Production of recombinant protein hLIF in static and dynamic systems of animal cell culture

Thesis for the Degree of Master of Science in Biotechnology Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia

Estimating data divergence in cloud computing storage systems

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Informática

Engineering of metal oxide nanoparticles for application in electrochemical devices

The growing demand for materials and devices with new functionalities led to the increased inter-est in the field of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies. Nanoparticles, not only present a reduced size as well as high reactivity, which allows the development of electronic and electrochemical devices with exclusive properties, when compared with thin films. This dissertation aims to explore the development of several nanostructured metal oxides by sol-vothermal synthesis and its application in different electrochemical devices. Within this broad theme, this study has a specific number of objectives: a) research of the influence of the synthesis parameters to the structure and morphology of the nanoparticles; b) improvement of the perfor-mance of the electrochromic devices with the application of the nanoparticles as electrode; c) application of the nanoparticles as probes to sensing devices; and d) production of solution-pro-cessed transistors with a nanostructured metal oxide semiconductor. Regarding the results, several conclusions can be exposed. Solvothermal synthesis shows to be a very versatile method to control the growth and morphology of the nanoparticles. The electrochromic device performance is influenced by the different structures and morphologies of WO3 nanoparticles, mainly due to the surface area and conductivity of the materials. The dep-osition of the electrochromic layer by inkjet printing allows the patterning of the electrodes without wasting material and without any additional steps. Nanostructured WO3 probes were produced by electrodeposition and drop casting and applied as pH sensor and biosensor, respectively. The good performance and sensitivity of the devices is explained by the high number of electrochemical reactions occurring at the surface of the na-noparticles. GIZO nanoparticles were deposited by spin coating and used in electrolyte-gated transistors, which promotes a good interface between the semiconductor and the dielectric. The produced transistors work at low potential and with improved ON-OFF current ratio, up to 6 orders of mag-nitude. To summarize, the low temperatures used in the production of the devices are compatible with flexible substrates and additionally, the low cost of the techniques involved can be adapted for disposable devices.

A business model for an entertainment solution to the in-vehicle infotainment industry

The evolution of mobile technologies that make its presence something ubiquitous and the idea of internet connectivity in every device, often called as the Internet of Things, are pushing a disruption in other industry: the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI). Many companies are trying to enter this new industry that comprises information (weather, news, location services) and entertainment solutions in just one. For that purpose, company X developed a new entertainment solution and intends to bring it to market. This Work Project focuses on creating a business model and an entry mode for the company.

Automated Generation of Indoor Accessibility Information for Mobility-Impaired Individuals

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

Combining WLAN fingerprint-based localization with sensor data for indoor navigation using mobile devices

This project proposes an approach for supporting Indoor Navigation Systems using Pedestrian Dead Reckoning-based methods and by analyzing motion sensor data available in most modern smartphones. Processes suggested in this investigation are able to calculate the distance traveled by a user while he or she is walking. WLAN fingerprint- based navigation systems benefit from the processes followed in this research and results achieved to reduce its workload and improve its positioning estimations.

Autonomous behaviors for an unmanned mini-aerial vehicle

This thesis aims at addressing the development of autonomous behaviors, for search and exploration with a mini-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), or also called MAV (Mini Aerial Vehicle) prototype, in order to gather information in rescue scenarios. The platform used in this work is a four rotor helicopter, known as quad-rotor from the German company Ascending Technologies GmbH, which is later assembled with a on-board processing unit (i.e. a tiny light weight computer) and a on-board sensor suite (i.e. 2D-LIDAR and Ultrasonic Sonar). This work can be divided into two phases. In the first phase an Indoor Position Tracking system was settled in order to obtain the Cartesian coordinates (i.e. X, Y, Z) and orientation (i.e.heading) which provides the relative position and orientation of the platform. The second phase was the design and implementation of medium/high level controllers on each command input in order to autonomously control the aircraft position, which is the first step towards an autonomous hovering flight, and any autonomous behavior (e.g. Landing, Object avoidance, Follow the wall). The main work is carried out in the Laboratory ”Intelligent Systems for Emergencies and Civil Defense”, in collaboration with ”Dipartimento di Informatica e Sistemistica” of Sapienza Univ. of Rome and ”Istituto Superiore Antincendi” of the Italian Firemen Department.

Fiscal adjustments and sovereign default in different government systems

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Microelectromechanical systems. Fabrication and characterization of microcantilevers

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies can be used to produce from the simplest structures to the most complex devices and systems. Due to their many applications in various fields, MEMS have turned into one of the most researched areas in microtechnology. In this context, this project was developed in an attempt to produce one of most used structures in MEMS sensing devices - microcantilevers. Several microfabrication techniques were combined to fabricate this type of structures on the top layer of silicon of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. After the microcantilevers had been successfully created, an experiment was set up to verify the microcantilevers ability to bend. Here, a voltage was applied between the top and bottom layers of silicon of the SOI wafer. It was then observed that the microcantilevers were deflected all the way to the bottom silicon layer by the electrostatic force acting between them, given that a current was detected when a certain value of applied voltage was reached.

Control system for actuation and sensing in digital microfluidics devices

Digital Microfluidics (DMF) is a second generation technique, derived from the conventional microfluidics that instead of using continuous liquid fluxes, it uses only individual droplets driven by external electric signals. In this thesis a new DMF control/sensing system for visualization, droplet control (movement, dispensing, merging and splitting) and real time impedance measurement have been developed. The software for the proposed system was implemented in MATLAB with a graphical user interface. An Arduino was used as control board and dedicated circuits for voltage switching and contacts were designed and implemented in printed circuit boards. A high resolution camera was integrated for visualization. In our new approach, the DMF chips are driven by a dual-tone signal where the sum of two independent ac signals (one for droplet operations and the other for impedance sensing) is applied to the electrodes, and afterwards independently evaluated by a lock-in amplifier. With this new approach we were able to choose the appropriated amplitudes and frequencies for the different proposes (actuation and sensing). The measurements made were used to evaluate the real time droplet impedance enabling the knowledge of its position and velocity. This new approach opens new possibilities for impedance sensing and feedback control in DMF devices.

Fiscal adjustments and sovereign default in different government systems

This paper extends the model of Spolaore (2004) about adjustments in di erent government systems for the context of scal adjustments and sovereign default. We introduce asymmetry between groups in income and preferences towards scal reforms. Default a ects di erently each group and becomes a possibility if reforms are not enacted after public nance solvency shocks, in uencing the political game according to its likelihood. With the extensions, new situations which were not possible with the previous framework arise. After the exposition of the model, the Argentine default in 2001 provides an example of the political con icts addressed by the model.

Extensible metadata repository for information systems

Thesis submitted to Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Computer Science

ECO@GRO Digital: Uma ferramenta WebGIS de apoio na consultadoria e gestão agro-florestal

Dissertação apresentada como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciência e Sistemas de Informação Geográfica

Bioenergy competency centre: study of the bioenergy potencial in the centre region of Portugal.

Dissertação apresentada como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciência e Sistemas de Informação Geográfica

Modelling of the kinetics of municipal solid waste composting in full-scale mechanical-biological treatment plants

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sanitary Engineering in the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the New University of Lisbon