How network operators can enhance ambient assisted living applications through next generation networks

Within the technological framework of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), consumers are currently requesting multimedia services with simplicity of use, reliability, security and service availability through mobile and fixed access. Network operators are proposing the Next Generation Networks (NGN) to address the challenges of providing both services and network convergence. Apart from these considerations, there is a need to provide social and healthcare assistance services in order to support the progressive aging in the elderly population. In order to achieve this objective, the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) initiative proposes ICT systems and services to promote autonomy and an independent life among the elderly. This paper describes the design and implementation of a group of services, called ���service enablers���, which helps AAL applications to be supported in NGN. The presented enablers are identified to support the teleconsulting applications requirements in an NGN environment, involving the implementation of a virtual waiting room, a virtual whiteboard, a multimedia multiconference and a vital-signs monitoring presence status. A use case is defined and implemented to evaluate the developed enablers' performance.

Integration of a data acquisition system based on FlexRIO technology with EPICS

EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System) lies in a set of software tools and applications which provide a software infrastructure for building distributed data acquisition and control systems. Currently there is an increase in use of such systems in large Physics experiments like ITER, ESS, and FREIA. In these experiments, advanced data acquisition systems using FPGA-based technology like FlexRIO are more frequently been used. The particular case of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), the instrumentation and control system is supported by CCS (CODAC Core System), based on RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) operating system, and by the plant design specifications in which every CCS element is defined either hardware, firmware or software. In this degree final project the methodology proposed in Implementation of Intelligent Data Acquisition Systems for Fusion Experiments using EPICS and FlexRIO Technology Sanz et al. [1] is used. The final objective is to provide a document describing the fulfilled process and the source code of the data acquisition system accomplished. The use of the proposed methodology leads to have two diferent stages. The first one consists of the hardware modelling with graphic design tools like LabVIEWFPGA which later will be implemented in the FlexRIO device. In the next stage the design cycle is completed creating an EPICS controller that manages the device using a generic device support layer named NDS (Nominal Device Support). This layer integrates the data acquisition system developed into CCS (Control, data access and communication Core System) as an EPICS interface to the system. The use of FlexRIO technology drives the use of LabVIEW and LabVIEW FPGA respectively. RESUMEN. EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System) es un conjunto de herramientas software utilizadas para el desarrollo e implementaci��n de sistemas de adquisici��n de datos y control distribuidos. Cada vez es m��s utilizado para entornos de experimentaci��n f��sica a gran escala como ITER, ESS y FREIA entre otros. En estos experimentos se est��n empezando a utilizar sistemas de adquisici��n de datos avanzados que usan tecnolog��a basada en FPGA como FlexRIO. En el caso particular de ITER, el sistema de instrumentaci��n y control adoptado se basa en el uso de la herramienta CCS (CODAC Core System) basado en el sistema operativo RHEL (Red Hat) y en las especificaciones del dise��o del sistema de planta, en la cual define todos los elementos integrantes del CCS, tanto software como firmware y hardware. En este proyecto utiliza la metodolog��a propuesta para la implementaci��n de sistemas de adquisici��n de datos inteligente basada en EPICS y FlexRIO. Se desea generar una serie de ejemplos que cubran dicho ciclo de dise��o completo y que ser��an propuestos como casos de uso de dichas tecnolog��as. Se proporcionar�� un documento en el que se describa el trabajo realizado as�� como el c��digo fuente del sistema de adquisici��n. La metodolog��a adoptada consta de dos etapas diferenciadas. En la primera de ellas se modela el hardware y se sintetiza en el dispositivo FlexRIO utilizando LabVIEW FPGA. Posteriormente se completa el ciclo de dise��o creando un controlador EPICS que maneja cada dispositivo creado utilizando una capa software gen��rica de manejo de dispositivos que se denomina NDS (Nominal Device Support). Esta capa integra la soluci��n en CCS realizando la interfaz con la capa EPICS del sistema. El uso de la tecnolog��a FlexRIO conlleva el uso del lenguaje de programaci��n y descripci��n hardware LabVIEW y LabVIEW FPGA respectivamente.

Evaluaci��n del dispositivo Raspberry Pi como elemento de despliegue de servicios en el marco de las Smart Grids

La tendencia actual de las redes de telecomunicaciones conduce a pensar en un futuro basado en el concepto emergente de las Smart Cities�� que tienen como objetivo el desarrollo urbano basado en un modelo de sostenibilidad que responda a las necesidades crecientes de las ciudades. Dentro de las Smart Cities podemos incluir el concepto de Smart Grid, el cual est�� referido a sistemas de administraci��n y producci��n de energ��a eficientes, que permitan un sistema energ��tico sostenible, y que den cabida a las fuentes de energ��a renovables. Sistemas de este tipo se muestran a los usuarios como un conjunto de servicios con los que interactuar sin ser tan s��lo un mero cliente, sino un agente m��s del entorno energ��tico. Por otro lado, los sistemas de software distribuidos son cada vez m��s comunes en una infraestructura de telecomunicaciones cada vez m��s extensa y con m��s capacidades. Dentro de este ��mbito tecnol��gico, las arquitecturas orientadas a servicios han crecido exponencialmente sobre todo en el sector empresarial. Con sistemas basados en estas arquitecturas, se pueden ofrecer a empresas y usuarios sistemas software basados en el concepto de servicio. Con la progresi��n del hardware actual, la miniaturizaci��n de los equipos es cada vez mayor, sin renunciar por ello a la potencia que podemos encontrar en sistemas de mayor tama��o. Un ejemplo es el dispositivo Raspberry Pi, que contiene un ordenador plenamente funcional contenido en el tama��o de una cajetilla de tabaco, y con un coste muy reducido. En este proyecto se pretenden aunar los tres conceptos expuestos. De esta forma, se busca utilizar el dispositivo Raspberry Pi como elemento de despliegue integrado en una arquitectura de Smart Grid orientada a servicios. En los trabajos realizados se ha utilizado la propuesta definida por el proyecto de I+D europeo e-GOTHAM, con cuya infraestructura se ha tenido ocasi��n de realizar diferentes pruebas de las descritas en esta memoria. Aunque esta arquitectura est�� orientada a la creaci��n de una Smart Grid, lo experimentado en este PFG podr��a encajar en otro tipo de aplicaciones. Dentro del estudio sobre las soluciones software actuales, se ha trabajado en la evaluaci��n de la posibilidad de instalar un Enterprise Service Bus en el Raspberry Pi y en la optimizaci��n de la citada instalaci��n. Una vez conseguida una instalaci��n operativa, se ha desarrollado un controlador de un dispositivo f��sico (sensor/actuador), denominado Dispositivo L��gico, a modo de prueba de la viabilidad del uso del Raspberry Pi para actuar como elemento en el que instalar aplicaciones en entornos de Smart Grid o Smart Home. El ��xito logrado con esta experimentaci��n refuerza la idea de considerar al Raspberry Pi, como un importante elemento a tener en cuenta para el despliegue de servicios de Smart Cities o incluso en otros ��mbitos tecnol��gicos. ABSTRACT. The current trend of telecommunication networks lead to think in a future based on the emerging concept of Smart Cities, whose objective is to ensure the urban development based on a sustainable model to respond the new necessities of the cities. Within the Smart cites we can include the concept of Smart Grid, which is based on management systems and efficient energy production, allowing a sustainable energy producing system, and that includes renewable energy sources. Systems of this type are shown to users as a set of services that allow users to interact with the system not only as a single customer, but also as other energy environment agent. Furthermore, distributed software systems are increasingly common in a telecommunications infrastructure more extensive and with more capabilities. Within this area of technology, service-oriented architectures have grown exponentially especially in the business sector. With systems based on these architectures, can be offered to businesses and users software systems based on the concept of service. With the progression of the actual hardware, the miniaturization of computers is increasing, without sacrificing the power of larger systems. An example is the Raspberry Pi, which contains a fully functional computer contained in the size of a pack of cigarettes, and with a very low cost. This PFG (Proyecto Fin de Grado) tries to combine the three concepts presented. Thus, it is intended to use the Raspberry Pi device as a deployment element integrated into a service oriented Smart Grid architecture. In this PFG, the one proposed in the European R&D e-GOTHAM project has been observed. In addition several tests described herein have been carried out using the infrastructure of that project. Although this architecture is oriented to the creation of a Smart Grid, the experiences reported in this document could fit into other applications. Within the study on current software solutions, it have been working on assessing the possibility of installing an Enterprise Service Bus in the Raspberry Pi and optimizing that facility. Having achieved an operating installation, it has been developed a driver for a physical device (sensor / actuator), called logical device, for testing the feasibility of using the Raspberry Pi to act as an element in which to install applications in Smart Grid and Smart Home Environments. The success of this experiment reinforces the idea of considering the Raspberry Pi as an important element to take into account in the deployment of Smart Cities services or even in other technological fields.

Estudio del Fen��meno Social Media en las grandes corporaciones del sector TIC

Este trabajo trata el estudio de la implementaci��n y desarrollo de las diversas plataformas del social media: redes sociales y del conocimiento, blogs y herramientas colaborativas en el ��mbito corporativo de la empresa. El estudio recopila informaci��n de consultoras tecnol��gicas, de art��culos y de diversas plataformas social media y se realiza una investigaci��n sobre el tema planteado. Se incluye el an��lisis de 42 encuestas a profesionales de dos grandes empresas de las telecomunicaciones en Espa��a. Estas dos empresas cuentan una con cerca de 28000 empleados y la otra con m��s 300 empleados en sus filiales espa��olas. Ambas tienen una importante presencia internacional. Estas dos empresa se diferencian de otras empresas del sector de las telecomunicaciones en que est��n apostando en la implementaci��n del social media en sus procesos internos. Adem��s se incluye el estudio y an��lisis de las estad��sticas de uso y de una series de encuestas realizadas en el muro de la red social corporativa de una multinacional de las telecomunicaciones durante tres meses. Se presenta una nueva cultura social de empresa innovadora en ��reas como la gesti��n del conocimiento, comunicaci��n interna, formaci��n e innovaci��n. Y se ofrece una visi��n cuantitativa y de la implantaci��n del social media en los procesos de una empresa. Se desarrolla una exposici��n donde se detalla el proceso de estudio de las diferentes plataformas social media y ��reas de aplicaci��n en la empresa, el estudio de los aspectos legales de su aplicaci��n y uso y la implementaci��n y desarrollo. Asimismo se expone un an��lisis te��rico-pr��ctico del c��lculo del retorno de la inversi��n (ROI) y por ��ltimo un an��lisis de la informaci��n recopilada en las encuestas y en el estudio estad��stico de la red social corporativa. Los datos de las encuestas fueron analizados mediante estad��stica descriptiva basada en gr��ficos y tablas de contingencia donde se calculan residuos y porcentajes totales para analizar la dependencia entre el social media, eficiencia, productividad y cuenta de resultados, adem��s del an��lisis de la aportaci��n del social media a la misi��n, comunicaci��n interna y gesti��n del conocimiento en la empresa. Tambi��n se realizan c��lculos de distribuciones Chi-cuadrado para demostrar la dependencia del social media-productividad y del GAP que relaciona la importancia y el nivel de satisfacci��n del social media. En el an��lisis te��rico-pr��ctico se toman como par��metros los beneficios, costes, flexibilidad y riesgo. Los beneficios van ligados a la productividad, gesti��n del conocimiento, capital humano y procesos internos. Los costes a las licencias de software, administraci��n, implementaci��n y formaci��n. A partir de estos par��metros se realiz�� el estudio de un modelo de empresa que representa a una gran empresa de las TIC en Espa��a. Los datos para el estudio son estimativos dentro de la realidad, debido a que la intenci��n no es saber estos valores reales sino el estudio te��rico-pr��ctico del m��todo y su aplicaci��n para el calculo del ROI. El estudio estad��stico del la red social se realizo durante tres meses y se obtuvo el progreso de uso de la red social en eventos tales como: n��mero de participantes activos, mensajes publicados, archivos subidos, grupos activos y tipos y plataformas de acceso. Del estudio de los datos estad��sticos de estos eventos se obtuvieron indicadores de participaci��n, actividad y conocimiento de la red social que son ��tiles par el calculo del ROI. En conclusi��n, se demuestran las mejoras que ofrece el social media en campos como la comunicaci��n interna, gesti��n del conocimiento, formaci��n e innovaci��n. Y gracias a estas mejoras el aumento de la productividad y eficiencia del profesional y asimismo un potencial retorno de la inversi��n (ROI). ABSTRACT. This paper deals with the study of the implementation and development of the different platforms of social media: social networks and knowledge, blogs and collaborative tools in the corporate enterprise level. The study collects information technology consulting, articles and several social media platforms and an investigation into the question raised is performed. Analysis of 42 surveys of professionals from two big companies telecommunications in Spain are included. These two companies have one about 28000 employees and another with more than 300 employees at its Spanish subsidiaries. Both have a strong international presence. These two companies differ from other companies in the telecommunications sector they are betting in the implementation of social media in their internal processes. Furthermore, the study and analysis of usage statistics and a series of surveys on the wall of the corporate social network of a multinational telecommunications is included for three months. A new social culture enterprise is presented innovative in areas such as knowledge management, internal communications, training and innovation. And a quantitative vision into implementation of social media in the processes of a company is offered. They develops an exhibition where shown the process of studying the different social media platforms and application areas in the company, the study of the legal aspects of your application and use and implementation and development. A theoretical and practical analysis also exposed of calculation of return on investment (ROI) and finally an analysis of the information collected in surveys and statistical study of corporate social network. The survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics based on graphs and contingency tables where waste and total percentages are calculated for analyze the dependence between the social media, efficiency, productivity and income statement, plus analysis of the contribution of social media on the mission, internal communication and knowledge management in the company. Also Calculations of chi-square distributions are conducted to demonstrate the dependence between of productivity and social media and the GAP that relates the importance and satisfaction level in social media. The theoretical and practical analysis parameters are the benefits, costs, flexibility and risk. The benefits are linked to productivity, knowledge management, human capital and internal processes. The costs are linked the software licensing, management, implementation and training. Based on these parameters was performed the study of a business model that represents a large ICT company in Spain. The data for the study are estimates within the reality, because the intention is not to know these real values but the theoretical and practical study and application of the method for calculating the ROI. Statistical analysis of the social network was made during or three months and was obtained the progress of social network use at events such as: number of active participants, messages posted, files uploaded, active groups and types and access platforms. Into study of statistical data of these events were obtained indicators of participation, activity and knowledge of the social network that are useful for calculating the ROI. In conclusion, the improvements offered by the social media in areas such as internal communication, knowledge management, training and innovation are shown. And thanks to these improvements increase the productivity and efficiency of professional and also a potential return on investment (ROI).

Methodology for developing and application outsourcing in the cloud using SOA

New technologies such as, the new Information and Communication Technology ICT, break new paths and redefines the way we understand business, the Cloud Computing is one of them. The on demand resource gathering and the per usage payment scheme are now commonplace, and allows companies to save on their ICT investments. Despite the importance of this issue, we still lack methodologies that help companies, to develop applications oriented for its exploitation in the Cloud. In this study we aim to fill this gap and propose a methodology for the development of ICT applications, which are directed towards a business model, and further outsourcing in the Cloud. In the former the Development of SOA applications, we take, as a baseline scenario, a business model from which to obtain a business process model. To this end, we use software engineering tools; and in the latter The Outsourcing we propose a guide that would facilitate uploading business models into the Cloud; to this end we describe a SOA governance model, which controls the SOA. Additionally we propose a Cloud government that integrates Service Level Agreements SLAs, plus SOA governance, and Cloud architecture. Finally we apply our methodology in an example illustrating our proposal. We believe that our proposal can be used as a guide/pattern for the development of business applications.

Autonomous Acquisition of Natural Situated Communication

An important part of human intelligence, both historically and operationally, is our ability to communicate. We learn how to communicate, and maintain our communicative skills, in a society of communicators ��� a highly effective way to reach and maintain proficiency in this complex skill. Principles that might allow artificial agents to learn language this way are in completely known at present ��� the multi-dimensional nature of socio-communicative skills are beyond every machine learning framework so far proposed. Our work begins to address the challenge of proposing a way for observation-based machine learning of natural language and communication. Our framework can learn complex communicative skills with minimal up-front knowledge. The system learns by incrementally producing predictive models of causal relationships in observed data, guided by goal-inference and reasoning using forward-inverse models. We present results from two experiments where our S1 agent learns human communication by observing two humans interacting in a realtime TV-style interview, using multimodal communicative gesture and situated language to talk about recycling of various materials and objects. S1 can learn multimodal complex language and multimodal communicative acts, a vocabulary of 100 words forming natural sentences with relatively complex sentence structure, including manual deictic reference and anaphora. S1 is seeded only with high-level information about goals of the interviewer and interviewee, and a small ontology; no grammar or other information is provided to S1 a priori. The agent learns the pragmatics, semantics, and syntax of complex utterances spoken and gestures from scratch, by observing the humans compare and contrast the cost and pollution related to recycling aluminum cans, glass bottles, newspaper, plastic, and wood. After 20 hours of observation S1 can perform an unscripted TV interview with a human, in the same style, without making mistakes.

Integrated approach to foreign language in the building engineering degree at the Universidad Polit��cnica Madrid

The European Union has been promoting linguistic diversity for many years as one of its main educational goals. This is an element that facilitates student mobility and student exchanges between different universities and countries and enriches the education of young undergraduates. In particular,a higher degree of competence in the English language is becoming essential for engineers, architects and researchers in general, as English has become the lingua franca that opens up horizons to internationalisation and the transfer of knowledge in today���s world. Many experts point to the Integrated Approach to Contents and Foreign Languages System as being an option that has certain benefits over the traditional method of teaching a second language that is exclusively based on specific subjects. This system advocates teaching the different subjects in the syllabus in a language other than one���s mother tongue, without prioritising knowledge of the language over the subject. This was the idea that in the 2009/10 academic year gave rise to the Second Language Integration Programme (SLI Programme) at the Escuela Arquitectura Tecnica in the Universidad Politecnica Madrid (EUATM-UPM), just at the beginning of the tuition of the new Building Engineering Degree, which had been adapted to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) model. This programme is an interdisciplinary initiative for the set of subjects taught during the semester and is coordinated through the Assistant Director Office for Educational Innovation. The SLI Programme has a dual goal; to familiarise students with the specific English terminology of the subject being taught, and at the same time improve their communication skills in English. A total of thirty lecturers are taking part in the teaching of eleven first year subjects and twelve in the second year, with around 120 students who have voluntarily enrolled in a special group in each semester. During the 2010/2011 academic year the degree of acceptance and the results of the SLI Programme are being monitored. Tools have been designed to aid interdisciplinary coordination and to analyse satisfaction, such as coordination records and surveys. The results currently available refer to the first semester of the year and are divided into specific aspects of the different subjects involved and into general aspects of the ongoing experience.

Analysis of the suitability of existing medical ontologies for building a scalable semantic interoperability solution supporting multi-site collaboration in oncology

Semantic interoperability is essential to facilitate efficient collaboration in heterogeneous multi-site healthcare environments. The deployment of a semantic interoperability solution has the potential to enable a wide range of informatics supported applications in clinical care and research both within as ingle healthcare organization and in a network of organizations. At the same time, building and deploying a semantic interoperability solution may require significant effort to carryout data transformation and to harmonize the semantics of the information in the different systems. Our approach to semantic interoperability leverages existing healthcare standards and ontologies, focusing first on specific clinical domains and key applications, and gradually expanding the solution when needed. An important objective of this work is to create a semantic link between clinical research and care environments to enable applications such as streamlining the execution of multi-centric clinical trials, including the identification of eligible patients for the trials. This paper presents an analysis of the suitability of several widely-used medical ontologies in the clinical domain: SNOMED-CT, LOINC, MedDRA, to capture the semantics of the clinical trial eligibility criteria, of the clinical trial data (e.g., Clinical Report Forms), and of the corresponding patient record data that would enable the automatic identification of eligible patients. Next to the coverage provided by the ontologies we evaluate and compare the sizes of the sets of relevant concepts and their relative frequency to estimate the cost of data transformation, of building the necessary semantic mappings, and of extending the solution to new domains. This analysis shows that our approach is both feasible and scalable.

Contribution towards intelligent service management in wearable and ubiquitous devices

Hoy en d��a asistimos a un creciente inter��s por parte de la sociedad hacia el cuidado de la salud. Esta afirmaci��n viene apoyada por dos realidades. Por una parte, el aumento de las pr��cticas saludables (actividad deportiva, cuidado de la alimentaci��n, etc.). De igual manera, el auge de los dispositivos inteligentes (relojes, m��viles o pulseras) capaces de medir distintos par��metros f��sicos como el pulso card��aco, el ritmo respiratorio, la distancia recorrida, las calor��as consumidas, etc. Combinando ambos factores (inter��s por el estado de salud y disponibilidad comercial de dispositivos inteligentes) est��n surgiendo multitud de aplicaciones capaces no solo de controlar el estado actual de salud, tambi��n de recomendar al usuario cambios de h��bitos que lleven hacia una mejora en su condici��n f��sica. En este contexto, los llamados dispositivos llevables (weareables) unidos al paradigma de Internet de las cosas (IoT, del ingl��s Internet of Things) permiten la aparici��n de nuevos nichos de mercado para aplicaciones que no solo se centran en la mejora de la condici��n f��sica, ya que van m��s all�� proponiendo soluciones para el cuidado de pacientes enfermos, la vigilancia de ni��os o ancianos, la defensa y la seguridad, la monitorizaci��n de agentes de riesgo (como bomberos o polic��as) y un largo etc��tera de aplicaciones por llegar. El paradigma de IoT se puede desarrollar bas��ndose en las existentes redes de sensores inal��mbricos (WSN, del ingl��s Wireless Sensor Network). La conexi��n de los ya mencionados dispositivos llevables a estas redes puede facilitar la transici��n de nuevos usuarios hacia aplicaciones IoT. Pero uno de los problemas intr��nsecos a estas redes es su heterogeneidad. En efecto, existen multitud de sistemas operativos, protocolos de comunicaci��n, plataformas de desarrollo, soluciones propietarias, etc. El principal objetivo de esta tesis es realizar aportaciones significativas para solucionar no solo el problema de la heterogeneidad, sino tambi��n de dotar de mecanismos de seguridad suficientes para salvaguardad la integridad de los datos intercambiados en este tipo de aplicaciones. Algo de suma importancia ya que los datos m��dicos y biom��tricos de los usuarios est��n protegidos por leyes nacionales y comunitarias. Para lograr dichos objetivos, se comenz�� con la realizaci��n de un completo estudio del estado del arte en tecnolog��as relacionadas con el marco de investigaci��n (plataformas y est��ndares para WSNs e IoT, plataformas de implementaci��n distribuidas, dispositivos llevables y sistemas operativos y lenguajes de programaci��n). Este estudio sirvi�� para tomar decisiones de dise��o fundamentadas en las tres contribuciones principales de esta tesis: un bus de servicios para dispositivos llevables (WDSB, Wearable Device Service Bus) basado en tecnolog��as ya existentes tales como ESB, WWBAN, WSN e IoT); un protocolo de comunicaciones inter-dominio para dispositivos llevables (WIDP, Wearable Inter-Domain communication Protocol) que integra en una misma soluci��n protocolos capaces de ser implementados en dispositivos de bajas capacidades (como lo son los dispositivos llevables y los que forman parte de WSNs); y finalmente, la tercera contribuci��n relevante es una propuesta de seguridad para WSN basada en la aplicaci��n de dominios de confianza. Aunque las contribuciones aqu�� recogidas son de aplicaci��n gen��rica, para su validaci��n se utiliz�� un escenario concreto de aplicaci��n: una soluci��n para control de par��metros f��sicos en entornos deportivos, desarrollada dentro del proyecto europeo de investigaci��n ���LifeWear���. En este escenario se desplegaron todos los elementos necesarios para validar las contribuciones principales de esta tesis y, adem��s, se realiz�� una aplicaci��n para dispositivos m��viles por parte de uno de los socios del proyecto (lo que contribuy�� con una validaci��n externa de la soluci��n). En este escenario se usaron dispositivos llevables tales como un reloj inteligente, un tel��fono m��vil con sistema operativo Android y un medidor del ritmo card��aco inal��mbrico capaz de obtener distintos par��metros fisiol��gicos del deportista. Sobre este escenario se realizaron diversas pruebas de validaci��n mediante las cuales se obtuvieron resultados satisfactorios. ABSTRACT Nowadays, society is shifting towards a growing interest and concern on health care. This phenomenon can be acknowledged by two facts: first, the increasing number of people practising some kind of healthy activity (sports, balanced diet, etc.). Secondly, the growing number of commercial wearable smart devices (smartwatches or bands) able to measure physiological parameters such as heart rate, breathing rate, distance or consumed calories. A large number of applications combining both facts are appearing. These applications are not only able to monitor the health status of the user, but also to provide recommendations about routines in order to improve the mentioned health status. In this context, wearable devices merged with the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm enable the proliferation of new market segments for these health wearablebased applications. Furthermore, these applications can provide solutions for the elderly or baby care, in-hospital or in-home patient monitoring, security and defence fields or an unforeseen number of future applications. The introduced IoT paradigm can be developed with the usage of existing Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) by connecting the novel wearable devices to them. In this way, the migration of new users and actors to the IoT environment will be eased. However, a major issue appears in this environment: heterogeneity. In fact, there is a large number of operating systems, hardware platforms, communication and application protocols or programming languages, each of them with unique features. The main objective of this thesis is defining and implementing a solution for the intelligent service management in wearable and ubiquitous devices so as to solve the heterogeneity issues that are presented when dealing with interoperability and interconnectivity of devices and software of different nature. Additionally, a security schema based on trust domains is proposed as a solution to the privacy problems arising when private data (e.g., biomedical parameters or user identification) is broadcasted in a wireless network. The proposal has been made after a comprehensive state-of-the-art analysis, and includes the design of a Wearable Device Service Bus (WDSB) including the technologies collected in the requirement analysis (ESB, WWBAN, WSN and IoT). Applications are able to access the WSN services regardless of the platform and operating system where they are running. Besides, this proposal also includes the design of a Wearable Inter-Domain communication Protocols set (WIDP) which integrates lightweight protocols suitable to be used in low-capacities devices (REST, JSON, AMQP, CoAP, etc...). Furthermore, a security solution for service management based on a trustworthy domains model to deploy security services in WSNs has been designed. Although the proposal is a generic framework for applications based on services provided by wearable devices, an application scenario for testing purposes has been included. In this validation scenario it has been presented an autonomous physical condition performance system, based on a WSN, bringing the possibility to include several elements in an IoT scenario: a smartwatch, a physiological monitoring device and a smartphone. In summary, the general objective of this thesis is solving the heterogeneity and security challenges arising when developing applications for WSNs and wearable devices. As it has been presented in the thesis, the solution proposed has been successfully validated in a real scenario and the obtained results were satisfactory.

New experiments on speaker diarization for unsupervised speaking style voice building for speech synthesis

El uso universal de s��ntesis de voz en diferentes aplicaciones requerir��a un desarrollo sencillo de las nuevas voces con poca intervenci��n manual. Teniendo en cuenta la cantidad de datos multimedia disponibles en Internet y los medios de comunicaci��n, un objetivo interesante es el desarrollo de herramientas y m��todos para construir autom��ticamente las voces de estilo de varios de ellos. En un trabajo anterior se esboz�� una metodolog��a para la construcci��n de este tipo de herramientas, y se presentaron experimentos preliminares con una base de datos multiestilo. En este art��culo investigamos m��s a fondo esta tarea y proponemos varias mejoras basadas en la selecci��n del n��mero apropiado de hablantes iniciales, el uso o no de filtros de reducci��n de ruido, el uso de la F0 y el uso de un algoritmo de detecci��n de m��sica. Hemos demostrado que el mejor sistema usando un algoritmo de detecci��n de m��sica disminuye el error de precisi��n 22,36% relativo para el conjunto de desarrollo y 39,64% relativo para el montaje de ensayo en comparaci��n con el sistema base, sin degradar el factor de m��rito. La precisi��n media para el conjunto de prueba es 90.62% desde 76.18% para los reportajes de 99,93% para los informes meteorol��gicos.

Desarrollo de un modelo de evaluaci��n de ciudades basado en el concepto de ciudad inteligente (Smart city)

La presente tesis tiene por finalidad contribuir al conocimiento de los procesos de transformaci��n de las ciudades convencionales en Ciudades Inteligentes o Smart Cities, el nuevo paradigma urbano, que surge como consecuencia de la utilizaci��n de las Tecnolog��as de la Informaci��n y de las Comunicaciones, las TIC, para mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas y aumentar la eficiencia y eficacia de los procesos, servicios e infraestructuras de la ciudad. El proceso de urbanizaci��n de la poblaci��n mundial constituye una de las principales tendencias globales. Los retos a los que se enfrentan las urbes actuales para satisfacer las necesidades de sus habitantes, as�� como la forma en que cada ciudad aborda dichos retos, propician el desarrollo de estudios comparativos y rankings de ciudades. La oportunidad para llevar a cabo esta tesis deriva de: La novedad del concepto de Ciudad Inteligente. La necesidad de establecer estudios comparativos, respecto a dicho concepto, entre ciudades con caracter��sticas socioecon��micas y culturales comunes, dado que la mayor��a de los estudios y rankings se desarrollan para conjuntos de ciudades cuyas caracter��sticas son muy dispares, pues, en general son seleccionadas por su condici��n de capitales de estados o de centros econ��micos-financieros. El inter��s de disponer de estudios sobre ciudades con tama��os de poblaci��n medianos, inferiores al mill��n de habitantes, las cuales tienen baja presencia en los estudios comparativos. La inexistencia de estudios comparativos entre las ciudades espa��olas, en relaci��n con el concepto de Ciudad Inteligente. La existencia de la Red Espa��ola de Ciudades Inteligentes, que permite disponer de una muestra de ciudades adecuada, para llevar a cabo un estudio comparativo de acuerdo con los puntos anteriores. El objetivo general de la presente tesis es contribuir al conocimiento de los procesos de transformaci��n de la ciudad convencional en Ciudad Inteligente, a trav��s de la formulaci��n y aplicaci��n de un modelo de evaluaci��n, basado en el concepto hol��stico de Ciudad Inteligente o Smart City y desde la perspectiva del ciudadano. La metodolog��a de trabajo seguida comprende, en primer lugar, la revisi��n del estado del arte, centrada en tres aspectos: la evoluci��n del concepto Smart City, los estudios comparativos sobre Ciudades Inteligentes y las medidas que las ciudades espa��olas est��n implantando en la pr��ctica para llevar a cabo su transformaci��n en Ciudades Inteligentes. A continuaci��n se lleva a cabo el dise��o el modelo de evaluaci��n. Este modelo refleja el car��cter hol��stico del concepto de Ciudad Inteligente, para lo cual, de acuerdo con las definiciones que encontramos en la literatura, eval��a la situaci��n de cada ciudad en relaci��n con seis ejes o pilares, com��nmente aceptados por los diferentes autores: e-Gobierno y e-Gobernanza, Movilidad, Sostenibilidad Ambiental, Desarrollo Econ��mico, Capital Intelectual y Calidad de Vida. El trabajo desarrollado implica un an��lisis, que se desarrolla de forma ordenada para cada uno de los ejes y, dentro de ��stos, para sus correspondientes factores. En total se analizan 18 factores. Para cada uno de los ejes se lleva a cabo una revisi��n de las iniciativas m��s representativas para, a continuaci��n, analizar y evaluar los correspondientes los factores. De forma complementaria al desarrollo del trabajo, se llev�� a cabo una encuesta, dirigida a profesionales de diferentes ��reas y sectores, todos ellos en el ��mbito de las Ciudades Inteligentes. El objetivo de la encuesta es conocer, de acuerdo con la opini��n de los profesionales, la situaci��n actual en materia de despliegue de Ciudades Inteligentes, las actuaciones que consideran de mayor inter��s para la ciudad y las barreras del proceso de cambio. Una vez definido el modelo, se ha aplicado a las 62 ciudades que forman la Red Espa��ola de Ciudades Inteligentes (RECI), valorando los factores y los ejes para cada una de ellas. As�� mismo, se ha analizado la influencia de las tres variables siguientes: tama��o de poblaci��n, densidad de poblaci��n y presupuesto municipal por habitante, determinando la relaci��n entre el porcentaje de ciudades inteligentes de la muestra, en cada factor. Adicionalmente en el eje Capital Intelectual,se analiz�� la influencia del porcentaje de habitantes con estudios superiores. Las 62 ciudades RECI que componen la muestra evaluada, representan el 43 % de las ciudades espa��olas que cuentan con poblaciones superiores a los 50.000 habitantes. La poblaci��n que abarca la muestra de ciudades estudiada representa el 35% de la poblaci��n espa��ola. Finalmente, se ha determinado el ranking con las ciudades de RECI, de acuerdo con el modelo dise��ado. As�� mismo se ha llevado a cabo el an��lisis de sensibilidad, determinado el ranking resultante para la misma muestra de ciudades, aplicando la ponderaci��n de los factores. Las principales aportaciones de la tesis son: Desarrollar un modelo de evaluaci��n de ciudades basada en el concepto hol��stico de la Smart City y desde la perspectiva del ciudadano. Desarrollar una metodolog��a de trabajo fundamentada en el an��lisis sistematizado de las web municipales, como medio para conocer la situaci��n de las ciudades, en lugar de los datos estad��sticos publicados, que son la fuente de informaci��n habitualmente empleada en los estudios comparativos. Disponer de un estudio comparativo espec��fico de ciudades espa��olas. Llevar a cabo un estudio sobre una muestra de ciudades de tama��o medio, con caracter��sticas socioecon��micas y culturales comparables. Mejorar el conocimiento de los procesos que se est��n llevando a cabo en ciudades con poblaciones inferiores al mill��n de habitantes. The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the knowledge of the cities and the transformation that is taking part in traditional cities becoming Smart Cities. The Smart City concept is the new urban paradigm that is born from the extensive use of Information Technologies (IT) in order to accomplish better citizen���s quality of life as well as improvements in urban processes, services and infrastructures. Several rankings and benchmarking studies are being conducted globally, in response to the increasing of urban population that is taking part around the world and the subsequent challenges to be confronted by the cities. This thesis aims to contribute to these studies. The opportunity for this thesis comes from: The Smart City concept as a new concept. The need of benchmarking studies focused on the Smart City concept, carried on cities with similar social and economic characteristics. The interest on benchmarking studies on medium size cities (with less than one million inhabitants). The absence of benchmarking studies on Spanish cities. The existence of the Spanish Smart Cities Network that can be considered an appropriate sample for a benchmark study. The main goal of this thesis is to develop a Smart Cities assessment model based on the citizen point of view and taking into account a holistic concept of Smart City. The thesis methodology starts with the state of the art revision, focused on three items: the Smart City concept, the benchmark studies and the projects actually developed by the Spanish cities under processes for becoming Smart Cities. The next step is the assessment model design, in accordance with the six main axes or pillars referred in the academic literature: e-Government and e-Governance, Mobility, Environmental Sustainability, Economic Development, Smart Citizens and Quality of Life. Also, a survey has been conducted and addressed to experts working on the different areas related to the Smart Cities. The aim of this survey is to know their opinion about the deployment of the Smart Cities, the priorities considered by the cities and the barriers that delay the change processes. Once the assessment model was ready, it was applied to the Spanish Smart Cities Network, with 62 member cities. Also, the bearing of three variables: city population, population density and city budget per inhabitant, are studied. The 62 cities studied are 43 % of the Spanish cities with population over 50.000 inhabitants. The population living in these cities is the 35% of total Spanish population. The main contribution of this thesis are: An assessment model for Smart Cities that takes into account the holistic concept of the Smart City as well as the citizen experience. A methodology that comprises municipal web analysis instead of statistics data, which are the usual source of data for current benchmarking studies. A Spanish Smart Cities benchmark. A benchmark on medium size cities with similar social and economic characteristics. A better understanding of the urban processes that are taking part on cities under one million inhabitants.

Contribution to the improvement of communication services in nanosatellite constellations using delay and disruption tolerant networking based architectures

Esta tesis se desarrolla dentro del marco de las comunicaciones satelitales en el innovador campo de los peque��os sat��lites tambi��n llamados nanosat��lites o cubesats, llamados as�� por su forma cubica. Estos nanosat��lites se caracterizan por su bajo costo debido a que usan componentes comerciales llamados COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) y su peque��o tama��o como los Cubesats 1U (10cm*10 cm*10 cm) con masa aproximada a 1 kg. Este trabajo de tesis tiene como base una iniciativa propuesta por el autor de la tesis para poner en ��rbita el primer sat��lite peruano en mi pa��s llamado chasqui I, actualmente puesto en ��rbita desde la Estaci��n Espacial Internacional. La experiencia de este trabajo de investigaci��n me llevo a proponer una constelaci��n de peque��os sat��lites llamada Waposat para dar servicio de monitoreo de sensores de calidad de agua a nivel global, escenario que es usado en esta tesis. Es ente entorno y dadas las caracter��sticas limitadas de los peque��os sat��lites, tanto en potencia como en velocidad de datos, es que propongo investigar una nueva arquitectura de comunicaciones que permita resolver en forma ��ptima la problem��tica planteada por los nanosat��lites en ��rbita LEO debido a su car��cter disruptivo en sus comunicaciones poniendo ��nfasis en las capas de enlace y aplicaci��n. Esta tesis presenta y eval��a una nueva arquitectura de comunicaciones para proveer servicio a una red de sensores terrestres usando una soluci��n basada en DTN (Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking) para comunicaciones espaciales. Adicionalmente, propongo un nuevo protocolo de acceso m��ltiple que usa una extensi��n del protocolo ALOHA no ranurado, el cual toma en cuenta la prioridad del trafico del Gateway (ALOHAGP) con un mecanismo de contienda adaptativo. Utiliza la realimentaci��n del sat��lite para implementar el control de la congesti��n y adapta din��micamente el rendimiento efectivo del canal de una manera ��ptima. Asumimos un modelo de poblaci��n de sensores finito y una condici��n de tr��fico saturado en el que cada sensor tiene siempre tramas que transmitir. El desempe��o de la red se evalu�� en t��rminos de rendimiento efectivo, retardo y la equidad del sistema. Adem��s, se ha definido una capa de convergencia DTN (ALOHAGP-CL) como un subconjunto del est��ndar TCP-CL (Transmission Control Protocol-Convergency Layer). Esta tesis muestra que ALOHAGP/CL soporta adecuadamente el escenario DTN propuesto, sobre todo cuando se utiliza la fragmentaci��n reactiva. Finalmente, esta tesis investiga una transferencia ��ptima de mensajes DTN (Bundles) utilizando estrategias de fragmentaci��n proactivas para dar servicio a una red de sensores terrestres utilizando un enlace de comunicaciones satelitales que utiliza el mecanismo de acceso m��ltiple con prioridad en el tr��fico de enlace descendente (ALOHAGP). El rendimiento efectivo ha sido optimizado mediante la adaptaci��n de los par��metros del protocolo como una funci��n del n��mero actual de los sensores activos recibidos desde el sat��lite. Tambi��n, actualmente no existe un m��todo para advertir o negociar el tama��o m��ximo de un ���bundle��� que puede ser aceptado por un agente DTN ���bundle��� en las comunicaciones por sat��lite tanto para el almacenamiento y la entrega, por lo que los ���bundles��� que son demasiado grandes son eliminados o demasiado peque��os son ineficientes. He caracterizado este tipo de escenario obteniendo una distribuci��n de probabilidad de la llegada de tramas al nanosat��lite as�� como una distribuci��n de probabilidad del tiempo de visibilidad del nanosat��lite, los cuales proveen una fragmentaci��n proactiva ��ptima de los DTN ���bundles���. He encontrado que el rendimiento efectivo (goodput) de la fragmentaci��n proactiva alcanza un valor ligeramente inferior al de la fragmentaci��n reactiva. Esta contribuci��n permite utilizar la fragmentaci��n activa de forma ��ptima con todas sus ventajas tales como permitir implantar el modelo de seguridad de DTN y la simplicidad al implementarlo en equipos con muchas limitaciones de CPU y memoria. La implementaci��n de estas contribuciones se han contemplado inicialmente como parte de la carga ��til del nanosat��lite QBito, que forma parte de la constelaci��n de 50 nanosat��lites que se est�� llevando a cabo dentro del proyecto QB50. ABSTRACT This thesis is developed within the framework of satellite communications in the innovative field of small satellites also known as nanosatellites (<10 kg) or CubeSats, so called from their cubic form. These nanosatellites are characterized by their low cost because they use commercial components called COTS (commercial off-the-shelf), and their small size and mass, such as 1U Cubesats (10cm * 10cm * 10cm) with approximately 1 kg mass. This thesis is based on a proposal made by the author of the thesis to put into orbit the first Peruvian satellite in his country called Chasqui I, which was successfully launched into orbit from the International Space Station in 2014. The experience of this research work led me to propose a constellation of small satellites named Waposat to provide water quality monitoring sensors worldwide, scenario that is used in this thesis. In this scenario and given the limited features of nanosatellites, both power and data rate, I propose to investigate a new communications architecture that allows solving in an optimal manner the problems of nanosatellites in orbit LEO due to the disruptive nature of their communications by putting emphasis on the link and application layers. This thesis presents and evaluates a new communications architecture to provide services to terrestrial sensor networks using a space Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) based solution. In addition, I propose a new multiple access mechanism protocol based on extended unslotted ALOHA that takes into account the priority of gateway traffic, which we call ALOHA multiple access with gateway priority (ALOHAGP) with an adaptive contention mechanism. It uses satellite feedback to implement the congestion control, and to dynamically adapt the channel effective throughput in an optimal way. We assume a finite sensor population model and a saturated traffic condition where every sensor always has frames to transmit. The performance was evaluated in terms of effective throughput, delay and system fairness. In addition, a DTN convergence layer (ALOHAGP-CL) has been defined as a subset of the standard TCP-CL (Transmission Control Protocol-Convergence Layer). This thesis reveals that ALOHAGP/CL adequately supports the proposed DTN scenario, mainly when reactive fragmentation is used. Finally, this thesis investigates an optimal DTN message (bundles) transfer using proactive fragmentation strategies to give service to a ground sensor network using a nanosatellite communications link which uses a multi-access mechanism with priority in downlink traffic (ALOHAGP). The effective throughput has been optimized by adapting the protocol parameters as a function of the current number of active sensors received from satellite. Also, there is currently no method for advertising or negotiating the maximum size of a bundle which can be accepted by a bundle agent in satellite communications for storage and delivery, so that bundles which are too large can be dropped or which are too small are inefficient. We have characterized this kind of scenario obtaining a probability distribution for frame arrivals to nanosatellite and visibility time distribution that provide an optimal proactive fragmentation of DTN bundles. We have found that the proactive effective throughput (goodput) reaches a value slightly lower than reactive fragmentation approach. This contribution allows to use the proactive fragmentation optimally with all its advantages such as the incorporation of the security model of DTN and simplicity in protocol implementation for computers with many CPU and memory limitations. The implementation of these contributions was initially contemplated as part of the payload of the nanosatellite QBito, which is part of the constellation of 50 nanosatellites envisaged under the QB50 project.

M��todo experimental para la caracterizaci��n de las diferentes tecnolog��as de integraci��n arquitect��nica de la energ��a fotovoltaica en condiciones de funcionamiento real = Experimental method for characterization of several building integrated photovoltaic technologies under real working conditions

Hoy en d��a, el proceso de un proyecto sostenible persigue realizar edificios de elevadas prestaciones que son, energ��ticamente eficientes, saludables y econ��micamente viables utilizando sabiamente recursos renovables para minimizar el impacto sobre el medio ambiente reduciendo, en lo posible, la demanda de energ��a, lo que se ha convertido, en la ��ltima d��cada, en una prioridad. La Directiva 2002/91/CE "Eficiencia Energ��tica de los Edificios" (y actualizaciones posteriores) ha establecido el marco regulatorio general para el c��lculo de los requerimientos energ��ticos m��nimos. Desde esa fecha, el objetivo de cumplir con las nuevas directivas y protocolos ha conducido las pol��ticas energ��ticas de los distintos pa��ses en la misma direcci��n, centr��ndose en la necesidad de aumentar la eficiencia energ��tica en los edificios, la adopci��n de medidas para reducir el consumo, y el fomento de la generaci��n de energ��a a trav��s de fuentes renovables. Los edificios de energ��a nula o casi nula (ZEB, Zero Energy Buildings �� NZEB, Net Zero Energy Buildings) deber��n convertirse en un est��ndar de la construcci��n en Europa y con el fin de equilibrar el consumo de energ��a, adem��s de reducirlo al m��nimo, los edificios necesariamente deber��n ser autoproductores de energ��a. Por esta raz��n, la envolvente del edifico y en particular las fachadas son importantes para el logro de estos objetivos y la tecnolog��a fotovoltaica puede tener un papel preponderante en este reto. Para promover el uso de la tecnolog��a fotovoltaica, diferentes programas de investigaci��n internacionales fomentan y apoyan soluciones para favorecer la integraci��n completa de ��stos sistemas como elementos arquitect��nicos y constructivos, los sistemas BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic), sobre todo considerando el pr��ximo futuro hacia edificios NZEB. Se ha constatado en este estudio que todav��a hay una falta de informaci��n ��til disponible sobre los sistemas BIPV, a pesar de que el mercado ofrece una interesante gama de soluciones, en algunos aspectos comparables a los sistemas tradicionales de construcci��n. Pero por el momento, la falta estandarizaci��n y de una regulaci��n armonizada, adem��s de la falta de informaci��n en las hojas de datos t��cnicos (todav��a no comparables con las mismas que est��n disponibles para los materiales de construcci��n), hacen dif��cil evaluar adecuadamente la conveniencia y factibilidad de utilizar los componentes BIPV como parte integrante de la envolvente del edificio. Organizaciones internacionales est��n trabajando para establecer las normas adecuadas y procedimientos de prueba y ensayo para comprobar la seguridad, viabilidad y fiabilidad estos sistemas. Sin embargo, hoy en d��a, no hay reglas espec��ficas para la evaluaci��n y caracterizaci��n completa de un componente fotovoltaico de integraci��n arquitect��nica de acuerdo con el Reglamento Europeo de Productos de la Construcci��n, CPR 305/2011. Los productos BIPV, como elementos de construcci��n, deben cumplir con diferentes aspectos pr��cticos como resistencia mec��nica y la estabilidad; integridad estructural; seguridad de utilizaci��n; protecci��n contra el clima (lluvia, nieve, viento, granizo), el fuego y el ruido, aspectos que se han convertido en requisitos esenciales, en la perspectiva de obtener productos ambientalmente sostenibles, saludables, eficientes energ��ticamente y econ��micamente asequibles. Por lo tanto, el m��dulo / sistema BIPV se convierte en una parte multifuncional del edificio no s��lo para ser f��sica y t��cnicamente "integrado", adem��s de ser una oportunidad innovadora del dise��o. Las normas IEC, de uso com��n en Europa para certificar m��dulos fotovoltaicos -IEC 61215 e IEC 61646 cualificaci��n de dise��o y homologaci��n del tipo para m��dulos fotovoltaicos de uso terrestre, respectivamente para m��dulos fotovoltaicos de silicio cristalino y de l��mina delgada- atestan ��nicamente la potencia del m��dulo fotovoltaico y dan fe de su fiabilidad por un per��odo de tiempo definido, certificando una disminuci��n de potencia dentro de unos l��mites. Existe tambi��n un est��ndar, en parte en desarrollo, el IEC 61853 (���Ensayos de rendimiento de m��dulos fotovoltaicos y evaluaci��n energ��tica") cuyo objetivo es la b��squeda de procedimientos y metodolog��as de prueba apropiados para calcular el rendimiento energ��tico de los m��dulos fotovoltaicos en diferentes condiciones clim��ticas. Sin embargo, no existen ensayos normalizados en las condiciones espec��ficas de la instalaci��n (p. ej. sistemas BIPV de fachada). Eso significa que es imposible conocer las efectivas prestaciones de estos sistemas y las condiciones ambientales que se generan en el interior del edificio. La potencia nominal de pico Wp, de un m��dulo fotovoltaico identifica la m��xima potencia el��ctrica que ��ste puede generar bajo condiciones est��ndares de medida (STC: irradici��n 1000 W/m2, 25 ��C de temperatura del m��dulo y distribuci��n espectral, AM 1,5) caracterizando el��ctricamente el m��dulo PV en condiciones espec��ficas con el fin de poder comparar los diferentes m��dulos y tecnolog��as. El vatio pico (Wp por su abreviatura en ingl��s) es la medida de la potencia nominal del m��dulo PV y no es suficiente para evaluar el comportamiento y producci��n del panel en t��rminos de vatios hora en las diferentes condiciones de operaci��n, y tampoco permite predecir con convicci��n la eficiencia y el comportamiento energ��tico de un determinado m��dulo en condiciones ambientales y de instalaci��n reales. Un adecuado elemento de integraci��n arquitect��nica de fachada, por ejemplo, deber��a tener en cuenta propiedades t��rmicas y de aislamiento, factores como la transparencia para permitir ganancias solares o un buen control solar si es necesario, aspectos vinculados y dependientes en gran medida de las condiciones clim��ticas y del nivel de confort requerido en el edificio, lo que implica una necesidad de adaptaci��n a cada contexto espec��fico para obtener el mejor resultado. Sin embargo, la influencia en condiciones reales de operaci��n de las diferentes soluciones fotovoltaicas de integraci��n, en el consumo de energ��a del edificio no es f��cil de evaluar. Los aspectos t��rmicos del interior del ambiente o de iluminaci��n, al utilizar m��dulos BIPV semitransparentes por ejemplo, son a��n desconocidos. Como se dijo antes, la utilizaci��n de componentes de integraci��n arquitect��nica fotovoltaicos y el uso de energ��a renovable ya es un hecho para producir energ��a limpia, pero tambi��n ser��a importante conocer su posible contribuci��n para mejorar el confort y la salud de los ocupantes del edificio. Aspectos como el confort, la protecci��n o transmisi��n de luz natural, el aislamiento t��rmico, el consumo energ��tico o la generaci��n de energ��a son aspectos que suelen considerarse independientemente, mientras que todos juntos contribuyen, sin embargo, al balance energ��tico global del edificio. Adem��s, la necesidad de dar prioridad a una orientaci��n determinada del edificio, para alcanzar el mayor beneficio de la producci��n de energ��a el��ctrica o t��rmica, en el caso de sistemas activos y pasivos, respectivamente, podr��a hacer estos ��ltimos incompatibles, pero no necesariamente. Se necesita un enfoque hol��stico que permita arquitectos e ingenieros implementar sistemas tecnol��gicos que trabajen en sinergia. Se ha planteado por ello un nuevo concepto: "C-BIPV, elemento fotovoltaico consciente integrado", esto significa necesariamente conocer los efectos positivos o negativos (en t��rminos de confort y de energ��a) en condiciones reales de funcionamiento e instalaci��n. Prop��sito de la tesis, m��todo y resultados Los sistemas fotovoltaicos integrados en fachada son a menudo soluciones de vidrio f��cilmente integrables, ya que por lo general est��n hechos a medida. Estos componentes BIPV semitransparentes, integrados en el cerramiento proporcionan iluminaci��n natural y tambi��n sombra, lo que evita el sobrecalentamiento en los momentos de excesivo calor, aunque como componente est��tico, asimismo evitan las posibles contribuciones pasivas de ganancias solares en los meses fr��os. Adem��s, la temperatura del m��dulo var��a considerablemente en ciertas circunstancias influenciada por la tecnolog��a fotovoltaica instalada, la radiaci��n solar, el sistema de montaje, la tipolog��a de instalaci��n, falta de ventilaci��n, etc. Este factor, puede suponer un aumento adicional de la carga t��rmica en el edificio, altamente variable y dif��cil de cuantificar. Se necesitan, en relaci��n con esto, m��s conocimientos sobre el confort ambiental interior en los edificios que utilizan tecnolog��as fotovoltaicas integradas, para abrir de ese modo, una nueva perspectiva de la investigaci��n. Con este fin, se ha dise��ado, proyectado y construido una instalaci��n de pruebas al aire libre, el BIPV Env-lab "BIPV Test Laboratory", para la caracterizaci��n integral de los diferentes m��dulos semitransparentes BIPV. Se han definido tambi��n el m��todo y el protocolo de ensayos de caracterizaci��n en el contexto de un edificio y en condiciones clim��ticas y de funcionamiento reales. Esto ha sido posible una vez evaluado el estado de la t��cnica y la investigaci��n, los aspectos que influyen en la integraci��n arquitect��nica y los diferentes tipos de integraci��n, despu��s de haber examinado los m��todos de ensayo para los componentes de construcci��n y fotovoltaicos, en condiciones de operaci��n utilizadas hasta ahora. El laboratorio de pruebas experimentales, que consiste en dos habitaciones id��nticas a escala real, 1:1, ha sido equipado con sensores y todos los sistemas de monitorizaci��n gracias a los cuales es posible obtener datos fiables para evaluar las prestaciones t��rmicas, de iluminaci��n y el rendimiento el��ctrico de los m��dulos fotovoltaicos. Este laboratorio permite el estudio de tres diferentes aspectos que influencian el confort y consumo de energ��a del edificio: el confort t��rmico, lum��nico, y el rendimiento energ��tico global (demanda/producci��n de energ��a) de los m��dulos BIPV. Conociendo el balance de energ��a para cada tecnolog��a solar fotovoltaica experimentada, es posible determinar cu��l funciona mejor en cada caso espec��fico. Se ha propuesto una metodolog��a te��rica para la evaluaci��n de estos par��metros, definidos en esta tesis como ��ndices o indicadores que consideran cuestiones relacionados con el bienestar, la energ��a y el rendimiento energ��tico global de los componentes BIPV. Esta metodolog��a considera y tiene en cuenta las normas reglamentarias y est��ndares existentes para cada aspecto, relacion��ndolos entre s��. Diferentes m��dulos BIPV de doble vidrio aislante, semitransparentes, representativos de diferentes tecnolog��as fotovoltaicas (tecnolog��a de silicio monocristalino, m-Si; de capa fina en silicio amorfo uni��n simple, a-Si y de capa fina en diseleniuro de cobre e indio, CIS) fueron seleccionados para llevar a cabo una serie de pruebas experimentales al objeto de demostrar la validez del m��todo de caracterizaci��n propuesto. Como resultado final, se ha desarrollado y generado el Diagrama Caracterizaci��n Integral DCI, un sistema gr��fico y visual para representar los resultados y gestionar la informaci��n, una herramienta operativa ��til para la toma de decisiones con respecto a las instalaciones fotovoltaicas. Este diagrama muestra todos los conceptos y par��metros estudiados en relaci��n con los dem��s y ofrece visualmente toda la informaci��n cualitativa y cuantitativa sobre la eficiencia energ��tica de los componentes BIPV, por caracterizarlos de manera integral. ABSTRACT A sustainable design process today is intended to produce high-performance buildings that are energy-efficient, healthy and economically feasible, by wisely using renewable resources to minimize the impact on the environment and to reduce, as much as possible, the energy demand. In the last decade, the reduction of energy needs in buildings has become a top priority. The Directive 2002/91/EC ���Energy Performance of Buildings��� (and its subsequent updates) established a general regulatory framework���s methodology for calculation of minimum energy requirements. Since then, the aim of fulfilling new directives and protocols has led the energy policies in several countries in a similar direction that is, focusing on the need of increasing energy efficiency in buildings, taking measures to reduce energy consumption, and fostering the use of renewable sources. Zero Energy Buildings or Net Zero Energy Buildings will become a standard in the European building industry and in order to balance energy consumption, buildings, in addition to reduce the end-use consumption should necessarily become selfenergy producers. For this reason, the fa��ade system plays an important role for achieving these energy and environmental goals and Photovoltaic can play a leading role in this challenge. To promote the use of photovoltaic technology in buildings, international research programs encourage and support solutions, which favors the complete integration of photovoltaic devices as an architectural element, the so-called BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic), furthermore facing to next future towards net-zero energy buildings. Therefore, the BIPV module/system becomes a multifunctional building layer, not only physically and functionally ���integrated��� in the building, but also used as an innovative chance for the building envelope design. It has been found in this study that there is still a lack of useful information about BIPV for architects and designers even though the market is providing more and more interesting solutions, sometimes comparable to the existing traditional building systems. However at the moment, the lack of an harmonized regulation and standardization besides to the non-accuracy in the technical BIPV datasheets (not yet comparable with the same ones available for building materials), makes difficult for a designer to properly evaluate the fesibility of this BIPV components when used as a technological system of the building skin. International organizations are working to establish the most suitable standards and test procedures to check the safety, feasibility and reliability of BIPV systems. Anyway, nowadays, there are no specific rules for a complete characterization and evaluation of a BIPV component according to the European Construction Product Regulation, CPR 305/2011. BIPV products, as building components, must comply with different practical aspects such as mechanical resistance and stability; structural integrity; safety in use; protection against weather (rain, snow, wind, hail); fire and noise: aspects that have become essential requirements in the perspective of more and more environmentally sustainable, healthy, energy efficient and economically affordable products. IEC standards, commonly used in Europe to certify PV modules (IEC 61215 and IEC 61646 respectively crystalline and thin-film ���Terrestrial PV Modules-Design Qualification and Type Approval���), attest the feasibility and reliability of PV modules for a defined period of time with a limited power decrease. There is also a standard (IEC 61853, ���Performance Testing and Energy Rating of Terrestrial PV Modules���) still under preparation, whose aim is finding appropriate test procedures and methodologies to calculate the energy yield of PV modules under different climate conditions. Furthermore, the lack of tests in specific conditions of installation (e.g. fa��ade BIPV devices) means that it is difficult knowing the exact effective performance of these systems and the environmental conditions in which the building will operate. The nominal PV power at Standard Test Conditions, STC (1.000 W/m2, 25 ��C temperature and AM 1.5) is usually measured in indoor laboratories, and it characterizes the PV module at specific conditions in order to be able to compare different modules and technologies on a first step. The ���Watt-peak��� is not enough to evaluate the panel performance in terms of Watt-hours of various modules under different operating conditions, and it gives no assurance of being able to predict the energy performance of a certain module at given environmental conditions. A proper BIPV element for fa��ade should take into account thermal and insulation properties, factors as transparency to allow solar gains if possible or a good solar control if necessary, aspects that are linked and high dependent on climate conditions and on the level of comfort to be reached. However, the influence of different fa��ade integrated photovoltaic solutions on the building energy consumption is not easy to assess under real operating conditions. Thermal aspects, indoor temperatures or luminance level that can be expected using building integrated PV (BIPV) modules are not well known. As said before, integrated photovoltaic BIPV components and the use of renewable energy is already a standard for green energy production, but would also be important to know the possible contribution to improve the comfort and health of building occupants. Comfort, light transmission or protection, thermal insulation or thermal/electricity power production are aspects that are usually considered alone, while all together contribute to the building global energy balance. Besides, the need to prioritize a particular building envelope orientation to harvest the most benefit from the electrical or thermal energy production, in the case of active and passive systems respectively might be not compatible, but also not necessary. A holistic approach is needed to enable architects and engineers implementing technological systems working in synergy. A new concept have been suggested: ���C-BIPV, conscious integrated BIPV���. BIPV systems have to be ���consciously integrated��� which means that it is essential to know the positive and negative effects in terms of comfort and energy under real operating conditions. Purpose of the work, method and results The fa��ade-integrated photovoltaic systems are often glass solutions easily integrable, as they usually are custommade. These BIPV semi-transparent components integrated as a window element provides natural lighting and shade that prevents overheating at times of excessive heat, but as static component, likewise avoid the possible solar gains contributions in the cold months. In addition, the temperature of the module varies considerably in certain circumstances influenced by the PV technology installed, solar radiation, mounting system, lack of ventilation, etc. This factor may result in additional heat input in the building highly variable and difficult to quantify. In addition, further insights into the indoor environmental comfort in buildings using integrated photovoltaic technologies are needed to open up thereby, a new research perspective. This research aims to study their behaviour through a series of experiments in order to define the real influence on comfort aspects and on global energy building consumption, as well as, electrical and thermal characteristics of these devices. The final objective was to analyze a whole set of issues that influence the global energy consumption/production in a building using BIPV modules by quantifying the global energy balance and the BIPV system real performances. Other qualitative issues to be studied were comfort aspect (thermal and lighting aspects) and the electrical behaviour of different BIPV technologies for vertical integration, aspects that influence both energy consumption and electricity production. Thus, it will be possible to obtain a comprehensive global characterization of BIPV systems. A specific design of an outdoor test facility, the BIPV Env-lab ���BIPV Test Laboratory���, for the integral characterization of different BIPV semi-transparent modules was developed and built. The method and test protocol for the BIPV characterization was also defined in a real building context and weather conditions. This has been possible once assessed the state of the art and research, the aspects that influence the architectural integration and the different possibilities and types of integration for PV and after having examined the test methods for building and photovoltaic components, under operation conditions heretofore used. The test laboratory that consists in two equivalent test rooms (1:1) has a monitoring system in which reliable data of thermal, daylighting and electrical performances can be obtained for the evaluation of PV modules. The experimental set-up facility (testing room) allows studying three different aspects that affect building energy consumption and comfort issues: the thermal indoor comfort, the lighting comfort and the energy performance of BIPV modules tested under real environmental conditions. Knowing the energy balance for each experimented solar technology, it is possible to determine which one performs best. A theoretical methodology has been proposed for evaluating these parameters, as defined in this thesis as indices or indicators, which regard comfort issues, energy and the overall performance of BIPV components. This methodology considers the existing regulatory standards for each aspect, relating them to one another. A set of insulated glass BIPV modules see-through and light-through, representative of different PV technologies (mono-crystalline silicon technology, mc-Si, amorphous silicon thin film single junction, a-Si and copper indium selenide thin film technology CIS) were selected for a series of experimental tests in order to demonstrate the validity of the proposed characterization method. As result, it has been developed and generated the ICD Integral Characterization Diagram, a graphic and visual system to represent the results and manage information, a useful operational tool for decision-making regarding to photovoltaic installations. This diagram shows all concepts and parameters studied in relation to each other and visually provides access to all the results obtained during the experimental phase to make available all the qualitative and quantitative information on the energy performance of the BIPV components by characterizing them in a comprehensive way.

Atenci��n al cliente y medios sociales en la empresa

online donde el contenido es creado por los propios usuarios mediante el uso de las tecnolog��as de la web 2.0, que facilitan la edici��n, la publicaci��n y el intercambio de informaci��n, de tal manera que los social media est��n democratizando las comunicaciones. Seg��n datos publicados por eMarketer, casi el 25% del total de la inversi��n publicitaria mundial para el 2014 estar�� dirigida a medios digitales. Los medios de comunicaci��n tradicionales est��n sumidos desde alg��n tiempo en una profunda crisis. En los comienzos de Internet, los protagonistas de este sector han cre��do en la red como un medio de publicaci��n de contenidos en una ��nica direcci��n, esto es la web 1.0, personas conect��ndose a p��ginas web. El t��pico lector de revista y seminario se ha convertido en un nuevo consumidor con necesidades muy distintas. El lector de un medio tradicional se encuentra con contenido cerrado, sin posibilidad de ser filtrado, que busca dirigir su opini��n. Con el m��todo tradicional no es posible ni personalizar el contenido ni la experiencia de uso. De ah�� el nacimiento de la web 2.0, personas conect��ndose a personas (redes sociales). En un futuro cercano, van a triunfar las empresas, sectores y marcas que sepan adaptarse a la llegada de los social media, y que adem��s de desarrollar su l��nea de negocio habitual, se conviertan en plataformas para la conversaci��n y la construcci��n de contenidos en colaboraci��n. En este proyecto voy a desarrollar el caso particular de una empresa de telecomunicaciones con una estrategia que use los social media como plataforma de atenci��n al cliente, y para interaccionar tambi��n con su almac��n en DHL. Los servicios a��adidos que dicha empresa de telecomunicaciones ofrece a sus seguidores, clientes externos e internos se pueden agrupar en las siguientes funcionalidades: ��� Hacer un volcado del sistema de gesti��n de incidencias de una empresa de telecomunicaciones en las redes sociales, a trav��s de mensajes privados. Dichos mensajes privados se enviar��n a las p��ginas de Facebook y Twitter de los clientes. ��� Seguimiento por parte del cliente de puestas en marcha de los nuevos servicios a trav��s de mensajes privados en Facebook y Twitter. Mediante este servicio el cliente podr�� comprobar a trav��s de las redes sociales el estado de su pedido e intercambiar informaci��n de utilidad con la empresa. ��� Desarrollar a trav��s de las redes sociales una herramienta de marketing para interaccionar con los clientes y posibles seguidores. A trav��s de los canales de los social media se proporciona a los seguidores informaci��n de valor sobre novedades del mercado de las telecomunicaciones, soporte t��cnico, dudas, consejos sobre implementaciones t��cnicas, equipos de telecomunicaciones,.etc.Es decir, crear una plataforma de conversaci��n entre usuarios, que aporte a los seguidores conocimientos y soluciones ��tiles para la problem��tica de sus negocios. ��� Usar Facebook como base de datos y medio de comunicaci��n entre nuestra empresa de telecomunicaciones y el almac��n externalizado en DHL. Supongo que la primera pregunta que debo responder ser��a, ��por qu�� un cliente de una empresa de telecomunicaciones estar��a interesado en seguir a su proveedor a trav��s de redes sociales? Facebook tiene en 2014 1,28 billones de usuarios activos. Twitter, la cuarta plataforma social por n��mero de usuarios tras Facebook, alcanz�� los 255 millones de usuarios en los primeros meses de 2014. La segunda red social en n��mero de seguidores es Youtube, con un bill��n de usuarios. El 61,5% de los usuarios de Facebook visita la red todos los d��as. Los twitteros env��an 110 millones tweets por d��a, tienen fama de muy activos, especialmente por la ma��ana. En 60 d��as, se sube m��s contenido de v��deo a YouTube que el producido por las tres principales cadenas de televisi��n estadounidense durante 60 a��os. Como conclusi��n, las redes sociales est��n ganando cada d��a m��s terreno, es un entorno de comunicaci��n bidireccional en auge cada vez m��s extendido, por lo cual los usuarios no tienen que dedicar tiempo extra a conocer la herramienta de atenci��n al cliente de su empresa, al usar ��sta un canal f��cil, conocido, r��pido, vers��til y gratuito como son las redes sociales. ABSTRACT. Social media are platforms of online communication where content is created by users themselves using technologies of web 2.0, which facilitate the editing, publication and the exchange of information, so that the social media are democratizing communications. According to data published by eMarketer, nearly 25% of the total global ad spend for 2014 will target digital media. The traditional media are trapped for some time in deep crisis. In the early days of the internet, the players of the sector have believed in the network as a means of publishing content in a single direction, this is the web 1.0, connecting people to websites. The typical magazine reader has become a new consumer with very different needs. Traditional medium readers encounter a closed content, unable to be filtered, which seeks handle their opinion. The traditional method doesn���t allow to customize the content and user experience. Hence the birth of Web 2.0, connecting people to people. In the near future, will succeed companies, sectors and brands who can adapt to the advent of social media, and further to develop their line of business as usual, become platforms for conversation and building collaborative content. In this project I will develop the particular case of a telecommunications company with a strategy to use social media as a platform for Customer Service, and also to interact with DHL warehouse. The additional services that the company offers telecommunications followers, external and internal customers can be grouped into the following functionality: ��� Make a dump of the incident management system of a telecommunications company in social networks through private messages. These private messages are sent Facebook and Twitter clients. ��� Monitoring by the client launched new services through private messages on Facebook and Twitter. Through this service, customers can check through the social networks of your order status and share useful information with the company. ��� Develop through social media as a marketing tool to interact with customers and potential followers.Our telco will provide to followers through social media channels valuable information on market developments in telecommunications, technical support, questions, advice on technical implementations, telecommunications equipment,etc. Then we create a platform for discussion between users, to provide followers useful knowledge and solutions to their business problems. ��� Use Facebook as a database and means of communication between our telco and outsourced telecommunications in DHL warehouse. I guess the first question that must be answered is why a customer of a telecommunications company would be interested in following your provider via social networks. Facebook has 1.28 billion active users in 2014. Twitter, the fourth social platform for many users after Facebook reached 255 million users in the first months of 2014. The second social network on number of followers is YouTube, with a billion users. 61.5% of Facebook users visit the network every day. The twitter users send 110 million tweets per day, have a reputation for very active, especially in the morning. In 60 days, it is produced more video content to YouTube by the three major US television for 60 years. In conclusion, social networks are gaining more ground every day. It is an environment of two-way communication on the rise, so users do not have to spend extra time to learn the tool of Customer Care telco, by using this easy, known, fast, versatile and free channels as are social networks.

Caracterizaci��n de la cer��mica para su empleo como material de enfriamiento evaporativo en la envolvente de los edificios = Ceramic characterization towards its application as evaporative cooling material in building envelopes

El presente trabajo de investigaci��n determina las caracter��sticas de la cer��mica que m��s eficientemente se comporta a evaporaci��n y a enfriamiento. Con el objeto de ser empleado como material integrado en la envolvente de los edificios para reducir su carga de refrigeraci��n. La cer��mica es un buen material para ser empleado para la refrigeraci��n por evaporaci��n. Es un s��lido poroso inerte que, tras ser sometido a cocci��n a temperaturas por encima de los 900��C, resulta uno de los materiales que mejor se comportan como contenedor de agua en su red capilar para, posteriormente, ir liber��ndola por evaporaci��n al mismo tiempo que se enfr��a su superficie. La metodolog��a general de investigaci��n, se divide en tres etapas: B��squeda y an��lisis del estado de la t��cnica y de la investigaci��n. Estudio te��rico de la eficacia del enfriamiento evaporativo como estrategia de enfriamiento pasivo en la arquitectura. Etapa experimental, desarrollada en tres fases: una primera de definici��n de los par��metros determinantes del Enfriamiento Evaporativo en piezas cer��micas, una segunda de selecci��n cer��mica y dise��o de ensayos experimentales y una tercera de caracterizaci��n de la cer��mica bajo criterios de evaporaci��n y de enfriamiento. El recorrido por el estado de la cuesti��n ha identificado las aplicaciones tecnol��gicas y las investigaciones cient��ficas que emplean el Enfriamiento Evaporativo con piezas cer��micas como t��cnica de enfriamiento. Como resultado se ha obtenido una tabla de clasificaci��n de sistemas de enfriamiento evaporativo y se ha constatado que el conjunto de las aplicaciones est��n centradas en el dise��o de piezas o sistemas pero que, sin embargo, no existe una definici��n de las caracter��sticas de la cer��mica para su empleo como material de enfriamiento por evaporaci��n. El estudio te��rico de la eficacia del empleo del enfriamiento evaporativo como estrategia de enfriamiento pasivo en la arquitectura se ha realizado mediante c��lculos de porcentaje de ampliaci��n de horas en confort con empleo de t��cnicas de enfriamiento evaporativo directo e indirecto (EED y EEI). Como resultado se obtienen unos mapas para el ��mbito espa��ol de potencial de aplicaci��n del EED y EEI. Los resultados permiten afirmar que mediante EE se puede llegar a confort en pr��cticamente la totalidad de las horas de los d��as m��s c��lidos del a��o en muchas localidades. La metodolog��a experimental se ha desarrollado en tres fases. En la fase inicial, se han definido los par��metros determinantes del enfriamiento evaporativo en un medio cer��mico mediante ensayos experimentales de capacidad de evaporaci��n y de caracterizaci��n. Se realizaron un total de 12 ensayos. Se determin�� que el material cer��mico tiene una gran influencia en la capacidad de evaporaci��n y enfriamiento en las piezas cer��micas, apoyando la hip��tesis inicial y la necesidad de caracterizar el material. La primera fase emp��rica se centr�� en la selecci��n cer��mica y el dise��o de los ensayos experimentales de comportamiento h��drico. Se seleccionaron muestras de 5 tipos de cer��mica. Se realizaron 4 tipos de ensayos de caracterizaci��n y 6 tipos de ensayos experimentales de comportamiento h��drico (total 123 muestras ensayadas). Los resultados obtenidos son de dos tipos, por un lado, se determin�� cu��l es el tipo de cer��mica que m��s eficientemente se comporta a EE y, por otro, se redise��aron los ensayos de la ��ltima fase experimental. Para la segunda fase experimental se seleccionaron cer��micas de fabricaci��n manual abarcando el mayor n��mero de localidades del ��mbito espa��ol. Se realizaron ensayos de caracterizaci��n de 7 tipos y ensayos de comportamiento h��drico de 5 tipos (total 197 muestras ensayadas). Los resultados de caracterizaci��n han permitido aportar unos rangos de las caracter��sticas de la cer��mica que m��s eficientemente se comporta en los ensayos de comportamiento h��drico. Al final de la investigaci��n se ha caracterizado el material cer��mico aportando caracter��sticas acerca de su porosidad, capacidad de absorci��n, color, rugosidad y mineralog��a. As�� como datos de referencia de su comportamiento h��drico. Adem��s se ha desarrollado una metodolog��a de ensayo espec��fica que permite evaluar la capacidad de enfriamiento eficiente de una pieza cer��mica. ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to determine the characteristics of ceramic materials having the most efficient performance in terms of evaporation and cooling, so that they can be integrated in building envelopes to reduce cooling loads. Ceramics are suitable materials for cooling through passive evaporation. After being fired at temperatures over 900 ��C (1,652 ��F), the capillary network of this inert porous medium turns to be excellent to retain water, which is progressively liberated by evaporation while the material surface gets colder. Research methodology has involved the following steps: Search and analysis on the state of the art in technology and research. Theoretical study on the efficiency of evaporation as passive cooling strategies in buildings. Experimental stage developed in three phases, namely: definition of parameters determining evaporative cooling in ceramic elements; ceramic selection and design of experimental tests; characterization of ceramic materials under evaporation and cooling criteria. Search and analysis on the state of the art in this field have been useful to identify technology applications and scientific research where ceramics are employed for evaporative cooling. The resulting table shows that applications are wholly focused on the design of pieces and systems. Nonetheless, there is lack of definition of material characteristics in this scope. The theoretical study on efficiency of the passive strategy applied to buildings has been realized by calculation of the percentage increase in comfort hours through direct/indirect evaporative cooling techniques (DEC/IEC). The mapping of their potential application in Spain clearly shows that comfort conditions can be reached in almost all the hours of the hottest days in many towns. In the initial phase of the experimental stage, parameters determining evaporative cooling in ceramic media have been defined. For this purpose, characterization tests and evaporation and cooling rates experiments have been carried out; the number of samples tested amounted to 12. It has been concluded that material characteristics have great influence on these rates, which supports the initial hypothesis and the need for their characterization. The first empirical phase has focused on ceramic selection and design of water behaviour experimental methods. The samples covered five different kinds of ceramic materials. Four different characterization tests and six different water behaviour experiments were carried out; the number of samples tested amounted to 123. The experimental testing procedures served to determine the most efficient types of ceramic materials in terms of evaporative cooling efficiency and, at the same time, made it necessary to change the original designed experimental test for the last phase. In the second phase, a number of varied hand-made ceramic tiles have been selected. Seven different characterization tests and five different water behaviour tests were carried out; the number of samples amounted to 197. The results of characterization served to establish a range of features in ceramic materials according to their efficiency in water behaviour experiments. Finally, ceramic materials have been characterized according to porosity, water absorption, colour, surface roughness and mineralogy. Also, reference data regarding water behaviour have been included. Moreover, an innovative and specific experimental test to evaluate cooling efficiency of ceramic tiles has been developed.