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The 5G wireless systems bring the new concept of the Internet of Everything, emerging trends that include new services and the recent revolution in smart wearable devices. In the systems for on-body applications, the antennas have been challenging because they are conventionally built on rigid substrates. However, embedding antennas into clothing allows expanding the interaction of the user with some electronic devices. This paper presents the design of a single patch and MIMO textile antennas, operating at 5.8 GHz. The performance of both textile antennas was tested and the reproducibility of the manufacturing technique was analyzed.

The Wool Museum, located in Covilhã, was founded in 1992 and has kept a close relationship with archaeology since then. The 18th Century Dye-House structures of the Royal Textile Factory were exposed in 1975 and with their discovery began an important project for conservation and safeguarding, which played an important role in Portuguese Industrial Archaeology. In view of its mission to publicize the textile industry and heritage, an extensive program with public activities has been developed over the years, such as workshops, lectures, and temporary exhibitions. However, these activities were mainly focused on wool manufacture and textile tradition. Considering the limited events related to archaeology, in 2019 began a project to introduce the archeological theme in the museum activities plan

Knowledge of the electromagnetic properties of textile materials is crucial in order to design wearable antennas. Despite the growth of research studies on textile antennas, the accurate characterization of the dielectric properties of the materials is still a challenge due to the intrinsic inhomogeneity and deformability of textiles. In this work, 11 textile materials were characterized using the resonator-based experimental technique. The results obtained using this method have shown that when positioning the roughest face of the Material Under Test (MUT) in contact with the resonator board, the extracted dielectric constant (ɛ r) value is lower than the one extracted with this face positioned upside-down. Based on this observation, superficial properties of textiles were investigated. Thus, this paper relates the results of the dielectric characterization to some structural parameters of textiles, such as surface roughness and surface and bulk porosity. The results show that both surface roughness and surface porosity of the samples influence the measurements, through the positioning of the probes. Further, the influence of the positioning of the dielectric material on the performance of textile microstrip antennas was analyzed. For this, 12 prototypes of microstrip patch antennas were developed and tested. The results show that, despite the differences obtained in the characterization when placing the face or reverse-sides of the MUT in contact with the resonator board, the obtained average result of ɛ r is well suited to design antennas, ensuring a good performance.

The accurate characterisation of textile materials to be used as a dielectric substrate in wearable systems is fundamental. However, little information can be found on the electromagnetic properties of regular textiles. Woven, knits and non-wovens are inhomogeneous, highly porous, compressible and easily influenced by the environmental hygrometric conditions, making their electromagnetic characterisation difficult. For these reasons, there is no standard method to measure the dielectric properties of textiles. This chapter presents a survey on the evolution of flexible antennas and the textile materials used to manufacture them. Besides, it gives an overview of several methods used to characterise the permittivity of textile materials. Furthermore, it presents and applies a resonator-based experimental technique to characterise textile materials. This experimental technique is based on the theory of resonant methods and consists in calculating the electromagnetic parameters of the material under test (MUT), at a single frequency, by measuring the shift in frequency and the value of Q-factor of one resonator board with a microstrip patch antenna. To validate the experimental characterisation method, four textile antennas have been designed to resonate in the 2.45 GHz ISM band. This bandwidth (BW) also supports the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Bluetooth and Short Range Communication Systems (SRCS) applications. All antennas operated in the targeted frequency band and showed excellent agreement between simulated and measured parameters, supporting the validation of this method. The resonator-based experimental technique proved to be an efficient, simple, easy and fast technique for the characterisation of electromagnetic propertiesof textile materials for the development of wearable antennas and body-centric communication.

[Introduction]: Intestinal microbiota is arising as a new element in the physiopathology of cardiovascular diseases. A healthy microbiota includes a balanced representation of bacteria with health promotion functions (symbiotes). The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between intestinal microbiota composition and arterial stiffness. [Methods and analysis]: An observational case—control study will be developed. Cases will be defined by the presence of at least one of the following: carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI), brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (ba or ba-PWV) above the 90th percentile, for age and sex, of the reference population. Controls will be selected from the same population as cases. The study will be developed in Primary Healthcare Centres. We will select 500 subjects (250 cases and 250 controls), between 45 and 74 years of age. Cases will be selected from a database that combines data from EVA study (Spain) and Guimarães/Vizela study (Portugal). Measurements: cf-PWV will be measured using the SphygmoCor system, CAVI, ba-PWV and Ankle-Brachial Index will be determined using VaSera device. Gut microbiome composition in faecal samples will be determined by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Lifestyle will be assessed by food frequency questionnaire, adherence to the Mediterranean diet and IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire). Body composition will be evaluated by bioimpedance. [Ethics and dissemination]: The study has been approved by ‘Committee of ethics of research with medicines of the health area of Salamanca’ on 14 December 2018 (cod. 2018-11-136) and the ’Ethics committee for health of Guimaraes’ (Portugal) on 15 October 2019 (ref: 67/2019).All study participants will sign an informed consent form agreeing to participate in the study, in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the WHO standards for observational studies. The results of this study will allow a better description of gut microbiota in patients with arterial stiffness., The project has been funded by the Carlos III Health Institute (Spain) through the Network of preventive activities and health promotion (redIAPP, RD16/0007), co-financed with European funds for regional development (FEDER) and the Autonomous Government of Castilla y León (GRS 1820/B/18; GRS 1944/B/19 and intensification programme).

Externally bonded composites reinforced with high-strength fibers are increasingly popular in construction, especially in structures’ strengthening, where the best possible mechanical properties are required. At the same time the ability to autodetect threats is one of the most desirable features of contemporary structures. The authors of the paper have developed an intelligent fabric, wherein the carbon fibers play the role of not only tensile reinforcement but also strain sensor. The idea is based on the construction of the strain gauge, where the thread of carbon fibers arranged in zig-zag pattern works as electrical conductor and is insulated by parallel thread of glass or acrylic fibers. Preliminary laboratory tests were designed to create effective measurement techniques and assess the effectiveness of the strengthening of selected building structures, as reinforced concrete and timber beams. Presented in the paper, selected results of these studies are very promising, although there were some noted problems to be considered in next steps. The main problem here is the control of the cross section of the fibers tow, affecting the total resistance of the fabric. One of the main deficiencies of the proposed solution is also sensitivity to moisture.

The exponential growth in the wearable market is boosting the industrialization process of manufacturing textile antennas. The patch of the printed antennas can be easily cut, embroidered or screen printed by machines. The conception of an optimal industrial substrate that meets all the mechanical and electromagnetic requirements is still a challenge. This paper presents a printed textile antenna for ISM band using a continuous Substrate Integrating the Ground Plane (SIGP). The SIGP is a novel textile material, which is a double fabric that integrates the dielectric substrate and the conductive ground plane in a single textile.

This paper presents a study of the electrical and mechanical behavior of several continuous carbon fibers epoxy composites for both strengthening and monitoring of structures. In these composites, the arrangement of fibers was deliberately diversified to test and understand the ability of the composites for self-sensing low strains. Composites with different arrangements of fibers and textile weaves, mainly unidirectional continuous carbon reinforced composites, were tested at the dynamometer. A two-probe method was considered to measure the relative electrical resistance of these composites during loading. The measured relative electrical resistance includes volume and contact electrical resistances. For all tested specimens, it increases with an increase in tensile strain, at low strain values. This is explained by the improved alignment of fibers and resulting reduction of the number of possible contacts between fibers during loading, increasing as a consequence the contact electrical resistance of the composite. Laboratory tests on strengthening of structural elements were also performed, making hand-made composites by the "wet process", which is commonly used in civil engineering for the strengthening of all types of structures in-situ. Results show that the woven epoxy composite, used for strengthening of concrete elements is also able to sense low deformations, below 1%. Moreover, results clearly show that this textile sensor also improves the mechanical work of the strengthened structural elements, increasing their bearing capacity. Finally, the set of obtained results supports the concept of a textile fabric capable of both structural upgrade and self-monitoring of structures, especially large structures of difficult access and needing constant, sometimes very expensive, health monitoring.

Acreditando que a forte heranca industrial e a experiencia da Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI) no ensino da engenharia textil permitem alavancar a formacao em design de moda tornando-a sustentavel e unica no Pais, este artigo apresenta algumas actividades estrategicamente dinamizadas, nomeadamente a dinâmica do MOVE - Mostra Anual de trabalhos academicos e o workshop “ADN de Marca”, e as suas contribuicoes para a consolidacao da licenciatura em design de moda da UBI. Este artigo analisa como a afirmacao desta proposta educativa no panorama nacional portugues, altamente concorrido, assentou na afirmacao da sua identidade singular, alavancada numa forte heranca tecnologica textil e indica perspectivas futuras de prosseguimento da consolidacao e seu reconhecimento nacional e internacional.

This paper describes the influence of the laminating technique normally used to produce printed textile antennas on their return loss (S 11 ) parameter. The cutting technique and the use of steam on the ironing process of conductive fabrics are considered. The surface roughness and superficial porosity of dielectric materials are analyzed. This paper concludes that despite the unwanted compression applied on the laminating process, the technique is well suited to fabricated printed antennas.

This paper presents results of mechanical tests on a prototype of an innovative structural strengthening in form of self-monitoring fabric. Smart textile employs carbon fibers conductivity for measuring strains while monitoring changes of electric resistance under increasing load. A general solution was tested in a series of calibrating tests on strengthening of small size concrete slabs. Promising results of simple specimen, has encouraged the research team to perform the next tests using mastered carbon fibre reinforced fabric. Main tests were performed on natural scale RC beam. Smart textile proved its efficiency in both: strengthening and monitoring of strains during load increase. New strengthening proposal was given 10% increase of loading capacity and the readings of strain changes were similar to those obtained in classical methods. In order to calibrate the prototype and to define range limits of solution usability, textile sensor was tested in areas of large deformations (timber beam) and aswell as very small strains (bridge bearing block). In both cases, the prototype demonstrated excellent performance in the range of importance for structural engineering. This paper also presents an example of use of the smart strengthening in situ, in a real life conditions.

In the context of Wireless Body Sensor Networks for healthcare and pervasive applications, textile antennas allow an ubiquitous monitoring, communication, energy harvesting and storage. This paper presents a smart coat with a dual-band textile antenna for Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvesting, operating at GSM 900 and DSC 1800 bands, which is fully embedded in the garment. Results obtained before and after the integration of the antenna into the garment are compared. The gain obtained in the simulation is about 1.8 dBi and 2.06 dBi, with radiation efficiency of 82% and 77,6% for the lowest and highest operating frequency bands, respectively. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

A wideband half-mode substrate-integrated-waveguide cavity-backed slot antenna covering all Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) radio bands (5.15-5.85 GHz) is designed, fabricated, and validated. By a half-mode implementation of a multimoded cavity with nonresonant slot, a compact ultrawideband antenna is obtained with very stable radiation characteristics, owing to the excellent antenna/platform isolation. Cork material is applied as antenna substrate, making the proposed antenna suitable for integration into floors or walls. In free-space conditions, an impedance bandwidth of 1.30 GHz (23.7%), a radiation efficiency of 85%, a front-to-back ratio of 15.0 dB, and a maximum gain of 4.3 dBi at 5.50 GHz are measured. Performance is also validated when the antenna is deployed on various dielectric or conducting platforms and underneath different dielectric superstrates. Only the latter slightly detunes the antenna's impedance bandwidth. Yet, the complete frequency band of interest remains covered, owing to additional design margins incorporated in the requirements. Its compactness, unobtrusive integration potential, and stable high performance in different environments make this antenna topology an ideal candidate for Internet of Things applications.

In the context of Wireless Body Sensor Networks (WBSN) for healthcare and pervasive applications, the wearable antennas offer the possibility of ubiquitous monitoring, communication, energy harvesting and storage. Textile antennas are the link for a non-invasive integration of communication equipment and sensors, boosting the garment as an interface that extends the communication system. The integration of electronic devices on clothing begs the question about how to feed them. The batteries are an obvious choice, but they are bulk, require frequent replacement or recharging and their finite lifetime has become a major ecological concern over the past years. Therefore, energy harvesting holds a promising future in the next generation of WBSN, where it will be possible to feed all its nodes without the need of replacement of batteries, thus creating auto-sustainable systems. Nowadays, as radio frequency energy is currently broadcasted from billions of radio transmitters (e.g. mobile communications and television/radio stations) it can be collected from the ambient. Responding to this context, this paper presents a smart coat with an embedded dual-band textile antenna for electromagnetic energy harvesting, operating at GSM 900 and DSC 1800 bands. The results obtained before and after the integration of the antenna into the garment are compared. Also, the influence of the user’s body in the antenna performance is analyzed. In free-space measurements this antenna shows 2dBi gain and efficiency 80%. The integration of textile antennas into smart clothing emerges as a particularly interesting solution when the replacement of batteries is not easy to practice.

The substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) is an emergent technology that allows the fabrication of millimeter and microwave components and subsystems with the advantages of conventional metal waveguides, but being lighter and of easy integration of planar components and circuits . SIW is normally produced by creating rows of metallized holes using conductive cylinders or slots, which are embedded in the dielectric substrate and connect the two parallel metal plates. Some authors have presented the integration of SIW technology in new materials, such as textiles, for the fabrication of microwave components. In these works the metallized holes are made with rigid brass eyelets which already provide some flexibility, very important for further integration of the SIW components into garments. Taking this into account this paper presents the state of art about developing flexible SIW namely on textile substrates. Then, conductive materials, as for instance threads, tapes and knit strings are applied through handmade techniques to produce SIW in transmission lines. The results are then compared to transmission lines with SIW made with brass eyelet. Then, SIW antennas were also developed. All developed SIW probes were tested with a Vector Network Analyzer to measure the S11 and S21 parameters. The obtained results prove that the use of conductive threads through embroidery technique allows the implementation of more flexible SIW in textile substrates, with similar efficiency to the ones made with rigid eyelets currently in use. This technique can thus create new possibilities for the development of SIW textile antennas and components.

The vulva-vaginal infections are common in women. The textile materials, used in underwear and absorbent hygiene products, are identified as risk factors, but their influence on the emergence of these infections is not yet clear. Bacterial adhesion is associated with persistence of microorganisms in the material that is related to the recurrence of infections. This paper is an initial attempt for the elucidation of these questions. Some of the main features involved in this phenomenon are identified and characterized.

The structure of spunbonded nonwovens is characterized by a filament orientation distribution function that is a length-weighted density. This density was defined according to the `Equivalent Pore Model' and was experimentally determined by an optical method. The method permits a description of the anisotropy and the main direction of the fibrous network on both faces of the webs. Despite the lesser thickness, the spunbonded nonwovens presented a different organization of the filaments on the two faces. The conveyor face was more anisotropic than the upper one. The filament lay down process in the Perfobond technology was analyzed. The combined action of the velocities of the filaments, of the belt and of the air suction, influenced the structure, causing two important effects: a rotation of the filaments and a shear stress. The air suction velocity appears to be the most important variable, which controls the action of the belt.

Objective: To analyze the reliability and validity of Pulse Wave Analysis determined with the new wrist-worn tonometry. Methods: Cross sectional study including 254 subjects. Aged 51.9±13.4, being women 53%. Main measurements: Peripheral AIx (PAIx) and Central AIx (CAIx) by wrist-worn tonometry and Sphygmocor. Carotid femoral (cf) pulse wave velocity (PWV) by Sphygmocor, Cardio Anckle Vascular index (CAVI), anckle brachial index (ABI) and brachial anckle (ba) PWV by Vasera device. Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) by ultrasonography. Results: Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) intraobserver for the PAIx was 0.886 (95% CI 0.803 to 0.934) and for the CAIx 0.943 (0.901 to 0.968) with a Bland Almant agreement limit of −0.75 (−23.8 to 21.8) and 0.08 (−15.7 to 15.9) respectively. ICC interobserver for PAIx was 0.952 (95% CI 0.915 to 0.972) and CAIx 0.893 (0.811 to 0.939) with an agreement limit of −0.45 (−13.7 to 12.8) and 0.43 (−17.7 to 1835) respectively. We found, compared with Sphygmocor, an ICC of 0.849 (0.798 to 0.887) for PAIx, and 0.783 (0.711 to 0.838) for CAIx. The agreement limit for PAIx was −1.03 (−22.73 to 20.67) and CAIx 2.14 (−20.50 to 24.79). We found positive correlation with PAIx, CAIx and CAIx HR75 by Aurora with age, CAVI, ABI, baPWV, cfPWV, IMT and cardiovascular risk and negative with glomerular filtration rate. Conclusions: The wrist-worn tonometry shows an adequate reliability intra and interobserver, and interdevice when compared to Sphygmocor, and an adequate validity when compared with other measures that evaluate arterial stiffness, target organ damage and cardiovascular risk.

Field trials have been performed in Covilha to identify the spectrum opportunities for radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting through power density measurements from 350 MHz to 3 GHz. Based on the identification of the most promising opportunities, a dual-band printed antenna was conceived, operating at GSM bands (900/1800), with gains of 1.8 and 2.06 dBi, and efficiency varying from 77.6 to 82%, for the highest and lowest operating frequency bands, respectively. In this paper, guidelines for the design of RF energy harvesting circuits and choice of textile materials for a wearable antenna are briefly discussed. Besides, we address the development and experimental characterization of three different prototypes of a five-stage Dickson voltage multiplier (with and without impedance matching circuit) responsible for RF energy harvesting. All the three prototypes (1, 2 and 3) can power supply the sensor node for RF received powers of 2 dBm, -3 dBm and -4 dBm, and conversion efficiencies of 6, 18 and 20%, respectively.

Radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting is an emerging technology that will enable to drive the next generation of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) without the need of using batteries. In this paper, we present RF energy harvesting circuits specifically developed for GSM bands (900/1800) and a wearable dual-band antenna suitable for possible implementation within clothes for body worn applications. Besides, we address the development and experimental characterization of three different prototypes of a five-stage Dickson voltage multiplier (with match impedance circuit) responsible for harvesting the RF energy. Different printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication techniques to produce the prototypes result in different values of conversion efficiency. Therefore, we conclude that if the PCB fabrication is achieved by means of a rigorous control in the photo-positive method and chemical bath procedure applied to the PCB it allows for attaining better values for the conversion efficiency. All three prototypes (1, 2 and 3) can power supply the IRIS sensor node for RF received powers of -4 dBm, -6 dBm and -5 dBm, and conversion efficiencies of 20, 32 and 26%, respectively.

In this paper, we identify the spectrum opportunities for radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting through power density measurements from 350 MHz to 3 GHz. The field trials have been performed in Covilha by using the NAKDA-SMR spectrum analyser with a measuring antenna. Based on the identification of the most promising opportunities, a dual-band band printed antenna operating at GSM bands (900/1800) is proposed, with gains of the order 1.8-2.06 dBi and efficiency 77.6-84%. Guidelines for the design of RF energy harvesting circuits and choice of textile materials for a wearable antenna are also discussed. Besides, we address the guidelines for designing circuits to harvest energy in a scenario where a wireless body area network (WBAN) is being sustained by a TX91501 Powercasf® RF dedicated transmitter and a five-stage Dickson voltage multiplier responsible for harvesting the RF energy. The IRIS motes, considered for our WBAN scenario, can perpetually operate if the RF received power attains at least -10 dBm.

This paper presents spectrum opportunities for radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting identified through power density measurements from 350 MHz to 3 GHz. The field trials have been performed in two different cities (Covilha and Lisbon), by using the NARDA-SMR spectrum analyser with measuring antenna, and the Signal Hound spectrum analysers, respectively. The scope of our research considers RF energy harvesting devices, enabling to convert RF energy to direct current (DC), providing an alternative source to power supply wireless sensor network (WSN) devices. Printed antennas, able to operate at GSM (900/1800) bands, are proposed with gains of the order of 1.8-2.06 dBi and efficiency 77.6-84%. Guidelines for the choice of textile materials for a wearable antenna are also provided.

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Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia e Gestão Industrial Com a introdução de novas leis no âmbito da gestão de Resíduos de Equipamentos Eléctricos e Electrónicos são esperadas mudanças significativas nesta área. Na gestão de Resíduos de Equipamentos Eléctricos e Electrónicos vários critérios de decisão devem ser considerados. O principal objectivo deste estudo é apoiar a gestão de um Sistema de Gestão de Resíduos de Equipamentos Eléctricos e Electrónicos, através do desenvolvimento de dois modelos de gestão de Resíduos de Equipamentos Eléctricos e Electrónicos entre Centros de Recepção e Unidades de Tratamento e Valorização, duas entidades do Sistema de Gestão de Resíduos de Equipamentos Eléctricos e Electrónicos. Os modelos desenvolvidos têm por base o mesmo modelo conceptual, diferindo apenas na função objectivo. Pretendeu-se estudar dois critérios de gestão, um critério económico, relativo a um modelo de minimização do custo de gestão e um critério ambiental, associado a um modelo de minimização da distância percorrida no transporte dos resíduos. Os modelos seleccionam o cenário de transporte a adoptar, ou seja, definem os tipos de fluxo de Resíduos de Equipamentos Eléctricos e Electrónicos a combinar no armazenamento e transporte, e as Unidades de Tratamento e Valorização de destino para cada combinação de tipos de fluxo, de acordo com as respectivas funções objectivo. A análise de resultados permitiu concluir que o modelo de minimização do custo resultou numa diminuição do custo anual de gestão e num aumento da distância percorrida no transporte de Resíduos de Equipamentos Eléctricos e Electrónicos entre os Centros de Recepção e as Unidades de Tratamento e Valorização, relativamente ao modelo de gestão actualmente praticado. O modelo de minimização da distância conduziu a uma diminuição bastante significativa da distância percorrida e a um aumento do custo de gestão. A selecção do modelo a adoptar irá depender da política de gestão considerada

In low risk pregnancies, the continuous monitoring of the foetal health is based on traditional protocols for counting the foetal movements felt by the mother. Although the maternal perception is a relevant characteristic for the evaluation of the foetal health, this kind of monitoring is hard to accomplish and being subjective can induce into errors due to mother’s anxiety and lack of concentration. Furthermore, the majority of foetal fatalities occur during the last weeks of low risk pregnancies. Therefore, it is important to obtain a universal electronic obstetric tracing, allowing for the identification of sudden changes in the foetus health, by continuously monitoring the foetus movements. The Smart-Clothing project aim has been the development of easy-to-wear belts with a telemedicine system for this purpose. One of the tried solutions is the Flex sensor belt system, which guarantees real-time and continuous foetal monitoring while creating effective interfaces for querying sensor data and store all the medical record (which can later be accessed by health professionals). Another developed belt has piezoelectric sensors incorporated onto it. The piezoelectric sensor belt has shown a high capacity to detect foetal movements, isolating them from external interferences.

e12520 Background: Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has turned HIV infection into a complex chronic disease. There has been a progressive shift in the cancer spectrum from AIDS-defining ca...