FCT NOVA research projects highlighted at the European Researchers’ Night
FCT NOVA – Faculty of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa – is part of the national consortium that, on November 27, between 3 pm and 10 pm, presents the European Researchers Night 2020 in Portugal, under the theme Science and Nature.
This year, with a fully online program, the European Researchers Night will feature more than 220 online activities, local programs and the involvement of around 1750 researchers at the national level. FCT NOVA, in addition to being present in online activities, participates in the local program with two scientific research projects and in the health area, which addresses the current pandemic crisis of COVID-19.
‘HomeSafe’ is a technological solution to monitor the physiological parameters of the elderly population residing in homes, developed by engineering students at FCT NOVA, in partnership with several institutions such as LiBPhys, Value for Heath Colab, Unidemi, NMS , the Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central (CHLC), the FCT FABLAB and the company PLUX, which makes it possible to more efficiently identify the symptoms of COVID-19 in this population.
The working group created a mobile application and a wearable sensor module, with an integrated thermometer and oximeter. The application is based on a survey, which can be written or spoken, with the first usability tests of this project to be carried out with the grandparents of the students themselves.
The European PURE project, coordinated by the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, seeks to develop new and more affordable medicines of biological origin for the treatment of cancer and vaccination. Beginning in October 2020, the international and multidisciplinary work team proposes to redesign in the next four years the way biopharmaceuticals are produced. Financing of approximately 3 million euros has recently been announced for the development of this project.
The University of Lisbon, through the National Museum of Natural History and Science (MUHNAC), coordinates the national consortium that ensures the realization of the initiative, and which includes as partners the FCT NOVA/New.ID.FCT of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, the Higher Institute of Labor and Business Sciences – Lisbon University Institute, the Lisbon City Council, the Estoril Higher Hotel and Tourism School, the University of Minho Science School, and the University of Évora and University of Coimbra (associate member).
In the city of Lisbon, several direct actions are planned with renowned researchers, responsible for national and European projects within the scope of the themes associated with the conservation of natural heritage and COVID-19, with recording from the National Museum of Natural History and the Science, simulating the spaces and activities known to its visitors.
