Este pequeno anexo agrícola, integralmente construído em xisto, é um exemplo representativo da arquitetura vernacular de Quintandona, em Penafiel. Estas construções, outrora vitais para o apoio à atividade agrícola, serviam como armazéns de colheitas ou abrigos para animais. As paredes robustas em xisto, unidas a seco ou com argamassa, e a cobertura de telha cerâmica tradicional, asseguram isolamento térmico. A arquitetura funcional e simples, com uma única porta de madeira, reflete a adaptação ao trabalho no campo. Quintandona, uma aldeia preservada desde o século XIII e integrada na Rota do Românico, demonstra a coexistência entre a paisagem rural, a arquitetura tradicional em xisto, e elementos modernos. A aldeia tem sido alvo de um projeto de recuperação que visa preservar este valioso património arquitetónico e cultural, testemunho de um modo de vida rural praticamente inalterado até meados do século XX.

This small agricultural annex, built entirely of schist, is a representative example of the vernacular architecture of Quintandona, in Penafiel. These buildings, once vital to agricultural activity, served as crop storage or animal shelters. The sturdy schist walls, joined dry or with mortar, and the traditional ceramic tile roof ensure thermal insulation. The functional and simple architecture, with a single wooden door, reflects its adaptation to work in the fields. Quintandona, a village preserved since the 13th century and part of the Romanesque Route, demonstrates the coexistence of the rural landscape, traditional schist architecture, and modern elements. The village has been the subject of a restoration project that aims to preserve this valuable architectural and cultural heritage, testimony to a rural way of life that remained virtually unchanged until the mid-20th century.

A sunlight lamp illuminates a satellite model covered in golden thermal insulation. A cup-shaped thruster extends from the model’s centre, reflecting a rainbow of colours. A few metres to the left, not captured in this image, a camera is brought closer and closer to the model, scanning the scene in this simulation of a rendezvous in space.

Two companies from Luxembourg, LMO and ClearSpace, have used the European Space Agency’s Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Rendezvous, Approach and Landing Simulator – GRALS – for the testing of their autonomous satellite navigation technology.

GRALS is part of ESA’s Guidance, Navigation and Control Test Facilities at the agency’s technical centre, ESTEC, in the Netherlands. It consists of a duo of robotic arms, mounted on long rails. One holds the navigation unit of a ‘chaser', the other holds a satellite model as the ‘target’, suspended in the centre of a dark room, simulating space.

As part of the Development of In-Orbit Servicing Space Situational Awareness Payloads (DIOSSA) activity, LMO and ClearSpace are developing a navigation system for rendezvous scenarios in space.

“The number of uncooperative human-made objects in space that are in need of servicing is rapidly increasing,” explains Sabrina Andiappane from ClearSpace. “Whether these are satellites that ran out of fuel, reached the end of their operational life, or were damaged by debris, they are progressively cluttering Earth’s orbital environment.”

“In order for us to be able to refuel, repair, or deorbit them, we first need to be able to identify and approach them,” notes Alexander Finch from LMO.

“Working out where another satellite is relative to you is actually quite difficult. Imagine trying to walk to a friend’s house, go in through the front door, and then lightly tap your friend on the nose – you need to be able to see what you are doing. We’re trying to provide the ‘eyes’ for satellites to do just that, by developing what is called a ‘Vision-Based Navigation’ (VBN) system.”

VBN systems enable satellites to identify and approach or avoid other objects in space with the help of AI – in a way similar to self-driving cars.

The satellite model shown in the image was developed by ClearSpace and includes typical features of a real-life satellite. “At first, we used a smaller model to simulate a greater distance between the target and the camera. This larger model was used for the later, more close-up stages of a rendezvous,” adds Alexander. “These real-world models complement and validate computer-generated images we use to train our AIs.”

“To test VBN systems in the final, close-proximity phases of a rendezvous simulation, ClearSpace developed a larger physical model of a satellite,” says Sabrina. “High-fidelity models like this one complement and validate the computer-generated scenarios to ensure that autonomous servicing technologies are robust and reliable in real-world conditions.”

Joris Belhadj, ESA’s GNC system engineer, comments: “Although GRALS already enables representative real-world hardware testing in simulated space scenarios, we continue developing the facility to keep meeting the needs of European industries. In the future, we will offer new features and accommodate scenarios that are more complex, taking another step closer to the reality these instruments encounter in space.”

The DIOSSA activity was funded by LuxIMPULSE, Luxembourg’s national programme for research and development.

[Image description: This is a close-up photo of a satellite model, seen from the side. A prominent feature is a cone-shaped nozzle extending from the centre of the model. The nozzle has an iridescent surface with shades of blue, purple, red and gold. The rest of the model is covered in crinkled gold-coloured thermal insulation, which is shiny and reflective. The background is out of focus, but horizontal metal rails mounted on the wall behind the model are visible. The lighting is bright and highlights the textures of the nozzle and the insulation.]

Credits: ESA-SJM Photography

*Copyright © 2010 Lélia Valduga, all rights reserved.

*Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.

*Imagem protegida pela Lei do Direito Autoral Nº 9.610 de 19/02/1998.

O sobreiro, sobro, sobreira ou chaparro (Quercus suber) é uma árvore da família do carvalho, cultivada no sul da Europa e a partir da qual se extrai a cortiça. O sobreiro é, juntamente com o Pinheiro-bravo, a espécie de árvores mais predominante em Portugal, sendo mais comum no Alentejo litoral e serras Algarvias.

É devido à cortiça que o sobreiro tem sido cultivado desde tempos remotos. A extração da cortiça não é (em termos gerais) prejudicial à árvore, uma vez que esta volta a produzir nova camada de "casca" (súber) com idêntica espessura a cada 9 - 10 anos, período após o qual é submetida a novo descortiçamento. O sobreiro também fazia parte da vegetação natural da Península Ibérica, sendo espontâneo em muitos locais de Portugal e Espanha, onde constituía, antes da acção do Homem, frondosas florestas em associação com outras espécies, nomeadamente do género Quercus.

A finalidade da cortiça é o fabrico de isolantes térmicos e sonoros de aplicação variada, mas especialmente na produção de rolhas para engarrafamento de vinhos e outros líquidos. Portugal é o maior produtor mundial de cortiça.

Fonte: Wikipedia

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The cork, cork, or Sobreira Chaparro (Quercus suber) is a family tree of the oak, planted in Southern Europe and from which to draw the cork. The oak is, along with the Pine-mad, the tree species most predominant in Portugal, being more common in Alentejo Algarve coast and mountains.

It is because of the cork oak has been cultivated since ancient times. The extraction of the cork is not (in general) damaging to the tree, since it begins to generate new layer of "shell" (cork) with the same thickness for each 9-10 years, after which it is again subjected to stripping . The oak was also part of the natural vegetation of the Iberian Peninsula, being spontaneous in many places in Portugal and Spain, where it was before the action of man, leafy forests in association with other species, particularly the genus Quercus.

The purpose of cork is the manufacture of thermal insulation and sound application varied, but especially in the production of corks for bottling of wines and other liquids. Portugal is the world's largest producer of cork.

(3 photos)

It's much too hot to shoot outdoors. So begins my feather series. I picked this delicate feather up on the shore of Lake Huron, while watching three beautiful Tundra Swans bob in the water on a foggy evening recently.

Ban deepwater drilling.

Alternative energy

© All Rights Reserved No use whatsoever without my explicit permission.

Many thanks for your kind interaction on my photostream. I always appreciate your comments, invites, and fav's. Have a great day.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Hartington Street is part of the Infusion Homes development. Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Former bus depot is visible in background. This was demolished in 2011/12. Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification. The bus depot in the background has now been demolished. This is a rare photo in that it shows the brief period in 2011 when Beresford Street had been regenerated through the Infusion Homes development but the bus depot has not yet been demolished.

Compare to a more recent photograph www.flickr.com/photos/56278705@N05/7280058428/in/photostream

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Our Services: Thermal Insulation

Unsere Leistungen: Innen- und Aussendämmungen

Os Nossos Serviços: Isolamento Térmico

Services: Isolation Thermique

This part of Beresford Street has been redeveloped as part of the Infusion Homes development. Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

This house is part of the new Infusion Homes development in Moss Side, which involves the renovation and reconstruction of existing housing stock and some new build. Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

The former tram depot had been used as a bus depot for Stagecoach for many years. It was demolished in 2011 as part of the redevelopment of the area.

To the right (north) is new build as part of the Infusion Homes development.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

www.doerken.de

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Hartington Street is part of the Infusion Homes development. Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.

Infusion Homes is an award winning development consisting of renovated and reconstructed houses, along with some new build, in Moss Side, Manchester. Houses include eco features such as solar panels, sun pipes and thermal insulation. The interior of the homes has been completed to a high standard and specification.