'UC mobilises Portugal' from the sea to the stars
The UC is developing several innovative projects and collaborative initiatives between public and private institutions funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), and will hold a debate on 13 February.
The University of Coimbra (UC) is developing several innovative projects within the framework of the Mobilising Agendas - collaborative initiatives between public and private institutions, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
The UC is currently working on AI Fights Space Debris, which aims to create tools for preventing orbital collisions through optimised solutions using next-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) models, and on REEFS, a groundbreaking device that converts wave energy into electricity while contributing to coastal protection.
Led by Neuraspace, AI Fights Space Debris is building a database and cutting-edge visualisation models/tools that enable satellite operators to predict and prevent collisions, ensuring greater safety and sustainability in space operations. The platform developed by Neuraspace will integrate these tools into an autonomous product accessible to satellite operators and institutions such as ESA or NASA, helping to reduce the risk of space collisions. The increased precision of AI-controlled manoeuvres, fuel savings and the creation of a more sustainable space environment are some of the platforms's advantages.
The University of Coimbra plays a vital role in the project, developing the infrastructure for processing large volumes of data and creating intuitive visualisation tools to support real-time decision-making. The system has already yielded tangible results, including a data visualisation service commercialised by Neuraspace and a data collection and processing system nearing completion.
Additionally, UC is working on REEFS, an innovative submerged device in Portugal, installed on the seabed close to the coast, allowing for easier installation, maintenance, and electricity transmission through a short submarine cable. The proximity to the coastline is crucial as socio-economic activity tends to concentrate there.
In addition to generating renewable energy in a sustainable way, this technology contributes to reducing coastal erosion as it can act as an artificial reef, inducing the waves to break at an early stage and thus remove some of their energy before they reach the shore line, thus mitigating the effects of erosion and storms. Inspired by wind farms, this project lays the foundations for the development of wave energy conversion farms in Portugal, using one of the country's most abundant natural resources: the ocean.
REEFS is being developed in partnership with the Sines Port Authority and the Algarve, using the Port of Sines as a test platform. The aim is to validate the device's power generation efficiency for applications such as battery charging and lighting systems.
The University of Coimbra is one of the top 3 higher education institutions in terms of the number of mobilising agendas and the investment received (45 million euros). These funds will be used to develop 19 programmes, with an implementation rate of 64%.
The event "UC Mobilising Portugal" will be held on 13 February from 9:20 to 16:30 at the Laginha Serafim Auditorium, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra (Campus II), to discuss Mobilising Agendas, and bring together experts, researchers, and companies to explore the challenges and progress of these RRP-funded projects, promoting sustainability and technological innovation in Portugal.