ISEP - CIETI - Centro de Inovação em Engenharia e Tecnologia Industrial
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O grupo CIETI (Centro de Inovação em Engenharia e Tecnologia Industrial) tem como objectivo promover a investigação para a criação e desenvolvimento de novos produtos, processos e sistemas que contribuam para a inovação na indústria.
O grupo também dá suporte à educação científica no Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto integrando alunos de mestrado e co-orientando teses de doutoramento.
O grupo CIETI é um grupo de investigação e desenvolvimento multidisciplinar do Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto. As actividades do grupo dividem-se em quatro linhas de trabalho:
Biomateriais e nanotecnologias
Energia e ambiente
Engenharia e processo
Laboratórios remotos e sistemas de teste e depuração
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Browsing ISEP - CIETI - Centro de Inovação em Engenharia e Tecnologia Industrial by Field of Science and Technology (FOS) "Engenharia e Tecnologia"
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- Alleviation of Fe-induced chlorosis of soybean plants grown in calcareous soil by a freeze-dried iron fertilizer containing siderophores produced by Rhizobium radiobacterPublication . Arcas, Alejandra; Sadeghi, S. Maryam; Lucena, Juan J.; Vindeirinho, João M.; Soares, Eduardo V.; Soares, Helena M. V. M.; López-Rayo, SandraThe concerns about the unsustainability of traditional synthetic Fe chelates lead to the search for new environmentally friendly alternatives, such as siderophores-based fertilizers. In this work, the focus was on the evaluation of a bio-based Fe-chelate fertilizer obtained from the culture of the siderophore-producer bacterium Rhizobium radiobacter. The suitability of a freeze-dried fertilizer formulated from a R. radiobacter culture labeled with 57Fe to alleviate Fe chlorosis in soybean plants cultivated in calcareous soil was analyzed and the new potential Fe fertilizer was evaluated in comparison to the traditional synthetic chelate o,oEDDHA/57Fe3+. This natural chelate was able to maintain chlorophyll content stable during all the pot trials and presented greater Fe concentration in the remaining soil fractions serving as an Fe pool for a long time whereas o,oEDDHA/57Fe3+ could supply Fe quickly. The new bio-based Fe siderophore fertilizer, derived from R. radiobacter culture, could be a green substitute to conventional synthetic chelates to address Fe chlorosis in calcareous soil conditions.
- Alzheimer's diagnosis beyond cerebrospinal fluid: Probe-Free Detection of Tau Proteins using MXene based redox systems and molecularly imprinted polymersPublication . Arjum, Ajith Mohan; Deshpande, Sudhaunsh; Dunlop, Tom; Norman, Beth; Oliviera, Daniela; Vulpe, Georgeta; Moreira, Felismina; Sharma, SanjivPhosphorylated Tau proteins are promising biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease. This study presents a novel voltametric sensor using a vanadium MXene polydopamine (VxPDA) redox active composite and a Tau-441-specific polyaniline molecularly imprinted polymer (PANI MIP) for the sensitive detection of Tau-441 in interstitial fluid (ISF) and plasma. The VxPDA/PANI MIP sensor demonstrates a broad detection range of 5 fg/mL to 5 ng/mL (122 aM/L to 122 pM/L) in ISF without the use of redox mediators, with a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 2.3 fg/mL (60 aM/L). Furthermore, a handheld device utilizing this technology successfully detects Tau-441 in artificial serum with high sensitivity (5 fg/mL to 150 fg/mL (122 aM/L to 366 aM/L)) and specificity within a clinically relevant range. The rapid detection time (∼32 min) and low cost (∼£20/device) of this sensor highlight its potential for minimally invasive, early AD diagnosis in clinical settings. This advancement aims to facilitate a transition away from invasive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-based diagnostic techniques for AD.
- Amplified Sensitivity in SERS Detection of L1CAM With Silver Plasmonic Mesoporous Silica Capsules on an Imprinted FilmsPublication . Castaño-Guerrero, Yuselis; Arjones-Fernández, Belén; Moreira, Felismina T. C.; Alvarez-Puebla, Ramon A.; Correa-Duarte, Miguel A.; Águas, H.; Sales, M. Goreti F.This study presents a novel approach for dual detection, leveraging a combination of a Raman reporter-bearing nanomaterial and molecular imprinting polymers (MIP). A core-shell Au-Ag nanoparticles (Au-Ag NPs) encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanocapsules (Au-Ag NCs) and a new MIP-based material targeting L1CAM are used. The MIP prepared via surface imprinting on a carbon screen-printed electrode (C-SPE) used thionine (TH) as a monomer. The plasmonic Au-AgNCs are further functionalized with the Raman reporter 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) and anti-L1CAM for selective detection by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. The biosensor's analytical performance is evaluated using both SERS and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS analysis reveals a linear response within the concentration range of 0.1 to 100 ng mL−1 in buffer and serum samples. SERS demonstrates a sensitivity ten times higher than EIS. Selectivity study demonstrates the biosensor's excellent specificity toward L1CAM, with minimal interference from other compounds such as creatinine, glucose, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9). The Raman signal from the reporter molecule correlates with increasing L1CAM concentrations, reinforcing the analytical findings obtained through electrochemical analysis. Thus, the combination of dual detection and recognition capabilities presents promising potential for detecting diverse biomarkers, especially in critical scenarios where reducing false-positive or false-negative errors is crucial.
- Antibacterial activity study of copper oxide nanofluids for infection control in hospital environmentPublication . Queirós, Â.; Martins, A.; Domingues, V.F.; Iglesias, T.P.; Coelho, M.F.[Introduction] Coronavirus disease appears. Due to its antibacterial potential, copper and its alloys attracted the attention of the scientific community. The use of nanoscale materials with antimicrobial properties is another approachthat has been considered.
- An Arthrospira maxima based biorefineryPublication . Santos, Carolina Ascenso; Karmakar, Rachan; Caetano, Nídia[Abstract] With growing global concern over resource depletion, climate change, and waste management, the development of sustainable biorefineries has become crucial. Arthrospira maxima, a cyanobacterium commonly denominated Spirulina and known for its high nutritional content and rapid growth, presents a promising bioresource for such systems. This study explores a biorefinery model for Spirulina that maximizes resource utilization through innovative extractions and waste valorization approaches. By cultivating Spirulina using industrial waste media and recirculating growth resources, the model demonstrates significant reductions in water and nutrient use, aligning with circular economy principles. High-value compounds like phycocyanin and lipids were extracted using green methodologies, which reduce environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Additionally, residual extracted microalgal biomass was redirected to applications such as bioenergy and soil amendment, creating a zero-waste approach. The proposed model supports a transition towards sustainable bioeconomy practices, addressing both environmental and economic challenges. Future research may focus on genetic engineering and technological advancements to further enhance Spirulina’s biorefinery potential.
- Beyond Scores: Early Findings on TBL's Impact in Engineering EducationPublication . Sena-Esteves, M. Teresa; Ribeiro, Margarida; Morais, Cristina; Brás-Pereira, Isabel; Guedes, Anabela; Soares, Filomena; Leão, Celina P.; Sena-Esteves, Maria Teresa; Ribeiro, Margarida; Morais, Leonilde Cristina; Pereira, Isabel; Guedes, AnabelaThis paper presents the preliminary findings of an ongoing study investigating the influence of Team-Based Learning (TBL) on the academic performance of engineering students, particularly its impact on their grasp of subject matter and ability to solve real-world problems. Quantitative data analysis explored correlations between students' entry-level academic scores and their performance in a course incorporating TBL. The initial results suggest that there is no significant correlation, indicating that entry scores may not predict success in this TBL-integrated course. The analysis coverages multiple academic years, offering a comprehensive perspective on how trends and outcomes evolve over time. This study contributes to the discourse on effective educational practices in engineering education by examining the potential of TBL to enhance learning outcomes. Given the study's ongoing nature, these findings are provisional but pave the way for more detailed future analyses.
- Bioinspired host-tailored polymers based on molecular imprinting for cytokine assessmentPublication . Ferreira, Bianca; Correa-Duarte, Miguel; Marques, Arcelina; Moreira, Felismina; Martins, GabrielaMolecular imprinting undergone a substantial boost driven by the awareness of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs)-ligand recognition skills. In particular, the introduction of natural-based compounds like cyclodextrins into the structural scaffold of synthetic recognition elements attracted great importance as a novel route to design more friendly-environments for protein binding, while promoting higher selectivity features. Herein, carbon electrodes doped with platinum nanoparticles supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes and functionalized with polyallylamine (MWCNTs-PAH/Pt) were electrochemically modified with an imprinted sensing layer of poly(β-cyclodextrin-pyrrole) (poly(β-CD-Py)) towards interleukin 6 (IL-6) monitoring. The analytical performance of the biosensor was evaluated by using Cyclic Voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy techniques. Along the assembly, experimental parameters like nanomaterial deposition, monomer-protein concentrations and template removal solutions were carefully optimized and discussed. Furthermore, the electrodeposited film was characterized in terms of composition, morphology and structure using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Under optimal conditions, the developed sensor was able to rebind IL-6 over a wide linear range [1 pg/mL – 100 ng/mL], displaying high sensitivity, quick electrochemical response, and specific binding of the target molecule. Overall, this work reported the relevance of using hostguest complexes directly embedded in polymeric chains to generate newly controlled electrochemical sensors holding great potential for protein biosensing.
- Biological and Medicinal Properties of Natural Chromones and ChromanonesPublication . Gaspar, Alexandra; Garrido, E. Manuela P. J.; Borges, Fernanda; Garrido, Jorge M. P. J.Emerging threats to human health require a concerted effort to search for new treatment therapies. One of the biggest challenges is finding medicines with few or no side effects. Natural products have historically contributed to major advances in the field of pharmacotherapy, as they offer special characteristics compared to conventional synthetic molecules. Interest in natural products is being revitalized, in a continuous search for lead structures that can be used as models for the development of new medicines by the pharmaceutical industry. Chromone and chromanones are recognized as privileged structures and useful templates for the design of diversified therapeutic molecules with potential pharmacological interest. Chromones and chromanones are widely distributed in plants and fungi, and significant biological activities, namely antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, etc., have been reported for these compounds, suggesting their potential as lead drug candidates. This review aims to update the literature published over the last 6 years (2018–2023) regarding the natural occurrence and biological activity of chromones and chromanones, highlighting the recent findings and the perspectives that they hold for future research and applications namely in health, cosmetic, and food industries.
- Bonding to Psychedelics: Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Targeting 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B)Publication . Martins, Daniel; Fernandes, Carlos; Mendes, Ricardo F.; Cagide, Fernando; Silva, António Fernando; Borges, Fernanda; Garrido, Jorge; Garrido, JorgeThe increasing interest in utilizing psychedelics for therapeutic purposes demands the development of tools capable of efficiently monitoring and accurately identifying these substances, thereby supporting medical interventions. 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) has gained significant popularity as one of the most widely used psychedelic compounds in non-medical settings. In this study, we aimed to create a material with selective recognition of 2C-B by synthesizing a series of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) using 2C-B as the template and varying ratios of methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer (1:2, 1:3, and 1:4). Both thermal and microwave-assisted polymerization processes were employed. The molar ratio between the template molecule (2C-B) and functional monomer (MAA) was 1:4, utilizing a microwave-assisted polymerization process. Isotherm studies revealed a Langmuir’s maximum absorption capacity (Bmax) value of 115.6 μmol·mg−1 and Kd values of 26.7 μM for this material. An imprint factor of 4.2 was determined for this material, against the corresponding non-imprinted polymer. The good selectivity against 14 other new psychoactive substances highlighted the material’s potential for applications requiring selective recognition. These findings can contribute to the development of tailored materials for the detection and analysis of 2C-B, supporting advancements in non-medical use monitoring and potential therapeutic models involving psychedelics.
- CHATGPT in the context of higher education: the case of its application in a curricular unitPublication . Costa, A.; Viegas, C.; Lima, N.; Caldeira, A.In recent years the use of AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, has been widespread. In education, students tend to be attracted to their use. As for teachers, the use of these applications divides opinions: some defend the use of these tools, others feel threatened by them. In recent years, a number of studies have been carried out to assess students' perceptions of the use of AI tools and ChatGPT in particular. Despite this, little work has been done to produce guidelines for the use of ChatGPT by teachers and students, particularly those that emphasize the need to use it critically, ethically and with the ability to check bibliographic sources. In this communication, we will try to overcome this gap. In this paper we present the case of an work carried out as part of a course unit in which the use of ChatGPT was not only allowed, but encouraged. We also asked the students to comment on the work carried out and the use of ChatGPT. A content analysis was carried out and the results are presented here. Results showed that students were motivated to carry out the work and understood that its widespread use requires critical thinking and compliance with ethical principles. The teacher acknowledge that some students developed some competences while performing this task and were able to delivered a quality, well supported essay. These competences development was also identified by some students. We conclude by presenting some guidelines to help teachers use ChatGPT in the context of academic work.