Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a powerful technique to non-invasively map the physical and chemical environment within microfluidic devices. In this work FLIM has been used in conjunction with a variety of other techniques to provide a greater insight into flow behaviour and fluid properties at the microscale. The pH-sensitive fluorescent dyes, fluorescein and C-SNARF 1, have been used to generate pH maps of microfluidic devices with a time-gated camera and a time-and-space-correlated single photon counting (TSCSPC) detector, respectively. Using time-gated detection and fluorescein, the fluorescence lifetime images allow for direct reading of the pH. The relative contribution to fluorescence of the acid and basic forms of C-SNARF 1 was spatially resolved on the basis of pre-exponential factors, giving quantitative mapping of the pH in the microfluidic device. Three dimensional maps of solvent composition have been generated using 2-photon excitation FLIM (2PE-FLIM) in order to observe the importance of gravitational effects in microfluidic devices. Two fluidic systems have been studied: glycerol concentration in the microfluidic device was measured using Kiton red; water concentration in a methanolic solution was measured using ANS. The density mismatch between two solutions of different composition induced a rotation of the interface between two streams travelling side by side in a microchannel. The experiment has provided evidence of non-negligible gravitational effects in microflows. 2PE-FLIM has superior capability than methods used previously to assess similar phenomena. FLIM and micro-particle imaging velocimetry (μ-PIV) have been implemented on a custom-built open frame microscope and used simultaneously for multimodal mapping of fluid properties and flow characteristics. It has been shown that viscosity mismatch between two streams induces a non-constant advective transport across the channel and results in a flow profile that deviates from the usual Poiseuille profile, characteristic of pressure driven flow in microfluidic devices.

The flow profiles of pressure-driven and electro-kinetic driven flows were compared for a microfluidic chip. It was found that the pressure-driven flow had a parabolic profile while the electro-kinetic flow had a plug shaped flow profile. The measured velocities were similar to those determined by the Poiseuille flow model and the Helmholtz-Smoltchowski equation. Flow uniformity is very important for control in microfluidic mixers. Parabolic flow profiles lead to inconsistent reactions while the more uniform plug shape flow allow for a more steady reaction across the channel. Previous work had been performed to measure the flow of a solution of fluorescent polystyrene beads in PDMS channels using a laser confocal microscope. This showed that particles easily stuck to the channel making it difficult to measure over time. In addition, bubble formation in the channel made measuring velocities difficult. Current work used a LabSmith Video Synchronized microscope with software to measure the flow rates at different areas of the channel. Solutions of fluorescent polystyrene beads were used to visually observe the flow within a channel under a microscope. Four different channels were used for the pressure-driven flows of varying dimensions and materials. The channel with the best measured profile was also measured under electro-kinetic flow. A LabSmith High Voltage Sequencer was used to apply a voltage across the channel for electro-kinetic measurements. This research confirmed the different flow profiles under pressure-driven and electro-kinetic driven flow. Future work can be done to determine how this effects mixing in the channels.

No description available.

<p>    </p> <p>Cerebral aneurysms are presented in 3-5% of the population and account for approximately 10% of all strokes. The clinical decision on treating unruptured aneurysms should not be taken lightly because a majority of the asymptomatic cerebral aneurysm will not rupture, while both endovascular and microsurgical treatments carry the risk of morbidity and mortality. Thus, there is a need for objective risk assessment to reliably predict the high-risk aneurysms to intervene. Recent studies have found that the blood flow hemodynamic metrics such as pressure and wall shear stress (WSS) are related to the growth and rupture of the aneurysms. 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures time-resolved three-dimensional velocity fields in the aneurysms <em>in vivo</em>, allowing for the evaluation of hemodynamic parameters. This work presents the developments of flow-physics constrained data enhancement and augmentation methods for 4D flow MRI to assist the risk stratification of cerebral aneurysms. First, a phase unwrapping and denoising method is introduced to enhance the dynamic range and accuracy of 4D flow MRI velocity measurement by incorporating the divergence-free constraint of incompressible flow. Moreover, methods are developed to improve the estimation of hemodynamic parameters from 4D flow data including pressure and WSS. The pressure reconstruction method is also applied to the flow data acquired using particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) and shows superior performance as compared to the existing methods by solving the pressure Poisson equation. We also proposed a framework to estimate the uncertainty of the PIV/PTV based pressure estimation by propagating the velocity uncertainty. In addition, a multi-modality approach is introduced to enhances the resolution and accuracy of 4D flow data with sparse representation, which improves the reliability of the hemodynamic evaluation. Finally, we present a method to measure the left ventricular flow propagation velocity from cardiac imaging to help in assessing the diastolic function. </p>

Ce travail porte sur la stabilisation de flammes prémélangées et swirlées de mélanges combustibles méthane/hydrogène/air avec différents taux de dilution d’azote et de dioxyde de carbone. Une tige centrale permet de stabiliser des flammes pour de faibles nombres de swirl. Le sommet de la flamme interagît éventuellement avec les parois de la chambre de combustion. L’objectif ces travaux est d’améliorer la connaissance des mécanismes qui gouvernent la stabilisation et la topologie de ces flammes. Ces travaux démontrent que le nombre de swirl, la composition du mélange combustible, la géométrie de la chambre de combustion ainsi que les conditions aux limites thermiques ont une grande influence sur la forme prise par la flamme. Le dispositif expérimental permet de modifier la forme et la taille de la chambre de combustion, le diamètre du tube d’injection et le nombre de swirl. Des conditions opératoires propices aux transitions de forme de flamme sont ensuite étudiées pour différentes configurations de brûleur. Une caractérisation expérimentale fouillée d’un point de fonctionnement est réalisée grâce à la Fluorescence Induite par Laser sur le radical Hydroxyle (OH-PLIF), la Vélocimétrie par Images de Particules (PIV) et la Phosphorescence Induite par Laser de phosphores sensibles à la température (LIP). Une base de donnée de l’écoulement et des conditions aux limites associées est obtenue sans et avec combustion. Les mécanismes qui contrôlent les transitions de formes de flamme sont ensuite analysés lorsque la flamme interagit avec les parois de la chambre de combustion. L’influence de la composition du mélange combustible, de la vitesse débitante et du nombre de swirl est caractérisée et il est démontré que la transition d’une flamme en V vers une flamme en M est déclenchée par un retour de flamme dans la couche limite le long d’une des parois latérales de la chambre de combustion. Les nombres sans dimension contrôlant ces transitions sont identifiés et un modèle de prévision de la forme de ces flammes est développé. La physique déterminant les transitions de forme de flammes est différente lorsque celles-ci n’interagissent pas avec les parois de la chambre de combustion. En utilisant le signal de chimiluminescence OH* et la OH-PLIF, il est montré que la teneur en hydrogène dans le combustible a une grande influence sur la forme de flamme. L’utilisation de la LIP et de thermocouples a également permis de montrer que les conditions aux limites thermiques jouent un rôle prépondérant sur la forme de flamme. Les effets combinés de l’étirement et des pertes thermiques sont examinés par l’utilisation conjointe de la PIV et de la OH-PLIF. Il est montré que les limites d’extinction de flammes pauvres prémélangées sont réduites par les pertes thermiques et que la transition d’une flamme en M vers une flamme en V est consécutive à l’extinction du front de flamme situé dans la couche de cisaillement externe du jet soumis à un étirement trop important. Ces expériences sont complétées par une analyse de la dynamique de ces flammes. Des modulations de la vitesse débitante à basse fréquence et à haute amplitude modifient la forme de flamme. La stabilisation de flammes CH4/H2/air diluées par du N2 ou du CO2 est finalement examinée. La zone de recirculation produite par la tige centrale permet d’alimenter la base de la flamme avec des gaz brûlés chauds et de stabiliser des flammes fortement diluées. Augmenter la fraction molaire de diluant dans le combustible réduit l’intensité de lumière émise par le radical OH*. Il est également montré que la composition du diluant a un impact sur le champ de température des gaz brûlés et des surfaces de la chambre de combustion. La dilution par du CO2 augmente les pertes thermiques par rayonnement des gaz brûlés. Cela réduit l’efficacité de la chambre de combustion équipée de quatre parois transparentes. [...] / This work deals with the stabilization of premixed turbulent swirling flames of methane/hydrogen/air combustible mixtures with different dilution rates of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. A central bluff body helps stabilizing the flames at low swirl numbers. The flame tip eventually impinges the combustor peripheral wall. The general objective is to gain understanding of the mechanisms governing the stabilization and the topology of these flames. It is found that the swirl number, the combustible mixture composition, the geometry of the combustor, and the thermal boundary conditions have a strong impact on the shape taken by these flames. The experimental setup used to characterize flames topologies is first described. Flames prone to topology bifurcations are selected and are studied for different arrangement of the combustor when the combustion chamber shape and size, the injection tube diameter, and swirl number are varied. One operating condition is fully characterized under non-reactive and reactive conditions using Planar Hydroxyl Laser Induced Fluorescence (OH-PLIF), Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV), and Laser Induced Phosphorescence of thermographic phosphors (LIP) to generate a detailed database of the flow and the corresponding boundary conditions. An analysis is then conducted to understand the mechanisms controlling shape bifurcations when the flame interacts with the combustor peripheral wall. Effects of the combustible mixture composition, the bulk flow velocity, and the swirl number are analyzed. It is shown that the transition from a V to an M flame is triggered by a flashback of the V flame tip in the boundary layer of the combustor peripheral wall. Dimensionless numbers controlling these transitions are identified and a simplified model is developed to help the prediction of the flame shapes. The physics of these shape bifurcations differs when the flame does not interact with the combustor wall. The large influence of the hydrogen enrichment in the fuel on the flame shape is analyzed using flame chemiluminescence and OH-PLIF. LIP and thermocouple measurements demonstrate that the thermal boundary conditions still have a strong impact on the flame topology. The combined effects of strain and heat losses are investigated using joint OH-PLIF and PIV experiments. It is shown that flammability limits of premixed flames are reduced due to heat losses and the transitions from M to V shaped flames is consecutive to localized extinctions of flame front elements located in the outer shear layer of the jet flow that are submitted to large strain rates. These experiments are completed by an analysis of the dynamics of methane/hydrogen/air flames. It is shown that low frequency and high amplitude velocity modulations generated by a loudspeaker alter the shape taken by these flames. The stabilization of methane/hydrogen/air flames diluted by nitrogen and carbon dioxide is finally examined. It was possible to stabilize swirled flames featuring important dilution rates due to the presence of the bluff body, installed on the axis of the injection tube. The recirculation zone behind this element supplies hot burnt gases to the flame anchoring point. Using OH* chemiluminescence imaging, it is shown than increasing the molar fraction of diluent in the fuel reduces the light emission from excited OH* radicals. The influence of dilution on the flame chemistry is emphasized with experiments conducted at a fixed thermal power and fixed adiabatic flame temperature. It is also demonstrated that the composition of the diluent has a strong influence on the temperature field of the burnt gases and of the combustor wall surfaces. Dilution with carbon dioxide increases radiative heat losses from the burnt gases in comparison to dilution with nitrogen. This penalizes the combustor efficiency equipped with four transparent quartz walls. [...]

Ce travail porte sur l’étude expérimentale et numérique de l’écoulement des mousses humides dans un canal horizontal droit de section carrée avec ou sans singularités. Il est consacré tout particulièrement à déterminer les paramètres pertinents de l’écoulement dont la chute de pression longitudinale, les champs de vitesse de l’écoulement de mousse en proche parois, les épaisseurs de films liquides minces et épais en paroi et l’évolution de la contrainte pariétale pour une mousse humide dont la fraction gazeuse varie de 55 à 85% et la vitesse débitante de la mousse est 2, 4 puis 6 cm/s. Une fois ces paramètres déterminés en conduite horizontale droite, nous avons ensuite effectué des mesures sur différentes géométries représentant un élargissement brusque, une chicane verticale et écoulement de mousse autour d’un cylindre, dont le but est d’étudier la réorganisation de l’écoulement en vue de déterminer le comportement rhéologique des mousses en écoulement à l’aval et à l’amont des singularités. Finalement, une étude de simulation numérique (CFD) en utilisant les lois de comportement de type Bingham, pour fluides non newtoniens, a été effectuée afin de tester sa capacité de représenter des écoulements type mousse humide dans une conduite horizontale avec ou sans singularités. Nous avons vérifié tout d’abord l’évolution longitudinale de la pression statique qui est linéaire à l’amont comme à l’aval loin des zones influencées par les singularités. La chute de pression singulière reste à peu près constante pour une vitesse débitante donnée de la mousse. À partir de la technique de Vélocimétrie par Image de Particule (PIV), nous avons déterminé les composantes de vitesse au voisinage immédiat des singularités. Ces mesures nous ont permis de mettre en évidence l’existence de différents régimes d’écoulement, et de déterminer la réorganisation et le comportement rhéologique de l’écoulement de mousse autour des géométries étudiées. L’analyse des mesures d’épaisseur de films liquides, obtenues par la méthode conductimétrique, indique que la paroi reste mouillée par un film liquide suffisamment épais pour qu’on puisse appliquer la méthode électrochimique. Les signaux polarographiques obtenus avec la mousse présentent alors de fortes fluctuations. La comparaison de celles-ci avec les contraintes pariétales déduites à partir des mesures de la chute de pression montre bien une bonne concordance. L’étude numérique (CFD), effectuée pour une fraction volumique de gaz égale à 70% et qui s’écoule avec une vitesse débitante de 2 cm/s, montre que le modèle rhéologique de Bingham pourrait être bien adapté à ce genre de mousse humide évoluant en écoulement en bloc. / This work is an experimental and numerical study of aqueous foam flow inside a horizontal square duct, with and without flow disruption devices (fdd). It is especially devoted to determine the pertinent parameters of the flow: longitudinal pressure losses, velocity fields of foam flow near the walls, liquid film thickness (thick and thin), and the wall shear stress evolution, for an aqueous foam with a void fraction range between 55 and 85%, for a mean foam flow velocity of 2, 4 and 6 cm/s. Once they were determined, inside the horizontal channel, we carried out measurements over different geometries: half-sudden expansion, vertical fence and foam flow around a cylinder. The goal was to study the foam flow reorganization to well understand the rheological behavior of aqueous foam flow in the vicinities of different fdd. Finally, a numerical simulation (CFD), using the Bingham behavior model of non-Newtonian fluid, was undertaken to test its capacity to represent the aqueous foam flow inside the horizontal duct with flow disruption devices. First of all, we verified the static longitudinal pressure evolution, which varies linearly upstream and downstream far from the fdd. The singular pressure loss remains constant for a given mean foam velocity and a foam quality (void fraction). From the Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV) technique (2D), we determined the two velocity components in the immediate vicinities of the disruption devices. They allowed us to put into evidence the different foam flow regimes and to observe the foam flow reorganization and rheological behavior through the studied fdd. The slip-layer thickness analysis, obtained using the conductimetry method, shows that the wall presents a liquid film thick enough to apply an electrochemical technique (polarography). Thus, the polarographic signals, obtained for the foam flow, present important fluctuations. They were compared to the wall shear stress deducted from the measurement of pressure losses, showing a good similarity between them. The numerical study (CFD), carried out for aqueous foam flow with a void fraction of 70% and a mean foam flow velocity of 2 cm/s, shows that the Bingham rheological model can be adapted to this kind of aqueous foam flow which is flowing like a block.