A computer-controlled multi-electrode switch

A computer-actuated switch was built to control, simultaneously, two automatic titration assemblies each consisting of an electrode pair and a burette, and using only one measuring device. This switch is modular, simple and versatile allowing easy adaptation and expansion; apart from its application in multiple-titration systems, this device can also be used for standard addition analysis and multi-component analysis using ion-selective electrodes (ISE). The repeatability as well as the accuracy of the measurements made with this switch were ensured using high-quality relays, and very high electrical insulation, attained through the use of two separate printed circuit boards (pcb) of good quality and careful design of these pcbs. This low-cost multi-electrode switch is controlled through the parallel port of a PC that collects the data via an inexpensive 12-bit ADC board (8-bit ISA type), and is easily programmable in any high-level language. This type of device allows the collection of a large amount of data in relatively short periods, which can be analysed later allowing the choice of the best compromise of time versus accuracy for the study of any particular system

Dynamical analysis on f(R,G)f(R,\mathcal{G}) cosmology

We use a dynamical system approach to study the cosmological viability of $f(R,\mathcal{G})$ gravity theories. The method consists of formulating the evolution equations as an autonomous system of ODEs, using suitable variables. The formalism is applied to a class of models in which $f(R,\mathcal{G})\propto R^{n}\mathcal{G}^{1-n}$ and its solutions and corresponding stability are analysed in detail. New accelerating solutions that can be attractors in the phase space are found. We also find that this class of models does not exhibit a matter-dominated epoch, a solution which is inconsistent with current cosmological observations.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Study of the HVDC dual transmission system under faults in the power converters

Trabalho apresentado no Speedam 2016, 22-24 de junho de 2016, Capri, ItáliaHVDC transmission systems based on voltage source converters have lately emerged as a good alternative to conventional AC transmission. In these transmission systems multilevel converters have become a promising energy conversion technology. The reliability of the power converters are extremely important since a fault in these equipments may lead to an unavailability for a long period of the transmission system. Thus, this paper will focuses in HVDC dual transmission system under semiconductor failure conditions. As presented in this paper this structure presents interesting characteristics under the point of view the reliability considering a power semiconductor failure. It will present the consequences for the transmission system when there is a semiconductor fault. A study for the change of the modulation system in order to ensure DC link capacitors voltage balance under a fault condition is also presented. Simulation studies are shown in order to confirm the characteristics of the proposed methodology in normal and fault condition mode.N/

BREEDING BIOLOGY OF PASSERINES IN THE SUBTROPICAL BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC FOREST

Information on breeding biology of birds is fundamental for the understanding of life history evolution and conservation. This information is only beginning to accumulate for Neotropical birds but the southern subtropics are still overlooked. Here we describe the breeding biology of passerines in subtropical Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We monitored 265 nests of 38 species during the 2012–2013 breeding season. Breeding began in September, but some species started as late as December. Average breeding season length was 64 days, but varied broadly across species. Average clutch sizes ranged from two to five eggs. The breeding season phenology, clutch sizes, and nesting periods were similar to other two communities at the same latitude in Argentina. Our data contribute to the debate that the combination of small clutch sizes and short breeding seasons seen in subtropical South America challenges the tropical-temperate paradigm of life-history theory

Métodos dos momentos

Os métodos utilizados na resolução de problemas, nos vários ramos da Engenharia ou ciências aplicadas, baseiam-se, actualmente, em uma de duas categorias: métodos analíticos e métodos numéricos. É preferível a utilização dos métodos analíticos, na resolução de equações ou outros modelos matemáticos, sempre que possível, uma vez que formamões gerais em vez de particularizadas, para além de uma maior informação

The Synergic Relationship Between Industry 4.0 and Lean Management: Best Practices from the Literature

Industry 4.0 promises to make manufacturing processes more efficient using modern technologies like cyber-physical systems, internet of things, cloud computing and big data analytics. Lean Management (LM) is one of the most widely applied business strategies in recent decades. Thus, implementing Industry 4.0 mostly means integrating technologies in companies that already operate according to LM. However, due to the novelty of the topic, research on how LM and Industry 4.0 can be integrated is still under development. This paper explores the synergic relationship between these two domains by identifying six examples of real cases that address LM-Industry 4.0 integration in the extant literature. The goal is to make explicit the best practices that are being implemented by six distinct industrial sectors such as automotive, paper, furniture, healthcare, apparel, and machine manufacturing.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) and C-MAST (Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies), under project UIDB/00151/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A computer-controlled multi-electrode switch

A computer-actuated switch was built to control, simultaneously, two automatic titration assemblies each consisting of an electrode pair and a burette, and using only one measuring device. This switch is modular, simple and versatile allowing easy adaptation and expansion; apart from its application in multiple-titration systems, this device can also be used for standard addition analysis and multi-component analysis using ion-selective electrodes (ISE). The repeatability as well as the accuracy of the measurements made with this switch were ensured using high-quality relays, and very high electrical insulation, attained through the use of two separate printed circuit boards (pcb) of good quality and careful design of these pcbs. This low-cost multi-electrode switch is controlled through the parallel port of a PC that collects the data via an inexpensive 12-bit ADC board (8-bit ISA type), and is easily programmable in any high-level language. This type of device allows the collection of a large amount of data in relatively short periods, which can be analysed later allowing the choice of the best compromise of time versus accuracy for the study of any particular system

On capillary viscosity measurements: how far do surface tension effects go?

Viscosity is a fundamental thermophysical property of liquids making it very important particularly in the industry. Capillary viscometers have been widely used for viscosity measurements in different applications, the most relevant being the definition of viscosity standards, traceable to the primary water viscosity standard, by metrological institutions and industrial applications, mostly for quality control. Practical viscometry is based on the internationally accepted primary standard value for the kinematic viscosity of water at 20ºC and atmospheric pressure, which has been measured using capillary viscometers [1]. However, due to the water surface tension, viscosity measurements which have been related to water as a primary standard, can be significantly affected. It is difficult to rigorously assess the surface tension effects on capillary viscometers, and the practical way to avoid this problem is to use long capillaries, which are not appropriate for routine measurements [1-3]. After several experimental studies, using different types of viscometers, the usual procedure to correct surface tension effects in capillary viscosity measurements adopted by different authors, is to employ an empirical expression [1-4]. Additionally, other types of problems exist as the need to perform a kinetic energy correction which must also be taken into consideration [1]. The main goal of this work was to perform the calibration of a suspended-level, or Ubbelohde, capillary viscometer, which is not a long capillary viscometer, as well as the study of corrections to be used for the measurements performed with it. The experimental work covers the calibration of that Ubbelohde capillary viscometer, the evaluation of the uncertainty of the corresponding viscometer constant and the overall uncertainty of the measurements performed with it. This study includes the evaluation of the necessary corrections for kinetic energy and surface tension effects and, finally, the analysis of the case of a set of measurements performed with n-tetradecane. The ultimate purpose of this work is to obtain the lowest uncertainty for the Ubbelohde capillary viscometer 541 01/Ia, and to understand the need for the corrections that must be considered when using capillary viscometers and how they should be applied.N/

Robótica'2001 - Festival Nacional de Robótica

O ROBÓTICA’2001 – Festival Nacional de Robótica visa promover desenvolvimentos técnicos e científicos na área da Robótica Móvel e áreas afins (electrónica, mecânica, programação, visão por computador, inteligência artificial, navegação, controlo, etc) através de um problema motivador, a ser resolvido por diferentes grupos de investigadores e estudantes. Procura-se ainda difundir a Ciência e a Tecnologia junto do público em geral e dos jovens em particular, nomeadamente motivando estes últimos para a aprendizagem experimental da Ciência. O objectivo principal dos participantes no evento deverá ser pois aprender e partilhar a sua aprendizagem com os colegas, tendo em vista a evolução da Robótica. Este evento consistiu em três actividades paralelas: uma competição de robótica móvel (em duas modalidades), um encontro científico e ainda várias demonstrações de outros robôs móveis e/ou autónomos