On November 21, 2024, as part of the celebration of World Philosophy Day, Mem Martins Secondary School held a lecture dedicated to the intersection between Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence. The event, led by Professor Pedro Santa Rosa, brought together around 60 secondary school students and teachers from different areas. The lecture featured a speech by Professor Pedro Santa Rosa entitled "Threshold: Technique and Post-Humanism - Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence", followed by a presentation by Professor Nuno Datia (DEETC/ISEL), entitled "Artificial Intelligence: fascination or threat?". Participants had the opportunity to explore critical perspectives on the impact of artificial intelligence on contemporary society, reflecting on the ethical and philosophical challenges of this emerging technology.   Imagem: Nuna Datia    

As part of the Curricular Unit of Construction Materials Technology I, integrated into the Degree in Civil Engineering (LEC), ISEL students carried out a technical visit to the Obra dos Peixinhos carried out by the company NVE Engenharia e Construção. The visit to the buildings of the Obra dos Peixinhos Phase 1/2 condominium, located in the Graça neighborhood, in Lisbon, took place on November 13th and was accompanied by professor Maria Idália Gomes (DEC/ISEL). The visit guidance was led by engineers Luís Correia and Luana Dantas and André, alumni of LEC.

As part of the Chemical and Biological Reactors discipline, part of the Degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering (LEQB) course, ISEL students participated in a visit to the facilities of the company Synthomer. The main objective of this visit was to provide students with direct contact with the production process and operation of the manufacturing unit. The activity included a classroom presentation on the production process, followed by a guided tour of Synthomer's manufacturing facilities and laboratories. The visit to the factory took place on October 8, 2024, and the students were accompanied by professor JJaime Puna (DEQ/ISEL), José Palmeira (DEQ/ISEL), Luís Minhalma (DEQ/ISEL) and Ana Sofia Figueiredo (DEQ/ISEL).  

ISEL has signed a collaboration agreement with Bet Solar, aiming to create a space dedicated to the demonstration and testing of sustainable technologies. The main objective of this agreement is to support the practical training of students and promote the use of renewable energy solutions. Under this agreement, the “Bet Solar Laboratory” will be created, located in ISEL’s Building E, where various equipment provided by the partner company will be demonstrated and tested. The devices provided include solar panels, inverters and batteries, allowing students to gain practical experience with cutting-edge technologies. This agreement stands out for its impact on the training of qualified professionals and the promotion of sustainable technologies, allowing ISEL students direct access to real-world equipment and practices. The partnership between Bet Solar and ISEL reflects the commitment of both institutions to promote the development of technical skills and innovation in the renewable energy sector, thus strengthening the sustainability ecosystem in Portugal.

In the 8th edition of TecStorm, the BAMN - Bistable Auxetic Materials (for the) Neck team, formed by ISEL students, won second place in the Health 4.0 category with a promising project. The event, known as the country's main technological competition, stands out for promoting young entrepreneurship and the development of innovative ideas with the potential to transform society. TecStorm took place at the Champalimaud Foundation, in Lisbon, on the 19th, 20th and 21st of April. For 24 hours, the BAMN team had the opportunity to explore their idea: an emergency medical neck brace using auxetic materials. For the members of the team, made up of students Beatriz Costa and Mariana Neto from the 2nd year of the Degree in Biomedical Engineering at ISEL, together with the student Guilherme Santos from the 2nd year of the Degree in Software Development and Applications at ISCTE, this experience was deeply enriching. Through collaboration and knowledge exchange, they learned valuable lessons that they intend to apply in the future. They see this achievement as the beginning of a promising journey. The team was supported, from conception to creation of the project, by professors Tiago Charters de Azevedo (DM/ISEL and Oficina Digital do ISEL), Nuno Costa and Joana Silvestre, and this support was fundamental in the development process. Students and teachers congratulate the entire Junitec team for the initiative. Images: Beatriz Costa e Mariana Neto

The closing event of the CUSTODIAN project, in which ISEL participated, took place on April 23rd at TERINOV - Terceira Island Science and Technology Park, in Angra do Heroísmo, Azores. Within the scope of this project, in which the group of teachers Future Internet Technologies (DEETC/ISEL) participated, with Professor Carlos Mendes as the responsible researcher, an innovative system was developed that allows fishing vessels or a system placed on land to receive, at all times, the location of fishing gear, as well as receiving personalized warnings and alerts about equipment position drifts and sea conditions. It also allows the exchange of bidirectional land-sea messages, thus making up for the lack of connectivity between fishermen and land using classic mobile communications, which occurs at moderate distances from the coast. Standing out for its impact and innovation in the field of environmental sustainability, CUSTODIAN aimed to face contemporary environmental challenges, proposing solutions and practices that aim to support fishermen and local authorities in preserving marine habitats, through, for example, enhancing reducing the loss of fishing gear, reducing the time and fuel spent on collecting or recovering them or generating alerts when entering protected areas. This project, financed by the Blue Growth Program of the EEA Grants Portugal, is the result of an international consortium led by the company SOLVIT - Innovation on Telecommunications, in partnership with the AIR Centre - Atlantic International Research Centre, LOTAÇOR - Serviço de Lotas dos Açores, S.A, the Docapesca - Portos e Lotas, S.A., ISEL, UAVision,, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and TERINOV - Science and Technology Park.     Imagens: TERINOV - Science and Technology Park