A Community-Driven Validation Service for Standard Medical Imaging Objects

Digital medical imaging laboratories contain many distinct types of equipment provided by different manufacturers. Interoperability is a critical issue and the DICOM protocol is a de facto standard in those environments. However, manufacturers' implementation of the standard may have non-conformities at several levels, which will hinder systems' integration. Moreover, medical staff may be responsible for data inconsistencies when entering data. Those situations severely affect the quality of healthcare services since they can disrupt system operations. The existence of software able to confirm data quality and compliance with the DICOM standard is important for programmers, IT staff and healthcare technicians. Although there are a few solutions that try to accomplish this goal, they are unable to deal with certain situations that require user input. Furthermore, these cases usually require the setup of a working environment, which makes the sharing of validation information more difficult. This article proposes and describes the development of a Web DICOM validation service for the community. This solution requires no configuration by the user, promotes validation results share-ability in the community and preserves patient data privacy since files are de-identified on the client side.Comment: Computer Standards & Interfaces, 201

Overview on lightweight multifunctional materials

Lightweight multifunctional materials represent an increasing field in materials science and engineering based on their technological applications in a wide variety of areas ranging from sensors and actuators, materials for structural and environmental applications, energy generation and storage, or biomedicine, among others. This chapter presents an overview on the main types, preparation techniques and applications of the most relevant lightweight multifunctional materials, as well as on relevant materials to be applied and/or implemented in lightweight structures.FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) for financial support under the framework of Strategic Funding grants UID/CTM/50025/2019, UID/FIS/04650/2019; and supported by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme under the project number PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017 and POCI-01-0145- FEDER-007688. The authors also thank the FCT for financial support under grants SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.) and SFRH/BPD/110914/2015 (P. C.). Financial support from the Basque Government under the ELKARTEK, HAZITEK and PIBA (PIBA-2018-06

Influência da percentagem de cerâmico, tamanho de grão e matriz polimérica nas propriedades dieléctricas e mecânicas de compósitos PZT-PVDF

Dissertação de Mestrado em Engenharia - Área Especialização em Engenharia de MateriaisOs materiais piezoeléctricos são excelentes para aplicações tecnológicas, tais como, sensores e actuadores, devido à inter-conversão de sinais eléctricos em mecânicos e vice-- versa. Em certas aplicações tecnológicas, o uso de materiais compósitos revela-se mais apropriado. Com o objectivo de facilitar o design de compósitos piezoeléctricos, é necessário desenvolver relações de processamento, estrutura e propriedade convenientes e precisas. Os compósitos cerâmicos – polímeros estudados consistem numa fase cerâmica ferroeléctrica embebida numa fase polimérica, pertencendo à classe dos materiais compósitos com partículas. Estes materiais compósitos combinam as boas propriedades dos materiais cerâmicos (elevados coeficientes piezoeléctricos, baixas perdas dieléctricas e mecânicas, boas propriedades térmicas e larga gama de constantes dieléctricas), com as boas propriedades dos polímeros (baixa densidade, alta resistividade, flexibilidade e baixo custo). As propriedades dos compósitos cerâmicos – polímeros vão depender da maneira como as fases se interligam: a conectividade. Neste trabalho, compósitos de Titanato Zirconato de Chumbo com Poli Fluoreto de Vinilideno ([PZT]x – [PVDF]1-x) de conteúdos volumétricos x e conectividade (0-3) foram preparados sob a forma de filmes finos. Pós de PZT com dimensão de grão de 0.84 μm, 1.68 μm e 2.35 μm, em diferentes quantidades de PZT (10%, 20%, 30% e 40%) foram misturados na matriz polimérica, na fase apolar (fase-α) e, na fase polar (fase-β). Dos estudos realizados, conclui-se que a inclusão de material cerâmico não varia a fase presente no material polimérico, mas sim a microestrutura deste, reflectindo-se nas variações da temperatura de fusão e grau de cristalinidade deste. O aumento da percentagem de material cerâmico facilita a formação de agregados. As propriedades dieléctricas e as propriedades mecânicas dinâmicas dependem fundamentalmente da percentagem de material cerâmico e, em menor medida da matriz polimérica e do tamanho médio de grão. O valor da constante dieléctrica ( =143 para 40% PZT e =1.68 μm) e do módulo de rigidez (E’=1.2 GPa para 40% PZT e =1.68 μm) é maior quando comparado com o material polimérico ( =12, E’=0.7GPa) mas menor do que o material cerâmico ( =810). O valor do módulo de Young diminui com o aumento da percentagem de PZT.Piezoelectric materials are excellent for technological applications such as sensors and actuators due to their ability to couple electrical and mechanical signals. For some applications, the use of composite materials is more appropriate. In order to facilitate the design of these piezoelectric composite systems, convenient and accurate processing-structure–property relationships must be developed. The investigated ceramic-polymer composites consist of a ceramic ferroelectric phase soaked in a polymeric insulating electric matrix. These composites materials combine the best of the ceramic properties -high piezoelectric coefficients, low dielectric and mechanical losses, good thermal properties, large range of dielectric constants- with the advantages of the polymer properties -low density, high resistivity, flexibility. The properties of the ceramic-polymer composites will depend on how the filler and the matrix are related: the connectivity. In this work, composites of lead zirconate titanate with polyvinylidene fluoride ([PZT]x – [PVDF]1-x) of volumetric contents x and (0-3) type connectivity were prepared in form of thin films. PZT powder of sizes of 0.84 μm, 1.86 μm and 2.35 μm μm in different amounts of PZT (10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) was mixed in the polymeric matrix. The crystalline phases of the polymer matrix were the non-polar α−phase and the polar β- phase. From the investigation it is concluded that the inclusion of ceramic material does not change the phase of the polymer, but does affect its microstructure, which is reflected in the variations in its melting temperature and the degree of crystalinity. Increased percentage of ceramic induces the formation of aggregates. The dielectric and the dynamic mechanical properties primarily depend on the percentage of ceramic material, and to a lesser extent, on the polymeric phase and the average grain size. The value of the dielectric constant ( =143 for 40% PZT and =1.68 μm) and the strengh modulus (E’=1.2 GPa to 40% PZT and =1.68 μm) is higher when compared with that of the polymer material ( =12, E´=0.7 GPa), but lower than for the ceramic material ( =810). The value of the Young modulus decreases with increasing percentage of PZT

Electroactive polymer based porous membranes for energy storage applications

Tese de doutoramento em Ciências (ramo de conhecimento em Física)In the field of mobile applications the efficient storage of energy is one of the most critical issues. Lithium ion batteries are lighter, cheaper, show higher energy density (210Wh kg-1), no memory effect, longer service-life and higher number of charge/discharge cycles than other battery solutions. The separator membrane is placed between the anode and cathode and serves as the medium for the transfer of charge, being a critical components for the performance of the batteries. Polymers such as PVDF and its copolymers poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene), P(VDF-TrFE), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), P(VDF-HFP), and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene), P(VDF-CTFE) are increasingly investigated for their use as battery separators due to their high polarity, excellent thermal and mechanical properties, controllable porosity and wettability by organic solvents, being also chemically inert and stable in cathodic environment. Despite previous works in some of the PVDF co-polymers, there is no systematic investigations on poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene), P(VDF-TrFE), despite its large potential for this specific application. The objective of this work is thus establish the suitability of P(VDF-TrFE) for battery separators and to control of its structure, stability and ionic conductivity in order to increase performance of the material as battery separators. It is shown that solvent evaporation at room temperature allows the preparation of membranes with degrees of porosity from 70% to 80% leading to electrolyte solution uptakes from 250% up to 600%. The preparation of composites of P(VDF-TrFE) with lithium salts allows ionic conductivity values of the electrolytes of 2.3×10−6 S/cm at 120 °C. These composites show good overall electrochemical stability. A novel type of polymer blend based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/poly(ethylene oxide), P(VDF-TrFE)/PEO, was prepared and it was found that the microstructure, hydrophilicity and electrolyte uptake strongly depend on PEO content within the blend. For this blend, the best value of ionic conductivity at room temperature was 0.25 mS cm−1 for the 60/40 membrane. It was also verified that the ionic conductivity of the membrane is depend on the anion size of the salts present in the electrolyte solution, affecting also the electrolyte uptake value Batteries fabricated with the separators developed in this work within Li/LiFePO4 and Li/Sn-C cells revealed very good cycling performance even at high current rates and 100% of depth of discharge (DOD), approaching the results achieved in liquid electrolytes. Good rate capability was observed in Li/LiFePO4 cathode cells, being able to deliver at 2C more that 90% of the capacity discharged at 0.1C. These results, in conjunction with the approximately 100% coulombic efficiency, indicate very good electrolyte/electrode compatibility. Thus, the developed materials showed suitable thermal, mechanical and electrochemical characteristics as well as high performance in battery applications, indicating the possibility of fabricating lithium-ion batteries with the battery separators developed in this work.Na área dos dispositivos móveis, tais como telemóveis e computadores, o armazenamento eficiente de energia é um dos problemas críticos a resolver. As baterias de ião-lítio são mais leves, mais baratas, com maior densidade de energia (210Wh kg-1), sem efeito de memória, tempo de vida prolongado e maior número de ciclos de carga / descarga do que outras baterias, tais como as de níquel-cádmio. Um dos componentes essenciais para o desempenho das baterias é a membrana de separador, colocada entre o ánodo e o cátodo. Polímeros como o poli (fluoreto de vinilideno) (PVDF) e seus co-polímeros: poli (fluoreto de vinilideno-co-trifluoroetileno), P(VDF-TrFE), poli (fluoreto de vinilideno-co-hexafluoropropileno), P(VDF-HFP), e poli (fluoreto de vinilideno-co-clorotrifluoroetileno), P(VDF-CTFE) são investigados quanto à sua utilização como separador de bateria devido à sua elevada polaridade; excelentes propriedades mecânicas e térmicas; porosidade controlável; molhabilidade por solventes orgânicos; ser quimicamente inertes e estáveis em ambiente catódico. Existem trabalhos com alguns co-polímeros de PVDF, mas não há investigações sistemáticas sobre poli (fluoreto de vinilideno-trifluoroetileno), P(VDF-TrFE), apesar do seu grande potencial para esta aplicação específica. O objetivo deste trabalho é, determinar a performance do P(VDF-TrFE) para a sua utilização em separadores de baterias, controlando a sua estrutura, a estabilidade e a condutividade iónica, a fim de aumentar o desempenho do material. Mostra-se que a evaporação do solvente à temperatura ambiente permite a preparação das membranas com diferentes graus de porosidade desde 70% até 80%, e com absorção de electrólito entre 250% e 600%. A preparação de compósitos de P(VDF-TrFE) com sais de lítio permitiu obter uma condutividade iónica dos electrólitos de 2,3×10-6 S.cm-1 à 120ºC com boa estabilidade electroquímica. Um novo tipo de misturas de polímeros à base de poli (fluoreto de vinilideno - trifluoroetileno) / poli (óxido de etileno), P(VDF-TrFE)/PEO, foram preparadas tendo em conta que a microestrutura, hidrofilicidade e absorção de eletrólitos dependem fortemente do teor de PEO dentro da mistura. Para esta mistura, o melhor valor de condutividade iónica à temperatura ambiente foi de 0,25 mS.cm-1 para a membrana com composição 60/40. Verificou-se que a condutividade iónica da membrana depende do tamanho do anião do sal presente na solução de electrólito, afetando também o valor de absorção do electrólito. Baterias fabricadas com os separadores desenvolvidos neste trabalho foram avaliadas em células de Li/LiFePO4 e Li/Sn-C revelando muito bom desempenho cíclico, mesmo para taxas altas de varrimento e 100% de “depth of discharge”, DOD, aproximando-se dos resultados obtidos em eletrólitos líquidos. Igualmente, em células de cátodo Li/LiFePO4 foi obtido a 2C mais de 90% da capacidade descarregada à 0.1C. Estes resultados, em conjunto com a eficiência coulombica aproximadamente de 100%, indicam uma muito boa compatibilidade entre o electrólito e o eléctrodo. Assim, os materiais desenvolvidos neste trabalho apresentam características térmicas, mecânicas e eletroquímicas apropriadas para a fabricação de baterias de ião-lítio baseados nestes separadores.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) grant SFRH/BD/68499/2010

Functional, lightweight materials: outlook, future trends and challenges

The growing demand for weight-saving engineering applications has led to the progress of lightweight composites with functional properties for an increasing number of applications. Lightweight materials with functional properties can be developed using a wide range of host matrices and reinforcement material. These large variety of possible combinations allow the development of new functional materials, structures and devices and that represent the present and the future of different engineering areas. Their novel properties combined with advanced manufacturing processes strongly increases the use of these materials in applications. This chapter presents some relevant challenges and an outlook on the future of this field.The authors thank the FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) for financial support under the framework of Strategic Funding grants UID/FIS/04650/2019, UID/EEA/04436/2013 and UID/QUI/0686/2016; projects PTDC/EEI-SII/5582/2014 and PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017 and grants s SFRH/BPD/110914/2015 (P.C.) and SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.) Funding from the Basque Government Industry and Education Departments under the ELKARTEK, HAZITEK and PIBA (PIBA-2018-06) programs, respectively, is also acknowledged

Event-driven integrado com Enterprise Service Bus

Nos tempos que correm, torna-se fundamental para uma organização que desenvolve produtos de software manter o seu sistema atualizado e preparado para reagir ao mercado competitivo onde esta se insere. A constante mudança deste mercado faz com que as organizações necessitem de se adaptarem rapidamente a tudo o que vai sendo modificado, implementando soluções cada vez mais flexíveis, com capacidade de escalar significativamente e reduzindo os seus custos de manutenção e de desenvolvimento de novas funcionalidades. A Glintt-HS é, portanto, uma organização que precisa de se adaptar às necessidades dos seus clientes e das constantes mudanças que vão surgindo no seu negócio, sendo por isso necessário estudar e desenvolver uma solução capaz de satisfazer as suas necessidades. O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar e desenvolver uma solução capaz de satisfazer as necessidades da Glintt-HS e do mercado onde esta se insere, desenvolver uma solução de alto desempenho, com capacidades para crescer e ser modificada de uma maneira simples e com um baixo custo.In these times, it becomes critical for an organization within the software area to keep its system up to date and prepared to react to the competitive marketplace where it fits. The constant change in this market means that organizations need to adapt quickly to everything that is being modified, implementing increasingly flexible solutions, with the capacity to scale significantly and reduce the costs of developing new functionalities and time spent in maintenance. Glintt-HS is therefore an organization that needs to adapt to the needs of its customers and the constant changes that are emerging on the company business, so it is necessary to study and develop a solution that can meet the organization needs. The objective of this work is to study and develop a solution capable of satisfying the needs of Glintt-HS and the market where it operates, developing a high performance solution with the ability to grow and be modified in a simple and low cost way

Avaliação da resistência ao fogo de produtos de construção

Mestrado em Engenharia CivilComo se sabe, os elementos de compartimentação são um obstáculo à passagem do fogo, limitando a propagação do mesmo no interior de um edifício. O conhecimento da resistência ao fogo destes elementos permite avaliar o seu desempenho numa situação de incêndio. É importante que os elementos de compartimentação mantenham as suas funções durante um certo período de tempo para possibilitar a evacuação das pessoas e a intervenção dos bombeiros. Esta dissertação encontra-se dividida em quatro partes. A primeira centra-se na regulamentação sobre resistência ao fogo. Na segunda parte é apresentado o comportamento térmico de alguns materiais e produtos de construção mais utilizados actualmente. Na terceira parte é descrito três dos ensaios realizados no LERF, Laboratório de Estruturas e Resistência ao Fogo da Universidade de Aveiro. Por fim, na quarta parte, é descrito uma modelação numérica realizada a uma parede com blocos solo-cimento e kraftterra.As we know, the separating element is an obstacle to the transition of fire, limiting the spread inside of a building. Knowledge of fire resistance of these elements allows evaluating their performance in a situation of fire. It is important that the separating elements keep their functions during a certain period to allow the evacuation of people and the intervention of firefighters. This dissertation was divided into four parts. The first one focuses on the regulation of fire resistance. In the second part, it is presented the thermal behaviour from some materials and construction products that are used presently. In the third part, it is described three of the fire resistance tests done by LERF, Laboratory of Structures and Fire Resistance of the University of Aveiro. Finally, in the fourth part, it is described one numerical modelling done to a wall of soil-cement and Kraftterra blocks

Recent advances on materials for lithium-ion batteries

Environmental issues related to energy consumption are mainly associated with the strong dependence on fossil fuels. To solve these issues, renewable energy sources systems have been developed as well as advanced energy storage systems. Batteries are the main storage system related to mobility, and they are applied in devices such as laptops, cell phones, and electric vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the most used battery system based on their high specific capacity, long cycle life, and no memory effects. This rapidly evolving field urges for a systematic comparative compilation of the most recent developments on battery technology in order to keep up with the growing number of materials, strategies, and battery performance data, allowing the design of future developments in the field. Thus, this review focuses on the different materials recently developed for the different battery components—anode, cathode, and separator/electrolyte—in order to further improve LIB systems. Moreover, solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) for LIBs are also highlighted. Together with the study of new advanced materials, materials modification by doping or synthesis, the combination of different materials, fillers addition, size manipulation, or the use of high ionic conductor materials are also presented as effective methods to enhance the electrochemical properties of LIBs. Finally, it is also shown that the development of advanced materials is not only focused on improving efficiency but also on the application of more environmentally friendly materials.Funding grants UID/FIS/04650/2020, UID/EEA/04436/2020 and UID/QUI/0686/2020; and project PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017. Financial support grants SFRH/BD/140842/2018 (J.C.B.) and Investigator FCT Contracts CEECIND/00833/2017 (R.G.) and 2020.04028.CEECIND (C.M.C.) Financial support ELKARTEK and PIBA (PIBA-2018-06) programs

Built Heritage Research and Education

The University of Beira Interior (UBI) is one of the most recent Portuguese universities (1986). First polytechnic and then university it is structured in five faculties. The existing knowledge fields include engineering, social sciences, humanities, arts and letters, communication and health sciences. The Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DECA) is part of the Faculty of Engineering. The main degrees in the DECA-UBI are the Integrated Master degrees in Architecture and in Civil Engineering. These are a five year program which combines undergraduate and postgraduate study into a single course. The interdisciplinarity and interrelation, which link both research and education, are the basis for the production of knowledge at DECA-UBI. Built heritage is a very important cultural asset as the evidence of any society development and it is a field of interest at DECA-UBI. It refers to all aspects of the man-made environment such as houses, places of worship, commercial and office buildings, monuments and other places of historical significance. Built heritage helps to define a sense of place and identity for communities. It is not only about monuments of exceptional value but also includes small modest vernacular buildings that represent other equally important historical, social and cultural values. The attention paid to the built heritage has increased in Portugal. It should be emphasized that some of these buildings are now used for functions that did not exist when they were built. Furthermore, the actual technical requirements are not always compatible with the former building. A regular maintenance of these buildings may include preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, reconstruction, adaptation and interpretation. Balance needs to be achieved. The future of built heritage conservation is focused on the sustainable built environment. Conservation does not require buildings to be preserved in their original condition to accept contemporary use. It may change over time as community values evolve. However it is important, as a cultural asset, to retain its original heritage features. While heritage conservation is a key player in sustainability planning, interdisciplinary skills that are needed to deliver the heritage studies and projects of the new generation architects which combine aspects of cultural heritage with the best preventive conservation, projects, methodologies and practices. For this purpose it is important to link with engineering sciences. In this paper, the authors describe their experience concerning this link between research and education in the Integrated Master degree in Architecture, which is emphasized by the specific and multidisciplinary research performed as members of the faculty staff at DECA-UBI linking with other sciences of engineering as thermal comfort, acoustics and daylighting. A few examples presented are the analysis of the performance of acoustics and daylight of Cistercians churches, the acoustic analysis as a support for the architectural rehabilitation of an outdated theatre, the thermal performance of new housing of an adapted monastery, to perceive the user’s satisfaction of a vernacular housing through a post occupancy inquiry, the rehabilitation from vernacular ruins.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio