisme dominant dans nos échantillons. À des champs magnétiques élevés, la résistivité longitudinale a montré oscillations robuste à température qui pourraient être identifiés comme niveaux de Landau. / We propose a high-yield (~ 90%) fabrication route to obtain suspended graphene devices. Importantly, we focus on the scalability of the process as well as its compatibility with existing Si technologies. To address these issues, we developed a fabrication scheme based on graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD).The most crucial step in the fabrication process relates to the etching of the underlying SiO2 substrate to suspend the graphene ribbons. It is often reported in the literature that at this stage, capillary forces can lead to the collapse of the graphene beams. We have found that apart from this effect, the quality of the interface between the etch mask and the substrate is key to successfully suspend graphene devices. Only when the quality of this interface was improved, were we able to achieve remarkably high yields of approximately 90%. Characterization by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), performed after each step of fabrication, attested that our methodology does not impact the quality of the graphene.We have subsequently employed Raman spectroscopy to investigate doping and strain in our CVD graphene devices. While we did observe a strong p-type doping of graphene supported on SiO2 in air, doping alone cannot account for the observed spectra. Instead, we conclude that the measured graphene samples display a compressive internal strain, which does not fully relax during fabrication. We attribute this strain to the large temperature budget of the CVD process and to the rigid transfer polymer.

Les procédés de fabrication additive sont en pleine essor ces dernières années. De nombreux industriels cherchent à évaluer leur potentiel et leurs avantages. Ces nouvelles technologies impliquent des changements au niveau des manières de fabriquer mais également au niveau des manières de concevoir. Ce travail de thèse s’est intéressé à ce second aspect et apporte plus particulièrement des réponses à la question de recherche suivante :Quel guide méthodologique suivre pour une étude dont le but est de reconcevoir des pièces afin de s’approcher de l’optimum en termes de masse ?Pour traiter cette question, le problème a été abordé au regard de plusieurs questions sous-jacentes afin de combler les manques identifiés dans l’état de l’art réalisé que ce soit sur les problématiques du paramétrage de l’optimisation topologique ou sur celles des techniques de reconstruction. Nous avons réalisé plusieurs études de cas afin de pouvoir répondre à ces différentes questions et pouvoir ainsi lister les points critiques. Ce travail de thèse a été réalisé en partenariat avec un acteur de l’aéronautique : Zodiac Seats France. Ceci nous a permis de réaliser des études de cas sur des pièces existantes qui possédaient un certain niveau de complexité. Parmi ces études de cas, nous avons distingué deux types d’étude :- Une étude élémentaire pour effectuer des boucles rapides en faisant varier les choix et- Une série d’études industrielles pour regarder s’il y a convergence ou divergence entre les conclusions de l’étude élémentaire et des cas d’applications plus complexes.Puis, nous avons donné une description détaillée d’une méthode de conception pour la fabrication additive basée sur 5 grandes phases :- l’évaluation de la pièce candidate ou des pièces,- la modélisation,- l’optimisation topologique : obtention d’une forme de géométrie,- la reconstruction de la pièce à partir du résultat de l’optimisation topologique et intégration des contraintes de fabrication- l’optimisation dimensionnelle : affiner les dimensions de la géométrie reconstruite.A ces phases, viennent s’ajouter des étapes de contrôle via des analyses éléments finis. Cette démarche s’est construite autour d’observations faites lors du déroulement des études de cas. Pour chacune de ces phases, un ensemble de recommandations a été défini pour aider le concepteur dans l’obtention d’une pièce optimale en termes de masse. Enfin, nous avons donné ce descriptif de la méthode à un concepteur relativement novice pour avoir un nouveau regard sur celle-ci et pouvoir ainsi identifier des points à améliorer. A l’issue de ce travail de conception, ce concepteur a pointé plusieurs points manquants ainsi que plusieurs faiblesses dans l’argumentaire du guide méthodologique. Ses observations et son opinion, nous ont permis de prendre du recul vis-à-vis de notre travail.Les apports majeurs de ce travail de thèse sont :- La description détaillée d’une méthode composée de 5 grandes phases- Dans cette démarche, nous avons dénombré plusieurs étapes clés : une étape préliminaire d’évaluation du potentiel des pièces à reconcevoir au regard de la fabrication additive et plusieurs phases d’optimisation complémentaires (topologie et dimensions),- La mise en avant de l’importance de bien délimiter le périmètre de l’étude (pièce isolée ou dans le mécanisme),- L’identification des étapes au cours desquelles les contraintes de fabrication devront être intégrées- Le positionnement du concepteur au cœur de la méthode : les outils numériques permettent de ne réaliser qu’une partie du travail de conception. / Additive manufacturing processes have been growing in recent years. Many industries seek to assess their potentials. These new technologies involve changes in terms of manufacturing but also in terms of designing. This work is interested in this second aspect. It brings answers to the following research question:What methodological guide to follow for a study whose goal is to redesign pieces in order to approach the optimum in terms of mass?To answer to this question, the problem is decomposed into several sub questions. These questions must fill the identified lacks in the state of the art, and deal with topological optimization parameters or reconstructions techniques for example. Several case studies are realized to answer to these sub questions and to list the critical points. This work is realized in partnership with an aerospace company: Zodiac Seats France. This allowed us to work on existing parts which have a certain complexity level. Two types of studies can be distinguished:- Basic study: to experiment different strategies and to make variation on the parameter choices rapidly.- Practical study: to check on more complex cases if there is a convergence with basic study conclusions.Then, a detailed description of a design method for additive manufacturing is provided. It is composed in 5 phases:- Evaluation of parts potential.- Model of parts.- Optimization of parts with topological optimization tools: obtaining the shape of the parts.- Reconstruction of parts from the topological result: integration of manufacturing constraints.- Optimization of reconstructed parts with dimensional optimization tools: refinement of the dimensions of reconstructed parts.Between these phases, checked step are added, based on finite element analysis. This method is built on practical observations obtained from the different case studies. For each phase, a set of recommendations is provided to help designers to design lightweight parts. Finally, this descriptive method is given to a novice designer to have the method tested. The aim of this test is having a new vision on this detailed method and identifying points to be improved. At the achievement of this design work, the designer noticed several missing points as well as several weaknesses in the method argument. His observations and his opinions gave us to take a step back from our work.The major contributions of this work are:- The description of a detailed method in 5 large phases.- In this method, there are several key steps : 1 step of evaluation of parts potential with regard to additive manufacturing as well as two complementary steps of optimization (shape and dimensions)- The perimeter of the parts study must be delimited clearly (isolated parts or in the mechanism),- The identification of the stages in which the manufacturing constraints have to be integrated- The position of the designer to the method heart: digital tools realize only one part of the design work.

Cette étude porte sur la sensibilité à la fragilisation par l'hydrogène (FPH) d'un alliage base nickel, l’Inconel 718 issu d’un procédé de fabrication additive (FA), sous sollicitation cyclique. Cematériau est utilisé pour la réalisation de certains composants des ensembles propulsifs d’Ariane qui sont fabriqués par Ariane Group. Dans ce domaine, certaines pièces sont sollicitées sous « ambiancehydrogène ». Ainsi, le risque de fragilisation de ces pièces est une problématique de premier ordre.Pour cela, nous avons caractérisé l’état métallurgique d’un Inconel 718 FA à différentes échelles structurales afin d’observer un possible impact du procédé de mise en œuvre sur la microstructure, puis d’envisager sa conséquence sur le comportement mécanique et la sensibilité à la FPH de l’alliage. Notons que nous avons conduit une étude plus réduite sur un alliage forgé afind’avoir des éléments de comparaison. Afin de comprendre les mécanismes de fragilisation par hydrogène de l’Inconel 718 FA, il est nécessaire de connaitre l’état et la mobilité de l’hydrogène dans le matériau. Des analyses deperméation électrochimique (PE) et gazeuse (PG), ainsi que de spectroscopie de désorption thermique (TDS) apportent des éléments de compréhension des mécanismes de piégeage et de diffusion de l’hydrogène. Ils permettent de discuter l’implication des joints de grains dans les mécanismes dediffusion ainsi que l'effet des hétérogénéités microstructurales sur les mécanismes de piégeage dans l’Inconel 718 FA.D'autre part, l’influence de l’hydrogène sur le comportement mécanique a été questionnée en traction et en fatigue oligocyclique en terme de comportement élasto-viscoplastique, de processus d’initiation, de propagation de fissure en fatigue et de ténacité. Dans ce cadre nous présentons, dans unpremier temps, l’étude du comportement en traction et sa sensibilité à l’hydrogène pour l’Inconel 718 FA. Nous questionnons lors de cette partie l’effet de la vitesse de sollicitation sur les mécanismes defragilisation ainsi que sur les différentes interactions hydrogène/matériau. Des essais de traction interrompue ont été réalisés afin de questionner l’effet de l’hydrogène sur le comportement viscoplastique et notamment questionner les interactions hydrogène/plasticité.Dans un deuxième temps, le comportement en fatigue de l’Inconel 718 FA en présence d’hydrogène gazeux est interrogé à l’aide d’essais de fatigue pour un rapport de charge, R de 0,1 sous une pression d’hydrogène de 300 bar. Il est clairement mis en évidence une réduction du nombre decycles à rupture en présence d’hydrogène ainsi qu’un changement de mode de rupture. L’impact de l’hydrogène a été évalué sur les étapes d’initiation et de propagation de fissures ainsi que sur la ténacité du matériau en fonction de la métallurgie de l’alliage.L'ensemble des résultats obtenus permettent une discussion de la sensibilité du matériau à la FPH, tenant compte en particulier des interactions hydrogène/plasticité. / This study focuses on the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity (HE) under cyclic loading of a nickel based alloy, Inconel 718, manufactured by the additive manufacturing process (AM). This material is used in some components of Ariane cryogenic engines that are manufactured by ArianeGroup. Some of these components are solicited under "hydrogen atmosphere", and the risk of embrittlement is a major problem.The metallurgical states of the Inconel 718 AM alloy have been characterized at different structural scales in order to observe a possible impact of the manufacturing process on the microstructure and discuss the possible consequences on the mechanical behaviour of the alloy underhydrogen pressure. Moreover, a forged alloy has also been studied for comparison.To discuss the mechanisms of hydrogen embrittlement in the material, it is first necessary to study the hydrogen behaviour in the material. Electrochemical and gaseous permeation analyses as well as TDS were performed to provide insights into the mechanisms of hydrogen diffusion. Fromthese results, the involvement of grain boundaries in the diffusion mechanisms and the effect of microstructural heterogeneities on the trapping mechanisms in this material have been discussed.On the other hand, the influence of hydrogen on the mechanical behaviour has been investigated under monotonic and cyclic loading in terms of elasto-viscoplastic behaviour, crack initiation process, fatigue crack propagation and toughness. In a first part, the tensile behaviour of the Inconel 718 AMunder hydrogen pressure has been considered. The effects of the loading rate on the mechanisms of embrittlement have been addressed. Moreover, interrupted tensile tests have been carried out to identify the effect of hydrogen on the viscoplastic behaviour and allowing to discuss hydrogen /plasticity interactions.The fatigue behaviour of Inconel 718 AM in the presence of hydrogen gas was investigated by cyclic tests for a 0.1 load ratio (R) under a 300 bar H2 at room temperature. It has been shown that hydrogen leads to a clear decrease of the number of cycles to rupture and to a change in failure mode.The impact of hydrogen has been evaluated on the fatigue crack initiation and propagation stages as well as on the toughness of the material.Finally, all the obtained results allowed a discussion of the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity of the material, taking into account the hydrogen / plasticity interactions.

This work investigates the fabrication, process optimization, and characterization of cobalt oxide-antimony doped tin oxide (CoO-ATO) nanofibersusing polystyrene (PS) solutions with toluene orD-limonene as solvents. These nanofibers are produced by anelectrospinning process. Nanofibers are fabricated using polymeric solutions of CoO doped ATO and mixtures of PS: D-limonene and PS:toluene. PSis a base aromatic organic polymer, a non-toxic material, and a versatile catalyst for fiber formation. PSsolutions are made by mixing polystyrene beads and D-limonene or toluene at specific weight percentages. These polymeric solutions of PS: D-limonene and PS:toluene are then mixed with CoO-ATO at various weight percentages. The two solutions are electrospun and the best process parameters optimized to obtain nanofibers with limited beading. Process optimization is completed by analyzing how changes in the electrospinningexperimental set up impact nanofiber formation and production efficiency (speed of formation). CoO-ATO nanofibers are characterizedby scanning electron microscopy, hydrophobicity via contact angle measurements, and viscosity measurements. Additional analysis is conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of using two different solvents to fabricate the CoO-ATO nanofibers. In this project, I was able to successfully produce novel nanofiber membranes of CoO-ATOusing two different solvents. These investigations were conducted and nanofiberprocess optimized to provide a technological contribution to future industrial scaleproductions of thermally reflective materials.

Advancements in web technology such as the integration of operating platforms, the application of mobile applets and connectivity with databases into an encompassing web environment has promoted the development of complex web-based systems for enterprise computing. In this integration the inherent security flaws and associated problems of these technological advancements are also brought together under this web environment. These flaws, when exploited, could lead to system compromises of various kinds including stealing of security sensitive information, system take-over fabrication of fake electronic documents and illegal alteration to web sites contents. Therefore, the successful, prompt and appropriate responses of these complex web-based systems to security threats and breaches, such as in the cases of document tampering and misrepresentation from illegal users, are imperative in promoting the user's willingness and confidence when interacting with these systems. Accordingly, this has become one of the major concerns in development, management and operation of web-based systems. This thesis also studies the authentication of dynamic web contents through the application of a one-time digital signature. To this effect, relevant concepts and possible approaches have been discussed. Authentication and verification of dynamic contents, efficiently in the web environment, is suggested as a separate research area and as a direction for future work. / Master of Science (Honours) Computing

This is an evaluation study of a Metal Fabrication curriculum developed for Bougainville Copper Mine in Papua New Guinea. The curriculum is part of the Apprentice training program that is implemented in the mines own training College under the authority of the Papua New Guinea Apprenticeship Board. Several evaluation models were researched and the model which formed the basis of this study was selected because of its compatibility with the training environment that existed at Bougainville Copper Limited. The evaluation model was applied using a questionnaire and interviews to review the existing curriculum and make recommendations regarding changes. These changes included the rationalization of content associated with motor skills and the inclusion of cognitive based content related to problem solving and decision making.