Caracterização microestrutural e resistência à corrosão de ligas Co-Cr-Mo utilizadas em próteses dentárias

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Continuos Flow Single Cell Separation into Open Microwell Arrays

A novel design based on electric field-free open microwell arrays for the automated continuous-flow sorting of single or small clusters of cells is presented. The main feature of the proposed device is the parallel analysis of cell-cell and cell-particle interactions in each microwell of the array. High throughput sample recovery with a fast and separate transfer from the microsites to standard microtiter plates is also possible thanks to the flexible printed circuit board technology which permits to produce cost effective large area arrays featuring geometries compatible with laboratory equipment. The particle isolation is performed via negative dielectrophoretic forces which convey the particles’ into the microwells. Particles such as cells and beads flow in electrically active microchannels on whose substrate the electrodes are patterned. The introduction of particles within the microwells is automatically performed by generating the required feedback signal by a microscope-based optical counting and detection routine. In order to isolate a controlled number of particles we created two particular configurations of the electric field within the structure. The first one permits their isolation whereas the second one creates a net force which repels the particles from the microwell entrance. To increase the parallelism at which the cell-isolation function is implemented, a new technique based on coplanar electrodes to detect particle presence was implemented. A lock-in amplifying scheme was used to monitor the impedance of the channel perturbed by flowing particles in high-conductivity suspension mediums. The impedance measurement module was also combined with the dielectrophoretic focusing stage situated upstream of the measurement stage, to limit the measured signal amplitude dispersion due to the particles position variation within the microchannel. In conclusion, the designed system complies with the initial specifications making it suitable for cellomics and biotechnology applications.

Ottimizzazione e validazione di un protocollo di acquisizione dati per un sistema di impedenziometria

Il seguente progetto di tesi si basa sull’ottimizzazione del protocollo impiegato da un impedenziometro per l’analisi spettrale della pelle, con l’obiettivo di individuare la presenza di un tumore. Il lavoro è poi proseguito con la validazione dello strumento per mezzo di un lavoro di misura su resistenze semplici e impedenze complesse.

Debonding identification in FRP-plated RC structures using PZT sensors

The application of the Electro-Mechanical Impedance (EMI) method for damage detection in Structural Health Monitoring has noticeable increased in recent years. EMI method utilizes piezoelectric transducers for directly measuring the mechanical properties of the host structure, obtaining the so called impedance measurement, highly influenced by the variations of dynamic parameters of the structure. These measurements usually contain a large number of frequency points, as well as a high number of dimensions, since each frequency range swept can be considered as an independent variable. That makes this kind of data hard to handle, increasing the computational costs and being substantially time-consuming. In that sense, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA)-based data compression has been employed in this work, in order to enhance the analysis capability of the raw data. Furthermore, a Support Vector Machine (SVM), which has been widespread used in machine learning and pattern recognition fields, has been applied in this study in order to model any possible existing pattern in the PCAcompress data, using for that just the first two Principal Components. Different known non-damaged and damaged measurements of an experimental tested beam were used as training input data for the SVM algorithm, using as test input data the same amount of cases measured in beams with unknown structural health conditions. Thus, the purpose of this work is to demonstrate how, with a few impedance measurements of a beam as raw data, its healthy status can be determined based on pattern recognition procedures.

Structural and photoelectrochemical properties of porous TiO2 nanofibers decorated with Fe2O3 by sol-flame

The hybrid structure of Fe2O3 nanoparticles/TiO2 nanofibers (NFs), combines the merits of large surface areas of TiO2 NFs and absorption in ultraviolet light–visible light range. This structure can be used for many applications such as photoelectrochemical water splitting and photo-catalysis. Here, a sol-flame method is used for depositing Fe2O3 on TiO2 NFs that were prepared by hydrothermal on Ti sheets. The obtained materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance, Raman, and XPS. The results revealed the formation of rutile and anatase crystalline phases together with Fe2O3. This process moves the absorption threshold of TiO2 NFs support into visible spectrum range and enhances the photocurrent in comparison to bare TiO2 NFs, although no hole scavenger was used. The impedance measurement at low and high frequencies revealed an increase in series resistance and a decrease in resistance of charge transfer with sol-flame treatment time. A mechanism for explaining the charge transfer in these TiO2 NFs decorated with Fe2O3 nanoparticles was proposed.

Development of a Composite ion-exchange membrane for PDMS-based microfluidic devices

The purpose of this research is to investigate potential methods to produce an ion-exchange membrane that can be integrated directly into a polydimethylsiloxane Lab-on-a-Chip or Micro-Total-Analysis-System. The majority of microfluidic membranes are based on creating microporous structures, because it allows flexibility in the choice of material such that it can match the material of the microfluidic chip. This cohesion between the material of the microfluidic chip and membrane is an important feature to prevent bonding difficulties which can lead to leaking and other practical problems. However, of the materials commonly used to manufacture microfluidic chips, there are none that provide the ion-exchange capability. The DuPont product Nafion{TM} is chosen as the ion-exchange membrane, a copolymer with high conductivity and selectivity to cations and suitable for many applications such as electrolysis of water and the chlor-alkali process. The use of such an ion-exchange membrane in microfluidics could have multiple advantages, but there is no reversible/irreversible bonding that occurs between PDMS and Nafion{TM}. In this project multiple methods of physical entrapment of the ion-exchange material inside a film of PDMS are attempted. Through the use of the inherent properties of PDMS, very inexpensive sugar granulate can be used to make an inexpensive membrane mould which does not interfere with the PDMS crosslinking process. After dissolving away this sacrificial mould material, Nafion{TM} is solidified in the irregular granulate holes. Nafion{TM} in this membrane is confined in the irregular shape of the PDMS openings. The outer structure of the membrane is all PDMS and can be attached easily and securely to any PDMS-based microfluidic device through reversible or irreversible PDMS/PDMS bonding. Through impedance measurement, the effectiveness of these integrated membranes are compared against plain Nafion{TM} films in simple sodium chloride solutions.

Développement d'un senseur électrochimique pour le dosage des nitrates en laboratoire et en pépinière forestière

Le lessivage des nitrates, la contamination de la nappe phréatique et l’eutrophisation des cours d’eau figurent parmi les enjeux planétaires qui affectent la durabilité de l’agriculture et des ressources naturelles. Ce mémoire présente le développement d’une première génération d’un nouveau senseur électrochimique pour le dosage de précisions des nitrates. Celui-ci est basé sur la spectroscopie d’impédance électrochimique d’une membrane polymérique sélective aux ions. Grâce à cette approche, un senseur compact et abordable a été produit. Par son utilisation en solutions aqueuses et en substrats de croissance saturés, il a été montré que le senseur permettait de quantifier des ajouts contrôlés de nitrates allant de 0,6 ppm à 60 ppm. La mise en application en substrat de croissance a pu être étudiée en comparaison avec des méthodes certifiées ISO 17025 visant l’analyse de ces substrats. Le senseur a aussi montré une grande versatilité par son utilisation sur divers appareils de mesure d’impédance. En plus, il a démontré une stabilité possible suite à une implantation d’un mois directement en substrat de croissance sous les variables environnementales d’une pépinière forestière. Par l’étude du spectre d’impédance du senseur en solutions pures de différentes concentrations, il a aussi été possible de proposer le circuit électrique équivalent du système, qui met en évidence deux parcours compétitifs du courant, un au coeur de la membrane et un deuxième en solution. Les résultats de ces travaux sont au coeur de deux publications scientifiques dont le manuscrit est inclus à ce mémoire. Pour finir cette étude, des suggestions seront faites pour guider l’amélioration du senseur par le développement d’une deuxième génération de celui-ci.

Vector Fitting based Automatic Circuit Identification

This paper describes a method to automatically obtain, from a set of impedance measurements at different frequencies, an equivalent circuit composed of lumped elements based on the vector fitting algorithm. The method starts from the impedance measurement of the circuit and then, through the recursive use of vector fitting, identifies the circuit topology and the component values of lumped elements. The method can be expanded to include other components usually used in impedance spectroscopy. The method is firstly described and then two examples highlight the robustness of the method and showcase its applicability.

Measurement of ventilation and cardiac related impedance changes with electrical impedance tomography

Introduction Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has been shown to be able to distinguish both ventilation and perfusion. With adequate filtering the regional distributions of both ventilation and perfusion and their relationships could be analysed. Several methods of separation have been suggested previously, including breath holding, electrocardiograph (ECG) gating and frequency filtering. Many of these methods require interventions inappropriate in a clinical setting. This study therefore aims to extend a previously reported frequency filtering technique to a spontaneously breathing cohort and assess the regional distributions of ventilation and perfusion and their relationship. Methods Ten healthy adults were measured during a breath hold and while spontaneously breathing in supine, prone, left and right lateral positions. EIT data were analysed with and without filtering at the respiratory and heart rate. Profiles of ventilation, perfusion and ventilation/perfusion related impedance change were generated and regions of ventilation and pulmonary perfusion were identified and compared. Results Analysis of the filtration technique demonstrated its ability to separate the ventilation and cardiac related impedance signals without negative impact. It was, therefore, deemed suitable for use in this spontaneously breathing cohort. Regional distributions of ventilation, perfusion and the combined ΔZV/ΔZQ were calculated along the gravity axis and anatomically in each position. Along the gravity axis, gravity dependence was seen only in the lateral positions in ventilation distribution, with the dependent lung being better ventilated regardless of position. This gravity dependence was not seen in perfusion. When looking anatomically, differences were only apparent in the lateral positions. The lateral position ventilation distributions showed a difference in the left lung, with the right lung maintaining a similar distribution in both lateral positions. This is likely caused by more pronounced anatomical changes in the left lung when changing positions. Conclusions The modified filtration technique was demonstrated to be effective in separating the ventilation and perfusion signals in spontaneously breathing subjects. Gravity dependence was seen only in ventilation distribution in the left lung in lateral positions, suggesting gravity based shifts in anatomical structures. Gravity dependence was not seen in any perfusion distributions.

Measurement of the acoustical impedance of a black box at low frequencies using a shorter impedance tube

For the experimental evaluation of the acoustical impedance of a termination by the impedance-tube method at low frequencies, the length of the impedance tube is a problem. In the present paper, the method of exact analysis of standing waves developed by the authors for the stationary medium as well as for mean flow, has been extended for measurement of the acoustical impedance of a termination at low frequencies. The values of the tube attenuation factor and the wave number at the low frequency of interest are established from the experiment conducted, with the given impedance tube, at a higher frequency. Then, exciting the tube at the desired low frequency it is sufficient to measure sound pressure at three differenct locations (not necessarily the minima) in order to evaluate reflection coefficient and hence the impedance of the termination at that frequency.

Influence of surge impedance of the connecting lead in response time measurement of u.h.v. damped capacitive voltage dividers

In the determination of the response time of u.h.v. damped capacitive impulse voltage dividers using the CIGRE IMR-1MS group (1) method and the arrangement suggested by the International Electrotechnical Commission (the I EC square loop),the surge impedance of the connecting lead has been found to influence the accuracy of determination. To avoid this difficulty,a new graphical procedure is proposed. As this method uses only those data points which can be determined with good accuracy, errors in response-time area evaluation do not influence the result.

Measurement of respiratory acoustic impedance in children by a modified forced oscillation method

An introduction to a modified forced oscillation method, square-wave excitation technique, including fundamentals and methods, as used in respiratory function examination. On the basis of experimental results and theoretical predictions, we suggest that Respiratory Acoustic Impedance (RAI) measurement by spectral analysis can significantly improve estimation of contribution to RAI from different part of respiratory tract. The outcome is of considerable interest in the study of lung disease, such as COPD and asthma in young children.

Impedance spectrum measurement in liquid/liquid interface electrochemistry .2. Study on the ion transfer at L/L interface by impedance spectrum technique

In this paper we study the ion transfer across the liquid/liquid interface by impedance spectrum technique in the four - electrode system. We present a method of getting the real interfacial impedance curve from the apparent impedance curve obtained in the four - electrode system. A practical kinetics investigation on the transfer of tetramethylammonium ion at the water/nitrobenzene interface was done with the method to verify the validity of the method. The transfer of tetramethylammonium ion at the W/O interface is really a reversible transfer.

Impedance spectrum measurement in liquid liquid interface electrochemistry .1. Analysis of various kinds of interfacial impedance in the four-electrode system

Applying impedance spectrum technique to liquid/liquid interfacial electrochemistry, we present the theoretical expression of the liquid/liquid interfacial impedance in the four - electrode electrolytic cell measured by alternating current impedance method. The influence of the electrolytic cell parameters and input passage parameters of the impedance apparatus on impedance spectrum curves are theoretically studied.

Wideband measurement of the acoustic impedance of tubular objects

A method is discussed for measuring the acoustic impedance of tubular objects that gives accurate results for a wide range of frequencies. The apparatus that is employed is similar to that used in many previously developed methods; it consists of a cylindrical measurement duct fitted with several microphones, of which two are active in each measurement session, and a driver at one of its ends. The object under study is fitted at the other end. The impedance of the object is determined from the microphone signals obtained during excitation of the air inside the 1 duct by the driver, and from three coefficients that are pre-determined using four calibration measurements with closed cylindrical tubes. The calibration procedure is based on the simple mathematical relationships between the impedances of the calibration tubes, and does not require knowledge of the propagation constant. Measurements with a cylindrical tube yield an estimate of the attenuation constant for plane waves, which is found to differ from the theoretical prediction by less than 1.4% in the frequency range 1 kHz-20 kHz. Impedance measurements of objects with abrupt changes in diameter are found to be in good agreement with multimodal theory.