An innovative processing strategy for fabricating soft structures that possess electric- and humidity-driven active/passive actuation capabilities along with touch- and humidity-sensing properties is reported. The intrinsically multifunctional material comprises an active thin layer of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly-(styrene sulfonate) in a double-layered structure with a silicone elasto...

Currently, most of the piezoelectric structures are designed under deterministic conditions, where influence uncertain factors on output motion accuracy is ignored. In this work, a probabilistic reliability-based topology optimization method for structure proposed to deal with working voltage uncertainty. A nested double-loop algorithm minimizing total volume while satisfying reliability requir...

This study focuses on the numerical analysis of a high efficiency Energy Harvesting device, based on piezoelectric materials, for the sustainability of smart buildings, structures and infrastructures. Before that, a comprehensive literature review on the topic takes place. The device consists in an aerodynamic fin attached to a piezoelectric element that makes use of the air flow to harvest ene...

In the past decade traditional market structures have been drastically revolutionized, creating new potential for electronic trading. The driving forces are changes in trading behavior, advances in technology and new regulation. Traditional exchanges are challenged by new electronic trading platforms competing on the basis of price, cost, speed and efficiency. As trading has become more fragmen...

Nowadays, process-aware information systems (PAISs) are widely used for the management of “administrative” processes characterized by clear and well-defined structures. Besides those scenarios, PAISs can be used also in mobile and pervasive scenarios, where process participants can be only equipped with smart devices, such as PDAs. None of existing PAISs can be entirely deployed on smart device...

In this paper we present the concept of a multi-AUV system interconnected by a smart cable that contains 3-D positioning sensors for rapid inspection of large underwater structures in a limited mission timeframe. The smart cable provides not only the position of the end-points (AUV locations) but also its own shape in real-time, while also acting as a communication link between AUV. Using this ...

Wearable devices, e.g. smart-watches, are gaining popularity in many fields and in wellness monitoring too. In this paper we propose an IoT application to alert the medical doctor assigned to a critical unit by using a smart-watch. The wearable device improves the efficacy of monitoring patients at risk in hospital units allowing the medical doctor to access information at any time and from any...