Evaluation of CFD codes by comparison of numerical predictions of an air-conditioned room case study

Nowadays, the advances in computer hardware and software allowed the development of a new generation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes which are much more user-friendly in terms of mathematical modelling, numerical techniques and presentation of results. The aim of this study is to present the evaluation and comparison between the numerical results obtained with two commercial codes, an academic one and experimental data for a of a typical ventilation case study. Therefore, the scope includes the validation of the numerical results and discussion of the potentialities, complexity and user interface of each code.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Review and future trend of energy harvesting methods for portable medical devices

Portability improvement of technological devices have not been followed by energy availability of its batteries. Considering the low power consumption features of a variety of portable devices, the concept of energy harvesting from environmental sources and human body has gained a new relevance. In the search of methods and materials that suit this need, are the energy generated from the piezoelectricity, thermoelectricity and electromagnetism, among others.This paper reviews the advantages, disadvantages and future trend of energy harvesting methods, as well as its mechanisms in portable medical devices with low power consumption. The medical field is a promising sector for the use of these technologies by the need to extend the energy availability for several parameter monitoring as too allow various forms of continuous therapy. Therefore, coupling a energy harvesting system to existing battery in these devices may significantly improve their energy sustainability that at present, is one of its biggest limitations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Novel Path Planning Optimization Algorithm Based on Particle Swarm Optimization for UAVs for Bird Monitoring and Repelling

Bird damage to fruit crops causes significant monetary losses to farmers annually. The application of traditional bird repelling methods such as bird cannons and tree netting become inefficient in the long run, requiring high maintenance and reducing mobility. Due to their versatility, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can be beneficial to solve this problem. However, due to their low battery capacity that equals low flight duration, it is necessary to evolve path planning optimization. A novel path planning optimization algorithm of UAVs based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is presented in this paper. This path planning optimization algorithm aims to manage the drone’s distance and flight time, applying optimization and randomness techniques to overcome the disadvantages of the traditional systems. The proposed algorithm’s performance was tested in three study cases: two of them in simulation to test the variation of each parameter and one in the field to test the influence on battery management and height influence. All cases were tested in the three possible situations: same incidence rate, different rates, and different rates with no bird damage to fruit crops. The field tests were also essential to understand the algorithm’s behavior of the path planning algorithm in the UAV, showing that there is less efficiency with fewer points of interest, but this does not correlate with the flight time. In addition, there is no association between the maximum horizontal speed and the flight time, which means that the function to calculate the total distance for path planning needs to be adjusted. Thus, the proposed algorithm presents promising results with an outstanding reduced average error in the total distance for the path planning obtained and low execution time, being suited for this and other applications.This research work is within the activities of PrunusBot project—Autonomous controlled spraying aerial robotic system and fruit production forecast, Operation No. PDR2020-101-031358 (leader), Consortium No. 340, Initiative No. 140, promoted by PDR2020 and co-financed by the EAFRD and the European Union under the Portugal 2020 program.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Part 2

It is relevant for traceability systems to have a common structure for information exchange. Without it, these systems lose much of their utility as they will only be usable internally and will have reduced capacity to add value to products and manage recalls. Based on extensive literature review, a non-proprietary framework for traceability was developed. This framework encompasses whole food supply chains and aims to maintain records of quality and safety while not necessitating mature IT capabilities, uncommon characteristic of SME’s. As such the volume of information is divided between all stakeholders according to their necessities and funding capacities. Most of the information is stored by regulators as they have access to more funding. This improves the ease and flexibility of implementation of traceability systems by the companies. Tools were developed and simulated, and all results are presented, clearly demonstrating the capability for quality information sharing through food supply chains which in turn can increase transparency between consumers and producers as well as adjusting the quality to the desired end use.This study is within the activities of project PrunusPós—Otimização de processos de armazenamento, conservação em frio, embalamento ativo e/ou inteligente, e rastreabilidade da qualidade alimentar no póscolheita de produtos frutícolas (Optimization of processes of storage, cold conservation, active and/or intelligent packaging, and traceability of food quality in the postharvest of fruit products), Operation n.º PDR2020-101-031695 (Partner), Consortium n.º 87, Initiative n.º 175 promoted by PDR2020 and co-financed by FEADER under the Portugal 2020 initiative.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Algorithm for path recognition in-between tree rows for agricultural wheeled-mobile robots

Machine vision has been widely used in recent years in agriculture, as a tool to promote the automation of processes and increase the levels of productivity. The aim of this work is the development of a path recognition algorithm based on image processing to guide a terrestrial robot in-between tree rows. The proposed algorithm was developed using the software MATLAB, and it uses several image processing operations, such as threshold detection, morphological erosion, histogram equalization and the Hough transform, to find edge lines along tree rows on an image and to create a path to be followed by a mobile robot. To develop the algorithm, a set of images of different types of orchards was used, which made possible the construction of a method capable of identifying paths between trees of different heights and aspects. The algorithm was evaluated using several images with different characteristics of quality and the results showed that the proposed method can successfully detect a path in different types of environments.This study is within the activities of project PrunusBot - Sistema robótico aéreo autónomo de pulverização controlada e previsão de produção frutícola (autonomous unmanned aerial robotic system for controlled spraying and prediction of fruit production), Operation n.º PDR2020-101-031358 (líder), Consortium n.º 340, Initiative n.º 140 promoted by PDR2020 and co-financed by FEADER under the Portugal 2020 initiative.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Part 1

Traceability can be a tool for safety and quality assurance for food perishables as well as for process optimization and economic gain. However, it is often considered mere bureaucracy and an economic burden. Such is prevalent in small and medium-sized enterprises. As they constitute most of food sector, the adoption of traceability systems is quite slow and mostly to satisfy legal requirements. To determine the main advantages and disadvantages of traceability models, implementation and technologies, a literature review and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) focused analysis was performed in the part I of this study. In Part II, a low cost open-source traceability focused on food safety and quality is developed. It is based on HACCP flowcharts to define gateways for quality evaluation and encompasses external verification and product history maintenance. Economic gains, more quality and safety, better efficiency and a more direct contact with consumers are some of the main advantages. High implementation costs, poorly defined benefits, lack of compatibility, consumer focused perspective and exposure of sensitive information are some of the main issues. This study serves to expose these issues and suggest solutions, aiming to encourage the adoption of traceability systems, with last-end benefits to producers, retailers, and consumers.This study is within the activities of project PrunusPós—Otimização de processos de armazenamento, conservação em frio, embalamento ativo e/ou inteligente, e rastreabilidade da qualidade alimentar no póscolheita de produtos frutícolas (Optimization of processes of storage, cold conservation, active and/or intelligent packaging, and traceability of food quality in the postharvest of fruit products), Operation n.º PDR2020-101-031695 (Partner), Consortium n.º 87, Initiative n.º 175 promoted by PDR2020 and co-financed by FEADER under the Portugal 2020 initiative.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estudo de levantamento de tendências de mercado e competências para o futuro do sector agroindustrial

A relevância e pertinência deste Estudo está na capacidade de transformar a liderança intelectual em liderança de mercado, transformando a previsão em realidade, saindo à frente dos concorrentes na “estrada” para o futuro. Nos dias de hoje, o valor do conhecimento é essencial, sendo este o principal factor crítico de sucesso da nossa sociedade. Para lá de todas as conceptualizações e definições que a informação e a sociedade da informação e do conhecimento em que vivemos possam ter, certo é que a sua utilização e importância são inquestionáveis. Gerir o Conhecimento e as Competências assume uma importância crescente num contexto de competitividade e concorrência sem precedentes. O foco estratégico de qualquer empresa deverá estar centrado nas competências que estão por detrás do seu core business, que accionam as suas mais-valias no mercado. Gerir os recursos e o conhecimento, de modo a que estes sejam instrumentos seguros das empresas para fazer face às necessidades e expectativas do mercado são as pedras e toque para o sucesso empresarial na nova sociedade.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Uso da inovação tecnológica para melhorar a segurança alimentar

Indústria,retalhistas, autoridades alimentares e consumidores reconhecem: •A cadeia de frio afeta directamente a SEGURANÇA ALIMENTAR e QUALIDADE dos produtos refrigerados e congelados. •Objectivo:(Melhor e mais restrita)gestão sistemática da cadeia de frio •Aplicação de técnicas melhoradas de avaliação da segurança ,qualidade e vida de prateleira dos produtos. •Menores riscos de segurança alimentar e maior qualidade, com impacto significativo na saúde pública e na economia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Smart modular dispenser for medication administration

Over the years, average life expectancy tends to increase, which directly translates into an increase of the aging population. Consequences of this process are the decline or loss of cognitive and motor capacities, reflecting directly on the quality of life and the autonomy of the people, compromising the fulfillment of a pharmacological plan. It is known that, inevitably, medicines are increasingly introduced as part of human life in order to improve the quality of life. However, especially in the elderly and people with dementia, the difficulties in strictly complying with their medicine intake are increasingly evident. In order to counteract this situation, this article presents a device that assists them in this challenge, overcoming situations of overdose, drug interactions and even forgetfulness, due to the lack of recall of instructions, doses and schedules. Although there are different types of pills dispensers on the market, the disclosure herein includes a number of novel features. It is a small and portable pill dispenser so that it is easy to carry. It is able to adapt to the pharmacological needs of the individual since it is modular. It presents audible and luminous alerts in order to facilitate their use and interpretation. This device is mostly used for pills of various shapes and sizes, but is also intended to be capable of holding drops or powdered medication.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estratégia formativa para o sector agroindustrial

A necessidade de dar resposta a lacunas na formação no setor agroindustrial levou ao desenvolvimento de uma estratégia formativa dirigida especificamente para este setor e assente num levantamento das necessidades formativas identificadas e num levantamento da oferta formativa existente e das entidades formadoras que a lecionam, em Portugal. Este artigo pretende, assim, apresentar o desenho de uma estratégia de formação que pretende ir ao encontro das necessidades reais das empresas deste setor. Desta forma contribuirá para a melhoria das suas performances operacionais capacitando o setor com competências fundamentais para o seu desenvolvimento e melhoria de competitividade. O trabalho desenvolvido em que assenta esta estratégia formativa tem âmbito nacional e em metodologias de definição de uma estratégia empresarial. Desta forma pretende-se alcançar impacto e objetividade num quadro nacional de oferta formativa, sem duplicações de planos de formação, mas especificamente orientados para as necessidades específicas de um setor. A estratégia apresentada neste documento foi definida no âmbito do projeto-âncora AgriTraining com atividades englobadas dentro do programa de ação da InovCluster, apoiado pelo Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional, na medida em que foi reconhecido a necessidade de promover o aumento da produtividade através do desenvolvimento e modernização de técnicas e sistemas tradicionais no sector agroindustrial.O estudo foi financiado pelo Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional (QREN 2007-2013) - COMPETE/POFC (Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade), SIAC - Sistema de Apoio a Acções Colectivas: 03/SIAC/2009, Ref.: 8310).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio