This research centers on the fabrication, characterization, and engineering of inverse opal scaffolds, a novel class of three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds made of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The unique features of an inverse opal scaffold include a highly ordered array of pores, uniform and finely tunable pore sizes, high interconnectivity, and great reproducibility. The first part of this work focuses on the fabrication and functionalization of inverse opal scaffolds based on poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), a biodegradable material approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The advantages of the PLGA inverse opal scaffolds are also demonstrated by comparing with their counterparts with spherical but non-uniform pores and poor interconnectivity. The second part of this work shows two examples where the PLGA inverse opal scaffolds were successfully used as a well-defined system to investigate the effect of pore size of a 3D porous scaffold on the behavior of cell and tissue growth. Specifically, I have demonstrated that i) the differentiation of progenitor cells in vitro was dependent on the pore size of PLGA-based scaffolds and the behavior of the cells was determined by the size of individual pores where the cells resided in, and ii) the neovascularization process in vivo could be directly manipulated by controlling a combination of pore and window sizes when they were applied to a mouse model. The last part of this work deals with the novel application of photoacoustic microscopy (PAM), a volumetric imaging modality recently developed, to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, in the context of non-invasive imaging and quantification of cells and tissues grown in PLGA inverse opal scaffolds, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the capability of PAM to monitor and quantitatively analyze the degradation of the scaffolds themselves was also demonstrated.

No description available.

Dans le contexte d’une population vieillissante il est primordial de développer des outils de diagnostic cliniques précis, fiables, peu coûteux et faciles à mettre en place. Durant cette thèse j’ai en particulier cherché à réaliser une cartographie dynamique des vaisseaux sanguins dans le but de permettre de détecter à la fois des cancers et des maladies cardiovasculaires, deux des maladies les plus mortelles. Pour avoir un diagnostic efficace on se doit d’imager en profondeur avec une résolution spatiale et temporelle la meilleure possible. Dans le chapitre 0 j’explique les enjeux de l’imagerie médicale sur la micro-vascularisation en analysant les avantages et inconvénients de plusieurs types d’imageries médicales. Dans le chapitre 1 je développe en détail l’imagerie photo-acoustique, qui s’est avérée être la plus appropriée à notre application. Elle a l’avantage d’avoir un contraste optique et une résolution acoustique. J’utilise en particulier la photo-acoustique fréquentielle qui est peu onéreuse et peu encombrante, donc facilement intégrable dans le monde hospitalier par rapport à une imagerie photo-acoustique « classique ». Je valide cette partie sur des résultats expérimentaux in-vivo sur des oreilles de souris. Dans le chapitre 2 j’ai cherché à détecter le signal photo-acoustique de façon optique qui a pour avantage d’être sans contact donc sans souci d’encombrement entre « excitation optique » et « détection acoustique ». Je développe le traitement du signal nécessaire pour détecter une onde acoustique, i.e. des vibrations, à l’aide d’un interféromètre. Puis je présente dans le chapitre 3 un interféromètre particulier développé au laboratoire : le Laser Optical Feedback Imaging (LOFI). Il permet de s’affranchir du bruit du détecteur donc il permet de détecter des vibrations de petites amplitudes même sur des surfaces peu réfléchissantes comme la peau et cela même à faible puissance par respect des normes médicales. Dans le chapitre 4 je valide la détection du signal photo-acoustique avec notre détection optique. Enfin dans le chapitre 5 je montre à travers des simulations une technique d’imagerie innovante plein champ qui permettrait de détecter plus rapidement un signal photo-acoustique riche spectralement. / In the context of an aging population, it is essential to develop clinical diagnostic tools that are accurate, reliable, inexpensive and easy to implement. During this thesis I particularly sought to perform a dynamic mapping of blood vessels in order to detect both cancers and cardiovascular diseases, two of the most deadly diseases. In order to have an effective diagnosis, it is necessary to image in depth with the best possible spatial and temporal resolution. In chapter 0 I explain the challenges of medical imaging on micro-vascularization by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of several types of medical imaging. In chapter 1 I develop in detail the photo-acoustic imaging, which proved to be the most appropriate for our application. It has the advantage of optical contrast and acoustic resolution. In particular, I use frequency photo-acoustics, which is inexpensive and space-saving, and can therefore be easily integrated in the hospital world compared to "traditional" photo-acoustic imaging. I validate this part on in-vivo experimental results on mouse ears. In chapter 2 I tried to detect the photo-acoustic signal in an optical way which has the advantage of being contactless and therefore without any problem of clutter between "optical excitation" and "acoustic detection". I develop the signal processing necessary to detect an acoustic wave, i.e. vibrations, using an interferometer. Then I present in chapter 3 a particular interferometer developed in the laboratory: the Laser Optical Feedback Imaging (LOFI). This interferometer allows to be limited to photon noise even with a low intensity thus it makes it possible to detect vibrations of small amplitudes even on surfaces with a low reflecting index like the skin in accordance with medical standards. In chapter 4 I validate the detection of the photo-acoustic signal with our optical detection. Finally in chapter 5 I show with simulations an innovative full field imaging technique that would allow faster detection of a spectrally rich photo-acoustic signal.

Le besoin d'analyse de gaz à l'état de traces s'est accentué ces dernières années en raison des préoccupations du public et de l'industrie sur des questions telles que le contrôle des émissions de polluants atmosphériques, la surveillance de l'environnement au sens large, la santé et la sécurité au travail. Il est donc nécessaire de posséder des instruments de détection sélectifs, sensibles et capables d'effectuer une mesure directe en temps réel. La fiabilité des systèmes de mesure est également un critère important et, selon l'application envisagée, s'ajoute aussi le besoin de miniaturisation pour aller vers des microsystèmes permettant le développement de dispositifs portables pour des opérations sur site.Le travail de thèse présenté dans ce manuscrit est situé dans ce contexte et porte sur l'étude et la mise au point d'un système sensible, efficace et assez simple à mettre en œuvre permettant de réaliser des mesures de traces de gaz sélectives, en temps réel et in-situ. Ce système est basé sur la spectroscopie d'absorption par quartz (QEPAS, Quartz Enhanced PhotoAcoustic Spectrocopy) qui consiste en la mesure d'une onde acoustique générée après la relaxation non-radiative des molécules excitées par l'absorption de la lumière modulée émise par des diodes lasers accordables, à l'aide d'un diapason à quartz (QTF). Le fonctionnement des sources lasers accordables et du QTF ainsi que différentes configurations du spectrophone (association du micro-résonateur et du QTF) utilisés dans cette technique QEPAS sont détaillés. Une modélisation de l'onde acoustique et de la réponse du capteur est également proposée. Deux dispositifs ont été réalisés. Le premier, nommé banc QEPAS prototype, est dédié à la mesure de l'éthylène avec une diode laser DFB émettant à 3,32 µm. Le second dispositif est une nouvelle version de capteur QEPAS, plus compacte que des dispositifs existant actuellement, dans laquelle il est possible de placer tout type de diode laser commerciale montée dans des supports de type T0xx. Ce banc compact est utilisé pour la mesure de méthane avec notamment une diode laser DFB émettant à 3,26 µm. / The need for trace gas analysis has increased in recent years due to an important concern of the public and industry on issues such as the control of emissions of air pollutants, environmental monitoring, health and security. It is therefore necessary to have the trace gas sensors able of high selectivity, sensitivity and a direct measurement in real time. The reliability of the measurement systems is also an important criterion, depending on the intended application, the need to move towards miniaturization of microsystems for the development of portable devices for on-site operations is also interesting.This thesis is in this context and focuses on the study and development of a sensitive, efficient and simple setup to make selective, in-situ and in real time measurements of trace gases. This system is based on quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectrocopy (QEPAS) which consists on the measurement of an acoustic wave generated by the non-radiative relaxation of the excited molecules after light absorption, with a quartz tuning fork (QTF). The operation of tunable laser sources, of QTF and different spectrophone configurations (combination of the micro-resonator and QTF) used in QEPAS technique are detailed. A model of the acoustic wave and the response of the sensor are also proposed. Two devices have been designed. The first one is a QEPAS prototype bench, dedicated to the measurement of ethylene with a DFB laser diode emitting at 3.32 µm. The second device is a new version of QEPAS sensor that is more compact than the currently existing devices and where it is possible to place any type of commercial laser diode. This compact bench is used for methane measurement with a DFB laser diode emitting at 3.26 µm.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os materiais ferroelétricos têm sido utilizados em muitas áreas da tecnologia e da ciência, pois possuem um grande número de aplicações, como: sensores; transdutores; capacitores; dispositivos ópticos; dentre outras. A busca por novos materiais cerâmicos ferroelétricos tem sido grande. Um dos materiais cerâmicos ferroelétricos mais estudados é o titanato de bário (BT). São vários os métodos de produção e caracterização do titanato de bário. Neste trabalho, pós cerâmicos de titanato de bário foram obtidos por reação do estado sólido a partir de misturas reacionais calcinadas em diferentes temperaturas entre 400C e 900C. Foram três as misturas reacionais: não dopadas; dopadas com 1%; e dopadas com 5% de dióxido de cério (CeO2). A identificação da formação do BT, nos pós cerâmicos produzidos, foi feita a partir de três técnicas de caracterização: difração de raios X (DRX); espectroscopia fotoacústica (PAS); e técnicas de análise térmica. Com a técnica DRX, difratogramas mostraram que a plena formação do titanato de bário ocorreu a partir da temperatura de calcinação de 700C. Para a amostra não dopada com cério e calcinada a 800C, houve deslocamento de todos os picos de difração. Nas amostras dopadas com dióxido de cério houve deslocamento de todos os picos de difração, em relação as amostras não dopadas. Observou-se também que nas amostras dopadas com 5% de CeO2, e calcinadas a 700C e 800C, resíduos de dióxido de cério foram observados nos difratogramas. Com a técnica PAS, espectros de absorção foram obtidos. Foi possível observar uma grande diferença de absorção da amostra calcinada a 600 e 630C, indicando a formação do titanato de bário a partir da temperatura de 630C, nas amostras sem a dopagem dióxido de cério. Houve um alargamento nas bandas de absorção a partir da temperatura de 600C, quando o dióxido de cério entrou na matriz. Foi também possível determinar as energias de band-gap das amostras utilizando o método de Tauc. Com as técnicas de análise térmica, em especial através da técnica termogravimétrica (TG/DTG), foi comprovado que até 400C não havia formação de titanato de bário. Visto que nesta temperatura de calcinação houve a maior perda de massa durante a rampa de aquecimento. O início da formação do titanato de bário foi observado a partir da temperatura de calcinação de 500C, assim como nas técnicas DRX e PAS. Portanto, com os resultados apresentados, foi demonstrada a identificação da formação do titanato de bário nas misturas reacionais calcinadas, com auxílio das potencialidades das três técnicas utilizadas. / Ferroelectric materials have been used in many areas of technology and science, because they have a large number of applications, such as sensors; transducers; capacitors; optical devices; among others. The search for new ferroelectric ceramics has been great. One of the most studied ferroelectric ceramic material is barium titanate (BT). There are several methods for production and characterization of barium titanate. In this work, ceramic powders of barium titanate were obtained by solid state reaction from reaction mixtures calcined at different temperatures between 400C and 900C. Three reaction mixtures were used: undoped; doped with 1%; and 5% doped with cerium dioxide (CeO2). The identification of the formation of BT, for the ceramic powders produced, was taken from three characterization techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD); photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS); and thermal analysis techniques. With the technique XRD diffraction patterns showed that complete formation of the barium titanate occurred after the calcination temperature of 700C. For the sample not doped with cerium and calcined at 800C, there was displacement of all diffraction peaks. In samples doped with cerium dioxide was no displacement of all diffraction peaks, comparing to undoped samples. It was also observed that the samples doped with 5% CeO2 and calcined at 700C and 800C, cerium dioxide residues were observed in the diffraction pattern. The absorption spectra were obtained with the technique PAS. It was possible to observe a large difference in absorption spectra in the samples calcined at 600C and 630C, indicating the formation of barium titanate at temperature of 630C in the samples without doping of cerium dioxide. There was an enlargement in the absorption band above temperature of 600C when the cerium dioxide was introduced into the matrix. It was also possible to determine the band-gap energy of the samples using the method of TAUC. With thermal analysis techniques, in particular by thermogravimetric technique (TG/DTG), has been proven that up to 400C there was no formation of barium titanate. Once, in this calcination temperature there was the largest mass loss during the heating ramp. The onset of formation of barium titanate was observed from the calcination temperature of 500C, as it has been found by the XRD and PAS techniques. Therefore, with the results presented, the identification of the formation of barium titanate calcined in reaction mixtures with the aid of the potentialities of the three techniques was demonstrated.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As resinas fotocuradas são amplamente utilizadas em odontologia. Este processo de cura é assistido pela luz visível que promove ligações químicas que as endurecem. Nesta dissertação, as resinas odontológicas fotocuradas comerciais das marcas Opallis Flow A1, A2, AO 3,5, T, Opallis DA2, Natural Flow e Ebecryl 3720-TP25 foram caracterizadas empregando as técnicas de microbalança de cristal de quartzo (QCM) e espectroscopia fotoacústica (PAS) à temperatura ambiente. A espectroscopia fotoacústica foi utilizada para avaliar a região do espectro eletromagnético responsável pela fotocura das resinas odontológicas. Desta forma, conhecendo-se o comprimento de onda da absorção da resina, possibilitou realizar o processo de fotocura. Adicionalmente, foi possível monitorar o processo de fotocura com a técnica de microbalança. A frequência de ressonância do cristal da microbalança se modifica com a fotocura das resinas estudadas. Deste modo, foi possível estimar por QCM, o tempo de cura para os comprimentos de ondas caracterizados por PAS. / Photocured resins are largely used in dentistry. The curing process is visible light assisted provoking the chemical bonds that hardens the resin. In this dissertation, commercial photocured dentistry resins of brands Opallis Flow A1, A2, AO 3,5, T, Opallis DA2, Natural Flow and Ebecryl 3720-TP25 were characterized by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) at room temperature. Photoacoustic spectroscopy was used to assess the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that is responsible for curing dental resins. Thus, knowing the absorption wavelength of the resin allowed the photocuring processes. Besides, the cure was monitored using microbalance technique. The ressonance frequency of the crystal microbalance changes during the photocuring processes. In this way, it was possible to evaluate by QCM the cure time for the wavelengths characterized by PAS.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Neste trabalho foi proposto o monitoramento do processo de cura e fotocura de resinas epóxi através da Espectroscopia Fotoacústica. Nos experimentos, foram utilizados dois tipos de resinas epóxi: A resina Epoxtec 331, com o endurecedor DER 24, e a resina fotocurada EBECRYL 3720-TP25, com o fotoiniciador OMNIRAD 808. Foram utilizados dois modelos de células fotoacústicas: uma baseada na técnica de diferença de fase dos dois feixes (T2F); e outra convencional. São apresentadas as montagens experimentais desenvolvidas para os monitoramentos da cura e fotocura das resinas. O estudo foi realizado monitorando o sinal fotoacústico fazendo varredura em comprimentos de onda. Também foi monitorado o sinal fotoacústico em função do tempo durante as curas e fotocuras. Foi estudado o efeito de luz saturante, não modulada, nos processos de fotocura. Tanto a amplitude quanto a fase do sinal fotoacústico revelaram-se boas ferramentas para o monitoramento proposto. Apesar de muitos dos efeitos encontrados, nos estudos realizados, ainda não terem explicação, o presente trabalho mostrou a potencialidade da espectroscopia fotoacústica para esta área de pesquisa. / In this work it was proposed the monitoring of the cure and photocuring of epoxy resins by Photoacoustic Spectroscopy. In the experiments, two types of epoxy resins were used: the resin Epoxtec 331,with the hardener DER 24; and the resin EBECRYL 3720 - TP25, with the photoinitiator 808 OMNIRAD. Two models of Photoacoustic cell were used: one based on two-beam phase-lag technique (T2F); and a conventional one. The developed set-ups for monitoring of cure and photocuring of epoxy resins are presented. The study was carried out with monitoring the photoacoustic signal on the wavelengths scan. Also the photoacoustic signal as a function of time was observed during the cure and photocuring. The effect of unmodulated saturating light was studied in the processes of photocuring. Both the amplitude and the phase of the photoacoustic signal proved to be good tools for the proposed monitoring. Although many of the effects found in these studies have not yet been explained, the present study showed the potential of photoacoustic spectroscopy to this area of research.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O objetivo deste trabalho é a síntese e investigação estrutural e óptica de amostras SrGa2O4 dopados com 1% de íons Ni2+. Estas amostras foram sintetizados por reação do estado sólido convencional, utilizando como materiais de partida de alta pureza Ga2O3, SrCO3 e NiO em quantidades estequiométricas. As amostras foram caracterizadas estruturalmente pelo método de difração de raios - X( XRD ) e as medições de difração mostraram que as amostras têm uma única fase monoclínica. Os padrões de XRD também foram refinados pelo método de Rietveld, que permitiu a determinação dos parâmetros de célula unitária. A Caracterização óptica das amostras puras e dopadas SrGa2O4 foram realizadas as medições a partir de fotoluminescência, de excitação e de absorção fotoacústica, à temperatura ambiente. Os espectros de emissão mostraram três bandas de emissão localizadas em 557 nm, 661 nm e 844 nm e foram identificadas essas bandas, respectivamente, com as seguintes transições eletrônicas :1T2 (1D) → 3A2 (3F), 3T1 (3F)→ 3A2 (3F) e 1T2 (1D) → 3T2 (3F). Os espectros de excitação mostraram seis bandas de absorção associadas às transições electrônicas do nível 3A2 (3F) para o 3T1 (3P) , T1 (3P), 1A1 (1G), 1T2 (1D), 3T1 (3F), 1E (1D) e 1T2, 1E (1G). Medidas de absorção fotoacústica também foram realizados com o fim de verificar as transições ópticas observadas nos espectros de excitação e de identificar novas bandas de absorção óptica. Os resultados demonstraram que os íons de Ni2+ ocupam dois locais octaédricos diferentes na amostra SrGa2O4 dopado. A partir das transições ópticas observadas nos espectros de excitação e fotoacústica, determinou-se o parâmetro de cristal de campo, dq, e parâmetros Racah, B e C. A proporção Dq / B ≈ 1.2 para ambos os locais são típicos para Ni2+ íons inseridos em redes de óxido e em coordenação octaédrica. / The aim of this work is the synthesis and structural and optical investigation of SrGa2O4 samples doped with 1% of Ni2+ ions. These samples were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction using as starting materials high purity SrCO3, Ga2O3 and NiO in stoichiometric quantities. Samples were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method and the diffraction measurements showed that the samples have a single monoclinic phase. The XRD patterns were also refined by the Rietveld method which allowed the determination of the unit cell parameters. Optical characterization of the pure and doped SrGa2O4 samples were performed from photoluminescence, excitation and photoacoustic absorption measurements at room temperature. Emission spectra showed three emission bands localized at 557 nm, 661 nm and 844 nm and these bands were identified, respectively, with the following electronic transitions: 1T2 (1D) → 3A2 (3F), 3T1 (3F)→ 3A2 (3F) e 1T2 (1D) → 3T1 (3F). Excitation spectra showed six absorption bands associated to the electronic transitions from the level 3A2 (3F) to the 3T1 (3P), 1A1 (1G), 1T2 (1D), 3T1 (3F), 1E (1D) e 1T2, 1E (1G) levels. Photoacoustic absorption measurements were also carried out in order to verify the optical transitions observed in the excitation spectra and to identify new optical absorption bands. The results showed that Ni2+ ions occupy two different octahedral sites in the SrGa2O4 doped sample. From the optical transitions observed in the excitation and photoacoustic spectra, we determined the crystal-field parameter, Dq, and Racah parameters, B and C. The ratio Dq/B ≈ 1.2 for both sites are typical for Ni2+ ions inserted in oxide lattices and in octahedral coordination.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os materiais ferroelétricos têm sido utilizados em muitas áreas da tecnologia e da ciência, pois possuem um grande número de aplicações, como: sensores; transdutores; capacitores; dispositivos ópticos; dentre outras. A busca por novos materiais cerâmicos ferroelétricos tem sido grande. Um dos materiais cerâmicos ferroelétricos mais estudados é o titanato de bário (BT). São vários os métodos de produção e caracterização do titanato de bário. Neste trabalho, pós cerâmicos de titanato de bário foram obtidos por reação do estado sólido a partir de misturas reacionais calcinadas em diferentes temperaturas entre 400C e 900C. Foram três as misturas reacionais: não dopadas; dopadas com 1%; e dopadas com 5% de dióxido de cério (CeO2). A identificação da formação do BT, nos pós cerâmicos produzidos, foi feita a partir de três técnicas de caracterização: difração de raios X (DRX); espectroscopia fotoacústica (PAS); e técnicas de análise térmica. Com a técnica DRX, difratogramas mostraram que a plena formação do titanato de bário ocorreu a partir da temperatura de calcinação de 700C. Para a amostra não dopada com cério e calcinada a 800C, houve deslocamento de todos os picos de difração. Nas amostras dopadas com dióxido de cério houve deslocamento de todos os picos de difração, em relação as amostras não dopadas. Observou-se também que nas amostras dopadas com 5% de CeO2, e calcinadas a 700C e 800C, resíduos de dióxido de cério foram observados nos difratogramas. Com a técnica PAS, espectros de absorção foram obtidos. Foi possível observar uma grande diferença de absorção da amostra calcinada a 600 e 630C, indicando a formação do titanato de bário a partir da temperatura de 630C, nas amostras sem a dopagem dióxido de cério. Houve um alargamento nas bandas de absorção a partir da temperatura de 600C, quando o dióxido de cério entrou na matriz. Foi também possível determinar as energias de band-gap das amostras utilizando o método de Tauc. Com as técnicas de análise térmica, em especial através da técnica termogravimétrica (TG/DTG), foi comprovado que até 400C não havia formação de titanato de bário. Visto que nesta temperatura de calcinação houve a maior perda de massa durante a rampa de aquecimento. O início da formação do titanato de bário foi observado a partir da temperatura de calcinação de 500C, assim como nas técnicas DRX e PAS. Portanto, com os resultados apresentados, foi demonstrada a identificação da formação do titanato de bário nas misturas reacionais calcinadas, com auxílio das potencialidades das três técnicas utilizadas. / Ferroelectric materials have been used in many areas of technology and science, because they have a large number of applications, such as sensors; transducers; capacitors; optical devices; among others. The search for new ferroelectric ceramics has been great. One of the most studied ferroelectric ceramic material is barium titanate (BT). There are several methods for production and characterization of barium titanate. In this work, ceramic powders of barium titanate were obtained by solid state reaction from reaction mixtures calcined at different temperatures between 400C and 900C. Three reaction mixtures were used: undoped; doped with 1%; and 5% doped with cerium dioxide (CeO2). The identification of the formation of BT, for the ceramic powders produced, was taken from three characterization techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD); photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS); and thermal analysis techniques. With the technique XRD diffraction patterns showed that complete formation of the barium titanate occurred after the calcination temperature of 700C. For the sample not doped with cerium and calcined at 800C, there was displacement of all diffraction peaks. In samples doped with cerium dioxide was no displacement of all diffraction peaks, comparing to undoped samples. It was also observed that the samples doped with 5% CeO2 and calcined at 700C and 800C, cerium dioxide residues were observed in the diffraction pattern. The absorption spectra were obtained with the technique PAS. It was possible to observe a large difference in absorption spectra in the samples calcined at 600C and 630C, indicating the formation of barium titanate at temperature of 630C in the samples without doping of cerium dioxide. There was an enlargement in the absorption band above temperature of 600C when the cerium dioxide was introduced into the matrix. It was also possible to determine the band-gap energy of the samples using the method of TAUC. With thermal analysis techniques, in particular by thermogravimetric technique (TG/DTG), has been proven that up to 400C there was no formation of barium titanate. Once, in this calcination temperature there was the largest mass loss during the heating ramp. The onset of formation of barium titanate was observed from the calcination temperature of 500C, as it has been found by the XRD and PAS techniques. Therefore, with the results presented, the identification of the formation of barium titanate calcined in reaction mixtures with the aid of the potentialities of the three techniques was demonstrated.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As resinas fotocuradas são amplamente utilizadas em odontologia. Este processo de cura é assistido pela luz visível que promove ligações químicas que as endurecem. Nesta dissertação, as resinas odontológicas fotocuradas comerciais das marcas Opallis Flow A1, A2, AO 3,5, T, Opallis DA2, Natural Flow e Ebecryl 3720-TP25 foram caracterizadas empregando as técnicas de microbalança de cristal de quartzo (QCM) e espectroscopia fotoacústica (PAS) à temperatura ambiente. A espectroscopia fotoacústica foi utilizada para avaliar a região do espectro eletromagnético responsável pela fotocura das resinas odontológicas. Desta forma, conhecendo-se o comprimento de onda da absorção da resina, possibilitou realizar o processo de fotocura. Adicionalmente, foi possível monitorar o processo de fotocura com a técnica de microbalança. A frequência de ressonância do cristal da microbalança se modifica com a fotocura das resinas estudadas. Deste modo, foi possível estimar por QCM, o tempo de cura para os comprimentos de ondas caracterizados por PAS. / Photocured resins are largely used in dentistry. The curing process is visible light assisted provoking the chemical bonds that hardens the resin. In this dissertation, commercial photocured dentistry resins of brands Opallis Flow A1, A2, AO 3,5, T, Opallis DA2, Natural Flow and Ebecryl 3720-TP25 were characterized by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) at room temperature. Photoacoustic spectroscopy was used to assess the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that is responsible for curing dental resins. Thus, knowing the absorption wavelength of the resin allowed the photocuring processes. Besides, the cure was monitored using microbalance technique. The ressonance frequency of the crystal microbalance changes during the photocuring processes. In this way, it was possible to evaluate by QCM the cure time for the wavelengths characterized by PAS.