Note: A versatile mass spectrometer chamber for molecular beam and temperature programmed desorption experiments

A dual purpose mass spectrometer chamber capable of performing molecular beam scattering (MBS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) is detailed. Two simple features of this design allow it to perform these techniques. First, the diameter of entrance aperture to the mass spectrometer can be varied to maximize signal for TPD or to maximize angular resolution for MBS. Second, the mass spectrometer chamber can be radially translated so that it can be positioned close to the sample to maximize signal or far from the sample to maximize angular resolution. The performance of this system is described and compares well with systems designed for only one of these techniques

Classification and automatic indexing in a persistent object environment

The goal of this project is to study classification and automatic indexing for multimedia data in the context of digital libraries. The general objectives are: (1) to propose methods for digital media classification and indexing and (2) to implement them effectively by using a persistent environment provided by object-oriented database systems

Enhanced Stability of Iridium Nanocatalysts via Exsolution for the CO₂ Reforming of Methane

\ua9 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society. The reforming reactions of greenhouse gases require catalysts with high reactivity, coking resistance, and structural stability for efficient and durable use. Among the possible strategies, exsolution has been shown to demonstrate the requirements needed to produce appropriate catalysts for the dry reforming of methane, the conversion of which strongly depends on the choice of active species, its interaction with the support, and the catalyst size and dispersion properties. Here, we exploit the exsolution approach, known to produce stable and highly active nanoparticle-supported catalysts, to develop iridium-nanoparticle-decorated perovskites and apply them as catalysts for the dry reforming of methane. By studying the effect of several parameters, we tune the degree of exsolution, and consequently the catalytic activity, thereby identifying the most efficient sample, 0.5 atomic % Ir-BaTiO3, which showed 82% and 86% conversion of CO2 and CH4, respectively. By comparison with standard impregnated catalysts (e.g., Ir/Al2O3), we benchmark the activity and stability of our exsolved systems. We find almost identical conversion and syngas rates of formation but observe no carbon deposition for the exsolved samples after catalytic testing; such deposition was significant for the traditionally prepared impregnated Ir/Al2O3, with almost 30 mgC/gsample measured, compared to 0 mgC/gsample detected for the exsolved system. These findings highlight the possibility of achieving in a single step the mutual interaction of the parameters enhancing the catalytic efficiency, leading to a promising pathway for the design of catalysts for reforming reactions

Low-temperature exsolution of Ni-Ru bimetallic nanoparticles from A-site deficient double perovskites

Exsolution of stable metallic nanoparticles for use as efficient electrocatalysts has been of increasing interest for a range of energy technologies. Typically, exsolved nanoparticles show higher thermal and coarsening stability compared to conventionally deposited catalysts. Here, A-site deficient double perovskite oxides, La2-xNiRuO6-δ (x = 0.1 and 0.15), are designed and subjected to low-temperature reduction leading to exsolution. The reduced double perovskite materials are shown to exsolve nanoparticles of 2–6 nm diameter during the reduction in the low-temperature range of 350–450 °C. The nanoparticle sizes are found to increase after reduction at the higher temperature (450 °C), suggesting diffusion-limited particle growth. Interestingly, both nickel and ruthenium are co-exsolved during the reduction process. The formation of bimetallic nanoparticles at such low temperatures is rare. From the in situ impedance spectroscopy measurements of the double perovskite electrode layers, the onset of the exsolution process is found to be within the first few minutes of the reduction reaction. In addition, the area-specific resistance of the electrode layers is found to decrease by 90% from 291 to 29 Ω cm2, suggesting encouraging prospects for these low-temperature rapidly exsolved Ni/Ru alloy nanoparticles in a range of catalytic applications

Conception d'amplificateurs de puissance reconfigurables en technologie CMOS avancée pour une application 4G LTE

Cette thèse porte sur la conception d amplificateurs de puissance reconfigurables en technologie CMOS avancée pour une application cellulaire de 4ème génération. Dans les systèmes de communication sans fil, le rendement énergétique est un critère primordial qui impacte la durée d utilisation de la batterie. Principalement déterminé par la consommation d énergie du transmetteur, il est plus particulièrement lié à celle de l amplificateur de puissance (PA). Pour les terminaux mobiles de 4ème génération (4G), les techniques de transmission et les modulations utilisées pour atteindre les débits de données visés induisant une dynamique importante du signal à transmettre, l implémentation de techniques d amélioration du rendement autour du PA devient indispensable, afin de le reconfigurer en puissance.Nous avons mis au point dans ce travail de recherche des architectures innovantes utilisant les techniques d amélioration du Power Cell Switching (PCS) et de l Envelope Tracking (ET). Le double objectif visé étant d améliorer significativement le rendement pour les faibles niveaux de puissance et d apporter de la flexibilité par rapport à un PA utilisé seul. Une première architecture utilisant la technique du PCS totalement intégré en technologie CMOS 65nm de STMicroelectronics, mettant en œuvre des transformateurs comme combineurs de puissance, a été réalisée pour valider la fonctionnalité du concept proposé. Puis une deuxième architecture combinant les techniques du PCS et de l ET a été conçue, afin d évaluer les avantages qu apporte la combinaison de ces deux techniques par rapport à un PA fonctionnant seul et à un PA développé utilisant la technique du PCS.This thesis deals with the design of reconfigurable power amplifiers implemented in CMOS technology for 4G LTE application. For the next generation communication systems such as 4G LTE, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is employed for a wideband communication. Indeed, signal information is encoded both in amplitude and phase domains, which results in a higher peak to average power ratio than for 2G and 3G systems. Consequently, the overall power amplifier (PA) efficiency does not only depend on efficiency at maximum power, but also and mainly on efficiency at back-off level where the PA operates most of the time. Obviously, classical PA architectures do not address this problem, because it can only achieve maximum efficiency at a single power level, usually around the peak output power. Therefore, the overall efficiency of the PA is considerably low and efficiency improvement techniques are required to increase the battery life-time. This thesis exposes innovative architectures using Power Cell Switching (PCS) and Envelope Tracking (ET) techniques. The main objective of the proposed architectures is to significantly improve the average efficiency in comparison with a stand-alone power amplifier at power back-off. Consequently, a reconfigurable PA architecture using a 4-step PCS technique has been implemented in CMOS 65nm technology. A second architecture was designed to evaluate the improvement obtained with the combination of these two techniques.BORDEAUX1-Bib.electronique (335229901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Fulleropyrrolidine-functionalized ceria nanoparticles as a tethered dual nanosystem with improved antioxidant properties

Combining nanoceria and fulleropyrrolidine in a tethered nanosystem allows for efficient scavenging of reactive oxygen species and improved protection of mouse fibroblast cells exposed to a UV insult

Oscillateur de puissance en ondes millimétriques

Ce travail porte sur l'étude d'un oscillateur de puissance contrôlé en tension en ondes millimétriques. L'objectif de la thèse est de concevoir cet oscillateur pour la bande de fréquence utilisée dans les standards IEEE 802.15.3c, IEEE 802.11ad et ECMA TC48, à savoir 56GHz-65GHz. Le principe de l'oscillateur de puissance est développé autour d'un amplificateur de puissance rebouclé pour engendrer un système oscillant. L'amplificateur de puissance développé est un amplicateur à deux étages. Celui de puissance est de classe E et le driver est de classe F. La boucle de retour est basée sur un vecteur-modulateur. Les circuits ont été fabriqués en technologie CMOS 65nm de STMicroelectronics.This PhD thesis deals with a Power Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) in millimeter waves. The aim is to design this Power VCO in the frequency band used in the standards IEEE 802.15.3c, IEEE 802.11ad and ECMA TC48, meaning from 56GHz to 65GHz. The principle of this oscillator is developed around a power amplifier in a loop, generating an oscillating system. The power amplifier is developed in a two-stage topology. The power stage is composed with a 60GHz class E cascoded amplifier and the driver stage is composed of a 60GHz class F amplifier. The feedback of the loop is based on a vector-modulator. The circuits have been realised in 65nm CMOS technology from STMicroelectronics.BORDEAUX1-Bib.electronique (335229901) / SudocSudocFranceF