A case study of product usability of a pelvic device used by children with neuromotor impairments

On assistive technology targeted for people with activity limitations and participation, usability issues becomes an essential tool to ensure that the product has the appropriate ergonomics characteristics, in other words, ensure that it fits the specific user´s needs. The aim of this study was to analyze the usability of an adaptive seating device for children with neuromotor impairments, by using kinematic indicators of the reaching movement. The study sample consisted of 13 children with associated neurologic conditions. The tests were developed by using a wooden bench height adjustable, integrated with the adaptive seating device under study, and a system to capture three-dimensional image, called Qualisys Track Manager. The following reaching kinematics variables were measured: maximum reaching velocity, movement duration, index of curvature, and unit movements. It was found that the use of the adaptive seating device had a positive impact on upper limb function in children with neuromotor impairments. It was also noticed an improvement in the reaching movement kinematics, which was statistical significant for the index of curvature and unit movements. As main conclusions, it is possible to point out some positive effects that the product under study seems to have on users' movements, such as the improved movement quality of the upper limb, which could mean a better postural adjustments and higher trunk postural control. By identifying new measures of usability in terms of effectiveness and efficiency for the analyzeddevice, the results obtained may serve also as performance indicators, providing new data that may help to improve the product and eventually modifying it, in order to turn it more compatible with the needs of the considered target population.

Energy harvesting device based on a metallic glass/PVDF magnetoelectric laminated composite

A flexible and low cost energy harvester device based on the magnetoelectric (ME) effect has been designed using Fe64Co17Si7B12 as amorphous magnetostrictive ribbons and PVDF as the piezoelectric element. Sandwich-type laminated composite of 3 cm long has been fabricated by gluing these ribbons to the PVDF with the Devcon 5 minute epoxy. Good power output and power density of 6.4 μW and 1.5 mW/cm3, respectively, have been obtained through a multiplier circuit. All values have been measured at the magnetomechanical resonance of the laminate. The effect of the length of the ME laminate on the power output has been also studied, exhibiting a decay as the length of the ME laminate does. Nevertheless, good performance of such device has been obtained for a 0.5 cm long device, working already at 337 KHz, within the low radio frequency (LRF) range.

Fuzzy maintenance costs of a wind turbine pitch control device

This paper deals with the problem of estimation maintenance costs for the case of the pitch controls system of wind farms turbines. Previous investigations have estimated these costs as (traditional) “crisp” values, simply ignoring the uncertainty nature of data and information available. This paper purposes an extended version of the estimation model by making use of the Fuzzy Set Theory. The results alert decision-makers to consequent uncertainty of the estimations along with their overall level, thus improving the information given to the mainte-nance support system.

Gellan gum-Ionic liquid membranes for electrochromic device application

Biopolymer-based materials have been of particular interest and they are alternatives to synthetic polymers based on the decreasing oil resources. The polymer electrolytes were doped with choline-based IL N,N,Ntrimethyl- N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([N1 1 1 2(OH)][NTf2]), or Er (CF3SO3)3 or both. The polymer electrolytes were employed in the production of glass/ITO/WO3/electrolyte/ CeO2–TiO2/ITO/glass electrochromic devices (ECDs). The lowest onset temperature for the degradation of all the SPEs is at ~130 °C for the Gellan Er (CF3SO3)3 (10:1) this temperature range of stability is wide enough for a material to be applied as an electrolyte/separator component in electrochemical devices. The three ECDs displayed fast switching speed (ca. 15 s). Gellan [N1 1 1 2(OH)][NTf2] Er (CF3SO3)3 (5:1:10) exhibited an electrochromic contrast of 4.2% in the visible region, the coloration efficiency attained at 555 nm was 3.5 and 0.90 cm-2 C-1 in the “colored” and “bleached” states, respectively, and the open circuit memorywas 48 h. Preliminary tests performed with a prototype electrochromic device (ECD) incorporating WO3 as cathodic electrochromic layer, are extremely encouraging.

A spectrophotometry based blood typing device

Blood typing is a crucial step before any blood transfusion. However, sometimes in emergency situations there is no time to determine the blood of the patient beforehand. In this cases, O negative blood type is administered, which has a lesser incompatibility risk to the patient. Nowadays, the “gold standard” blood typing devices cannot be used in emergency situations due to their high response time (about 30 minutes). This paper reports a blood typing device that determines the ABO and Rh human phenotypes. This device is fast (response time – 5 min), low-cost, and portable. Characteristics that make it suitable to be used in emergency situations, contributing to a higher efficiency and quality in healthcare.

PDMS biofunctionalization study for the development of a microfluidic device: Application to salivary cortisol

The authors acknowledge to Sofia Neves from ICVS for her help in the antibodies selection.

Development of a novel aptamer-based multi-sensor device for the detection of osteopontin

Doctoral Dissertation for PhD degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering