Mesoscopic effects in ferromagnets could be different from mesoscopic effects in normal metals. While normal metals with a short mean-free-path do not exhibit classical magnetoresistance, weakly disordered ferromagnets with a similar mean-free-path display magnetoresistance including domain wall resistance (DWR) and anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR). Magnetoresistance could lead to novel mesoscopic effects because the wave function phase depends on the scattering potential. In this thesis, we present our measurements of mesoscopic resistance fluctuations in cobalt nanoparticles and study how the fluctuations with bias voltage, bias fingerprints, respond to magnetization-reversal processes. The resistance has been found to be very sensitive to the magnetic state of the sample. In particular, we observe significant wave-function phase shifts generated by domain walls, and it is explained by mistracking effect, where electron spins lag in orientation with respect to the moments inside the domain wall. Short dephasing length and dephasing time are found in our Co nanoparticles, which we attribute to the strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy.

Le béton est le matériau de construction le plus utilisé au monde. C’est un matériau composite hétérogène constitué par un squelette granulaire, enrobé dans une pâte de ciment hydraté. Cette pâte présente une microstructure différente à proximité des granulats délimitant ainsi une zone appelée « Auréole de transition ». Malgré les nombreux efforts fournis par la communauté scientifique internationale pour explorer ce matériau complexe, il reste toujours des zones d’ombres pour maîtriser les propriétés intrinsèques des trois phases qui le composent mais aussi l’influence de chacune d’elles sur le comportement global du matériau. L’objectif de cette thèse est, d’abord, d’étudier l’effet de la zone de transition et de la nature des granulats sur le comportement global du béton et, enfin, de caractériser la matrice cimentaire. Le point de départ est l’utilisation du MEB (Microscope Electronique à Balayage) pour analyser la zone de transition, ce qui a permis de voir que cette zone est fortement influencée par la nature des granulats et que la qualité de l’adhérence matrice/granulats n’est pas toujours parfaite. Un béton numérique 3D est ensuite développé dans le code de calcul aux Eléments Finis Abaqus pour quantifier l’effet de la zone de transition et de l’interface matrice/granulats sur les propriétés mécaniques du béton. Les résultats des simulations ne montrent pas d’influence de la zone de transition autour des granulats sur le comportement global en compression du béton. En revanche, une influence significative de la nature du contact matrice/granulats est démontrée lorsqu’un glissement entre la matrice et les granulats est pris en compte. Dans le but de trouver les propriétés de la matrice cimentaire qui enrobe les granulats, l’essai de micro-indentation est couplé avec une simulation numérique. La corrélation finalement obtenue entre le modèle numérique et l’expérience a permis de conclure sur la faisabilité de la méthodologie adoptée. En dernier lieu, l’essai de micro-indentation est appliqué sur des échantillons de béton afin d’étudier l’effet de l’incendie sur les propriétés de la matrice cimentaire. / Concrete is a construction material the most widely used. This is a heterogeneous composite material consisting of a granular skeleton embedded in a hydrated cement paste. This paste has a different microstructure near aggregates thus defining an area called «Interfacial Transition Zone». Despite the many efforts by the international scientific community to explore this complex material, there are still shadow areas to control the intrinsic properties of the three phases that compose but also the influence of each on the overall behavior of material. The objective of this thesis is, first, to study the effect of the transition zone and the nature of the aggregates on the overall behavior of concrete, and finally to characterize the cement matrix. The starting point is the use of SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) to analyze the transition zone, which enabled us to see that this area is strongly influenced by the nature of the aggregates and the quality of adhesion matrix / aggregates is not always perfect. A 3D numerical concrete is then developed in the computation code Finite Element Abaqus to quantify the effect of the transition zone of the matrix and / aggregate interface on the mechanical properties of the concrete. The simulation results showed no influence of the transition region around the aggregates on the overall behavior of the concrete in compression. However, a significant influence on the nature of the contact matrix / aggregates is demonstrated when a sliding between the matrix and the aggregate is taken into account. In order to find the properties of the cementitious matrix which coats the aggregate, the micro-indentation test is coupled to a numerical simulation. Finally obtained the correlation between the numerical model and the experiment was concluded on the feasibility of the methodology adopted. Finally, the micro-indentation test is applied on concrete samples in order to study the effect of the fire on the properties of the cementitious matrix.

A paradigm shift is underway in which the classical materials selection approach in engineering design is being replaced by the design of material structure and processing paths on a hierarchy of length scales for specific multifunctional performance requirements. In this dissertation, the focus is on designing mesoscopic material and product topology?? geometric arrangement of solid phases and voids on length scales larger than microstructures but smaller than the characteristic dimensions of an overall product. Increasingly, manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and materials processing techniques facilitate tailoring topology with high levels of detail. Fully leveraging these capabilities requires not only computational models but also a systematic, efficient design method for exploring, refining, and evaluating product and material topology and other design parameters for targeted multifunctional performance that is robust with respect to potential manufacturing, design, and operating variations. In this dissertation, the Robust Topological Preliminary Design Exploration Method is presented for designing complex multi-scale products and materials by topologically and parametrically tailoring them for multifunctional performance that is superior to that of standard designs and less sensitive to variations. A comprehensive robust design method is established for topology design applications. It includes computational techniques, guidelines, and a multiobjective decision formulation for evaluating and minimizing the impact of topological and parametric variation on the performance of a preliminary topological design. A method is also established for multifunctional topology design, including thermal topology design techniques and multi-stage, distributed design methods for designing preliminary topologies with built-in flexibility for subsequent modification for enhanced performance in secondary functional domains. Key aspects of the approach are demonstrated by designing linear cellular alloys??ered metallic cellular materials with extended prismatic cells?? three applications. Heat exchangers are designed with increased heat dissipation and structural load bearing capabilities relative to conventional heat sinks for microprocessor applications. Cellular materials are designed with structural properties that are robust to dimensional and topological imperfections such as missing cell walls. Finally, combustor liners are designed to increase operating temperatures and efficiencies and reduce harmful emissions for next-generation turbine engines via active cooling and load bearing within topologically and parametrically customized cellular materials.

Mesoscopic Modeling of Chemical Surface Reactions<p><p>Reactions such as those encountered in heterogeneous catalysis form a specific class of non-equilibrium, nonlinear systems: they take place on low-dimensional supports, the surfaces, exhibiting a particularly restricted geometry. Because of this geometrical restriction, fluctuation-induced nanometric self-organization can spontaneously arise and can lead to a compartmentalization of the reactants and the products. We use mesoscopic stochastic simulations and theoretical approaches to model the dynamics at these scales and to understand the connection between the microscopic details of the processes and the macroscopic rate laws for concentrations. In particular, we study the propagation of waves, the emergence of coherent oscillatory and explosive behaviors and apply these techniques for the modeling of experimental systems such as the H2+O2/Rh reaction with co-adsorbed potassium or the NO+H2 reaction on platinum.<p> / Doctorat en sciences, Spécialisation chimie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Motivés par les développements récents dans le domaine des nanosciences, nous étudions les propriétés statistiques et thermodynamiques des systèmes mésoscopiques. En particulier, nous nous concentrons sur les résultats connus sous le nom de théorèmes de fluctuation. Ces relations donnent des prédictions sur le comportement de différents quantités dynamiques dans des situations loin de l'équilibre, tout en tenant compte des fluctuations de l'évolution temporelle.<p><p>\ / Doctorat en sciences, Spécialisation physique / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished