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Editorial
This editorial explores the next question: Can research institutions exist independently of universities?
This issue was seriously considered in Portugal in the early 1990s when universities began creating private not-for-profit organizations. This model resulted in institutions that weren't significantly different from the original public academic institutions. Not only do the vast majority of their researchers come from academia or share a mindset but they are also required to follow the strict financial and management rules of public organizations. Ultimately, they are evaluated in the same way as universities. Therefore, there is little difference between these institutions and the "research divisions" of the universities from which they originated, and which still own them. In fact, the same universities that created these organizations are now questioning whether this model should be maintained, or should be reabsorbed by the original universities. Examining the current situation in Portugal does not provide a conclusive answer to this question.
Moreover, there appear to be no significant examples in Europe of research institutions truly disconnected from universities, except those owned by private companies whose objectives differ considerably from basic research. The institutions, in one way or another, rely on universities to supply them, sometimes with researchers, but, mostly often, with graduate students. In Europe, the US, and Portugal, there are a few cases that do not depend on universities. However, these institutions typically have a substantial public (many times from defence) or foundational income to support PhD researchers, with a level of funding that is not commonly found elsewhere.
In summary, the answer to this question, like many others nowadays faced by research institutions, seems to always come back to the same issue: funding for basic research.
José Carlos Pedro
(President)
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Successful deployment of ISTSat-1
The launch of Ariane 6 from French Guiana (July 9th, 2024), the rocket carrying the Portuguese nanosatellite destined for the International Space Station, was broadcast directly at TagusPark Oeiras. This event marks a significant step in Europe's recovery of autonomous access to space.
After sixteen years, ISTSat-1 has finally reached orbit. Built entirely by students in Técnicos's academic setting, ISTSat-1 was one of only four projects out of thirteen proposals to reach this final stage...
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Wireless Powered Flight project wins main prize at 2024 WPTCE
A team of doctoral students coordinated by our researcher Nuno Borges de Carvalho won the "Outstanding Student Design Demonstrator Award" at the 2024 Wireless Power Transfer Conference and Exhibition.
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2024 IEEE Microwave Prize awarded to the IT team
A team from IT has been honored with the prestigious 2024 IEEE Microwave Prize, awarded by the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society (MTT-S). This award recognizes the most outstanding international publication in the field of RF and Microwave Techniques.
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ELECTRODAY: IT PhD students showcased innovative projects in electrical and computer engineering
On June 29th, the Técnico Innovation Center (TIC) hosted DEEC’s ELECTRODAY, an event dedicated to showcasing the cutting-edge work of final-year students from the Electrical and Computer Engineering department.
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IT researchers co-create an energy-generating smart window
Researchers Sandra Correia, Paulo André, and the doctoral student Gonçalo Figueiredo, are contributing to a groundbreaking project led by Rute Ferreira, professor at the University of Aveiro's Department of Physics and CICECO. This innovative project aims to create a window that not only generates energy but...
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The Cybersecurity Competence Centre (CCC) will serve as a hub for cybersecurity expertise, promoting research, development, and innovation in the field. It aims to support organizations in responding to cybersecurity incidents and addressing the challenges posed by evolving regulations. However, it is crucial to note that the CCC will not replace specialized cybersecurity services provided by private companies.
For João Paulo Barraca "the CCC Network will be instrumental in enhancing the security posture of organizations across the nation."
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Rui Oliveira
Photonic techniques for high-capacity phased array antennas
Ph.D. Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering by University of Aveiro (UA), April 2024, under the supervision of Miguel Drummond & Rogério Nogueira (IT-UA).
This thesis proposes and demonstrates a photonics-based beamforming (PBF) solution tailored for SWaP-constrained environments, such as satellite payloads. The proposed solution, which consists of an optical signal processor, leverages successful optical technologies like wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM), programmable photonic processing, and coherent detection.
Currently, Rui is an automotive embedded systems engineer at Bosch.
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Daniel Pereira
Analysis and Optimization of Continuous Variables Quantum Cryptographic Systems
Ph.D. Degree in Electrical Engineering by University of Aveiro (UA), July 2023, under the supervision of Armando Nolasco Pinto (IT-UA).
This thesis studied Continuous Variables Quantum Key Distribution systems, these systems aim at providing quantum-secure communications while using largely telecom-grade components. A novel protocol is proposed, tested both in the lab and in the field, its security is established and avenues for performance improvements are explored.
Currently, Daniel is working as a post-doc researcher at AIT in Vienna.
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I joined Instituto de Telecomunicações in 2011 during my Bachelor’s at Polytechnic of Leiria, working with the Multimedia Signal Processing group on 3D video-plus-depth and lossless medical image coding projects. In September 2016, I began my PhD at Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, supervised by Fernando Pereira (IT-IST) and Nuno Rodrigues (IT- Polytechnic of Leiria), focusing on learning-based point cloud geometry coding. My PhD work introduced pioneering deep learning-based approaches to point cloud coding, enhancing compression efficiency, scalability, and computational complexity. I completed my PhD in November 2021.
Currently, I am a Postdoctoral researcher at Instituto de Telecomunicações, continuing my work on learning-based point cloud coding under the FCT project “Deep Learning-based Point Cloud Representation.” I also co-supervise MSc and PhD students. Our project’s response to the JPEG Pleno Call for Proposals on Point Cloud Coding was selected as the best performing, and we now lead the development of JPEG’s learning-based point cloud coding standard.
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