Biblioteca Digital do IPB

Publications Repository of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança

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The Digital Library of IPB (Biblioteca Digital do IPB), promotes and provides open access to scientific literature produced by the IPB academic community, promoting integration, visibility and sharing of scientific information granting the preservation of intellectual memory of the Instituto Politécnico de Bragança.

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Recent Submissions

Learning in complexity: perspective of health sciences students after intensive and immersive training program

Publication . Delgado, Jane; Lachovicz, Rebeca; Pereira, Fernando A.; Almeida-de-Souza, Juliana; Ferro-Lebres, Vera

This chapter presents the results of a qualitative study carried out as part of the European project ECOLAH - Embracing a Complexity-Oriented Learning Approach in Health, which evaluated the health student’s perspective an intensive, immersive and co-creation training programme. The programme took place in April 2024 in The Netherlands, involving 46 students and 15 professors from five European countries. The training was structured around four interdependent thematic modules: Complex Adaptive Systems, Futures and Epistemic Literacy, Becoming in Complexity and Holding and Facilitating Environment. Data was collected using questionnaires, written reflections and observations, and analysed using qualitative methodology. The results indicate relevant transformations in the pedagogical development of competences such as empathy, critical thinking, self-reflection, self-care and collaboration. Experiential learning in an immersive environment, combined with the co-creation of content and practices, proved to be a catalyst for future literacy and transformative education. It is concluded that complexity-oriented pedagogical approaches can contribute to the training of health professionals who are more resilient, ethical and prepared to act in uncertain and dynamic contexts.

2025Book part

Open access

Learning through challenge-based innovation in a rural context: the students’ perspective

Publication . Barroso, Bárbara; Antão, Celeste; Rodrigues, Pedro M.; Costa, Cláudia S.; Barbedo, Inês

This study explores an immersive Challenge-Based Innovation experience developed in Miranda do Douro, a rural municipality in Portugal. Through interdisciplinary and multicultural student teams, the initiative promoted co-creation with local stakeholders around real-world challenges. The qualitative methodology employed a combination of evocation, symbolic representation, audiovisual reflection, and peer evaluation to capture students’ perceptions, engagement, and sense of ownership. Results revealed significant gains in autonomy, collaboration, creativity, and responsibility, particularly in culturally rooted projects such as those related to Mirandese language and music. The study also highlights the value of facilitation strategies and student appropriation in team dynamics, as well as the importance of preparatory support to improve outcomes. The UNESCO pillars of learning – learning to know, to do, to be, and to live together – provided a useful interpretive lens to assess the transformative potential of the experience. The findings support the broader adoption of challenge-based methodologies to promote innovation and engagement in higher education, particularly in rural and peripheral regions.

2025Book part

Open access

Performance of 3D-structured grinding wheels with multi-layer internal cooling channels

Publication . Costa, Sharlane; Capela, Paulina; Hassui, Amauri; Ribeiro, J.E.; Pereira, Mário; Soares, Delfim

Grinding is a key machining process in industries that demand high precision and surface quality. However, the conventional flood cooling method is often ineffective due to the air barrier formed by the rotating wheel, which restricts fluid access to the contact zone. This causes thermal instability, high coolant use, and environmental impact. To overcome these limitations, this study investigates alumina grinding wheels with internal cooling systems, fabricated by a novel additive route. Sacrificial 3D-printed polymer inserts were embedded during pressing and eliminated during sintering, enabling multilayered channels within a monolithic abrasive matrix. This represents the first practical application, with detailed method of production, of a fully embedded cooling system in vitrified grinding wheels. Two configurations, with one and three internal channel layers, were compared to a conventional wheel under external cooling. Controlled grinding tests on AISI 1045 steel were performed at varying depths of cut, and key variables such as cutting forces, force ratio, specific energy, and temperature variation (Delta T) were analyzed. The three-layer wheel showed the best performance, reducing tangential force by up to 49.3 %, force ratio by 21.3 %, specific energy by 50 %, and Delta T by 58.6 % compared to the conventional system. A detailed thermal profile enabled segmentation into cut-in, steady-state, and cut-out zones. The greatest benefit from internal cooling occurred in the steady-state region, with heating rates reduced by up to 78 %. These results confirm that the proposed additive manufacturing approach offers a scalable route to produce structured wheels with embedded channels, improving coolant application, process stability, and sustainability in high-performance grinding.

2025Journal article

Open access

Direção de obras na área das instalações elétricas de edificações: desafios e boas práticas

Publication . Marinho, Bruno Olavo Pinheiro; Soares, Orlando

As infraestruturas desempenham um papel essencial no desenvolvimento económico e na qualidade de vida das populações. O crescimento do investimento global neste setor tem conduzido a um aumento significativo do número de projetos e empreendimentos, exigindo técnicos e entidades responsáveis capazes de assegurar a sua conceção, execução e fiscalização. Neste contexto, a direção de obra assume-se como uma função central, garantindo a articulação entre os aspetos técnicos e práticos da construção. O presente relatório resulta do estágio curricular realizado na empresa Bragalux, S.A., no âmbito da obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Eletrotécnica e de Computadores. O estágio foi desenvolvido no departamento de Edificações, na especialidade de instalações elétricas, acompanhando de forma direta as funções e responsabilidades inerentes à direção de obra. Ao longo do relatório são explorados os regulamentos e legislações que regem tanto as edificações como as instalações elétricas, bem como as principais entidades envolvidas no processo de conceção e execução em Portugal. Para além disso, descrevem-se as diferentes atividades desempenhadas no âmbito da direção de obra, ilustradas com casos práticos e acompanhadas de considerações finais e boas práticas, consolidando o conhecimento adquirido. O trabalho evidencia ainda a relevância do acompanhamento contínuo da obra como ponte entre os aspetos técnicos e a realidade prática da execução, assegurando que os trabalhos decorrem em conformidade com os requisitos regulamentares, contratuais e de planeamento.

2025Master thesis

Open access

Development of cosmetic functional formulations incorporating hyaluronic acid

Publication . Silva, Thaís Rossetto Cordeiro da; Barreiro, Filomena; Echart, Arantzazu Santamaria Echart; Düsman, Elisângela

The cosmetic industry has been expanding continuously, driven by demand for innovative, sustainable, and high-performance formulations. In this context, this work aimed to develop particles composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) and Collagen type I (Col) to act as Pickering stabilisers in cosmetic emulsions. The particles were prepared using different methods (direct mixing - mix and droping - drop), with the most promising dispersions obtained after high-shear homogenisation: P_17_Mix_Ultra and P_17_Drop_Ultra. These formulations exhibited particle sizes of 12.30 ± 3.73 μm and 2.55 ± 0.08 μm, respectively. Both showed highly negative zeta potentials (–37.73 ± 1.50 mV for the mix and –37.72 ± 0.56 mV for the drop), confirming colloidal stability. Wettability tests demonstrated strong oil affinity, with contact angles of 128.30 ± 1.05° and 137.22 ± 3.20°. The drop method stood out for producing smaller, more homogeneous particles. Pickering emulsions were then prepared using sweet almond oil, Miglyol 812, and olive oil. Olive oil originated the most stable systems, and emulsions with a higher oil fraction (70:30 oil-to-aqueous ratio) presented superior stability compared to those with lower oil content. Analyses of emulsion type, colourimetry, creaming index, droplet size, microscopy, zeta potential, and rheology confirmed the better performance of olive oil-based formulations obtained by the drop method. The formulation E_70_OO_17d (drop method, olive oil, 70:30 ratio) achieved the most promising overall results, with a creaming index of 10% after 30 days, homogeneous droplets, and rheological behaviour exhibiting viscoelastic properties comparable to those of commercial products. In conclusion, HA-Col particles proved to be efficient Pickering stabilisers, enabling the development of stable emulsions. The most promising formulation, E_70_OO_17d, was particularly suitable for moisturising and anti-ageing cosmetic applications, where hyaluronic acid provides hydration and regeneration while Col enhances elasticity and repair.

2025Master thesis

Embargoed access