This master thesis addresses the development of an automatic numerical tool for thermal analysis, focusing on thermal systems comprising a printed circuit board assembly and cooling case structure. The project, conducted in collaboration with Unibap, aims to enhance the design process of space computer modules by automating middle steps between design software and thermal analysis results. The numerical tool employs the lumped parameter method, implemented in Python, as an alternative to traditional finite element analysis to efficiently generate thermal results. Informed decisions can be made using the tool regarding case-cooling and the selection of components requiring cooling, thus optimizing manufacturing costs and design complexity. The project results in the successful development of the automatic numerical tool. A unique method to derive values for thermal resistance within the case structure is also utilized. Though experimental test results for verification are pending, the functionality of the tool is presented along with results from a thermal analysis where it is used.

Two methods using lumped element (lumped parameter) methods to model flexible bodies have been presented. The methods are based on the concept of using a Guyan reduced stiffness matrix to describe the elasticity of a body. The component to be modeled has been divided into two parts using FE software and the mass and inertia tensor for the respective part of the component have been retrieved. The first method has been based on including the elements from the stiffness matrix in compliant constraints. The compliant constraints have been derived and a prototype has been implemented in MATLAB. It has been shown that using compliant constraints and stiffness parameters from a Guyan reduced stiffness matrix it is possible, with highly accurate results, to describe the deformation of a flexible body in multibody simulations. The second method is based on springs and dampers and has been implemented in the simulation environment Dymola. The springs and dampers have been constructed to include coupling elements from a Guyan reduced stiffness matrix. It has been shown that using the proposed method it is possible, with highly accurate results, to describe the static deformation of a flexible body. Further, using dynamic simulations of a full robot manipulator model, it has been shown that it is possible to use the spring-damper model to capture the deformation of the links of a manipulator in dynamic simulations with large translations and rotations.

As drop-on-demand (DOD) applications continue to gain ground in desktop inkjet-printing, 3D printing, fluid mixing, and other areas the demand for higher frequency operations are beginning to push against the current physical boundaries in DOD technology. The current research is exploring the possibility of controlling drop volume and velocity at high frequency ranges where meniscus vibrations can occur between drop formations and affect drop formation characteristics. A periodic voltage is applied to a piezoelectric disk in order to generate pressure fluctuations in a single nozzle droplet generator, causing the fluid meniscus at the nozzle to vibrate. A single stronger pulse is then superimposed over the periodic waveform at different phases in order to drive drop ejection. The characteristics of the resulting drop, specifically the volume and velocity, are experimentally measured using a high speed camera with precise timing control. The results of these experiments are then compared to a lumped element model (LEM) developed for the droplet generator geometry used. Within the LEM model framework, special attention was given to the definition of a novel method by which one can measure drop volume within an electroacoustic circuit and also allow meniscus dynamics to affect present and future drop formations. Experimental results indicate a strong dependence of both drop volume and drop velocity on the phase of the vibrating meniscus at the start of drop formation. Positive meniscus displacements and momentums resulted in large drop volumes and velocities while negative displacements could reduce drop volume or altogether eliminate drop formation. Specifically, positive displacements and momentum of a vibrating meniscus could lead to drop volumes approximately 50% larger than the original drop volume without a vibrating meniscus. Meanwhile, negative meniscus displacements and momentums were shown to have the ability to completely prevent drop formation. Additional potential for drop characteristic control with a vibrating meniscus is discussed alongside observations on the stabilizing affect the vibrating meniscus appears to have on drop velocity as a function of time. Also, flow visualization of the drop formation is provided to demonstrate the added affect the meniscus vibrations have on the drop shapes and break-off profiles. The LEM model presented demonstrates qualitative agreement with the experimental model, but fails to quantitatively predict drop volumes. Sources of error for the LEM model and potential improvements are discussed. / Graduation date: 2012

Les progrès réalisés dans les processus de fabrication ont mené vers un contrôle accru des dimensions et de la composition chimique des nanostructures, permettant l’émergence de nouveaux dispositifs appelés Nanosystèmes ElectroMécaniques ou NEMS. Outre leurs propriétés physiques originales, leurs dimensions réduites leurs confèrent un fonctionnement peu coûteux en énergie Ainsi, l’utilisation de l’environnement de tels dispositifs comme source d’énergie est possible. Afin de préserver les avantages liés aux dimensions des NEMS, le système de récupération d’énergie doit présenter un volume réduit. Dans ce contexte, nous étudions les nanoffis de ZnO comme éléments actifs de micro et nanosystèmes de récupération d’énergie à travers deux modèles physiques de nanofils. L’originalité de ces deux modèles vient de la prise en compte du couplage entre les propriétés piezoélectriques et les propriétés semiconductrices du ZnO et de ses effets dans la conversion électromécanique de l’énergie. / Recent progresses in manufacturing processes allow a better control of dimensions and chemical composition of nanostructures, This leads to the emergence of a new family of devices known as Nano ElectroMechanical Systems or NEMS. These devices show novel physical properties and functional characteristics due to their reduced size. Besides, their operating power consumption are tiny, making the use of their environment as energy source highly attractive. The design of a generator that scavenge the surrounding energy of the NEMS is quite a challenge; indeed, such a microharvester should be small enough to ensure that the dimensions of the whole autonomous device are still acceptable. in that context, we investigate ZnO nanowires as active elements of piezoelectric nano and microgenerator. We have specially developed two models of nanowire that take into account of the piezoelectric-semiconducting coupling to appreciate its effects on the electromechanical conversion of energy.

Le phénomène de blocage de photon est observé lorsqu'un système à deux niveaux est fortement couplé à une cavité, limitant ainsi le nombre d'occupation des photons dans le mode de la cavité à zéro ou un. Ce phénomène est analogue au blocage de Coulomb en physique mésoscopique et a été observé en optique en couplant un atome unique ou une boîte quantique à une cavité. L'efficacité du blocage, mesurée par la fonction d'autocorrélation du deuxième ordre g2(0) augmente d'autant plus que la non-linéarité du système est grande devant la largeur de la cavité. Ce travail de thèse présente l'étude théorique et expérimentale d'un nouveau phénomène de blocage appelé "phénomène de blocage anormal de photon", dans le régime micro-onde. Ce phénomène apparaît dans un système photonique comprenant deux modes couplés, où au moins un des modes est non-linéaire. Par contraste avec le blocage de photon standard, le blocage anormal permet d'obtenir un blocage parfait (g2(0)=0) pour une non-linéarité arbitrairement faible. Nous présentons les propriétés théoriques du blocage anormal, et notamment sa formulation en termes d'états gaussiens. Afin de mettre en évidence ce phénomène, nous avons réalisé deux résonateurs supraconducteurs couplés, dont l'un est rendu non-linéaire et ajustable en fréquence par l'ajout d'un SQUID. Nous montrons les techniques de fabrication employées et la caractérisation des paramètres de notre échantillon. Enfin, nous présentons les techniques mises en œuvre pour mesurer g2(t). Cette mesure nous a permis de mettre en évidence le phénomène de blocage anormal et d'en étudier les propriétés en fonction des différents paramètres expérimentaux. / Photon blockade is observed when a two level system is strongly coupled to a cavity thus limiting the occupation number of the cavity mode to zero or one photon. This phenomenon is analogous to the Coulomb blockade effect in mesoscopic physics and has been observed in optics by coupling a single atom or a quantum dot to a cavity. The efficiency of the blockade, as measured by the second order auto-correlation function g2(0) increases with the non-linearity of the system in comparison to the cavity width. In this thesis, we present a theoretical and experimental study of a new blockade mechanism, called "anomalous photon blockade effect", in the microwave domain. This effect appears in photonics systems consisting of two coupled modes, where at least one of the mode is non-linear. In contrast to the standard blockade effect, perfect blockade (g2(0)=0) can be achieved with an arbitrary weak non-linearity strength. In the first part, we present a theoretical study of the anomalous blockade, and we use, in particular, a description in terms of gaussian states. To experimentally observe this effect, we have micro-fabricated two coupled superconductive resonators, where one of the resonator is frequency tunable and non-linear thanks to a SQUID. In the second part, we present the fabrication process and the characterization of our sample. Finally, we present the different techniques that we use to measure the auto-correlation function g2(τ). This measurement allowed us to demonstrate the anomalous blockade effect and to study its various properties as a function of the experimental parameters.