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- Manufacturing a Better Future: Scientific Report 2018-2023Publication . Ruben, Rui Miguel Barreiros; Gaspar, Marcelo Rudolfo Calvete; Dias, Juliana Rosa; Ruben, Rui; Calvete Gaspar, Marcelo; Dias, Juliana; Politécnico de LeiriaThe Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP) of the Polytechnic of Leiria (IPL) is a leading research center with the mission of contributing to scientific and technological development through new products, materials and processes that are more sustainable, effective, and efficient. The CDRSP is an organic research unit of the IPL. It was founded in May 2007 to promote economic competitiveness, social cohesion, and sustainable development through new, more efficient, and sustainable products, materials, and processes. Portuguese Additive Manufacturing Initiative (PAMI) was a project that finished in 2021 and CDRSP was the leader. PAMI was a network for fundamental research and development of new techniques for additive manufacturing. The PAMI network was part of the National Roadmap of Research Infrastructures of Strategic Interest to foster an intelligent distribution of the excellent infrastructures that already exist in the central region of Portugal, with different areas of specialty (mechanics, materials, biomedical, and electronics) to increase competitiveness and the capacity to fix the high-performance production sector.
- From Knowledge to Action: How Portuguese Higher Education Students Engage with Circular Economy PrinciplesPublication . Pardal, Ana; Moreira, Anabela; Galacho, Cristina; Mateus, Dina; Viegas, Laura; Gaspar, Marcelo; Teixeira, Margarida Ribau; Manteigas, Vitor; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaThis study investigates the perceptions and practices of Portuguese higher education students regarding the circular economy (CE), emphasising their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours toward sustainable resource management. Carried out by the Working Group on Circular Economy and Waste Management of the Portuguese Sustainable Campus Network (RCS), the research used an online survey targeting students from 20 higher education institutions (HEIs), resulting in 400 responses. The findings indicate that while students generally hold positive views of the CE, their understanding of its practical applications, such as waste reduction and resource efficiency, remains limited. Only a small proportion of students reported exposure to CE-related topics in their curriculum, revealing a gap in academic integration. This study also identifies significant demographic variations in CE awareness and practices, influenced by factors such as age, field of study, and employment status. These insights underscore the need for HEIs to strengthen CE education and actively involve students in hands-on sustainability initiatives, fostering a generation equipped to drive the transition toward a circular economy.
- Stakeholder Differences in Valued Hotel Green PracticesPublication . Julião, Jorge; Monteiro, Inês; Gaspar, Marcelo; Trindade, Maria AliceThis paper aims to compare the perceptions of hotel customers and hotel staff regarding the value of green hotel attributes. By examining both stakeholder groups, the study addresses a gap in sustainable hospitality research, which largely overlooks employee perspectives in favour of customer preferences. An exploratory, cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured questionnaires, administered to hotel guests (n = 307) and hotel staff (n = 89) in Porto, Portugal. Respondents rated 15 green hotel attributes using a five-point Likert scale. Demographic data were also collected to analyse perceptual differences across gender, age, income, and education. The results revealed that both customers and staff exhibited environmental awareness, though their prioritisation of specific green practices differed. Customers tended to value visible environmental measures, such as recycling bins, energy-saving light bulbs, and renewable energy signage, while staff placed greater emphasis on operational sustainability aspects, including low-flow plumbing fixtures, refillable soap dispensers, and durable goods used in service areas. These differences reflect the stakeholders’ distinct roles and experiences within the hotel ecosystem. This study enriches the discourse on sustainable hospitality by providing a dual-stakeholder analysis of green hotel attributes using a shared evaluative framework. The findings offer practical insights for hotel managers aligning sustainability strategies with the expectations of both guests and employees, supporting more effective and inclusive green implementation in the lodging sector.
- Enhanced reconditioning of heavy-duty pulp industry equipment: Advantages of abrasive waterjet cuttingPublication . Ramalho, Armando Lopes; Silva, Agostinho da; Gaspar, Marcelo Calvete; Capela, Carlos; Celorrio-Barragué, Luis; Glăvan, Dan OvidiuWithin a pulp industry production process, a drop in the performance of a wood log rotary debarker was identified. Such loss of performance was due to the occurrence of excessive wear of the device's cutting blades, requiring their regular and premature replacement. The material used to manufacture the cutting blades, Hardox 500, has characteristics considered adequate for the required use. However, it was concluded that the blade manufacturing process degraded its mechanical properties, leading to its premature wear when placed in service. The present study intends to propose, characterize, and validate an alternative cutting process to manufacture the debarker's cutting blades. Abrasive waterjet cutting technology was proposed to produce the cutting blades. The suitability of this manufacturing process is discussed considering the specified geometry and the material characteristics of the resulting cutting blades.