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- O projeto MySafeWater no ISELPublication . Barreiros, Ana Maria; Silva, Hugo; Matos, Manuel; Gonçalves Cavaco Mendes, Mário José; Monge, Nuno; Sousa, Ana Catarina; Costa, AlexandraO projeto MySafeWater pretendeu promover os objetivos nacionais e europeus, em matéria de Ambiente, no que se refere essencialmente à promoção do “consumo da água da torneira como forma ambientalmente sustentável de consumo, prevenindo a produção de resíduos e diminuindo a pegada ecológica”, através da informação e da conscientização do papel dos cidadãos na promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável em aspetos como a qualidade da água para consumo humano, abrangendo a participação ativa do público e pela sensibilização ambiental e a participação passiva do público.
- Design, control, and testing of a multifunctional soft robotic GripperPublication . Correia, A.; Charters De Azevedo, Tiago; Leite, Afonso; Campos, Francisco M.; Monge, Nuno; Rocha, André; Mendes, Mário J. G. C.This paper proposes a multifunctional soft robotic gripper for a Dobot robot to handle sensitive products. The gripper is based on pneumatic network (PneuNet) bending actuators. In this study, two different models of PneuNet actuators have been studied, designed, simulated, experimentally tested, and validated using two different techniques (3D printing and molding) and three different materials: FilaFlex 60A (3D-printed), Elastosil M4601, and Dragonskin Fast 10 silicones (with molds). A new soft gripper design for the Dobot robot is presented, and a new design/production approach with molds is proposed to obtain the gripper’s PneuNet multifunctional actuators. It also describes a new control approach that is used to control the PneuNet actuators and gripper function, using compressed air generated by a small compressor/air pump, a pressure sensor, a mini valve, etc., and executing on a low-cost controller board—Arduino UNO. This paper presents the main simulation and experimental results of this research study.
- A glance at antimicrobial strategies to prevent catheter-associated medical infectionsPublication . Ricardo, Susana I. C.; Anjos, Inês I. L.; Monge, Nuno; Faustino, Célia M. C.; Ribeiro, Isabel A. C.Urinary and intravascular catheters are two of the most used invasive medical devices; however, microbial colonization of catheter surfaces is responsible for most healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Several antimicrobial-coated catheters are available, but recurrent antibiotic therapy can decrease their potential activity against resistant bacterial strains. The aim of this Review is to question the actual effectiveness of currently used (coated) catheters and describe the progress and promise of alternative antimicrobial coatings. Different strategies have been reviewed with the common goal of preventing biofilm formation on catheters, including release-based approaches using antibiotics, antiseptics, nitric oxide, 5-fluorouracil, and silver as well as contact-killing approaches employing quaternary ammonium compounds, chitosan, antimicrobial peptides, and enzymes. All of these strategies have given proof of antimicrobial efficacy by modifying the physiology of pathogens or disrupting their structural integrity. The aim for synergistic approaches using multitarget processes and the combination of both antifouling and bactericidal properties holds potential for the near future. Despite intensive research in biofilm preventive strategies, laboratorial studies still present some limitations since experimental conditions usually are not the same and also differ from biological conditions encountered when the catheter is inserted in the human body. Consequently, in most cases, the efficacy data obtained from in vitro studies is not properly reflected in the clinical setting. Thus, further well-designed clinical trials and additional cytotoxicity studies are needed to prove the efficacy and safety of the developed antimicrobial strategies in the prevention of biofilm formation at catheter surfaces.
- A scope at antifouling strategies to prevent catheter-associated infectionsPublication . Faustino, Célia M.C.; Lemos, Sara M.C.; Monge, Nuno; Ribeiro, Isabel A.C.The use of invasive medical devices is becoming more common nowadays, with catheters representing one of the most used medical devices. However, there is a risk of infection associated with the use of these devices, since they are made of materials that are prone to bacterial adhesion with biofilm formation, often requiring catheter removal as the only therapeutic option. Catheter-related urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and central lineassociated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are among the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) worldwide while endotracheal intubation is responsible for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Therefore, to avoid the use of biocides due to the potential risk of bacterial resistance development, antifouling strategies aiming at the prevention of bacterial adherence and colonization of catheter surfaces represent important alternative measures. This review is focused on the main strategies that are able to modify the physical or chemical properties of biomaterials, leading to the creation of antiadhesive surfaces. The most promising approaches include coating the surfaces with hydrophilic polymers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(acrylamide) and poly(acrylates), betaine-based zwitterionic polymers and amphiphilic polymers or the use of bulk-modified poly(urethanes). Natural polysaccharides and association with polysaccharides, namely with heparin, have also been used to improve hemocompatibility. Recently developed bioinspired techniques yielding very promising results in the prevention of bacterial adhesion and colonization of surfaces include slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) based on the superhydrophilic rim of the pitcher plant and the Sharklet topography inspired by the shark skin, which are potential candidates as surface-modifying approaches for biomedical devices. Concerning the potential application of most of these strategies in catheters, more in vivo studies and clinical trials are needed to assure their efficacy and safety for possible future use.
- Mind the microgap in iridescent cellulose nanocrystal filmsPublication . Fernandes, Susete; Almeida, Pedro L.; Monge, Nuno; Aguirre, Luís E.; Reis, Dennys; Oliveira, Cristiano; Neto, António M. F.; Pieranski, Pawel; Godinho, Maria Helena
- MySafeFiller adaptador para o enchimento de garrafas de água impresso em 3DPublication . Monge, Nuno; Matos, M.; Sousa, Ana Catarina; Barreiros, Ana Maria; Gonçalves Cavaco Mendes, Mário José; Costa, Alexandra; Silva, HugoO MySafeFiller facilita o enchimento de todo o tipo garrafas de água reutilizáveis, com diferentes diâmetros de bocais e diferentes tamanhos, em qualquer torneira de abastecimento de água potável, bebedouro público ou dispensador de água, permite encher a garrafa inclinada sem esta encostar à torneira e sem verter água. Além disso, evita a contaminação do local de abastecimento pelo contacto com o bocal de uma garrafa, e do bocal da garrafa pelo contacto com o local de abastecimento, torneira de abastecimento de água potável, bebedouro público ou dispensador de água.
- Medidas para poupança de água – abordagens concretas implementadas no ISEL através do projeto de sustentabilidade MySafeWaterPublication . Matos, Manuel; Monge, Nuno; Gonçalves Cavaco Mendes, Mário José; Sousa, Ana Catarina; Silva, Hugo; Costa, Alexandra; Barreiros, Ana MariaO Projeto MySafeWater pretendeu fomentar o uso eficiente da água através de ações concretas para uma melhor gestão dos recursos hídricos numa escola do Ensino Superior, prevenindo a produção de resíduos, diminuído a pegada ecológica. Tendo por base os objetivos, este projeto assentou em três grandes eixos de atuação que serão descritos em detalhe na comunicação a apresentar e resumidamente descritos de seguida.