This study presents results from stable isotope analyses of a modern stalagmite and three soda straw stalactites from Kapsia Cave, the Peloponnese, Greece. The resulting values from the stalagmite are put into context of local meteorological data, as well as previous research from Kapsia Cave. The potential for using soda straw stalactites as complementary climate archives on shorter time scales on the Peloponnese is also explored. The isotopic values in the stalagmite confirm a strong link to the amount effect on an annual scale. On a seasonal scale, variations in the isotopic signal can be detectedas a result of i.e. increased cave air temperature in summer. The stable isotope values in the soda straw stalactites largely correspond to previous isotopic measurements in Kapsia Cave. The trend of the isotopic carbon signal in two of the straws also strengthens earlier theories suggesting a link to CO2 concentrations in the external atmosphere. Soda straws are, thus, encouraged for use in future climate studies, although the sampling method should be further explored. The results of this study contribute to an increased understanding of Peloponnesian speleothems in relation to environmental processes and new insights are suggested into the use of soda straw stalactites as climate archives.

In the production of glass, the addition of more cullet to the batch of glass and the reduction of the thickness of glass are means to reduce energy consumption and raw material usage. This contributes towards improved energy efficiency targets of the European Union. This thesis investigated the energy consumed for the process of strengthening thinner glass as well the environmental implications of thinner and stronger compared to conventional glass across the life cycle of glass. The life cycle phases also included a recycling phase where 70% of the used glass was recycled with the remaining 30% being landfilled. The functional unit selected for this study was 1m2 of SLS glass, 4mm thick, with an average light transmittance of 91%. This corresponds to 10kg of clear float glass as per general rule. The findings of this thesis showed that one of the major contributing factors to high energy consumption in the melting phase of SLS glass is low efficiency of the furnace; this led to significant energy losses in the production of SLS glass. Recycling of flat glass, at a 70% rate, led to a 12% reduction in total global warming potential, a 10% reduction in the Acidification Potential, a 13% reduction in the Eutrophication Potential in marine environs, and a 7% reduction in the Eutrophication Potential in terrestrial habitats. The chemical and thermal strengthening process consumed 2.24 and 2.37 kWh/m2 respectively. The consequential impact of this is dependent on the source of the electricity for the strengthening processes. It was concluded that the energy used for the strengthening of the thinner glass is considerably less than the energy used in the production of a conventional glass that satisfies the same strength parameters.

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Le nouvel essor industriel du marché des applications mobiles telles que les smartphones ou les tablettes tactiles nécessite de nombreuses recherches afin de concevoir des écrans en verres encore plus résistant. Le procédé d’échange ionique au potassium permet d’améliorer la résistance mécanique des verres grâce à la substitution des ions Na⁺ par des ions K⁺, de plus gros rayon ionique. Elle permet ainsi de bloquer les fissures superficielles du verre et de réduire la casse du matériau. Ce travail est consacré à comprendre le principe de diffusion des ions K⁺ au sein de la structure silicatée de différents verres. Les paramètres, temps, température et composition verrière, influent sur la cinétique de l’échange ionique. Dans les mêmes conditions de trempe, la réduction de la composition à un formateur et à l’ion mobile permet d’améliorer la diffusion et la propagation des ions au sein du matériau. Les conditions de trempe, thermique et temporelle, agissent sur la cinétique de diffusion des ions. Elles réduisent la facilité de déplacement des ions à travers la structure silicaté du matériau avec un changement de comportement au-delà de 8h d’immersion dans les sels fondus. La substitution des Na⁺ par les ions K⁺ et leur différence de taille modifient l’environnement des sites laissés vacants par les ions Na⁺ et modifie la structure silicatée du verre. La spectroscopie IR permet de mettre en évidence les modifications structurales des verres soumis à ce procédé d’échange ionique. Lors de l’introduction des ions K⁺, la structure du verre se dépolymérise et crée des oxygènes non pontants. Ceci permet de montrer que l’échange ionique conduit à l’amélioration du renforcement mécanique des verres. / The new industrial boom of the market for mobile applications such as smartphones or tablets requires much research in order to touch-screens design more resistant. The potassium ion exchange process improves the mechanical strength of glass by Na⁺ ions substitution with K⁺ ions, of larger ionic radius. It thus helps to block surface cracks in glass and reduce breakage of the material. This work is devoted to understand the principle of K⁺ diffusion in the silicate structure of different glasses. The parameters: time, temperature and glass composition affect the kinetic of ion exchange process. In the same quenching conditions, the limitation of the composition just to a former network and a mobile ion can improve the diffusion and the penetration ions inside the material. The quenching conditions, temperature and time, act on the kinetic diffusion. They reduce the mobility of the ions through the structure of the silicate material with a change of behaviour above 8h immersion in molten salts. Substitution of Na⁺ by K⁺ ions having different size affect the environment of the sites left vacant by the Na⁺ ions and modifies the silicate structure of the glass. IR spectroscopy allows highlighting the structural modifications of the glass submitted to this ion exchange process. During the introduction of the K⁺ ions inside the glass, the silicate structure is depolymerized and creates no-bridging oxygens. This allows to demonstrate that the ion exchange lead to the mechanical improvement of the glass.

The present thesis deals with optimization of the formation of thin layers of metallic materials. In the theoretical part was elaborated overview of the implementation of the formation of thin- film structures, particularly using vacuum techniques. Chemical and physical vapor deposition. They were described methods of pretreatment of thin layers. The findings were discussed methods of controlling the pre-treated surface, quality control and mutual adhesion of coating layers. In the experimental part of the pre-treatment methods were selected and applied to selected substrates. Pretreatments were evaluated using a control surface by wetting angles and by atomic force microscopy. Then, the metal structure formed of copper on the pretreated substrates. Implementation by means of magnetron sputtering. Adhesion layers was checked by testing the surface lattice method. The quality was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The results were used to design the technological process of making metal layers.