Abstract: Disclosed are an attitude estimation method, a terminal, a system and a computer-readable storage medium. For the problem of attitude and sensor bias estimation, a cascade solution method is provided. The first part of the cascade is a Kalman filter applied to an LTV system, and the second part of the cascade is a nonlinear attitude observer built in SO(3). In the estimation process, only one constant inertial reference vector needs to be measured explicitly in body-fixed coordinates, and the complexity of the attitude estimation algorithm is greatly simplified by exploiting the geometric relationship between the inertial reference vector and the Earth angular velocity vector. At the same time, the time-varying characteristics of the implemented Kalman filter help to avoid the tedious empirical gain adjustment process that often relies on sets of piecewise constant gains, to improve the convergence speed of the algorithm.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for measuring the concentration of a substance or mixture of substances and/or determining the level in a fluid with intrinsic fluorescence, preferably fuel systems. The invention also refers to the optical device suitable for implementing the method, which comprises a unit which generates light for excitation of the sample; a unit of detection of the signal emitted by the sample and a unit of signal processing. The device and method by which it is implemented also allow the determination of the spatial distribution of the substance or mixture of liquid substances and/or the fluid level in a container. One of the main applications is the measurement of the concentration of oxygen in the fuel tank of aircrafts, based on the measurement of the intrinsic fluorescence of the fuel.

Abstract: The use of porous crystalline solids constituted of a metal-organic framework (MOF) for the capture of polar volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In particular, the MOF of interest are material having an average pores sizes of 0.4 to 0.6 nm and an hydrophobic core formed by a metal oxide and/or hydroxide network connected by linkers, the linkers being selected from the group including (i) C6-C24 aromatic polycarboxylate linkers, such as benzyl or naphtyl di-, tri- or tetracarboxylate, and (ii) C6-C16 polycarboxylate aliphatic linkers; the linkers bearing or not apolar fluorinated groups, e.g. —(CF2)n—CF3 groups, n being a integer from 0 to 5, preferably 0 ou 3, and/or apolar C1-C20 preferably C1-C4 alkyl groups, e.g. —CH3 or —CH2—CH3, grafted directly to the linkers and pointing within the pores of the MOF.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process, reactor and system to produce self-standing two-dimensional nanostructures, using a microwave-excited plasma environment. The process is based on injecting, into a reactor, a mixture of gases and precursors in stream regime. The stream is subjected to a surface wave electric field, excited by the use of microwave power which is introduced into a field applicator, generating high energy density plasmas, that break the precursors into its atomic and/or molecular constituents. The system comprises a plasma reactor with a surface wave launching zone, a transient zone with a progressively increasing cross-sectional area, and a nucleation zone. The plasma reactor together with an infrared radiation source provides a controlled adjustment of the spatial gradients, of the temperature and the gas stream velocity.

Abstract: Methods and software utilizing artificial neural networks (ANNs) to estimate density and/or flow (speed) of objects in one or more scenes each captured in one or more images. In some embodiments, the ANNs and their training configured to provide reliable estimates despite one or more challenges that include but are not limited to, low-resolution images, low framerate image acquisition, high rates of object occlusions, large camera perspective, widely varying lighting conditions, and widely varying weather conditions. In some embodiments, fully convolutional networks (FCNs) are used in the ANNs. In some embodiments, a long short-term memory network (LSTM) is used with an FCN. In such embodiments, the LSTM can be connected to the FCN in a residual learning manner or in a direct connected manner. Also disclosed are methods of generating training images for training an ANN-based estimating algorithm that make training of the estimating algorithm less costly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of novel nickel complexes containing iminopyrrolyl-type ligands, having the general molecular structure (I), and to their use as active catalysts in the polymerisation reaction of ethylene to hyperbranched polyethylene. The structure of the ligand precursor is such that it allows the occurrence of a cyclometallation reaction by the activation of a C—H bond, in the coordination reaction to the metal centre, generating a C,N,N?-tridentate complex.

Abstract: Methods and software utilizing artificial neural networks (ANNs) to estimate density and/or flow (speed) of objects in one or more scenes each captured in one or more images. In some embodiments, the ANNs and their training configured to provide reliable estimates despite one or more challenges that include but are not limited to, low-resolution images, low framerate image acquisition, high rates of object occlusions, large camera perspective, widely varying lighting conditions, and widely varying weather conditions. In some embodiments, fully convolutional networks (FCNs) are used in the ANNs. In some embodiments, a long short-term memory network (LSTM) is used with an FCN. In such embodiments, the LSTM can be connected to the FCN in a residual learning manner or in a direct connected manner. Also disclosed are methods of generating training images for training an ANN-based estimating algorithm that make training of the estimating algorithm less costly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of novel nickel complexes containing iminopyrrolyl-type ligands, having the general molecular structure (I), and to their use as active catalysts in the polymerisation reaction of ethylene to hyperbranched polyethylene. The structure of the ligand precursor is such that it allows the occurrence of a cyclometallation reaction by the activation of a C—H bond, in the coordination reaction to the metal centre, generating a C,N,N?-tridentate complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the process for production of ketones from secondary alcohols by the use of a hybrid material, formed by the dichlorohydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane iron (II) complex covalently bound to multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with superficial carboxylate groups, as efficient and selective catalyst of peroxidative oxidation, microwave-assisted and without solvent addition.

Abstract: A system and method for preservation, storage and transport of biological materials by the use of at least one deformable container configured with at least one inlet at one end, an outer surface greater than 80% of the total surface of the cavities of the support and a width and length sufficient for it to be placed in contact with all the heat transfer plates of the support. The support has at least two cavities delimited by the heat transfer plates, with temperature control device, side walls and at least one main front door. The system allows improvement of the heat transfer necessary for freezing and thawing large volumes of solutions containing biological materials. It also allows to considerably accelerate the heat transfer, as well as the reproducibility and scalability of the freezing and thawing process while keeping the system very compact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air turbine capable of without change in its rotational velocity direction, efficiently absorbing the energy associated with a pressure difference between two spaces (A) and (B) of successively changing sign, as in the case of sea wave energy systems. The turbine comprises two sets of blades (I) and (II), each of which is similar to the blade system of a conventional turbine of radial-, mixed- or axial-flow type. The turbine also comprises a system of ducts that connect spaces (A) and (B) through any of the two blade sets (I) and (II). The turbine may be equipped with a fast-acting valve that stops the flow through one or both blade sets (I) and (II).

Abstract: The present invention is related to a new method to produce natural water-based glues made of two components, designed to glue lignocellulosic surfaces, mainly cork and wood. The mentioned process comprises the extraction of the aqueous phase of a mixture resulting from liquefying cork dust and/or cork granules, process that is commonly referred to as depolimerization process of cork; evaporation of the aqueous phase, therefore obtaining a first component consisting of a gel composed by the soluble components of the liquefying mixture; mixing and homogenizing of this gel with the second component that consists of a curing aliphatic compound; and, optionally, addition and mixture to “cork dust” to the previously mentioned mix.

Abstract: Signal measurement for biometric recognition purpose includes a computational unit and a sensory unit designed to measure electrocardiographic (ECG) signals in a continuous fashion, guaranteeing that the biometric recognition is performed in an uninterrupted way whenever the device is used, with the purpose of enabling the automated recognition or validation of the identity of its wearer. The sensory unit has an electronic module through which the ECG is acquired. Its operating principle can be based in the electrical conductivity, in which case it requires contact with the skin of the user, or in any kind of capacitive or mechanical element, in which case it does not require any direct contact with the user. The device can be used in alternative or as a complement to existing systems that only perform a momentary identity check. It can be applied to vehicles, tablet computers or analogous contexts.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an electrodeposition process of nickel-cobalt coatings (2), from aqueous solutions containing nickel and cobalt salts, by applying a pulsed waveform in the cathodic current range. It also refers to nickel-cobalt coatings (2), obtained by this process in a substrate (1), having a dendritic structure (4) supported by a base-layer (3) at the interface with the substrate, and being thus mechanically stable. Such nickel-cobalt coatings (2) have application in energy storage and conversion areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbine which can absorb energy from bi-directional reversing flows, as is the case of ocean wave energy converters. In the periphery of the bladed rotor (2) of the turbine there are two openings (5, 6) through which the fluid alternately enters, or exits from, the rotor, the outward flow being radially centrifugal and the inward flow being radially centripetal. The turbine stator comprises two sets of guide vanes (7, 8) for alternately directing the bi-directional reversing flow to, and from, the rotor, and two ducts (9, 12) disposed between the rotor and the guide vanes and extending radially beyond the guide vanes. Two stator arrangements are considered. In both arrangements, the inlet guide vanes deflect the inward flow and impart a circumferential swirl component in the same direction as the normal rotational direction of the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air turbine capable of without change in its rotational velocity direction, efficiently absorbing the energy associated with a pressure difference between two spaces (A) and (B) of successively changing sign, as in the case of sea wave energy systems. The turbine comprises two sets of blades (I) and (II), each of which is similar to the blade system of a conventional turbine of radial-, mixed- or axial-flow type. The turbine also comprises a system of ducts that connect spaces (A) and (B) through any of the two blade sets (I) and (II). The turbine may be equipped with a fast-acting valve that stops the flow through one or both blade sets (I) and (II).

Abstract: The present invention refers to polymeric membranes and its synthesis with combination of innovative characteristics at the level of the bi-soft segment polyurethane material and at the level of the structure as integral asymmetric membranes. The hemocompability properties—non-hemolytic, non-thrombogenic and no platelet adhesion—combined with the high fluxes of permeation of O2 and CO2 have been designed for the use of the membranes in medical equipments that involve contact with blood like extracorporeal blood oxygenators and can be further designed for hemodialysers and imunnisolation barriers.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a process for the simultaneous concentration and rectification of grape must with the retention of the volatile aromas precursors. The process consists in the integration of nanofiltration in concentration/diafiltration modes, with electrodialysis. The nanofiltration membranes exhibit selective permeation controlled by steric hindrance mechanisms and/or electrostatic interactions.

Abstract: Signal measurement for biometric recognition purpose includes a computational unit and a sensory unit designed to measure electrocardiographic (ECG) signals in a continuous fashion, guaranteeing that the biometric recognition is performed in an uninterrupted way whenever the device is used, with the purpose of enabling the automated recognition or validation of the identity of its wearer. The sensory unit has an electronic module through which the ECG is acquired. Its operating principle can be based in the electrical conductivity, in which case it requires contact with the skin of the user, or in any kind of capacitive or mechanical element, in which case it does not require any direct contact with the user. The device can be used in alternative or as a complement to existing systems that only perform a momentary identity check. It can be applied to vehicles, tablet computers or analogous contexts.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluorescent polymers soluble in an aqueous solution carrying at least 5 fluorophores which are distributed on the polymer and which exhibit the following properties: the fluorophores are water-soluble, the fluorophores are not self-associated in water at a concentration of less than or equal to 10?4 mol/l, preferably at a concentration of less than or equal to 10?3 mol/l, the fluorophores which are free in the aqueous solution have a molar extinction coefficient of greater than 1000 M?1·cm?1, preferably greater than 5000 M?1·cm?1, the fluorophores which are free in the aqueous solution have a quantum yield of greater than 0.3, preferably greater than 0.6, said polymers having a fluorescence amplification factor of greater than or equal to 0.35 per kg/mol of polymer, preferably greater than 0.45 per kg/mol of polymer.