Múcio Silva Reis

Automatic detection of bunches of grapes in natural environment from color images

Abstract Despite the benefits of precision agriculture and precision viticulture production systems, its rate of adoption in the Portuguese Douro Demarcated Region remains low. We believe that one way to raise it is to address challenging real-world problems whose solution offers a clear benefit to the viticulturist. For example, one of the most demanding tasks in wine making is harvesting. Even for humans, the environment makes grape detection difficult, especially when the grapes and leaves have a similar color, which is generally the case for white grapes. In this paper, we propose a system for the detection and location, in the natural environment, of bunches of grapes in color images. This system is able to distinguish between white and red grapes, and at the same time, it calculates the location of the bunch stem. The system achieved 97% and 91% correct classifications for red and white grapes, respectively.

Influência da temperatura de embebição da semente de soja no teste de condutividade elétrica para avaliação da qualidade fisiológica

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of temperature on the reduction in the soaking period of soybean seeds for the electric conductivity test. Seeds were harvested at the R8 stage and 15, 30 and 45 days after R8 and stored in a cold room until physiological quality tests were performed. The electric conductivity test was carried out using the traditional methodology, with four replications of 50 seeds imbibed in water at 25oC for 24 hours, and two other methodologies consisting of 20 replications of 10 seeds imbibed for 10, 30, 60 and 120 minutes at 32oC or 40oC. The results indicated that the increase in the soaking temperature decreases the soaking period to identify soybean seeds with different vigor levels; the electric conductivity test at 32 or 40oC for 10, 30, 60 and 120 minutes is efficient for rapid evaluation of soybean seed quality and the soaking period of 10 minutes at 32 or 40oC already permits classification of seed lots according to theirs vigor level by the electric conductivity test.

Instrumented hip implants: Electric supply systems

Instrumented hip implants were proposed as a method to monitor and predict the biomechanical and thermal environment surrounding such implants. Nowadays, they are being developed as active implants with the ability to prevent failures by loosening. The generation of electric energy to power active mechanisms of instrumented hip implants remains a question. Instrumented implants cannot be implemented without effective electric power systems. This paper surveys the power supply systems of seventeen implant architectures already implanted in-vivo, namely from instrumented hip joint replacements and instrumented fracture stabilizers. Only inductive power links and batteries were used in-vivo to power the implants. The energy harvesting systems, which were already designed to power instrumented hip implants, were also analyzed focusing their potential to overcome the disadvantages of both inductive-based and battery-based power supply systems. From comparative and critical analyses of the methods to power instrumented implants, one can conclude that: inductive powering and batteries constrain the full operation of instrumented implants; motion-driven electromagnetic energy harvesting is a promising method to power instrumented passive and active hip implants.

DESIGN METHODOLOGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LONG-TERM HIP PROSTHESIS SURVIVAL

More than 80% of failures following Total Hip Arthroplasty (THR) procedures are due to implant loosening, which is strongly related with weak osseointegration. Current instrumented prostheses were designed to store only physiologic data [Damm, 2010; Heinlein, 2009]. The design of failure detection systems for hip implants is been performed [Marschner, 2009; Alpuim., 2008]. The current methodology to optimize such implants collects real-time data from the internal environment of the implant and uses the information for the research of new designs, materials and surgical techniques [Stansfield, 2003; Dayton, 2005]. However, proposals that ensure long-term implant survival have not been reported yet. This paper proposes a new methodology to avoid irreversible aseptic loosening, which may prevent to a certain extent revision surgical procedures. Through remotely controlled and monitored osteoblast mechanical micro-stimulation, real-time supervision of the osteointegration process may be ensured through tools for telemedicine.

Multi-source Harvesting Systems for Electric Energy Generation on Smart Hip Prostheses

The development of smart orthopaedic implants is being considered as an effective solution to ensure their everlasting life span. The availability of electric power to supply active mechanisms of smart prostheses has remained a critical problem. This paper reports the first implementation of a new concept of energy harvesting systems applied to hip prostheses: the multi-source generation of electric energy. The reliability of the power supply mechanisms is strongly increased with the application of this new concept. Three vibration-based harvesters, operating in true parallel to harvest energy during human gait, were implemented on a Metabloc TM hip prosthesis to validate the concept. They were designed to use the angular movements on the flexion-extension, abduction-adduction and inward-outward rotation axes, over the femoral component, to generate electric power. The performance of each generator was tested for different amplitudes and frequencies of operation. Electric power up to 55 μJ/s was harvested. The overall function of smart hip prostheses can remain performing even if two of the generators get damaged. Furthermore, they are safe and autonomous throughout the life span of the implant.

Morse code translator using the Arduino platform: Crafting the future of microcontrollers

The ability of the Arduino platform to enhance student interest and performance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses, while fostering skills that are important prerequisites for future IT careers, has been proven more than once in the past years. But can the future be crafted without the past? We believe that many past inventions crave the future, so their understanding is a bridge of knowledge that must be passed to students. According to Grand View Research website the microcontroller market will rise from the 20 billion units in 2015 to an amazing 39 billion units in 2020. Therefore, an increase on IT careers is also expected. The Morse code and the telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication in the past and laid the groundwork for the communications revolution. In fact, although developed in the 1830s and 1840s by Samuel Morse (1791-1872) and other inventors, only in 1844 the first telegraph message, from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore, Maryland, was sent. To provide the means to students to start learning this technology we have developed four experiences that introduce them to the fundamentals of communications, including the Li-Fi technology. This new technology is based on the Morse code, and can spark again the communications revolution by using tiny, imperceptible flickering lights can provide a new way of sending data to computers and mobile devices. Therefore, we decided to revitalize the almost forgotten Morse code by implementing it with an Arduino in order to lay again the foundations to this new revolution that is coming. This paper presents the implementation model of two Morse code translators, how they work, their implementation, and some results. We also present a VLC (Visible Light Communication) system based on the same principles of the Morse code building this way the foundation for students to proceed with this course of the investigation.