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Publications

2023

AZOREAN LAVA TUBE SYSTEMS: A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW PLANETARY ANALOG SITE TOWARDS FUTURE LUNAR AND MARTIAN EXPLORATION RESEARCH

Authors
Pires, AC; Moura, R; Nunes, JC; Barcelos, P; Caetano, P; Quinteiro, P; Gonzalez Serricchio, S; Gonzalez, Y; Andrejkovicová, S; Niel, P; Chaminé, I;

Publication
International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management, SGEM

Abstract
The significance of analog studies using lava tubes on Earth to inform on the design of future lunar and Martian missions is aimed at exploring and utilising those structures as potential habitats on those planetary bodies. Lava tubes, natural subsurface cavities formed by volcanic activity, have several characteristics that make them appealing for human habitation on the Moon and Mars. Researchers conducting analog studies on Earth can gain valuable insights into the geological, environmental, engineering, crew and robotic challenges associated with lunar or Martian lava tube exploration and housing. This work reviews some scientific characteristics of an Azorean lava tube system that can contribute towards analog studies and their potential to help plan and design lunar and Martian missions. Human and robotic planetary exploration has garnered considerable attention recently, focusing on identifying potential habitats for future human missions. Lava tubes, formed by molten lava flowing beneath the solidified crust, offer natural subsurface shelters with numerous advantages for lunar or Martian habitation. This work provides insight into one of a lava tube structures, in Terceira island in the Azores archipelago. This structure would be adequate for analog studies that can contribute to the design of missions, providing valuable protocols for geological, geophysical and engineering tasks and potentially facilitating the development of sustainable lunar or Martian habitats. © 2023 International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved.

2023

Finally, let’s use all the modes - A stable DM fitting avoiding modal truncation

Authors
Obereder A.; Bertram T.; Correia C.; Feldt M.; Raffetseder S.; Shatokhina J.; Steuer H.;

Publication
7th Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes Conference, AO4ELT7 2023

Abstract
METIS SCAO uses a wavefront control concept that deploys a 2-stage spatial reconstruction where the wavefront is first reconstructed on an intermediate space we call the virtual DM, and then projected onto the actual control space. This document addresses the projection of the wavefront estimation on the virtual deformable mirror (VDM) onto the control modes developed for METIS (Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph). We present a new approach to project onto the control modes using an intermediate regularized projection on the M4 mirror and then convert to modes. This method enables us to utilise all modes for the projection and control in a stable manner, achieving high Strehl ratios for a wide range of conditions without the need for complex parameter tuning.

2023

Towards time-evolving analytics: Online learning for time-dependent evolving data streams

Authors
Ziffer, G; Bernardo, A; Valle, ED; Cerqueira, V; Bifet, A;

Publication
Data Sci.

Abstract
Traditional historical data analytics is at risk in a world where volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity are the new normal. While Streaming Machine Learning (SML) and Time-series Analytics (TSA) attack some aspects of the problem, we still need a comprehensive solution. SML trains models using fewer data and in a continuous/adaptive way relaxing the assumption that data points are identically distributed. TSA considers temporal dependence among data points, but it assumes identical distribution. Every Data Scientist fights this battle with ad-hoc solutions. In this paper, we claim that, due to the temporal dependence on the data, the existing solutions do not represent robust solutions to efficiently and automatically keep models relevant even when changes occur, and real-time processing is a must. We propose a novel and solid scientific foundation for Time-Evolving Analytics from this perspective. Such a framework aims to develop the logical, methodological, and algorithmic foundations for fast, scalable, and resilient analytics.

2023

Economic Analysis of a Hydrogen Power Plant in the Portuguese Electricity Market

Authors
Rodrigues, LM; Soares, T; Rezende, I; Fontoura, JP; Miranda, V;

Publication
ENERGIES

Abstract
Hydrogen is regarded as a flexible energy carrier with multiple applications across several sectors. For instance, it can be used in industrial processes, transports, heating, and electrical power generation. Green hydrogen, produced from renewable sources, can have a crucial role in the pathway towards global decarbonization. However, the success of green hydrogen production ultimately depends on its economic sustainability. In this context, this work evaluates the economic performance of a hydrogen power plant participating in the electricity market and supplying multiple hydrogen consumers. The analysis includes technical and economical details of the main components of the hydrogen power plant. Its operation is simulated using six different scenarios, which admit the production of either grey or green hydrogen. The scenarios used for the analysis include data from the Iberian electricity market for the Portuguese hub. An important conclusion is that the combination of multiple services in a hydrogen power plant has a positive effect on its economic performance. However, as of today, consumers who would wish to acquire green hydrogen would have to be willing to pay higher prices to compensate for the shorter periods of operation of hydrogen power plants and for their intrinsic losses. Nonetheless, an increase in green hydrogen demand based on a greater environmental awareness can lead to the need to not only build more of these facilities, but also to integrate more services into them. This could promote the investment in hydrogen-related technologies and result in changes in capital and operating costs of key components of these plants, which are necessary to bring down production costs.

2023

Hardness Tester for Analog Planetary Rocks: A Preliminary Assessment in Microgravity Flight

Authors
Pires, A; Costa, C; Moura, R; Persad, H; Reimuller, J; Gowanlock, D; Alavi, S; Beatty, HW; Almeida, J; Almeida, F; Silva, E; Pérez Alberti, A; Chaminé, I;

Publication
Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation

Abstract

2023

A Review on CubeSat Missions for Ionospheric Science

Authors
Francisco, C; Henriques, R; Barbosa, S;

Publication
AEROSPACE

Abstract
The ionosphere is a fundamental component of the Earth's atmosphere, impacting human activities such as communication transmissions, navigation systems, satellite functions, power network systems, and natural gas pipelines, even endangering human life or health. As technology moves forward, understanding the impact of the ionosphere on our daily lives becomes increasingly important. CubeSats are a promising way to increase understanding of this important atmospheric layer. This paper reviews the state of the art of CubeSat missions designed for ionospheric studies. Their main instrumentation payload and orbits are also analyzed from the point of view of their importance for the missions. It also focuses on the importance of data and metadata, and makes an approach to the aspects that need to be improved.

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