2025
Autores
Pereira, J; Mota, A; Couto, P; Valente, A; Serôdio, C;
Publicação
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
Abstract
Ensuring food quality and safety is a growing challenge in the food industry, where early detection of contamination or spoilage is crucial. Using gas sensors combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers an innovative and effective approach to food identification, improving quality control and minimizing health risks. This study aims to evaluate food identification strategies using supervised learning techniques applied to data collected by the BME Development Kit, equipped with the BME688 sensor. The dataset includes measurements of temperature, pressure, humidity, and, particularly, gas composition, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of food characteristics. The methodology explores two strategies: a neural network model trained using Bosch BME AI-Studio software, and a more flexible, customizable approach that applies multiple predictive algorithms, including DT, LR, kNN, NB, and SVM. The experiments were conducted to analyze the effectiveness of both approaches in classifying different food samples based on gas emissions and environmental conditions. The results demonstrate that combining electronic noses (E-Noses) with machine learning (ML) provides high accuracy in food identification. While the neural network model from Bosch follows a structured and optimized learning approach, the second methodology enables a more adaptable exploration of various algorithms, offering greater interpretability and customization. Both approaches yielded high predictive performance, with strong classification accuracy across multiple food samples. However, performance variations depend on the characteristics of the dataset and the algorithm selection. A critical analysis suggests that optimizing sensor calibration, feature selection, and consideration of environmental parameters can further enhance accuracy. This study confirms the relevance of AI-driven gas analysis as a promising tool for food quality assessment.
2025
Autores
Orsolits, H; Valente, A; Lackner, M;
Publicação
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
Abstract
This paper examines a series of bachelor's and master's thesis projects from the supervisor's perspective, focusing on how Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) can enhance industrial robotics engineering education. While industrial robotics systems continue to evolve and the need for skilled robotics engineers grows, teaching methods have not changed. Mostly, higher education in robotics engineering still relies on funding industrial robots or otherwise on traditional 2D tools that do not effectively represent the complex spatial interactions involved in robotics. This study presents a comparative analysis of seven thesis projects integrating MR technologies to address these challenges. All projects were supervised by the lead author and showcase different approaches and learning outcomes, building on insights from previous work. This comparison outlines the benefits and challenges of using MR for robotics engineering education. Additionally, it shares key takeaways from a supervisory standpoint as an evolutionary process, offering practical insights for fellow educators/supervisors guiding MR-based robotics education projects.
2025
Autores
Mota, A; Serôdio, C; Briga Sá, A; Valente, A;
Publicação
INTERNET OF THINGS
Abstract
Humans spend most of their time indoors, where air quality and comfort are crucial to health and well-being. Elevated CO2 levels in buildings can reduce cognitive function, discomfort, and health issues. Indoor CO2 monitoring has emerged as a key focus in the literature, particularly in residential buildings, as it can play a vital role in helping to maintain adequate ventilation rates. The growing smart home market demands seamless integration and control, which are essential for implementing IAQ sensing devices. However, interoperability barriers between platforms and devices continue to hinder smart home adoption. To address these challenges, Matter protocol is starting to appear in the market. In this work, a wireless CO2 sensor is developed based on ESP32-C6 and SCD40 and integrated into a created Matter-enabled ecosystem formed with the Home Assistant open-source platform. The utilized hardware and software enable the usage of two different wireless communication technologies, WiFi and Thread, enhancing compatibility. The study highlights the rapid and seamless onboarding of the developed CO2 monitoring device into smart home ecosystems using the Matter protocol. As a result, once the device is successfully added to the ecosystem, the measurements can be accessed and analyzed through a mobile application, forming an IoT environment.
2025
Autores
Luiz, LE; Soares, S; Valente, A; Barroso, J; Leitao, P; Teixeira, JP;
Publicação
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
Abstract
Problem: Portable ECG/sEMG acquisition systems for telemedicine often lack application flexibility (e.g., limited configurability, signal validation) and efficient wireless data handling. Methodology: A modular biosignal acquisition system with up to 8 channels, 24-bit resolution and configurable sampling (1-4 kHz) is proposed, featuring per-channel gain/source adjustments, internal MUX-based reference drive, and visual electrode integrity monitoring; Bluetooth (R) transmits data via a bit-wise packet structure (83.92% smaller than JSON, 7.28 times faster decoding with linear complexity based on input size). Results: maximum 6.7 mu V-rms input-referred noise; harmonic signal correlations >99.99%, worst-case THD of -53.03 dBc, and pulse wave correlation >99.68% in frequency-domain with maximum NMSE% of 6e-6%; and 22.3-hour operation (3.3 Ah battery @ 150 mA). Conclusion: The system enables high-fidelity, power-efficient acquisition with validated signal integrity and adaptable multi-channel acquisition, addressing gaps in portable biosensing.
2025
Autores
Mota, A; Serôdio, C; Briga-Sá, A; Valente, A;
Publicação
SENSORS
Abstract
Most human time is spent indoors, and due to the pandemic, monitoring indoor air quality (IAQ) has become more crucial. In this study, an IoT (Internet of Things) architecture is implemented to monitor IAQ parameters, including CO2 and particulate matter (PM). An ESP32-C6-based device is developed to measure sensor data and send them, using the MQTT protocol, to a remote InfluxDBv2 database instance, where the data are stored and visualized. The Python 3.11 scripting programming language is used to automate Flux queries to the database, allowing a more in-depth data interpretation. The implemented system allows to analyze two measured scenarios during sleep: one with the door slightly open and one with the door closed. Results indicate that sleeping with the door slightly open causes CO2 levels to ascend slowly and maintain lower concentrations compared to sleeping with the door closed, where CO2 levels ascend faster and the maximum recommended values are exceeded. This demonstrates the benefits of ventilation in maintaining IAQ. The developed system can be used for sensing in different environments, such as schools or offices, so an IAQ assessment can be made. Based on the generated data, predictive models can be designed to support decisions on intelligent natural ventilation systems, achieving an optimized, efficient, and ubiquitous solution to moderate the IAQ.
2025
Autores
Esteves, F; Cardoso, JC; Leitao, S; Pires, EJS;
Publicação
SUSTAINABILITY
Abstract
The efficiency of wastewater treatment systems must be reflected in the removal of the pollutant load from the influent and the optimal energy performance of electrical equipment. Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are part of the Intensive Energy Consumption Management System (SGCIE) and are therefore subject to mandatory energy audits. This article aims to assess the impact of an energy audit in a WWTP, according to ISO 50001:2018 and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology, to identify and quantify both persistent and transient energy inefficiencies. According to the results, the energy audit contributed to an approximate 10.8% reduction in electrical energy consumption. During the assessment, several challenges were identified that may compromise the effectiveness of audits in improving energy performance. The complexity of the treatment model, aging infrastructure and equipment, the lack of real-time data, and a limited number of indicators hinder the proper management of inefficiency phenomena, particularly transient ones.
The access to the final selection minute is only available to applicants.
Please check the confirmation e-mail of your application to obtain the access code.