Abstract

Abstract
Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) are devices that have the ability to directly convert heat into electrical power, or vice-versa, and are being envisaged as one off-the-grid power source. Furthermore, carbon-based materials have been used as a conducting filler to improve several properties in thermoelectric materials. The present work studied the influence on the thermoelectric performance of Bi2Te3 bulk materials by incorporating different concentrations of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT). In order to control and understand the influence of MWCNT dispersion in the nanocomposite, two different production methods (manual grinding and ultrasonication) were carried out and compared. It was verified that a larger dispersion leads to a better outcome for thermoelectric performance. The achieved Seebeck coefficient was up to-162 µV K-1 with a Power Factor of 0.50 µW K-2 m-1, for the nanocomposite produced with 11.8 %V of MWCNT. This result demonstrates the ability to increase the thermoelectric performance of Bi2Te3 throughout the addition of MWCNT. © 2022, Universidade do Porto - Faculdade de Engenharia. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Abstract
A strain gauge sensor based on Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) for diameter measurement is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The sensor is easily fabricated inserting the FBG on the strain gauge-it was fabricated using a 3D printer-and fixing the FBG in two points of this structure. The idea is to vary the diameter of the structure. We developed two experimental setups, the first one is used to evaluate the response of the FBG to strain and the second one to assess the possibility of using the structure developed to monitor the desired parameter. The results demonstrated that the structure can be used as a way to monitor the diameter variation in some applications. The sensor presented a sensitivity of 0.5361 nm/mm and a good linear response of 0.9976 using the Strain Gauge with FBG and fused taper.

Abstract
This work addresses the role of optical sensing within the new emerging paradigm Industry 4.0. It starts with some thoughts about complex systems and their inherent need of enlarged sensorial tools. Then, the principles of optical sensing are presented with identification of the two principal types. After summarizing what is meant by Industry 4.0, it is detailed how optical sensing can contribute to the raise up of this new industrial concept, focusing on vision, physical sensing, chemical sensing, and sensor multiplexing. Emphasis is given in fiber optic sensing and, when feasible, in fiber Bragg grating sensing technology. Finally, some final remarks are delivered.

Abstract
This paper proposes a scheme to determine the optical dispersion properties of a medium using multiple localized surface plasmon resonances (SPR) in a D-shaped photonic crystal fiber (PCF) whose flat surface is covered by three adjacent gold layers of different thicknesses. Using computational simulations, we show how to customize plasmon resonances at different wavelengths, thus allowing for obtaining the second-order dispersion. The central aspect of this sensing configuration is to balance miniaturization with low coupling between the different localized plasmon modes in adjacent metallic nanostructures. The determination of the optical dispersion over a large spectral range provides information on the concentration of different constituents of a medium, which is of paramount importance when monitoring media with time-varying concentrations, such as fluidic media.