The 9th edition of the Young Engineers Forum in Electrical and Computer Engineering (YEF-ECE 2025) took place on July 4th and featured a strong representation from ISEL. This international event, dedicated to the dissemination of research work developed by master's and doctoral students in the fields of electrical and computer engineering, hosted numerous high-quality presentations, where ISEL students distinguished themselves for their technical rigor, innovation, and communication skills.ISEL was represented by more than a dozen presentations from the MEET, MEIC, MEIM, MEB, MEE and LEETC programs, contributing to a particularly enriching day in terms of scientific discussion and knowledge sharing.One of the highlights was the presentation by Gonçalo Galvão, a former student of the ISEL Master's in Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering (MEET) and current doctoral student, who presented the paper entitled "Integration of Visible Light Communication and Deep Reinforcement Learning to Enhance Urban Traffic Management." The presentation stood out for highlighting the continuity, maturity, and quality of the research initiated at ISEL, reflecting the institution's commitment to advanced training and technological innovation.Also noteworthy is the participation of the following finalist students, who presented papers of recognized merit:Eduardo Marcelo Serra (MEET) – Design of a Multichannel Biosensor based on Directional CouplersMarco Costa Pinto (MEET) – Smart Object Detector System for Visually ImpairedErnesto Velazquez (MEET) – Design of a 2x2 Programmable Matrix of Silicon Photonic Switches based on Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Structures using the Thermo-Optic EffectRuben Azevedo (MEET) – Low-Power IoT Seismic Detection with Machine Learning IntegrationAfonso Gaspar (LEETC) - Decoding Algorithms for Urban Traffic Management System supported by Visible Light CommunicationAntónio Carvalho (MEIC) - Fast Semantic Segmentation of Medical ImagesJoão Silva (MEIC) - A Unified Communication Architecture for Smart Locker Networks and Mobile AccessLetícia Lucas (MEIM) - Cross-Device Platform for Collaborative and Immersive Experiences in Mixed RealityTiago Gonçalves (MEIM) - Continuous Sign Language Recognition through Transformers and MediaPipe LandmarksTiago Silva (MEIM) - Red Light Running Detection Using AI-Powered Object Tracking on Embedded SystemsBruna Alves (MEB) - A Wearable IoT-Based System for Gait Cycle Duration and Symmetry Assessment in Lower-Limb AmputeesWaldemiro Kubucama (MEE) - Efficiency Map of Synchronous Reluctance Motor (SynRM) through Two-Dimensional Finite Element AnalysisRodrigo Beato (MEE) - Permanent Magnet-Assisted Synchronous Reluctance Motor for Traction SystemsAlso worth highlighting is the participation of student Afonso Gaspar, from the Electronics, Telecommunications, and Computer Engineering (LEETC) program, whose presentation was based on the work developed in his project. Their presence in a forum predominantly focused on master's and doctoral students is a source of special pride for ISEL.These works reflect ISEL's strong commitment to scientific excellence, demonstrating the ability of its students to contribute innovative and relevant technological solutions to the field of engineering.
During the month of June, ISEL welcomed five students from the ERASMUS+ program who participated in a research project in the area of Recommender Systems. Under the guidance of Professor Matilde Pato (DEI/ISEL) and Professor Nuno Datia (DEI/ISEL), the students collaborated on the validation of a new methodology based on Topic Modeling, developed as part of a master's thesis.The main objective of the project was to test the effectiveness of the proposed approach—Topic Modeling-Based Recommendation System—by applying it to benchmark datasets. To this end, the students analyzed different datasets, contributing to strengthening the robustness and applicability of the model.The students involved were Alberto da Ros, Leonardo Macron, Matteo Galana, Ricardo Tonetto, and Zaid Morsi. The project was conducted with daily monitoring and access to all necessary materials, ensuring an environment conducive to collaborative learning and research. All documentation and code developed were organized in a GitHub repository, which will be made public soon.This project also had the support of Professor Alessandro Fantoni (DEETC/ISEL) and Professor Mário Véstias, president of DEETC/ISEL.
Professors in the Geophysics area of the Physics Department of ISEL recently installed a three-component RaspberryShake 3D seismic station on the Institute's campus as part of the activities developed at the IDL-ISEL hub.This station, identified by the code R6379, consists of a three-component seismic sensor coupled to a compact, low-cost acquisition system. The sensor records ground movements in three main directions — vertical, north-south, and east-west — enabling detailed monitoring of seismic activity. The sensor is short-period (4.5Hz), making it particularly sensitive to local or regional seismicity.The equipment is integrated into the global Raspberry Shake network, which brings together thousands of stations distributed worldwide in institutions, schools, and homes. This collaborative network enables monitoring of seismic activity, enabling higher spatial resolution, contributing to both scientific research and citizen science projects.Widely used by institutional agencies responsible for seismic monitoring, researchers and citizens, it promotes open access to data and encourages public participation in the study of seismology. The acquired data are freely accessible, promoting a logic of open science and global collaboration.The signals recorded by this station can be viewed at: https://dataview.raspberryshake.org/#/AM/R6379/00/EHZ Images https://raspberryshake.org/ | CC BY-ND 4.0
Students Inês Marques (Masters in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering - MEET), João Cravo (Masters in Computer and Information Engineering - MEIC) and Petru Sandu (MEET) presented three papers at the first edition of the international conference “Transportation Systems" that took place in Lisbon between June 16th and 18th.The papers are the result of the work that the students are currently working on in the areas of logistics for parcel transport, sustainable mobility and intermodal transport systems, as well as intelligent transport systems.These papers reflect the connection that ISEL has with the business community, being involved in projects and protocols with companies such as CTT, Maia Transportes, IP Telecom and Solvit.Papers presented:Tracking Packages and Containers Using RFID - Inês Marques | António Serrador | Rogério Campos Rebelo (abstract: https://ts2025.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/digital-program_TS2025/Abstracts/Abstracts_514.pdf)Optimizing Public Transport with Real-Time Passenger Analytics - João Cravo | Matilde Pato | José Simão | Nuno Cota (abstract: https://ts2025.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/digital-program_TS2025/Abstracts/Abstracts_475.pdf)Proposal for integration of legacy vehicles using hybrid C-ITS architecture - Petru Lucian Sandu | José Simão | António Serrador (abstract: https://ts2025.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/digital-program_TS2025/Abstracts/Abstracts_481.pdf)
The ISEL canteen, which is part of the Social Action Services of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon (IPL), established a collaboration with the REFOOD center in Olivais in April, with the aim of collecting surplus food.The meals that are prepared and not consumed are then sent to people in situations of social vulnerability, simultaneously contributing to the reduction of food waste and supporting local communities in need.This initiative is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 (No Hunger), SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), reinforcing ISEL and IPL's commitment to promoting sustainability and implementing solutions with a positive social and environmental impact.Small gestures can lead to big changes.
ISEL has officially joined the Defense Technological and Industrial Base (BTID) after successfully completing its application process.BTID is a group of companies and research entities with the capacity to intervene in one or more stages of the life cycle of military equipment, and ISEL's integration represents recognition of the Institute's capabilities in the field of research, development and technological innovation with applicability in the Defense sector.Participation in BTID reinforces ISEL's strategic positioning as an entity active in the National Scientific and Technological System (SCTN), promoting collaboration with companies and institutions, both public and private, with recognized capabilities to intervene in various stages of the logistical life cycle of Defense equipment. In addition, ISEL is already registered on the Smart Defense platform, a platform that aims to map capabilities, streamline knowledge sharing and identify opportunities for collaboration between the various national and international entities in the Defense sector.This is a significant step that consolidates ISEL's role in promoting the country's scientific and technological development, enhancing the transfer of knowledge to the economic and industrial fabric, and contributing to responding to challenges of high technical and strategic rigor.