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The use of protons and heavy ions for the treatment of tumors is increasing since it provides a better relative biological effectiveness (RBE) than traditional radiotherapy. Accurate knowledge of the energy deposition at submicrometric scales is paramount for RBE characterization. This paper shows the latest version of the silicon cylindrical microdosimeter array developed by the Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, Centro Nacional de Microelectrónica (IMB-CNM, Spain). The detector consists of a matrix of $11 \times 11$ cylindrical sensitive unit cells with individual readout etched within the silicon substrate available in different diameters and pitches between detectors. The detector employed in this paper had a diameter of $15~\mu \text{m}$ , a pitch of $200~\mu \text{m}$ , and a thickness of $5.5~\mu \text{m}$. The detectors were tested in the clinical facilities of Fondazione Centro Nazionale di Adronterapia Oncologica (CNAO) (Pavia, Italy) employing a 12C pencil beam at a therapeutic beam fluence rate. Microdosimetric spectra of lineal energy were measured in different depths of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) up to the Bragg peak. Results were then compared with Monte Carlo simulations using the FLUKA particle transport code, showing an excellent agreement between experimental and simulated microdosimetric distributions even at the high fluence rates associated with clinical beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the highlights of the 2005 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) in Barcelona, Spain. Total attendees at ICRA; ICRA 2005 award winners; IEEE RAS/IFR Entrepreneurs' Workshop and Innovation Awards; Robotics and Automation Society Awards.

This paper describes the undergraduate radar course taught at the Escola Universitària Politècnica del Baix Llobregat (EUPBL) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain. At present, the EUPBL offers a three-year degree in Technical Telecommunications Engineering. This paper briefly describes the EUPBL, the organization of the degree program, the structure of the radar course, the evaluation methods, and two practical exercises on a sonar demonstrator and a global positioning system kit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a fault diagnosis method using a timed discrete-event approach based on interval observers that improves the integration of fault detection and isolation tasks. The interface between fault detection and fault isolation considers the activation degree and the occurrence time instant of the diagnostic signals using a combination of several theoretical fault signature matrices that store the knowledge of the relationship between diagnostic signals and faults. The fault isolation module is implemented using a timed discrete-event approach that recognizes the occurrence of a fault by identifying a unique sequence of observable events (fault signals). The states and transitions that characterize such a system can directly be inferred from the relation between fault signals and faults. The proposed fault diagnosis approach has been motivated by the problem of detecting and isolating faults of the Barcelona's urban sewer system limnimeters (level meter sensors). The results obtained in this case study illustrate the benefits of using the proposed approach in comparison with the standard fault detection and isolation approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an update on the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association (AMTA) as of April 2010. The association has held its AMTA Europe 2010 event at the Barcelona International Convention Center in Barcelona, Spain. It has also set its deadline for abstract submission for the Technical Program of its AMTA 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. Information on a paper titled "Accurate Radiation Pattern Measurements in a Time-Reversal Electromagnetic Chamber," published within the issue, is also provided.

On April 15,2010, an unusual natural phenomenon turned the world upside down. The Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull, dormant for 200 years, started to erupt, melting ice and sending ashes into the high atmosphere. This huge mass of ash forced the cancellation of many flights and disrupted air traffic across northern Europe, stranding thousands of passengers, and provoking one of the worst airspace crises ever. The airport of Barcelona, Spain, like most European airports, could not escape from this closure, and many tourists and businessmen were stuck for some days at the Catalan metropolis. “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” said someone. This was the thought of many delegates of the fourth edition of the European Conference on Antennas and Propagation, which took place from April 12-16, 2010, at the Barcelona International Convention Center (CCIB). Many of them decided to take some extra days to visit the city. Others, less lucky, rediscovered the old days of slow traveling, and with wise combinations of bus, train, and boats were able to travel to as far as Helsinki, Finland. However, all will remember EuCAP'2010 not only for its unusual ending, but mainly for the quality and demonstrated success of the conference. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A call for papers on biomedical imaging, to be presented at ISBI 2012 in Barcelona, Spain on May 2 to 5, is presented.

The increasing necessity of engineers capable of handling the problems of the industry and able to face the technical challenges they will encounter in their professional career is boosting the teaching methods based on projects and real applications. The Center of Technological Innovation in Static Converters and Drives, Technical University of Catalonia (CITCEA-UPC) group, Barcelona, Spain, has introduced such learning methods applied to the automation field in a course taught for the electrical engineering degree and in some postgraduate workshops, making the laboratory platforms available through the Internet in order to allow the use of such practices in e-learning-based courses. The learning method is based on a flexible manufacturing ceil, resulting from the collaboration between the CITCEA-UPC and Schneider Electric and its Training Center. The problem proposed to the students is the automation of such a cell with commercial programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The experience has proved to be positive, and the students have valued it accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]