Abstract
Estuaries have the particularity of being in constant change concerning the salinity of the water, since the river carries fresh water to the mouth, while the force of the tide pushes salty water upstream, reaching several kilometers upstream given the right conditions. These bodies of water do not mix instantly, allowing the appearance of a distinct border between the two, known as the front. This document presents a monitoring system composed of four-probe salinity sensors, which acquire conductivity, temperature, and pressure data to calculate salinity, arranged in such a way as to make measurements along the water column, to detect the shape of the front, as well as monitoring the estuary. The sensors, and the monitoring system in general, are cost-effective, low-power, and accurate in long-term deployment, even when installed in adverse conditions such as at sea. The sensors consume $26 \mu \mathrm{A}$ in sleep mode and 10 mA during measurement, and the measurement time is less than 100 ms. The choice of a four-point configuration allows overcoming the inevitable decay of the electrodes and possible measurement errors, contributing to autonomous long-term operation.

Abstract
The present work shows the development of a linear electromagnetic generator (LEG) for applications in marine and fluvial sensors. The LEG was submitted to tests with small oscillating frequencies of 0.1-0.4 Hz, and the output power obtained for these frequencies has allowed to supply energy to at least 6 sensors with a total consumed power of 5.76mW or to charge the batteries when the sensors are in a sleep mode. As a result, it is possible to extend the operation time and reduce the logistic costs for sea or river sensors applications, by using the proposed micro underwater generator.

Abstract

Abstract
In this work, different weight contents of as-grown carbon nanofibers (CNFs), produced by chemical vapor deposition, were melt-extruded with polypropylene (PP) and their morphologic, structure and dielectric properties examined. The morphologic analysis reveals that the CNFs are randomly distributed in the form of agglomerates within the PP matrix, whereas the structural results depicted by Raman analysis suggest that the degree of disorder of the as-received CNFs was not affected in the PP/CNF composites. The AC conductivity of PP/CNF composites at room temperature evidenced an insulator-conductor transition in the vicinity of 2 wt.%, corresponding to a remarkable rise of the dielectric permittivity up to similar to 12 at 400 Hz, with respect to the neat PP (similar to 2.5). Accordingly, the AC conductivity and dielectric permittivity of PP/CNF 2 wt.% composites were evaluated by using power laws and discussed in the framework of the intercluster polarization model. Finally, the complex impedance and Nyquist plots of the PP/CNF composites are analyzed by using equivalent circuit models, consisting of a constant phase element (CPE). The analysis gathered in here aims at contributing to the better understanding of the enhanced dielectric properties of low-conducting polymer composites filled with carbon nanofibers.

Abstract
The advanced and widespread use of microfluidic devices, which are usually fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), requires the integration of many sensors, always compatible with microfluidic fabrication processes. Moreover, current limitations of the existing optical and electrochemical oxygen sensors regarding long-term stability due to sensor degradation, biofouling, fabrication processes and cost have led to the development of new approaches. Thus, this manuscript reports the development, fabrication and characterization of a low-cost and highly sensitive dissolved oxygen optical sensor based on a membrane of PDMS doped with platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) film, fabricated using standard microfluidic materials and processes. The excellent mechanical and chemical properties (high permeability to oxygen, anti-biofouling characteristics) of PDMS result in membranes with superior sensitivity compared with other matrix materials. The wide use of PtOEP in sensing applications, due to its advantage of being easily synthesized using microtechnologies, its strong phosphorescence at room temperature with a quantum yield close to 50%, its excellent Strokes Shift as well as its relatively long lifetime (75 mu s), provide the suitable conditions for the development of a miniaturized luminescence optical oxygen sensor allowing long-term applications. The influence of the PDMS film thickness (0.1-2.5 mm) and the PtOEP concentration (363, 545, 727 ppm) in luminescent properties are presented. This enables to achieve low detection levels in a gas media range from 0.5% up to 20%, and in liquid media from 0.5 mg/L up to 3.3 mg/L at 1 atm, 25 degrees C. As a result, we propose a simple and cost-effective system based on a LED membrane photodiode system to detect low oxygen concentrations for in situ applications.

Abstract
Optical networks-on-chip (ONoCs) are a promising solution for high-performance multicore integration with better latency and bandwidth than traditional electrical NoCs. Wavelength-routed ONoCs (WRONoCs) offer yet additional performance guarantees. However, WRONoC design presents new EDA challenges which have not yet been fully addressed. So far, most topology analysis is abstract, i.e., overlooks layout concerns, while for layout the tools available perform place and route (P&R) but no topology optimization. Thus, a need arises for a novel optimization method combining both aspects of WRONoC design. In this article, such a method, PSION+, is laid out. This new procedure uses a linear programming model to optimize a WRONoC physical layout template to optimality. This template-based optimization scheme is a new idea in this area that seeks to minimize problem complexity while keeping design flexibility. A simple layout template format is introduced and explored. Finally, multiple model reduction techniques to reduce solver run-time are also presented and tested. When compared to the state-of-the-art design procedure, results show a decrease in maximum optical insertion loss of 41%.