INESC Porto surprises

The contact with the public
The objective of the Science, Education and Innovation Exhibition of the University of Porto is to show high-school students how life in a University is and the degrees the University of Porto has to offer them.
At the same time, the Exhibition also wishes to bring the population and the University together and show its activity. The visitors conducted experiments, screened their health, measured the blood pressure, performed memory diagnoses and they even watched a computerized simulation of a birth of a child.

INESC Porto’s space
This year, INESC Porto surprised everyone with the presentation of the model of the future railway bridge over the Douro river for the high-speed train, instrumented with an integrated monitoring system made of different types of Bragg sensors. A jump height measurement conveyor using a fiber optic grid was also displayed.

The bridge that caught everyone’s eye
The model of the TGV bridge was the centre of all the attentions, the size alone caught the visitors’ eye. The model shows the system that should ensure the safety of the TGV project, in case it is approved.
The monitoring of the behaviour of a model built to the scale makes it possible to study the fatigue of the several components of the structure, like the Aeronautical Industry. It also enables the transposition of the results of the analysis in model to the real work, in order to minimize the safety risks and the unnecessary maintenance costs.

The Bragg sensors enable the construction of small strain sensors (around 10mm), connected among themselves in series, and only one cable is necessary for each set of 20 sensors. These characteristics ease its application in small structures, like the models, dramatically reducing the installation costs.
The elaboration of the model of the bridge for the high-speed train was a responsibility of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), of AFAssociados Projectos de Engenharia, SA (Engineering Projects), Fibersensing and INESC Porto. It was designed by Álvaro Siza.

The jump height measurement
Another prototype presented by INESC Porto was the jump height measurement conveyor, developed by Rosa Muniz, of the Optoelectronics and Electronic Systems Unit (UOSE). Using optical fiber sensors (and with pedagogical purposes), the conveyor enables the jump height measurement through an oscilloscope.

Direct speech
In order to offer the readers a real perspective , BIP has interviewed some collaborators that participated in the event, representing INESC Porto and others who visited the Exhibition.

Collaborators who participated in the event

André Madureira (USE)

- What impression did you get from this event?
I think it was a rather interesting event, as proved by the high number of people who came here. In particular, the students seemed interested in learning and the activities were generally creative, attractive and educational.

- In your opinion, how important is the participation of INESC Porto in this Exhibition?
I believe the participation of INESC Porto is very important mainly because the majority of the public didn’t know about this Institution or, at least, about the work carried out here.
- Regarding the projects in exhibition, did you notice any interest on behalf of the visitors? At what levels?
I noticed that the audience there was interested in the projects, the younger ones were especially attracted by the visually appealing aspects of the projects. Considering this, the bridge was a very effective allurement.

- What could be improved in INESC Porto’s space and in the organization of our participation in general?
Generally, INESC Porto’s space was well organized and, consequently, the institution had a rather satisfactory participation.


Luís Teixeira (UTM)

- What impression did you get from this event?
Compared to my participation two years ago, maybe because I was there at a different time, this Exhibition seemed to have greater interest and participation on behalf of the public and the press. Generally, the university and Institutes present revealed a concern in capturing the attention of the high-school students through interactive experiences. The Exhibition moved away from the aspect of a fair in its classical meaning, with stands that create a distance between the public and the work exposed, which also seemed positive.

-In your opinion, how important is the participation of INESC Porto in this Exhibition?
Given that it is an Exhibition promoted by the University of Porto, the presence of INESC Porto is always important. However, the public is expected to be made of pre-university students and, in that context, the visibility of INESC Porto is relative regardless of the important role of our institution in the promotion of the innovation in Portugal. Outside this context, the visibility will be as great as the proximity of the projects exposed with the issues that mean something to the society. That happened this year, with the model of the bridge because we could see the consequent increase of interest and visibility…with more or less deviations from the truth.

- Regarding the projects in exhibition, did you notice any interest on behalf of the visitors? At what levels?
In conformity with my previous statements, the interest in the bridge shouldn’t come as a surprise: the model of the bridge has caught the visitors’ eye due to its strong visual impact. The optical fiber sensors and the future bridge itself aroused curiosity too.


- What could be improved in INESC Porto’s space and in the organization of our general participation?
I don’t think there is anything wrong to point to all those who participated in the organization and set up of the space. In spite of some normal setbacks, the people in charge of these projects were remarkably dedicated and enthusiastic when it came to solving problems and answering any questions. Regarding the space, perhaps due to the smaller number of projects present, the place and arrangement of the space were better compared to previous experience. In conclusion: congratulations to all the collaborators, may they be an inspiration so that in future events INESC Porto can have more areas represented.

Luís Ribeiro (USE)

- What impression did you get from this event?
It is an event worth praising considering it is a rather captivating and functional way of drawing attention of the younger ones to science, giving them a chance to enjoy greater contact with it and to see what Portugal has been accomplishing in this area.

-In your opinion, how important is the participation of INESC Porto in this Exhibition?
It is very important, given that INESC Porto is an institute of prestige in terms of science and innovation, I consider our participation to be essential in these events.

- Regarding the projects in exhibition, did you notice any interest on behalf of the visitors? At what levels?
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to walk around the whole Pavilion and see everything I wanted, but from what I saw, good projects were presented and ideas of the several areas were represented. The ones that aroused more enthusiasm were the ones which offered the possibility of interaction.

- What could be improved in INESC Porto’s space and in the organization of our general participation?
I believe INESC Porto accomplished its mission, and its presence was alluring. The projects we displayed were appealing, palpable and dynamic enough to attract the visitors to our stand and to make them curious about our institution.

João Marques (UESP)

- What impression did you get from this event?
It was a rather educational event that interacted with other areas. However, it was somewhat hard to explain the project to the kids because that was completely new to them.

-In your opinion, how important is the participation of INESC Porto in this Exhibition?
It is very important because many thought INESC Porto belonged to the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. The Faculty is only a partner. Many people were admired because they thought INESC Porto was just an advisory company.

- Regarding the projects in exhibition, did you notice any interest on behalf of the visitors? At what levels?
I only noticed enthusiasm about the bridge as the other one was not working. People were asking where the new bridge was going to be, if the sensors would be able to resist the TGV’s speed, what the purpose of the sensors was etc.

- What could be improved in INESC Porto’s space and in the organisation of our general participation?
A paper with some answers written down, in case someone forgets.

Rita Sousa (USE)

- What impression did you get from this event?
A very good one. It seemed to me that all the visitors there were extremely interested and motivated.

-In your opinion, how important is the participation of INESC Porto in this Exhibition?
It is an excellent way to show INESC Porto to the “world”, its works, etc… to get the younger generation to get acquainted with our work.

- Regarding the projects in exhibition, did you notice any interest on behalf of the visitors? At what levels?
Mine was a very particular case, given that 90% of the visitors were children aged between 5 and 10 (maybe because of the time), so, they were mainly interested in knowing how the train was be controlled and why it stopped in the middle of the bridge…But everyone was always very interested.

- What could be improved in INESC Porto’s space and in the organization of our general participation?
A big screen with the text in the A6 leaflets, and MORE leaflets, they ran out in no time.

Collaborators who visited the Exhibition

Jorge Santos (DIL)

- What impression did you get from this event?
This Exhibition was a very positive experience because it gave me a perspective of the best our Universities have to offer. For all the students who are thinking about what area to choose, this event is the best advisor.

- In your opinion, how important is the participation of INESC Porto in this Exhibition?
Since INESC Porto is an institution oriented towards new technologies, this is the best way to expand and get recognition.


- What could be improved in INESC Porto’s space and in the organisation of our general participation?
Our institution should be more careful when it comes to public presentations. The events are from all to all, and as such, we must help and participate so that we can send a message of unity rather than one in which a number of people give everything they’ve got for the institution and the others get credit for that.
In the last hours of this event, there was only one person in the stand, she was full of good intentions but she didn’t have the technical skills to solve breakdown problems etc. This is damaging to our image. In the other stands, there were several people informing the visitors, in ours, the visitors had two options: they could leave, or they could wait for their turn to know what that big bridge was, what it was for (when it worked!). I didn’t see any technical support for the resolution of problems.


Vladimiro Miranda (Board)

- What impression did you get from this event?
An event with some relevance but very asymmetric in its content. Some institutions showed aspects of science and technology, but in other cases, I saw things that would be more suitable for events like Ciência Viva (to get the attention of the younger ones). I believe there must have been some confusion of concept and of goals to be achieved. It is clearly an exhibition to the great public, but we ended up finding extremes from transgenic mice or the Pluma (developed by INEGI), to advice on skin hydration or the visitors’ short-sightedness…and this is anything but science, although those demos had many visitors.


-In your opinion, how important is the participation of INESC Porto in this Exhibition?
INESC Porto could never be absent from an Exhibition of science of the University of Porto – and its presence must be able to show the innovation and science made in INESC Porto, even if some didn’t quite understand and thought we were going to build gigantic tunnel bridges in optical fiber…I couldn’t stop laughing…

-What would you change in INESC Porto’s space and in the organization of our general participation?
This year, I woudn’t change anything. However, our participation was ensured by the tremendous dedication of some people, especially the Communication Service and the Optoelectronics and Electronic Systems Unit and I think I owe them some recognition and a felt thank you note. If I could, I would never change this aspect of our union either.

Leonel Cardoso (DIL)

- What was your impression of this event?
The general impression I had regarding this event was positive because I could verify a series of scientific experiences developing in the University that showed activity and commitment on behalf of our researchers, which is not always visible nor valued because the initiatives of this kind are still scarce!

-In your opinion, how important is the participation of INESC Porto in this Exhibition?
I think INESC Porto’s participation in this kind of events is very important, because, as INESC is a key research centre, there is a unique opportunity to disclose the good and innovative activities carried out by this institution, besides promoting our image and captivating potential researchers and investors of the entrepreneurial world.

- What would you change INESC Porto’s space and in the organization of our general participation?
Inside the organization, I would change the lack of planning in relation to the human resources appointed to this kind of events, because many times it is necessary to enlighten people about technical aspects of the projects presented and there is no one there to pay that kind of service! Sandra Pinto’s, and more recently, Lúcia Sousa’s commitment are to be praised!


José Luís Santos (UOSE)

- What impression did you get from this event?
I was under the impression that this organization is solid and already in the agenda of the high-schools of Porto. The number of visitors this year exceeded the initial expectations, according to information. In addition to that, the visibility of the Exhibition was bigger due to the intervention of the media. As for the content, it was not very different from the previous editions, which is understandable given that it is necessary to make an effort (time, human resources and financial support) to prepare new demonstrators.

-In your opinion, how important is the participation of INESC Porto in this Exhibition?
This year, INESC Porto owned the most acclaimed space due to the instrumented bridge. There was a huge effort, in terms of logistics, but it was rewarded by the visibility gained. Generally, INESC Porto has to participate in this type of meetings with something attractive, considering its mission and reach of its activity in the area of technological innovation.

- What would you change INESC Porto’s space and in the organization of our general participation?
Considering the characteristics of the Exhibition, it appears there is not much to innovate, they could just try to put something new every year.


The visit of someone everybody knows...
On the last day of the Science, Education and Innovation Exhibition, as we were getting ready to leave the Rosa Mota Pavilion, Pedro Abrunhosa visited us. He was quite interested in the TGV model with the high-speed train…Here is the proof we didn’t make this up…