A new method for the identification of the parameters of the Dahl model

Postprint (author's final draft

Multiple-input multiple-output energy processing for energy-harvesting applications

This project belongs to energy harvesting field, which is a method of collecting energy from the environment to power small devices. This type of energy use is growing exponentially due to the appearance of many of these devices (sensors, wearables...). The objective of this project is to design and implement an ultra-low-power boost converter, designed for energy harvesting applications, which is able to add different types of energy coming from the environment to charge a battery or to feed another electronic device. It is a very innovative project and therefore, the methodology used has contemplated a lot of time for studying, doing simulations, optimizing and testing a prototype. This has allowed us to carry out a study of great value and usefulness which establishes the basis to construct a device that adds energies of our surroundings. Finally, to verify the feasibility of the application, a two-input boost converter is built to add energy coming from two different sources (with the possibility of expanding this number) and also offers different types of output storage elements. In conclusion, the work has confirmed the possibility of adding energy from our environment and has shown the great potential of the application studied through a functional prototype

Environmental problems in which biogeochemical cycles converge: proposal for secondary education

[Resumen] El estudio de las problemáticas ambientales actuales necesita enfoques globalizadores que permita interrelacionar las dinámicas existentes en la naturaleza, poniendo un especial énfasis en los efectos que tienen sobre ellas algunas actividades humanas. En este sentido, se plantea una propuesta didáctica dirigida a 4º ESO orientada a estudiar los problemas de eutrofización y pérdida de biodiversidad que tiene actualmente el Mar Menor (SE España), y su relación con algunas actividades como el turismo y la agricultura. Mediante la estrategia de planteamiento y resolución de problemas, el alumnado puede identificar los efectos de ciertas actividades humanas sobre los ciclos biogeoquímicos y analizar la generación de algunas problemáticas de tipo socioambiental. Además nos permitirá valorar la sostenibilidad de nuestro estilo de vida mediante la participación y reflexión ciudadana[Abstract] The study of current environmental problems needs globalizing approaches which allow the interrelation of the existing dynamics in nature, placing special emphasis on the effects that some human activities have on them. In this sense, a didactic proposal addressed to 4th year of Compulsory Education has been developed in order to study the problems of eutrophication and loss of biodiversity that the Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain) currently has, and its relationship with some activities such as tourism and agriculture. By means of problem-solving strategy, students may identify the effects of certain human activities on the biogeochemical cycles and analyse the generation of some socio-environmental problems. This proposal will also allow the assessment of the sustainability of our lifestyle through citizen participation and reflectio

Multiple-input multiple-output energy processing for energy-harvesting applications

This article deals with energy harvesting field, which is a method of collecting energy from the environment to power small devices. This type of energy use is growing exponentially due to the appearance of many of these devices. The objective is to design and implement an ultra-low-power boost converter, designed for energy harvesting applications, which is able to add different types of energy coming from the environment to charge a battery or to feed another electronic device. It is a very innovative project and therefore, the methodology used has contemplated a lot of time for studying, doing simulations, optimizing and testing a prototype. This has allowed us to carry out a study of great value and usefulness which establishes the basis to construct a device that adds energies of our surroundings. Finally, to verify the feasibility of the application, a two-input boost converter is built to add energy coming from two different sources (with the possibility of expanding this number) and also offers different types of output storage elements. In conclusion, the work has confirmed the possibility of adding energy from our environment and has shown the great potential of the application studied through a functional prototype.Postprint (published version

Multiple–input multiple–output energy processing for energy-harvesting applications

This article deals with energy harvesting field, which is a method of collecting energy from the environment to power small devices. This type of energy use is growing exponentially due to the appearance of many of these devices.Postprint (published version

Minas de la Reunión: contextualización, documentación y puesta en valor del paisaje de las Minas de La Reunión, Villanueva del Río y MInas

En la actualidad, muchos de los paisajes que nos rodean sólo es posible entenderlos a partir de su pasado industrial, a través de la huella depositada por la industria en el territorio. Este es el caso de las Minas de la Reunión en la localidad sevillana de Villanueva del Río y Minas. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo establecer los parámetros desde los que poder entender e interpretar el paisaje que han generado las estas minas de carbón sobre el territorio y proponer nuevos modos de intervención en el lugar para su integración como paisaje cultural. Para ello, las Minas de la Reunión se contextualizarán a nivel territorial y a nivel histórico a lo largo de la evolución del pueblo minero. Se desvelarán las capas y estratos ocultos que constituyen el terreno de la cuenca minera y el trazado de los túneles y galerías subterráneas utilizadas en el pasado, realizando planimetrías en planta y sección de las trazas y de la cuenca minera. Por último, se investigarán nuevos modos de intervención en las minas basados en actuaciones en otros lugares.Currently many of the surrounding landscapes are just possible to understand thanks to an industrial past, through the industrial mark deposited in the territory. This is the case of Las Minas de la Reunion in the Sevillian town of Villanueva del Río y Minas. This research aims to provide the parameters to understand and interpreted the landscape that these coal mines have generated on the territory and to propose new intervention ways in the place for its integration as cultural landscape. To that end, Las Minas de la Reunion will be contextualized at a territorial and historical level over the miner town evolution. During this investigation there will be revealed the layers and the strata of the mining basin and the tunnels and underground galleries’ layout used in the past, making plants and sections’ plans of the layouts and the mining basin. Finally, new intervention ways based on projects in other places will be researched in the mines.Universidad de Sevilla. Grado en Fundamentos de Arquitectur

Dynamic simulation of socio-ecological systems: sustainability in Biosphere Reserves

La aplicación de una perspectiva sistémica en la gestión de las Reservas de la Biosfera es importante a la hora de abordar la estrecha relación entre los procesos ambientales y socioeconómicos, así como los potenciales factores limitantes, particularmente evidentes en el caso de sistemas insulares áridos como la Reserva de la Biosfera de Fuerteventura (RBF), Islas Canarias. El desarrollo turístico de la isla ha favorecido la ocupación del territorio por usos antropogénicos, lo que está incrementando la vulnerabilidad del sistema hacia procesos como el sobrepastoreo y la degradación de hábitats naturales que albergan numerosas especies amenazadas. Con el objetivo de elaborar una herramienta que contribuya a un desarrollo más equilibrado y multifuncional de las reservas de la biosfera insulares, se ha desarrollado un modelo dinámico para la RBF, estructurado en 5 sectores: usos del territorio, conservación de la biodiversidad, recursos hídricos, calidad ambiental y socioturístico. El modelo, calibrado con datos del periodo 1996-2011, integra un conjunto de 30 indicadores de sostenibilidad con el fin de evaluar su evolución e interacciones en la RBF a lo largo del tiempo. Los resultados de la comparación de los valores observados con los simulados, así como de las pruebas de verificación aplicadas, señalan que el modelo es capaz de reproducir el comportamiento de este sistema socio-ecológico. Esta herramienta permite realizar un análisis de los cambios recientes y los conflictos entre los principales factores e indicadores, y así convertirse en una herramienta para favorecer una gestión orientada a minimizar esos conflictos y a reforzar políticas de desarrollo sostenible en la Reserva.The application of a systemic perspective on the management of Biosphere Reserves is important to address the close relationships between the environmental and socio-economic processes and to take into account potential limiting factors, particularly evident in the case of insular arid systems as the Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve (FBR), (Canary Islands). The tourist development on the island is leading to increasing land dedicated to anthropogenic uses, which is emphasizing the vulnerability of this system to other processes such as overgrazing and degradation of natural habitats that host numerous endangered species. In order to elaborate a tool which contributes to a more balanced and multifunctional development of the insular biosphere reserves, a dynamic model for FBR has been developed, structured in 5 model sectors: land use, biodiversity conservation, water resources, environmental quality and socio-touristic. The model, calibrated with data of the 1996–2011 period, integrates a set of 30 sustainability indicators to monitor their changes and interactions in the FBR over time. Results regarding comparison between observed and simulated values and the verification tests applied showed that the model is able to match the behaviour of this socio-ecological system. This decision-support tool allows analyzing the recent changes and trade-offs between the main environmental factors and indicators, thereby facilitating a management aimed to minimize those trade-offs and reinforce sustainable development policies in the Reserve.Este trabajo se ha desarrollado en parte dentro del proyecto: “Herramienta avanzada para la gestión sostenible y el desarrollo de un sistema de información y participación en las Reservas de la Biosfera” financiado por el Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio, dentro del Subprograma: Avanza Competitividad I+D+i 2010-2012. Ha contado igualmente con el apoyo del proyecto “IDIGEO: Plataforma para la Investigación y Desarrollo de Sistemas de Información Geomática”, MICINN, Convocatoria ACTEPARQ 2009

Aprendizaje cooperativo a través de las nuevas tecnologías : Una revisión

Information Communication Technologies have brought a revolution in education, causing structural changes in the way we teach and how we learn. Currently, the existence of a wide variety of virtual teaching-learning environments enables teachers and students to interact synchronously or asynchronously using computers and mobile devices. This has led to the implementation of active teaching-learning methodologies with proven pedagogical effectiveness, such as cooperative learning, that encourage students to acquire skills and improve their academic performance. Despite the importance of the subject, almost no papers have analysed the state-of-the-art on educational experiences that promote cooperative learning using new technologies. In order to respond to this demand, this paper presents a comprehensive review of the related bibliography that include a large number of papers written in Spanish in which new technologies are used to implement cooperative learning activities in different subjects and educational levels. From the analysis of these papers, it can be concluded that there is a growing interest by teachers and researchers in implementing cooperative learning using virtual teaching-learning environments and computer applications, as well as social networks or MOOC. Further, these experiences receive positive feedback from teachers and students involved