Thematic “Area”	Subject	Observations
Chemistry	Virtual visit to the Barreiro complex	In this film, totally based on three-dimensional modelling, the visitor can observe the dynamics of the industrial complex of Barreiro throughout the century, pointing out the implementation of new structures and processes in a conceptualised social, political and technological manner. The film deals with two outstanding processes in the CUF’s history, particularly the sulphuric acid and ammonia processes.
Hydraulics	Alqueva Bay	Interactive simulation of the hydrographical basin derived from the construction of the Alqueva Dam, the largest Portuguese engineering work in recent years. The interactivity can be exploited through several aspects, including the different project phases, and the details of exploitation and environmental consequences. It is possible to interactively refer to the area of construction, see an aerial photograph of the region or even add a simulation of the filling process and the creation of the hydrographical basin, the largest artificial lake in Europe.
Mining and Georesources	Quarrying of the Molino Ore Deposit in Aljustrel	An interactive game in which the visitor learns the method of quarrying and the importance of the sequence of extraction in making the most of an ore deposit. The visitor defines a quarrying sequence in the end, comparing the profitability obtained with that resulting from a calculation algorithm of the optimal sequence in terms of ore profitability.
	Virtual simulation of the Castelo de Vide Aquifer	A 3D model, making use of a wire frame in VRML (Virtual Reality Modelling Language). It is possible to visualize underground flows of water, which occur in the area of Castelo de Vide and the Sever river. The system user can change the climate conditions and analyse changes in the aquifer’s behaviour. The Pollutant Rate factor of the soil can also be considered in the simulation.
Electrification	Optimisation of electrical networks	A simulator through which it is possible to obtain the optimal distribution of an electrical network, through computation using genetic algorithms. These algorithms make it possible to find the shortest way to supply electricity to a group of buildings, making it possible to lower the general installation cost. Genetic algorithms work by generating hypothesis, testing them and applying a process of natural selection to the best ones. The assembly consists of a panel of three buttons with which it is possible to generate, at random, three different types of settlement: a village, a town, and a city, which have different urban densities. By commencing the simulation it is possible to observe the progress of network optimisation tests as well as the decrease in the costs involved in the set-up of the hypothetical electrical network.
Dams	The construction of the Alqueva dam	An interactive slide show, based on images, items and values, giving the visitor a notion of the grandeur involved in the survey of the Alqueva dam. The visual dynamism is laid out in an information chain allowing the visitor to be aware of the size and complexity of the project: a double curvature, concrete arch dam, with gravity points, 460 m long and 98 m wide.
Metal mechanics	Interactive model: gate system	A scale simulation of a river section with a gate system to transfer a boat between two levels of a river, based on a model 1.5 x 0.5 x 0.4 m. The visitor can control the various mechanisms of the model, particularly the gates and the boat’s movement, through an interface console. It is intended to show the system working, making the boat go up or down the river levels. This model is implemented through the integration of mechanical elements controlled by microprocessors, which are programmed for that purpose.
Rail Applications	Virtual prototype of the new CP2000 train	A virtual visit between the city of Guimarães and the São Bento Terminal in Oporto, which allows the future user to be guided through an imaginary world and have a new perspective of reality, integrating the spatial environment, functionalities and engineering solutions in the generation of the CP2000 train. The digital model, with nearly 10 million elements, was developed in its original form to be presented with stereoscopic projection.
Urbanisation	Virtual flight over Lisbon	A real general image of Lisbon, three-dimensional and stereoscopic, which associates the classical tools of computer-assisted design with tools of geographic information systems and virtual reality generation. The application resulted from a joint project between Lisbon City Council and Instituto Superior Técnico for the integrated treatment of geo-referenced information, through three-dimensional virtual environments, usually known as virtual reality environments. It is thus clearly shown how new technologies can be powerful instruments to support technical and political decisions. The importance of carrying out analysis, to monitor the soil usage and to identify future trends, requires the creation of management platforms and information diffusion, which are made available through the Urban Information Centre, in Lisbon.
	Portugal Guide	The Portugal Guide is a municipality-based, national project, intended for people. It is available at www.guiadeportugal.com, a special Internet site for municipalities, which allow each municipality to promote their competitive advantages in a national and international context. The distinct feature of this project is its geographical approach, because it makes available a wide range of geo-referenced contents related to Portugal, in terms of its territory, population, patrimony, tourist areas, administrative, political and economic information, through web mapping applications. It is possible to look for geographical information in relation to all 29,000 Interest Points available. The results are put together with base information, such as roads, hydrographs, relief maps, aerial photographs and administrative boundaries. The Portugal Guide is, therefore, a geographical information system, on a national scale, a real Geographical Information Public Service, which allows any person, at any time, anywhere in the world, to obtain a fast answer, geographically located, and rich in additional information.
Forests	Fighting forest fire	Through computation models, called cellular automata, it is possible to calculate the development of a forest fire according to the climate characteristics, type of soils and relief. This can be a useful tool for firemen who can foresee, in an approximate manner, the development of a real case and fight it in a more efficient manner. The user controls the wind direction and intensity in order to observe how the development of the hypothetical fire is affected. The cellular automata method divides the simulation area into a grid of small square homogeneous areas, or cells. Inside the cells, the Motherwell spread equation (USDA Forest Service, 1972) is applied to estimate the fire’s progress in each of 8 directions. When the fire crosses along all the cells in a given direction, the result is the contamination with the neighbouring cell in the same direction, thus setting fire to this neighbouring cell.
Processes	The chemical process of ammonia	A hall simulates a macro-scale test tube, in which chemical reactions occur. The user will release hydrogen molecules through this tube which, when reacting with methane, produce ammonia, one of the most exploited substances in the Portuguese chemical industry. The different phases of this chemical reaction are also present, through the formation of its intermediate components. The technical set-up consists in tracking the user’s position through which it is possible to interact with virtual agents, several molecules, existing in soil through a virtual projection.
	Simulation of the Sines complex	Sampling is made using an overhead projector unit controlled by a touch-panel, which allows the visitor to go on a trip, navigate and get to know the “Master Plan” for the Sines Industrial and Logistic Area. Making use of video, images and sound, the visitor will learn of the region’s infrastructure, companies and development plan. This unit uses interactive, user-friendly and intuitive software, for both adults and youngsters. Image and sound impact make the visitor feel integrated in the complex.
Automobile sector	Virtual visit to a car plant	Simulation of a virtual visit to a car plant.
	Car robot	Robot Kuka - Robot KRC able to handle weights of approximately 25 kg. This robot is one of the range of robots installed in the car body assembly unit at the Autoeuropa plant, coupled with tools, which play several roles, including welding, parts manipulation, glue application and cut-off tasks using lasers.
Energy and Environment	Pollutant hydraulic dispersion	Interactive set-up depicting the ancient tables of battle strategy. In this case, the battle consists in fighting against pollution in water lines. It consists of a table where terrain with a river is vertically projected. Making use of shovels the user can position real physical models on the table. The different models represent factories, pig-raising facilities and wastewater treatment plants. By distributing them in space through dynamic simulation, it is possible to observe their effect in terms of pollutant disposal on the river. The pollutant concentrations are visible through a plume generated by hydraulic dispersion in the river. Plants and pig-raising facilities are pollutant agents while (water) treatment plants treat their effluent, in order to reduce a significant portion of hazardous constituents existing in effluent from industrial and agricultural activities.
Engineering and life	Virtual Drawing	Presentation of a virtual estimation system, which is parameterised in morphological terms, reacting distinctively in the process of adaptation to a digital space and to its gravitation rules. This virtual system is provided with paintbrushes on the edge of its arms, making it possible to draw according to those individual characteristics. The user can manipulate the morphological parameters in order to generate different artistic answers.