Abstract
In this chapter we discuss the cell-free layer (CFL) developed adjacent to the wall of microgeometries containing complex features representative of the microcirculation, such as contractions, expansions, bifurcations and confluences. The microchannels with the different geometries were made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and we use optical techniques to evaluate the cell-free layer for red blood cells (RBCs) suspensions with different hematocrit (Hct). The images are captured using a high-speed video microscopy system and the thickness of the cell-free layer was measured using both manual and automatic image analysis techniques. The results show that in in vitro microcirculation, the hematocrit and the geometrical configuration have a major impact on the CFL thickness. In particular, the thickness of the cell-free layer increases as the fluid flows through a contraction–expansion sequence and that this increase is enhanced for lower hematocrit. In contrast, the flow rates tested in these studies did not show a clear influence on the CFL thickness. © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014.

Abstract
Nowadays, entering in the highly competitive international market becomes a key strategy for the survive and sustained growth of enterprises in the Portuguese textile and footwear industrial sector. Thereby, to face new requirements, companies need to understand that technological innovation is a key issue. In this scenario, the research presented in this paper focuses on the development of a robot based conveyor line pick-and-place solution to perform an automatic collection of the shoe last. The solution developed consists of extracting the 3D model of the shoe last suport transported in the conveyor line and aligning it, using the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm, with a template model previously recorded. The Camera-Laser triangulation system was the approach selected to extract the 3D model. With the correct position and orientation estimation of the conveyor footwear, it will make possible to execute the pick-and-place task using an industrial manipulator. The practical implication of this work is that it contributes to improve the footwear production lines efficiency, in order to meet demands in shorter periods of time, and with high quality standards. This work was developed in partnership with the Portuguese company CEI by ZIPOR.

Abstract
The research work presented in this paper focuses on the development of a 3D object localization and recognition system to be used in robotics conveyor coating lines. These requirements were specified together with enterprises with small production series seeking a full robotic automation of their production line that is characterized by a wide range of products in simultaneous manufacturing. Their production process (for example heat or coating/painting treatments) limits the use of conventional identification systems attached to the object in hand. Furthermore, the mechanical structure of the conveyor introduces geometric inaccuracy in the object positioning. With the correct classification and localization of the object, the robot will be able to autonomously select the right program to execute and to perform coordinate system corrections. A cascade system performed with Support Vector Machine and the Perfect Match (point cloud geometric template matching) algorithms was developed for this purpose achieving 99.5% of accuracy. The entire recognition and pose estimation procedure is performed in a maximum time range of 3 s with standard off the shelf hardware. It is expected that this work contributes to the integration of industrial robots in highly dynamic and specialized production lines.

Abstract

Abstract
Over the last decade, impelled by the industry demand to achieve a technology capable of sending low amount of data payloads, but at the same time with a very low latency and ultra-low power consumption, several efforts in wireless network transmission standardization emerged, supporting new applications in health, sports and fitness, medical, sensor networking, and even the automotive industry field. Despite the competition from ANT+, ZigBee, Nike+, NFC and RF4CE, in 2010 the Bluetooth SIG (special interest groups) adopted a new wireless technology named Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). BLE coexist with Bluetooth in the same chip (called dual mode) therefore assuring this technology a rapid growth among smartphones, iOS, tablets, laptops and PCs. In fact, Bluetooth SIG also announced that it shall be hard to find a smartphone or tablet-PC that does not integrate BLE in the near future. Despite this accelerated growth, BLE shares the same band with Wi-Fi and all other low power technologies, so in order to achieve QoS, a mandatory requirement in many systems, tests for interference and coexistence must be performed. This study analysis the impact of a BLE sensor network on a crowded 2.4GHz room, with multiple Wi-Fi routers, ZigBee sensors and Bluetooth technology. We also compare the results with the ones obtained inside an anechoic chamber on similar experiences.

Abstract