Browsing by Author "Ferreira, C."
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- Characterization and testing of a shock absorber embedded sensorPublication . Ferreira, C.; Ventura, P.; Grinde, C.; Morais, R.; Valente, A.; Neves, C.; Reis, M.This article presents the characterization of a shock absorber embedded sensor (SAES) for real-time monitoring of the condition of vehicle shock absorbers in everyday use. A prototype system was built using a custom designed monolithic silicon combined accelerometer, pressure and temperature sensors. The characterization of the SAES was performed and the obtained results meet and even outperform the specification requirements. The SAES was installed in a shock absorber, with adjustable damping properties, and submitted to road tests. Results show that the condition of a shock absorber can be effectively assessed with the presented SAES. Ensuring that shock absorbers are replaced before reach unacceptable condition, this system will increase onboard comfort and vehicle safety.
- A novel monolithic silicon sensor for measuring acceleration, pressure and temperature on a shock absorberPublication . Ferreira, C.; Ventura, P.; Grinde, C.; Morais, R.; Valente, A.; Neves, C.; Reis, M.J.C.S.; Henriques Ferreira, Carlos Daniel; Neves, CarlosA fabricated micro-mechanical sensor to assess the condition of automotive shock absorbers is presented. The monolithic sensor, measures the oil temperature, acceleration and internal pressure of the shock absorber. A dual mass accelerometer with optimized beam geometry is used for acceleration readout. In addition, a 23.1 μm thickness square membrane and two buried resistors are used for pressure and temperature sensing respectively. The proposed miniaturized sensor can be effectively integrated with standard single- and dual-tube shock absorbers. The data acquired during normal vehicle operation can be continuously used to monitor the condition of the shock absorbers, allowing shock absorbers to be replaced before their degradation significantly reduce the comfort, performance and safety of the vehicle.
- Participatory methods and approaches in the management of Mediterranean forests: a systematic literature reviewPublication . Fernandes, M.E.; Ferreira, C.; Figueiredo, E.Understanding participatory processes and identifying successful implementation methods is key to effective bottom-up sustainable forest management strategies. This paper aims to contribute to that understanding by systematically reviewing the literature dealing with participatory methods to forest management in five European Mediterranean countries (France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain), specifically identifying the relationship between the level of stakeholder involvement, type of stakeholders and the methods applied, as well as the results obtained, and the main challenges identified. Our findings show that stakeholders commonly involved are NGOs, landowners, companies, and local government bodies. A strong correspondence between the methods used and the purpose and level of stakeholders’ involvement is identified. Social benefits stand out as the most relevant result of this engagement somehow overshadowing economic and environmental ones. Results show that participatory forest management methods are simple and do not depend on sophisticated methods and techniques, so that their wider application depends above all on the will to do so.
- Study of the requirements of an autonomous system for surface water quality monitoringPublication . Barros, M.; Granchinho, P.; Ferreira, C.; Neves, P.; Magalhães, H.; Santos, L.; Lopes, B.; Marques, J.; Pinho, H.; Mourato, SandraIn recent years, there has been increasing awareness of the preservation, protection and sustainable use of natural resources. Water resources, being one of the most important natural resources, face major threats due to contamination by pollutants of various types and origins. Maintaining the quality of water resources requires more robust, reliable and more frequent monitoring than traditional techniques of data collection based on sporadic, discontinuous and manual processes. The management of large geographical areas, the insufficient spatiotemporal discretization of the values of samples collected by traditional processes and the unpredictability of natural phenomena, require a new approach to data collection procedures. This article, which is the result of ongoing research, defines the technical requirements and technologies used in a continuous and regular monitoring of surface water quality in freshwater systems, whose data acquisition system helps to identify the sources of pollution and the contaminants flow along the waterways. The design of a versatile real-time water quality monitoring system, which, due to its environmental constraints should be based on renewable energies and wireless transfer of energy, will contribute to improve the management and effective protection of water resources.