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Publications

Publications by Manuel Santos Silva

2015

Aquaponics system an EPS@ISEP 2014 spring project

Authors
Llauradó, AnnaMesas; Docherty, Arlene; Méry, Gwenael; Sokolowska, Natalia; Keane, Sean; Duarte, AbelJ.; Malheiro, Benedita; Ribeiro, Cristina; Ferreira, Fernando; Silva, ManuelF.; Ferreira, Paulo; Guedes, Pedro;

Publication
Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality, TEEM 2015, Porto, Portugal, October 7-9, 2015

Abstract
The goal of this project, one of the proposals of the EPS@ISEP 2014 Spring, was to develop an Aquaponics System. Over recent years Aquaponics systems have received increased attention due to its possibilities in helping reduce strain on resources within 1st and 3rd world countries. Aquaponics is the combination of Hydroponics and Aquaculture and mimics a natural environment in order to successfully apply and enhance the understanding of natural cycles within an indoor process. By using this knowledge of natural cycles it was possible to create a system with the capabilities similar to that of a natural environment with the benefits of electronic adaptions to enhance the overall efficiency of the system. The multinational team involved in its development was composed of five students, from five countries and fields of study. This paper covers their solution, involving overall design, the technology involved and the benefits it could bring to the current market. The team was able to achieve the final rendered Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings, successfully performed all the electronic testing, and designed a solution under budget. Furthermore, the solution presented was deeply studied from the sustainability viewpoint and the team also developed a product specific marketing plan. Finally, the students involved in this project obtained new knowledge and skills.

2015

Design and Development of a Solar Dryer for Microalgae Retrieval An EPS@ISEP 2013 Spring Project

Authors
Brygider, A; Marciniak, B; Verbraeken, B; Ahlskog, P; Petersen, S; Malheiro, B; Ribeiro, C; Silva, MF; Caetano, N; Ferreira, P; Guedes, P;

Publication
THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TECHNOLOGICAL ECOSYSTEMS FOR ENHANCING MULTICULTURALITY, PROCEEDINGS TEEM'15

Abstract
Currently excessive fossil fuel consumption has become a serious problem. People are searching for new solutions of energy production and there are several options to obtain alternative sources of energy without further devastating the already destroyed environment. One of these solutions is growing microalgae, from which biodiesel can be obtained. The microalgae production is a growing business because of its many useful compounds. In order to collect these compounds microalgae must first be harvested and then dried. Nowadays the solutions used for drying use too much energy and therefore are too expensive and not sustainable. The goal of this project, one of the possible choices during the EPS@ISEP 2013 Spring, was to develop a solar microalgae dryer. The multinational team involved in its development was composed of five students, from distinct countries and fields of study, and was the responsible for designing a solar microalgae dryer prototype for the microalgae laboratory of the chemical engineering department at ISEP, suitable for future tests and incorporating control process (in order not to destroy the microalgae during the drying process). The solar microalgae dryer was built to work as a distiller that gets rid of the excess water from the microalgae suspension. This paper presents a possible solution for this problem, the steps to create the device to harvest the microalgae by drying them with the use of solar energy (also used as an energy source for the solar dryer control system), the technologies used to build the solar microalgae dryer, and the benefits it presents compared to current solutions. It also presents the device from the ethical and sustainable viewpoint. Such alternative to already existing methods is competitive as far as energy usage is concerned. Finally, working on microalgae made the team elements feel that they may contribute to the broad field of biodiesel production research and investigation.

2015

Design and Implementation of a Biologically Inspired Flying Robot An EPS@ISEP 2014 Spring Project

Authors
Caramin, B; Dunn, I; Ney, R; Klawikowski, Y; Duarte, AJ; Malheiro, B; Ribeiro, C; Ferreira, F; Silva, MF; Ferreira, P; Guedes, P;

Publication
THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TECHNOLOGICAL ECOSYSTEMS FOR ENHANCING MULTICULTURALITY, PROCEEDINGS TEEM'15

Abstract
The goal of this EPS@ISEP project proposed in the Spring of 2014 was to develop a flapping wing flying robot. The project was embraced by a multinational team composed of four students from different countries and fields of study. The team designed and implemented a robot inspired by a biplane design, constructed from lightweight materials and battery powered. The prototype, called MyBird, was built with a 250 (sic) budget, reuse existing materials as well as low cost solutions. Although the team's initial idea was to build a light radio controlled robot, time limitations along with setbacks involving the required electrical components led to a light but not radio controlled prototype. The team, from the experience gathered, made a number of future improvement suggestions, namely, the addition of radio control and a camera and the adoption of articulated monoplane design instead of the current biplane design for the wings.

2015

Design and Implementation of a Biologically Inspired Swimming Robot An EPS@ISEP 2014 Spring Project

Authors
Ishii, A; Heibeck, M; Blazejewski, M; Nybjork, R; Duarte, AJ; Malheiro, B; Ribeiro, C; Ferreira, F; Silva, MF; Ferreira, P; Guedes, P;

Publication
THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TECHNOLOGICAL ECOSYSTEMS FOR ENHANCING MULTICULTURALITY, PROCEEDINGS TEEM'15

Abstract
This paper presents the development of a fish-like robot called Bro-Fish. Bro-Fish aims to be an educational toy dedicated to teaching mechanics, programming and the physics of floating objects to youngsters. The underlying intention is to awaken the interest of children for technology, especially biomimetic (biologically inspired) approaches, in order to promote sustainability and raise the level of ecological awareness. The main focus of this project was to create a robot with carangiform locomotion and controllable swimming, providing the opportunity to customize parts and experiment with the physics of floating objects. Therefore, the locomotion principles of fishes and mechanisms developed in related projects were analysed. Inspired by this background knowledge, a prototype was designed and implemented. The main achievement is the new tail mechanism that propels the robot. The tail resembles the undulation motion of fish bodies and is actuated in an innovative way, triggered by an elegant movement of a rotating helicoidal. First experimental tests revealed the potential of the proposed methodology to effectively generate forward propulsion.

2016

Design of sustainable domes in the context of EPS@ISEP

Authors
Balbaert, Joppe; Park, Jaehyun; Marimon, Ramon; Serfozo, Akos; Cazelles, Marine; Domenic, StancelConstantin; Speckstadt, Arne; Skonieczna, Klaudia; Rajnai, Gergely; Daza, JairoPerez; Barb, BogdanMarius; Duarte, AbelJ.; Malheiro, Benedita; Ribeiro, Cristina; Ferreira, Fernando; Silva, ManuelF.; Ferreira, Paulo; Guedes, Pedro;

Publication
Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality, Salamanca, Spain, November 02 - 04, 2016

Abstract
The European Project Semester (EPS) is a one-semester capstone project/internship program offered to engineering, product design and business undergraduates by 18 European engineering schools. EPS aims to prepare future engineers to think and act globally, by adopting project-based learning and teamwork methodologies, fostering the development of complementary skills and addressing sustainability and multiculturalism. In 2016, two EPS@ISEP teams embraced the challenge of building a robust, inexpensive, modular, comfortable and safe wooden / metallic dome using simple techniques and sustainable materials. This challenge is demanding -requires a multidisciplinary and user-centred design -As well as rewarding -contributes to satisfy the right to adequate, safe and affordable housing as stated in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The goal is to solve the problem in a modular and sustainable way, i.e., by using repetitive linear elements made of locally available materials. This approach aims to dramatically decrease the cost of production and shipping, simplify the construction process and address the needs of the dome users. Although geodesic cross-linked structures have been studied for some time, their design requires the involvement of all stakeholders as well as a team which understands and integrates the contributions from areas such as electronics, mechanics, civil, environmental or materials engineering. The project-based learning approach fosters, on the one hand, autonomy, responsibility and the ability to make sound technical-scientific choices and, on the other hand, develops teamwork, sustainable development and personal and cross-cultural communication skills, while promoting the emergence of innovative, creative and sometimes audacious solutions, typical of the youth. ©2016 ACM. © 2016 ACM.

2015

Development of Biomimetic Robots in the EPS Engineering Programme Capstone Project

Authors
Silva, MF; Malheiro, B; Guedes, P; Ferreira, P; Ribeiro, C; Ferreira, F; Duarte, AJ;

Publication
THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TECHNOLOGICAL ECOSYSTEMS FOR ENHANCING MULTICULTURALITY, PROCEEDINGS TEEM'15

Abstract
This paper proposes the development of biologically inspired robots as the capstone project of the European Project Semester (EPS) framework. EPS is a one semester student centred international programme offered by a group of European engineering schools (EPS Providers) as part of their student exchange programme portfolio. EPS is organized around a central module (the EPS project) and a set of complementary supportive modules. Project proposals refer to open multidisciplinary real world problems. 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. Students are organized in teams, grouping individuals from diverse academic backgrounds and nationalities, and each team is fully responsible for conducting its project. EPS provides an integrated framework for undertaking capstone projects, which is focused on multicultural and multidisciplinary teamwork, communication, problem-solving, creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship, ethical reasoning and global contextual analysis. The design and development of biologically inspired robots allows the students to fulfil the previously described requirements and objectives and, as a result, we recommend the adoption of these projects within the EPS project capstone module for the benefit of engineering students.

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