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Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2020-05-14"

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  • Role of technology in the design of learning environments
    Publication . Casanova, Diogo; Huet, Isabel; Garcia, Fabiane; Pessoa, Teresa
    The design of learning environments is being increasingly investigated, largely as a result of higher-education providers being challenged by both societal and technological devel- opments. These providers are becoming more aware that the quality of learning environ- ments affects students’ approaches to learning and satisfaction. This paper presents an alternative to more-traditional methods for designing learning environments that is driven by input of their main stakeholders: students and teachers. By using this method, we were able to explore stakeholders’ insights into learning spaces design and how learning tech- nologies can be integrated in such spaces. Qualitative research was conducted with the aim of guiding the redesign of technology-enhanced learning environments. For this particular research, we used ‘sandpits’, which are creative and design-thinking workshops, in which participants are encouraged to redesign provocative concepts of a large and a small tech- nology-enhanced learning environment. Thirteen ‘sandpits’ were delivered involving 32 teachers and 25 students. Through these design-thinking workshops, students and teachers reflected on and discussed the role of technology in face-to-face learning and teaching and proposed new design solutions for technology-enhanced learning environments.
    2020-05-14Journal article Open access Show more
  • Improving the lubrication of silicon surfaces using ionic liquids as oil additives: the effect of sulfur-based functional groups
    Publication . Antunes, Mónica; Donato, Mariana T.; Paz, Victória; Caetano, Fernando J. P.; Santos, Luís; Colaco, Rogério; Branco, Luís C.; Saramago, Benilde
    The performance of micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) relies on efficient lubrication. In the present work, new sulfur-based organic salts were tested as additives in a polyethylene glycol to lubricate silicon surfaces used in the manufacture of MEMS/NEMS. Seven salts were tested: 1-butylsulfonic-3-methylimidazolium triflate [(C4SO3H)MIM][TfO], thiamine triflate [Thiamine][TfO]2, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium camphorsulfonate [C2MIM][CSA] [isomers (R) and (S)], 1,3-dimethylpiridinium methylsulfate [C1-3pic][MeSO4], methylimidazolium methanesulfonate [HMIM][MeSO3], and tetramethylguanidine methanesulfonate [TMG][MeSO3]. A nanotribometer was used to determine the friction coefficients using steel spheres as counter bodies. Excellent tribological properties were achieved with the additives containing the anions [MeSO4]− and [MeSO3]−. The films formed on the Si substrates were studied by FTIR, ellipsometry and AFM. A mixed lubrication mechanism was proposed where additive adsorption avoids contact between sliding surfaces.
    2020-05-14Journal article Restricted access Show more