Ce mémoire présente les résultats de travaux portant sur l’analyse de la fiabilité de diodes laser de pompe émettant à 980 nm et de photodiodes InGaAs pour des applications spatiales. La sévérité de l’environnement spatial (vide, radiations, contraintes thermomécaniques) impose d’évaluer la robustesse de ces deux technologies qui ont été spécialement conçues pour des applications de télécommunications sous-marines. L’objectif de ce mémoire est donc de proposer une méthodologie d’évaluation de la fiabilité en s’appuyant la caractérisation électro-optique, l’analyse physico-chimique et la modélisation. Les diodes laser ont été vieillies sous ultravide (pression de 10-7 mbar) pendant 5000h sous 800 mA et 60°C. Certains composants, dont l’herméticité du boîtier a été volontairement rompue, ont présenté des défaillances de type COD (Catastrophic Optical Damage). Les caractéristiques des composants, dont le boîtier est resté hermétique, n’ont cependant pas dérivé. Après avoir modélisé les caractéristiques électriques du composant, mené des analyses physiques (AFM, MEB, MET, cathodoluminescence et ToF-SIMS) et calculé la variation de la pression à l’intérieur du boîtier, nous avons estimé la durée de vie du composant fonctionnant sous ultravide à 26 ans.Les photodiodes ont été irradiées par des protons d’énergie comprise entre 30 et 190 MeV sous une fluence comprise entre 5.1010 et 1012 p/cm², entrainant une augmentation du courant d’obscurité de trois décades. La modélisation du courant d’obscurité a permis d’estimer la durée de vie du composant en environnement spatial à 15 ans.Ces travaux ont également contribué à mettre en évidence des mécanismes de dégradation peu documentés (COD sous vide, difficulté d’ajustement avec le NIEL, dégradation du réseau de Bragg exposé aux rayonnements ionisants), ce qui permet de mieux appréhender le comportement des diodes laser et des photodiodes exposées à l’environnement spatial. / In this work, the reliability of 980 nm pump laser diode and InGaAs photodiode modules has been estimated for space applications. The space environment is particularly harsh (vacuum, radiation, thermal and mechanical stresses) for these electro-optical devices, which were designed for long-haul submerged telecommunication applications. The main objective of this thesis is to provide a guideline for the space evaluation of optoelectronic devices, using characterization, physical analysis and modeling.Eight laser diodes were aged in vacuum (10-7 mbar) during 5000h, at 60°C and 800 mA bias current. The hermeticity of four of them was voluntarily broken to simulate a long term vacuum exposition. Three of four non-hermetic devices failed during the ageing, because of COD (Catastrophic Optical Damage) whereas the electro-optical characteristics of hermetic devices remained unchanged. The MTBF of laser diodes operating in vacuum was estimated to 26 years, by means of modeling (electro-optics and pressure) and physical analyses (AFM, SEM, TEM, cathodoluminescence, ToF-SIMS).InGaAs photodiodes were irradiated by protons, with energies ranging from 30 to 190 MeV and fluences ranging from 5.1010 to 1012 p/cm². The dark current increased by three decades after irradiation. The photodiode MTBF was then estimating to 15 years using dark current modeling.This study also permitted to show up almost new failure mechanisms (COD under vacuum, NIEL scaling errors in InGaAs, Bragg grating degradation under ionizing radiation and its effects on laser diode stabilization), which could contribute to the space evaluation of laser diodes and photodiodes for future missions.

Background: Despite proven efficacy, Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) use for incomplete abortions is low in the Swaziland setting, including Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital. Uncertainty in the costs implications of introducing MVA to replace Dilatation and Curettage (D&C) is the major hindrance to change. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of introducing MVA as an evacuation method for first trimester incomplete miscarriages as well as assess the implications of the introduction of MVA to the entire post-abortion care budget at RFM Hospital. Methods: The methods comprised cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses from a healthcare perspective based on a theoretical cohort. Clinical outcomes data for procedures were obtained from relevant literature. Costs were collated from prospective suppliers and then compared for the two treatment modalities. Future numbers of annual evacuations were extrapolated from previous annual figures. First trimester miscarriages were in turn extrapolated from proportions found in previous studies. Total budgets were calculated under the current scenario, as well as if MVA had to be introduced. Results: With initial capital costs of ZAR11 093.00, introduction of MVA for first trimester incomplete abortions will cut post-abortion care costs by 34.7%. MVA would cost ZAR819.86 per procedure while D&C costs ZAR1 255.40 per procedure. An estimated 26 MVA procedures done instead of D&C will compensate for the initial capital investment. Introduction of MVA into the post-abortion care programme will save the hospital about ZAR516 115.30 annually, with at least similar clinical outcomes compared to D&C. Conclusions: MVA should be considered as the first option in first trimester post abortion care. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Clinical Epidemiology / unrestricted

This mini-dissertation examines how an African woman – as an individual – makes meaning of her life amidst her HIV positive status. Her search for meaning was explored through semi-structured interviews. The case study is situated within a South African context where HIV/AIDS has become a pandemic. The methodology used in this research is explorative and qualitative in nature, thus facilitating a process of interpretation resulting in thick description drawing on existential concepts. Relevant information from the participant’s counselling therapeutic process, prior to the research, is incorporated in the thick description of her living with and making meaning of HIV/AIDS. An Existential perspective on the participant’s psychological experiences concerning meaningfulness and being is discussed in terms of themes drawn on in semi-structured interviews. Special emphasis is also placed on the concept of an “existential vacuum” that an individual might experience when affected by something as life changing as HIV/AIDS. Notions of anxiety and non-being are also key concepts in this particular case study. Spirituality and the sense of a Higher Being are explored as fundamental in the domain of this individual’s life, and therefore also in her production of meaning, as well as self-contemplation. A constructionist epistemological approach is taken according to which the aims of the research are examined and interpreted. Attention is given to the participant’s experiences of the impact of both African and Western worldviews on her sense of being within the South-African context. Her perceptions and beliefs, as a Tswana woman, concerning traditional customs and significant figures are discussed, for example: sangomas, witchdoctors, ancestors, forefathers, HIV/AIDS, etc. These, often opposing, points of view are explored in detail when the biological, psychosocial, cultural and political contexts are taken into account. These are, in turn, coupled with an analysis of gender relations and their associated power relations within societal structures. Further examination reveals the expected physical and psychological phases associated with the HIV/AIDS disease. The woman used in this case study relays her thoughts and experiences directly to the researcher and reader, as transcripts of semi-structured interviews with her are used in the text. Ethical considerations pertaining to both the participant and the researcher are also conveyed exhaustively. Issues in the interviews that are touched upon, include: How multiculturalism is perceived and experienced, the effects of stigmatisation, self-awareness and the conscience, traditional rituals and values associated with HIV/AIDS, transcendence and the responsibility for a sense of self. Arrays of emotions that are experienced under the circumstances include anger, depression, despair, defiance, hope and alienation. There is also a strong focus on the interaction between people, and especially on what is deemed as “meaningful relationships”. Copyright 2006, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Bezuidenhout, MD 2006, An existential perspective on a woman's search for meaningfulness while living with HIV/AIDS , MA dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-04052007-125746 / > / Dissertation (MA (Counseling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Psychology / unrestricted

El presente estudio tiene como finalidad evaluar la viabilidad técnica, económica, financiera y de mercado para la implementación de una planta para la fabricación de bombas de vacío. / This study aims to assess the technical, economic, financial and market feasibility for the implementation of a plant for the manufacture of vacuum pumps. / Trabajo de investigación

In this study, effects of nanoparticles, including 7 nm TiO2, 200 nm TiO2, and hydrophilic and hydrophobic SiO2 with mean diameter in the range of 15–20 nm and their concentration on the membrane properties and vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) performance were evaluated. The effect of membrane thickness and support materials were also investigated. The membranes were characterised extensively in terms of morphology (SEM), water contact angle, water liquid entrance pressure (LEPw), surface roughness, and pore size. While the best nanocomposite membranes with 200 nm TiO2 Nanoparticles(NPs) were obtained at 2% particle concentration, the optimal particle concentration was 5% when 7 nm TiO2 was integrated. Using nanocomposite membrane containing 2 wt% TiO2 – 200 nm nanoparticles, VMD flux of 2.1 kg/m2h and LEPw of 34 PSI was obtained with 99% salt rejection. Furthermore, it was observed that decreasing the membrane thickness would increase the portion of finger-like layer in membrane and reduce the spongy-like layer when hydrophilic nanoparticles were used. Using continuous flow VMD, a flux of 3.1 kg/m2h was obtained with neat PVDF membranes, which was 600% higher than the flux obtained by the static flow VMD with the same membrane at the same temperature and vacuum pressure. The fluxes of both static and flow-cell VMD increased with temperature. Furthermore, it was evident that the continuous flow VMD at 2 LPM yielded 300% or higher flux than static VMD at any given temperature, indicating strong effects of turbulence provided in the flow-cell VMD.

L'objectif de ce travail était d'étudier les trois fonctions d'une colonne airlift sous dépression qui sont le pompage, les transferts gaz-liquide et l'extraction de matières particulaires par moussage-écumage. Le champ d'application ciblé concernait principalement le traitement des eaux aquacoles incluant l'extraction et la concentration de microalgues naturelles ou de culture. Chacune des fonctions a été étudiée séparément afin d'évaluer les capacités de l'airlift dans différentes conditions. L'étude de la fonction pompage a montré l'importance de la nature de l'eau, du type de diffuseur d'air, du débit gazeux injecté et du niveau de dépression appliqué. En eau douce, une forte coalescence des bulles est observée. Elle a pour conséquence une rétention gazeuse plus faible qu'en eau de mer. Le débit d'eau fourni par la colonne apparaît ainsi supérieur en eau douce (30 à 35 m3.h-1 contre seulement 10 à 20 m3.h-1 en eau de mer pour 5 m3.h-1 d'air injecté). A l'inverse, la hauteur de refoulement disponible est plus élevée en eau de mer (jusqu'à 0.8 m) qu'en eau douce (0.6 m maximum). Pour des circuits d'aquaculture où la perte de charge est faible, l'airlift est un système de pompage économique qui permet de réduire d'environ 40 % la consommation d'énergie par rapport à celle de pompes centrifuges. La colonne airlift présente également des capacités de transferts de matière comparables à celles de systèmes conventionnels. Les valeurs de KLa calculées pour la désorption du CO2 et comprises entre 0.002 et 0.01 s-1, sont environ quatre fois inférieures à celles obtenues pour le transfert d'oxygène par aération dans des conditions comparables. Les efficacités de transfert sont comprises entre 0.02 et 0.023 Kg.KW.h-1 pour le CO2 et entre 1.52 et 1.8 Kg.KW.h-1 pour l'O2. Les vitesses de transfert dépendent significativement du débit d'air, de la température, de la taille moyenne des bulles et de la présence d'aliments dans le bassin d'élevage. Elles sont peu affectées par la salinité, le niveau de dépression, la longueur du tube interne d'échange et le débit d'eau. Enfin, les capacités de séparation par moussage-écumage évoluent de façon positive quand le débit d'air et la taille des bulles sont réduits. L'efficacité globale d'extraction diminue avec l'augmentation de la concentration des produits extraits qui peut atteindre 130 fois la concentration initiale. La colonne à dépression apparaît ainsi comme un système multifonctionnel performant, même si l'efficacité maximale, pour chacune des fonctions, correspond à des conditions opératoires différentes. Ce procédé ouvre des perspectives de développement intéressantes dans des secteurs variés (de l'aquaculture au traitement des eaux industrielles). / The aim of this work was to study the three functions of a vacuum airlift, which are water pumping, mass transfer and foam fractionation. The investigations mainly focused on the treatment of fish culture water and on phytoplancton harvesting. Each function was studied separately, in order to assess the performance of the vacuum airlift with specific operating conditions. By studying the airlift pump, the effects of water and diffuser types, air injection conditions and depression level were shown. In fresh water, bubble coalescence was observed, which reduced gas holdup compared to sea water. Consequently, the water flow of the vacuum airlift appeared higher in fresh water than in sea water (30 to 35 m3.h-1 against 10 to 20 m3.h-1) for the same air flow rate (5 m3.h-1). Conversely, the available lift height was higher in sea water (up to 0.8 m) than in fresh water (0.6 m maximum). For low head aquaculture systems, the vacuum airlift may be an economical pumping system which allows a 40 % energy saving compared to centrifugal pumps. The vacuum airlift had a mass transfer efficiency similar to other gas transfer systems. The KLa values calculated for CO2 desorption ranged between 0.002 and 0.01 s-1. They were four times lower than those obtained for oxygen transfer in similar conditions. Mass transfer efficiencies ranged between 0.02 and 0.023 Kg.KW.h-1 for CO2 and between 1.52 and 1.8 Kg.KW.h-1 for O2. Mass transfer velocities significantly depended on air flow rate, water temperature, average bubble size and the presence of feed in the rearing tank. They are weakly depending on salinity, depression level, inner tube length or water flow. At last, foam fractionation increased when air flow and bubble size were reduced. The extraction efficiency decreased when the concentration of the extracted product increased (maximal concentration factor around130). The vacuum airlift appeared to be as a high-performance multifunctional system, even if the maximal efficiency for each of the functions corresponds to different operating conditions. This process could be used in a large scope of fields ranging from aquaculture to industrial water treatment.

Sulphur hexafluoride gas is the dominant insulation and interruption material in high voltage gas insulated substation. Its usage remains a concern of transmission system operators owing to the global warming potential of the gas. The work carried out in this thesis aims to find the environment-friendly materials that can replace SF6. These candidates are required to have a strong dielectric strength for high voltage busbar insulation and well arc extinguishing capability necessary for high voltage circuit breaker.A range of alternative insulation types including CF3I gas and its mixture, high pressure air and solid insulating foam are considered as substitute of SF6. Theoretical studies on the dimensions of busbars used in substations are carried out for these options. The dimension of the dielectric system and its ampacity of respect system are calculated using heat transfer models considering their boiling point and proper working pressure which is related with the dielectric strength of some gas.On the other hand, SF6 gas circuit breaker is extremely popular on the medium and high voltage power networks owning to its effective arc extinguishing performance. It would be ideal if a substitute material could be found for SF6 as an interruption material. Biodegradable oil PTFE ablation, other gas candidates including N2, CF3I are investigated as possible replacement of SF6 through literature study.The usage of vacuum circuit breaker is eventually capable to operate in high voltage transmission system. Simulations have been carried out with software ATP/EMTP to investigate the influence of different characteristics of vacuum circuit breaker including chopping current level, the dielectric strength of vacuum gap and the opening time. And then the probability of overvoltages when vacuum circuit breakers installed is studied by statistical study in MATLAB.

The aim of this thesis was to describe how a manual assembly process of polycarbonate sheets for heat exchangers can be automated with an industrial robot. The objectives were to design suitable robot cell concepts and simulate them to describe how the automated process could be done and to present which machines and equipment that could be used. Additionally, productivity rates and investment costs was to be calculated.The project started with a situation assessment and a literature review. Experts and suppliers of robotic equipment were consulted, and the results served as a basis for the concept generation process. Several concept ideas were evaluated, and three ideas using adhesive for the assembly were chosen for further studies and simulation. Existing products and machines were used in the designs when possible. By modeling and simulating the cells in simulation software, feasible cell designs was created, and cycle times were measured.The three proposed solutions all utilize an industrial robot, a vacuum gripper and adhesive as the assembly method. Two of the concepts has the robot attending different adhesive dispensing machines; one gantry and one conveyor. In the third concept, the robot applies the adhesive. The cell design that achieved the lowest cycle time in the simulations was the conveyor concept, with a cycle time of 21 seconds per sheet. The conclusion of the study is that investing in a robot cell would increase productivity. / Syftet med detta arbete var att designa en robotcell anpassad för tillverkning av värmeväxlarpaket i moduler. Målet var att besvara hur tillverkningen av värmeväxlare kan automatiseras samt vilken robot och övriga verktyg och maskiner som kan användas. Vidare skulle den möjliga produktionstakten och investeringskostnaden för designförslagen beräknas. Arbetet inleddes med en nulägesanalys och en litteraturstudie. Ett flertal experter och leverantörer inom automationsområdet konsulterades. Resultaten från detta låg till grund för en konceptgenereringsprocess i vilken ett flertal designidéer togs fram. Tre av dessa designförslag valdes ut för vidare studier och simulering. Genom att modellera och simulera robotcellerna kunde de utformas realistiskt och möjliga cykeltider beräknas. De tre designförslagen använder alla en robotarm, ett vakuumgripdon samt lim som metod för monteringen. Två av koncepten består av en medelstor robotarm som betjänar en limappliceringsmaskin. I ena konceptet är det en kartesisk robot med limbord som används för limappliceringen, i det andra är det ett transportband som för plastskivan under ett antal limpistoler. Det tredje designförslaget låter en större robot, utrustad med verktygsväxlare, utföra alla moment i processen genom att den byter verktyg mellan vakuumgripdon och limpistol. Det koncept som uppnådde den lägsta cykeltiden i simuleringarna var lösningen med rullbandet, med en cykeltid på 21 sekunder per skiva. Studiens slutsats är att en investering i en robotcell skulle leda till ökad produktivitet jämfört med manuell produktion.

Equidistant, uniform seed placement is important in lettuce production as seeds are densely planted within the row, typically only about 5 cm apart. When seeds are sown too close together, it is time consuming to thin seedlings to the desired plant spacing of 20 to 30 cm by hand and very difficult to do mechanically. The overall goal of the project was to improve lettuce seed placement accuracy and reduce the percentage of seeds spaced closely together. Specific objectives were: 1) to compare vacuum and belt-type planters to determine which style of planter provides better planting performance, 2) to evaluate belt planter seeding performance with different types of furrow openers, and 3) to develop practical modifications for vacuum planters to improve lettuce seed placement accuracy. Three vacuum planter configurations, an unmodified and two reduced seed drop height designs and a belt planter equipped with two types of furrow openers were tested in situ with pelleted lettuce seed at four travel speeds ranging from 1.6 to 4.0 kph. Belt planter performance was significantly better than that of the vacuum planter. Vacuum and belt planters both provided acceptable levels of performance at speeds below 2.4 kph, but at higher speeds, seed placement accuracy declined rapidly. No differences in planter performance were found between the two belt planter configurations tested. The mid-level drop height vacuum planter configuration had significantly better seed placement precision and fewer closely spaced seed spacings as compared to the unmodified vacuum planter. These findings illustrate the significant effect planter type, travel speed, and drop height have on planter performance. They also contradict the common perception that vacuum planters deliver seed more precisely and with fewer closely-spaced seeds as compared to belt planters. Further study is needed to determine the extent to which planter performance affects hand thinning labor costs, automated machine performance, final plant stand uniformity, and crop yield.

The aim of this research was to demonstrate a high current and stable field emission (FE) source based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and electron multiplier microchannel plate (MCP) and design efficient field emitters. In recent years various CNT based FE devices have been demonstrated including field emission displays, x-ray source and many more. However to use CNTs as source in high powered microwave (HPM) devices higher and stable current in the range of few milli-amperes to amperes is required. To achieve such high current we developed a novel technique of introducing a MCP between CNT cathode and anode. MCP is an array of electron multipliers; it operates by avalanche multiplication of secondary electrons, which are generated when electrons strike channel walls of MCP. FE current from CNTs is enhanced due to avalanche multiplication of secondary electrons and in addition MCP also protects CNTs from irreversible damage during vacuum arcing. Conventional MCP is not suitable for this purpose due to the lower secondary emission properties of their materials. To achieve higher and stable currents we have designed and fabricated a unique ceramic MCP consisting of high SEY materials. The MCP was fabricated utilizing optimum design parameters, which include channel dimensions and material properties obtained from charged particle optics (CPO) simulation. Child Langmuir law, which gives the optimum current density from an electron source, was taken into account during the system design and experiments. Each MCP channel consisted of MgO coated CNTs which was chosen from various material systems due to its very high SEY. With MCP inserted between CNT cathode and anode stable and higher emission current was achieved. It was ~25 times higher than without MCP. A brighter emission image was also evidenced due to enhanced emission current. The obtained results are a significant technological advance and this research holds promise for electron source in new generation lightweight, efficient and compact microwave devices for telecommunications in satellites or space applications. As part of this work novel emitters consisting of multistage geometry with improved FE properties were was also developed.