Stacked pin Devices for Imaging Applications

In this paper we present results on the optimization of device architectures for colour and imaging applications, using a device with a TCO/pinpi'n/TCO configuration. The effect of the applied voltage on the color selectivity is discussed. Results show that the spectral response curves demonstrate rather good separation between the red, green and blue basic colors. Combining the information obtained under positive and negative applied bias a colour image is acquired without colour filters or pixel architecture. A low level image processing algorithm is used for the colour image reconstruction.

Automatic vehicle detection and classification

This paper presents a proposal for an automatic vehicle detection and classification (AVDC) system. The proposed AVDC should classify vehicles accordingly to the Portuguese legislation (vehicle height over the first axel and number of axels), and should also support profile based classification. The AVDC should also fulfill the needs of the Portuguese motorway operator, Brisa. For the classification based on the profile we propose:he use of Eigenprofiles, a technique based on Principal Components Analysis. The system should also support multi-lane free flow for future integration in this kind of environments.

16ª Conferência Internacional Metropolis nos Açores : as ilhas na centralidade da discussão

No presente editorial, a autora faz o enquadramento da Conferência Internacional Metropolis, que decorreu nos Açores, enaltecendo o facto de este evento ter decorrido, pela primeira vez, nas ilhas atlânticas.

ECG biometrics using a dissimilarity space representation

Electrocardiogram (ECG) biometrics are a relatively recent trend in biometric recognition, with at least 13 years of development in peer-reviewed literature. Most of the proposed biometric techniques perform classifi-cation on features extracted from either heartbeats or from ECG based transformed signals. The best representation is yet to be decided. This paper studies an alternative representation, a dissimilarity space, based on the pairwise dissimilarity between templates and subjects' signals. Additionally, this representation can make use of ECG signals sourced from multiple leads. Configurations of three leads will be tested and contrasted with single-lead experiments. Using the same k-NN classifier the results proved superior to those obtained through a similar algorithm which does not employ a dissimilarity representation. The best Authentication EER went as low as 1:53% for a database employing 503 subjects. However, the employment of extra leads did not prove itself advantageous.

Step count algorithm adapted to indoor localization

This paper presents a step count algorithm designed to work in real-time using low computational power. This proposal is our first step for the development of an indoor navigation system, based on Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR). We present two approaches to solve this problem and compare them based in their error on step counting, as well as, the capability of their use in a real time system.

CDIO and the European Project Semester: a match for capstone projects?

The CDIO Initiative is an open innovative educational framework for engineering graduation degrees set in the context of Conceiving – Designing – Implementing – Operating real-world systems and products, which is embraced by a network of worldwide universities, the CDIO collaborators. A CDIO compliant engineering degree programme typically includes a capstone module on the final semester. Its purpose is to expose students to problems of a greater dimension and complexity than those faced throughout the degree programme as well as to put them in contact with the so-called real world, in opposition to the academic world. However, even in the CDIO context, there are barriers that separate engineering capstone students from the real world context of an engineering professional: (i) limited interaction with experts from diverse scientific areas; (ii) reduced cultural and scientific diversity within the teams; and (iii) lack of a project supportive framework to foster the complementary technical and non-technical skills required in an engineering professional. To address these shortcomings, we propose the adoption of the European Project Semester (EPS) framework, a one semester student centred international capstone programme offered by a group of European engineering schools (the EPS Providers) as part of their student exchange programme portfolio. The EPS package is organised around a central module – the EPS project – and a set of complementary supportive modules. Project proposals refer to open multidisciplinary real world problems and supervision becomes coaching. The students are organised in teams, grouping individuals from diverse academic backgrounds and nationalities, and each team is fully responsible for conducting its project. EPS complies with the CDIO directives on Design-Implement experiences and provides an integrated framework for undertaking capstone projects, which is focussed on multicultural and multidisciplinary teamwork, problem-solving, communication, creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship, ethical reasoning and global contextual analysis. As a result, we recommend the adoption of the EPS within CDIO capstone modules for the benefit of engineering students.

Earth-based mortars for masonry plastering

9th International Masonry Conference 2014, 7-9 July, Universidade do Minho, Guimarães

Natural hydraulic lime mortars with ceramic residues for masonry

9th International Masonry Conference 2014, 7-9 July, Universidade do Minho, Guimarães

Durability to marine environment of innovative products for consolidation and chromatic reintegration of historical renders

9th International Masonry Conference 2014, 7-9 July, Universidade do Minho, Guimarães

Induced magnetoelectric effect driven by magnetization in BaFe12O19 -/P(VDF-TrFE) composites

Films of BaFe12O19/P(VDF-TrFE) composites with 5, 10 and 20 %wt Barium ferrite content have been fabricated. BaFe12O19 microparticles have the shape of thin hexagonal platelets, the easy direction of magnetization remaining along the c axis, which is perpendicular to the plates. This fact allows for ferrite particles orientation in-plane and out-of-plane within the composite films, as confirmed by measured hysteresis loops. While the in-plane induced magnetoelectric effect (ME) is practically zero, these composite films show a good out-of-plane magnetoelectric effect. with maximum ME coupling coefficient changes of 3, 17 and 2 mV/cm.Oe for the 5, 10 and 20%wt Barium ferrite content films, respectively. We infer that this ME behavior appears as driven by the magnetization process arising when we applied the external magnetic field. We have also measured linear and reversible magnetoelectric effect for low applied bias field, when magnetization process is still reversible.

Metallic glass/PVDF magnetoelectric energy harvester working up to the radiofrequency range

Companies and researchers involved in developing miniaturized electronic devices face the basic problem of the needed batteries size, finite life of time and environmental pollution caused by their final deposition. The current trends to overcome this situation point towards Energy Harvesting technology. These harvesters (or scavengers) store the energy from sources present in the ambient (as wind, solar, electromagnetic, etc) and are costless for us. Piezoelectric devices are the ones that show a higher power density, and materials as ceramic PZT or polymeric PVDF have already demonstrated their ability to act as such energy harvester elements. Combinations between piezoelectric and electromagnetic mechanism have been also extensively investigated. Nevertheless, the power generated by these combinations is limited under the application of small magnetic fields, reducing the performance of the energy harvester [1]. In the last years the appearance of magnetoelectric (ME) devices, in which the piezoelectric deformation is driven by the magnetostrictive element, enables to extract the energy of very small electromagnetic signals through the generated magnetoelectric voltage at the piezoelectric element. However, very little work has been done testing PVDF polymer as piezoelectric constituent of the ME energy harvester device, and only to be proposed as a possibility of application [2]. Among the advantages of using piezopolymers for vibrational energy harvesting we can remember that they are ductile, resilient to shock, deformable and lightweight. In this work we demonstrate the feasibility of using magnetostrictive Fe-rich magnetic amorphous alloys/piezoelectric PVDF sandwich-type laminated ME devices as energy harvesters. A very simple experimental set-up will show how these laminates can extract energy, in amounts of μW, from an external AC field.

Thrombophilia screening: An artificial neural network approach

Thrombotic disorders have severe consequences for the patients and for the society in general, being one of the main causes of death. These facts reveal that it is extremely important to be preventive; being aware of how probable is to have that kind of syndrome. Indeed, this work will focus on the development of a decision support system that will cater for an individual risk evaluation with respect to the surge of thrombotic complaints. The Knowledge Representation and Reasoning procedures used will be based on an extension to the Logic Programming language, allowing the handling of incomplete and/or default data. The computational framework in place will be centered on Artificial Neural Networks.

Об использовании некоторых статистических методов для прогнозирования долговременных изменений температуры воздуха (на примере города Тбилиси)

Рассмотрены три метода статистического прогнозирования ожидаемых изменений среднегодовой температуры воздуха в Тбилиси на ближайшие 50 лет до 2056 года (линейное прогнозирование, прогнозирования сглаженных функций с учетом двух периодичностей в ряде наблюдений, линейное прогнозирование с учетом одной периодичности в ряде наблюдений).

Некоторые результаты исследований и перспективы активных воздействий на атмосферные аэрозоли

Для характеристики устойчивости атмосферы, которая определяет приземный ветро-диффузионный перенос загрязняющего аэрозоля, в расчетных схемах переноса примеси вприземной атмосфере предложен «условно - климатический параметр» m, который вычисляется по многолетним климатическим данным. Этот параметр дает адекватную оценку неустойчивости приземного слоя атмосферы в моделях переноса аэрозольной примеси. Он также эффективен для проведения предварительных исследований по оптимальному размещению крупных предприятий с большеобъемными токсичными выбросами в атмосферу. Для конкретных значений характеристик распылителя и рабочей жидкости приведены ориентировочные расчетные величины на основе наших решений, выражающих связь между величиной диаметра капель, вязкости и поверхностного натяжения распыляемого рабочего раствора, с одной стороны и характеристик распылителя и параметров аэродинамических потоков, с другой стороны.

მობილური კავშირის ეკოლოგიური პრობლემები საქართველოში

თანამედროვე მეცნიერებისათვის ჯერ კიდევ ბოლომდე გაურკვეველია რეალური საფრთხე ელექტრომაგნიტური გამოსხივების ცოცხალ ორგანიზმებზე ზემოქმედებისა. თემა განსაკუთრებით აქტუალური ხდება მობილური ტელეფონებისა და ერთიანი მსოფლიო საკომუნიკაციო სისტემების სულ უფრო ფართო დამკვიდრებით ყოველდღიურ ცხოვრებაში. ზოგადი დამოკიდებულება ზემოქმედების რისკებისა გამოსხივების პარამეტრებზე ასე თუ ისე ნათელია; არაცალსახია ჯანმრტელობაზე ზემოქმედების გამოვლინებები. მსოფლიო ჯანდაცვის ორგანიზაცია მოგვიწოდებს ვიხელმძღვანელოთ „გონიერი შეზღუდვის პრინციპით“.