We can address challenges posed by the modern paradigms of the fourth or fifth industrial revolution. Our research group can drive companies through the digital and energy transition, both in training and in the development of monitoring and automation systems based on sensor networks, Data Acquisition Systems (DAQ), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), or those based on microcontrollers/microprocessors.
In collaboration with Riovetro S.r.l., we have developed a cost-effective framework and for the visual inspection of satin glass production processes. We have successfully implemented a system demonstrator able to automatic classify for defects on glass plates directly on the production line, eliminating the need for any human intervention.
In the context of energy monitoring, the prototype of a Smart Meter has been developed and characterized, along with algorithms for estimating the frequency of non-stationary signals on MT and BT systems. This work has garnered interest from Enel (now E-distribuzione).
We have the expertise to provide consulting services for the development of test benches or test and characterization systems, even of metrological grade, using both general-purpose instrumentation and data acquisition systems. In collaboration with bioMérieux Italia S.P.A. and OPTOI S.r.l., testbench have been developed on stepper motors or photo-couplers with the aim of predicting early failures without inducing fatigue-related failure mechanisms. We are also designing and prototyping a test bench for measuring the electrical and mechanical characteristics of propulsion systems for professional drone applications to verify the device’s compliance with the specifications declared by the manufacturers.
We are capable of developing remote measurement systems and entire laboratories, both in educational and production contexts. Recently, a remote laboratory named “Remote Measurements Lab” has been created—an innovative service that allows experimental laboratory activities to be conducted remotely. The “Remote Measurements Lab” enables the use of graphical interfaces similar to the user panels physically present on the instruments and the conducting of real-time experiments for distance learning, both in the university and professional settings.
More details about our latest Research activities:
In the field of lithium batteries, we are analyzing algorithms to predict the State of Charge (SoC) and State of Health (SoH). The focus is the minimization of the parameters and the data needed for the algorithms. In particular, SoC is being estimated using an algorithm that does not use neural networks and it consists in a model with only three parameters, easy and fast to tune for a specific battery.
Geotechnical distributed lab
A laboratory for geotechnical tests (consolidation tests, edometric tests, shear tests, stress path tests) on contaminated sediments has been designed and implemented. LabVIEW was employed as the development environment for control and supervision. The system, with significant social impact, has been essential for managing tests distributed across different laboratories used in the study of innovative solutions for the reclamation of the Mar Piccolo in Taranto. It allows remote control in cases where samples are contaminated, thereby reducing technicians’ exposure to harmful contaminants.
Time Domani Reflectomerty
One of the tackled cases involved the detection and characterization of multiple impedance discontinuities in cables using the combined application of Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). The technique, known as Stepped-Frequency Waveform Reflectometry, employs general-purpose instrumentation to transmit a stimulus signal composed of packets of sinusoids at different frequencies. Analyzing the signals reflected at the same injection point, along with information on the cable’s primary or secondary parameters, allows for estimating the position and characteristics of the discontinuity points.
The same TDR technique has also been applied to detect and accurately locate water leaks in pipelines by working on a single signal, even in the presence of weak reflections, and utilizes an initial calibration performed in the absence of water.
Photovoltaic/Thermoelectric/Energy harvesting
In collaboration with the University of Glasgow, a research project has been initiated to model a combined photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system aimed at utilizing the thermal energy dissipated by the photovoltaic panel to generate electrical power. We have also developed new procedures for estimating the parameters of the thermal and electrical equivalent model of thermoelectric modules, in order to evaluate them across a wide range of ambient temperatures and temperature gradients. To achieve this, two different experimental setups have been developed: the first one for contactless thermal characterization using thermographic imaging techniques, and the second on for comprehensive (thermal and electrical) characterization of the module. The latter method employs two different current profiles to derive all parameters in a single test.
Another application case concerns the power consumption of sensor nodes in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). In this research, an innovative measurement scheme has been proposed to accurately measure the energy consumption of microcontroller-based systems over a wide range of currents.
