Dissertation: Oussama ZWEIN
Mr. Oussama ZWEIN will publicly defend his dissertation, titled "Contribution to the Development of SAW Ultrasonic Sensors Based on Glass-Ceramic Piezoelectric Substrates for High-Temperature Measurements".
THESIS: OUSSAMA ZWEIN - A Contribution to the Development of SAW Ultrasonic Sensors Based on Glass-Ceramic Piezoelectric Substrates for High-Temperature Measurements
Oussama ZWEIN
Thesis Defense: June 12, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Lecture Hall - IEMN Valenciennes Campus - UPHF - Valenciennes.
Jury
Reporters:
- Sami HAGE-ALI - University of Lorraine / Faculty of Science and Technology.
- Jean-Marc TULLIANNI - Politecnico di Torino, Department of Applied Science and Technology.
Examiners:
- Véronique VITRY - University of Mons.
- Sandra ABDELOUHAB - CRIBC
Guests:
- Christian COURTOIS - Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France.
- Zakariae OUMEKLOUL - Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France.
Advisors:
- Marc DUQUENNOY - Hauts-de-France Polytechnic University.
- Maurice GONON - University of Mons.
Abstract
This thesis focuses on the development of ultrasonic sensors based on surface acoustic waves (SAW) for use in harsh industrial environments. It aims to demonstrate the feasibility of SAW devices fabricated from polar glass-ceramic substrates based on fresnoite (Sr₂TiSi₂O₈ – STS), capable of operating at high frequencies (≥ 30 MHz) and high temperatures (up to 900 °C). The work focused on the development and optimization of glass-ceramics, studying the influence of the fraction and composition of the residual glass, the microstructure, and
the preferred crystallographic orientation on the thermoelastic and acoustic properties.
Ultrasonic characterization of the sensors demonstrated efficient generation and propagation of SAW waves with moderate attenuation and high amplitudes, ensuring good signal-to-noise ratios. The SAW sensors developed at 30 MHz demonstrated functionality up to 940 °C, with a particularly frequency-stable range between 300 and 700 °C, characterized by a low temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF). The study also highlighted the direct link between the frequency response and the thermoelastic properties of the material, particularly the influence of the commensurable-incommensurable transition in fresnoite on thermal expansion and elastic constants. Finally, technological aspects related to electrode durability, electrical leakage, and electrical connections were analyzed to improve the robustness of the devices.
These results demonstrate that polar STS-based glass-ceramics are promising substrates for the development of high-frequency, high-temperature SAW sensors suitable for industrial applications in extreme environments.