Abstract
Advancement and opportunity in the Internet of Things (IoT) and circular economy are pushing the technologies required to develop eco-friendly memory devices, computing devices, advanced sensors, and actuators. In this manuscript, a thermally cycled lithium niobate pyroelectric crystal is used to store the surface charges in different dielectric samples (Kapton, Parafilm, and Teflon). Charge storing parameters, such as the effect of temperature ramp, the gap between the dielectric-to-pyroelectric, and the effect of charging cycles, were studied to understand the surface charge formation on dielectric samples. Pyroelectrically charged dielectrics showed a surface potential of up to 400 V, with a linear dependence on the thermal gradient of the pyroelectric crystal. The charged surface showed good charge storage uniformity and stability at high temperatures (90 degrees C) and relative humidity (>85%). Using the pyroelectrically charged dielectrics, wearable motion sensors offering output signals in the range of tens of millivolts and a digital flexible invisible memory encoding with polarity switched (positive and negative charges) electrostatic bits are demonstrated.

Abstract
A versatile, miniaturized, cost-effective, low-power wave profile and tide monitoring system, capable of long-term and scalable deployment, was developed to integrate pressure and temperature sensors in an RS485 network, for standalone operation with organized memory or real-time shared data monitoring. The pressure and temperature sensors are controlled by low-power microcontrollers, that communicate the data periodically to a datalogger, that depending on the application, store it in a removable SD card or send it to a server via Wi-Fi. The data is then analyzed to compensate for the loss in amplitude sensitivity according to the sensor's depth. The wave profile can be sampled at a maximum rate of 100 Hz, with a 1 cm resolution. The system was tested successfully in real-life conditions, in rivers Douro and Cavado, and off the coast of Viana do Castelo.

Abstract
Composites of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in the shape of braids, in combination with crystals of hydroxyapatite (HAp), were analyzed to perceive the influence of this bioceramic on both the quasi-static and viscoelastic behavior under tensile loading. Analyses involving energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allowed us to conclude that the production of a homogeneous layer of HAp on the braiding surface and the calcium/phosphate atomic ratio were comparable to those of natural bone. The maximum degradation temperature established by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed a modest decrease with the addition of HAp. By adding HAp to PVA braids, an increase in the glass transition temperature (Tg) is noticed, as demonstrated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The PVA/HAp composite braids' peaks were validated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to be in good agreement with common PVA and HAp patterns. PVA/HAp braids, a solution often used in the textile industry, showed superior overall mechanical characteristics in monotonic tensile tests. Creep and relaxation testing showed that adding HAp to the eight and six-braided yarn architectures was beneficial. By exhibiting good mechanical performance and most likely increased biological qualities that accompany conventional care for bone applications in the fracture healing field, particularly multifragmentary ones, these arrangements can be applied as a fibrous fixation system.

Abstract
The future of robotics is now trending for home servicing. Nursing homes and assistance to elder peopleare areas where robots can provide valuable help in order to improve the quality of life of those who need it most. Calling a robot,for a person of age,can be a daunting task if the voice is failing and any resort to battery operated devices failsto comply. Using a simple mechanical apparatus,such as aClick trainerfordogs, a person can call a robot by pressing thebutton of a powerless device. The high pitch sound produced by this device can be captured and tracked down in order to estimate the person’s location within a room. This paper describes a method that provides good accuracy and uses simple and low cost technology,in order to provide an efficient positional value for an assistance robot to attend its caller. The robot does not need to search for the person in aroom as it can directly travel towards the Click’s sound source.

Abstract
The sediment transport plays a major role in every aquatic ecosystem. However, the lack of instruments to monitor this process has been an obstacle to understanding its effects. We present the design of a single sensor built to measure water velocity, suspended sediment concentration and depth in situ, and how to associate the three variables to estimate and analyse sediment transport. During the laboratory calibrations, the developed instrument presented a resolution from 0.001 g/L to 0.1 g/L in the 0-12 g/L range for the measurement of suspended sediment concentration and 0.05 m/s resolution for 0-0.5 m/s range and 0.001 m/s resolution for 0.5-1 m/s range for the measurement of water velocity. The device was deployed for 6 days in an estuarine area with high sediment dynamics to evaluate its performance. During the field experiment, the sensor successfully measured the tidal cycles and consequent change of flow directions, and the suspended sediment concentration in the area. These measurements allowed to estimate water discharge and sediment transport rates during the different phases of tides, and the daily total volume of water and total amount of sediment passing through the estuary.

Abstract
The deep-sea environment still presents many challenges for systematic, comprehensive data acquisition. The current generation of SMART cables incorporates low-power sensors in long-range telecommunication cables to improve knowledge of ocean variables, aid in earthquake and tsunami warnings, and enhance coastal protection. The K2D Project seeks to expand SMART cables' capabilities by increasing the diversity of sensors along deep water cables, integrating active devices, and leveraging mobile platforms like deep-water AUVs, thereby improving spatial coverage and advancing ocean monitoring technology. This paper discusses a demonstration of these capabilities, focusing on the description of the main building blocks developed along the project, with results from a sea deployment in September 2023. © 2024 IEEE.