Abstract
A fabricated micro-mechanical sensor to assess the condition of automotive shock absorbers is presented. The monolithic sensor, measures the oil temperature, acceleration and internal pressure of the shock absorber. A dual mass accelerometer with optimized beam geometry is used for acceleration readout. In addition, a 23.1 mu m thickness square membrane and two buried resistors are used for pressure and temperature sensing respectively. The proposed miniaturized sensor can be effectively integrated with standard single- and dual-tube shock absorbers. The data acquired during normal vehicle operation can be continuously used to monitor the condition of the shock absorbers, allowing shock absorbers to be replaced before their degradation significantly reduce the comfort, performance and safety of the vehicle.

Abstract
The deployment of large mesh-type wireless networks is a challenge due to the multitude of arising issues. Perpetual operation of a network node is undoubtedly one of the major goals of any energy-aware protocol or power-efficient hardware platform. Energy harvesting has emerged as the natural way to keep small stationary hardware platforms running, even when operating continuously as network routing devices. This paper analyses solar radiation, wind and water flow as feasible energy sources that can be explored to meet the energy needs of a wireless sensor network router within the context of precision agriculture, and presents a multi-powered platform solution for wireless devices. Experimental results prove that our prototype, the MPWiNodeX, can manage simultaneously the three energy sources for charging a NiMH battery pack, resulting in an almost perpetual operation of the evaluated ZigBee network router. in addition to this, the energy scavenging techniques double up as sensors, yielding data on the amount of solar radiation, water flow and wind speed, a capability that avoids the use of specific sensors.

Abstract
Despite the benefits of precision agriculture and precision viticulture production systems, its adoption rate in the Portuguese Douro Demarcated Region remains low. One of the most demanding tasks in wine making is harvesting. Even for humans, the environment makes grape detection difficult, especially when the grapes and leaves have a similar color, which is generally the case for white grapes. In this paper, we propose a system for the detection and location, in the natural environment, of bunches of grapes in color images. The system is also able to distinguish between white and red grapes, at the same time, it calculates the location of the bunch stem. The proposed system achieved 97% and 91% correct classifications for red and white grapes, respectively.

Abstract
The rate of adoption of Precision Agriculture and Precision Viticulture production systems in the Douro Demarcated Region remains low. We believe that one way to raise it is to address challenging real-world problems whose solution offers a clear benefit to the viticulturist. For example, one of the most demanding tasks in wine making is harvesting. Even for humans, the detection of grapes in their natural environment is not always easy. White grapes are particularly difficult to detect, since their color is similar to that of the leafs. Here we present a low cost system for the detection of white grapes in natural environment color images. The system also calculates the probable location of the bunch stem and achieves 91% of correct classifications.

Abstract
Psychrometer sensors are widely used for monitoring greenhouse air humidity because of its simplicity, low cost and accuracy. For proper operation the wick, which is immersed in a water reservoir, must maintain a continuous supply of water to the wet bulb temperature sensor. This implies the need to refill periodically the water reservoirs, which is the major limitation of these sensors. To avoid this problem an electronic psychrometric sensor was developed. A microcontroller is used to read the wet and dry bulbs temperatures and compute the vapor pressure and relative humidity. In addition, it controls a micro heat pump to supply continuously water to the reservoir.

Abstract
This paper presents the design and development of a prototype sensor unit for implementation in a long-term glucose monitoring system suitable for estimating glucose levels in people suffering from diabetes mellitus. The system utilizes osmotic pressure as the sensing mechanism and consists of a sensor prototype that is integrated together with a pre-amplifier and data acquisition unit for both data recording and processing. The sensor prototype is based on an embedded silicon absolute pressure transducer and a semipermeable nanoporous membrane that is enclosed in the sensor housing. The glucose monitoring system facilitates the integration of a low power microcontroller that is combined with a wireless inductive powered communication link. Experimental verification have proven that the system is capable of tracking osmotic pressure changes using albumin as a model compound, and thereby show a proof of concept for novel long term tracking of blood glucose from remote sensor nodes. © 2011 IFSA.