Category: Systems and Applications

The field of Graph Theory studies the relationships between elements, called nodes, and their connections, known as edges. This area encompasses models ranging from technological networks to social and air transportation networks. Its main subfields include Network Science, which analyzes interactions in complex systems, and Computer Networks, which provide the technological infrastructure for global communication.

Network Science investigates how the structure and dynamics of connections influence the global behavior of a network. Topics such as centrality, robustness, and structural patterns are analyzed to better understand social, economic, and biological networks. The growth of technology and the explosion of data in recent decades have further increased the relevance of this field.

In Computer Networks, defining the network topology is essential for efficient monitoring. This process can be modeled as an optimization problem or analyzed as a Complex Network, using graph-theoretic concepts to study its properties and performance. Moreover, infrastructure management and data communication rely on specific protocols tailored to different applications, such as environmental monitoring, mobile networks, and biomedical systems. The efficiency of these protocols is evaluated using metrics such as packet delivery rate, network throughput, and energy consumption.

This project aims to develop graph-based applications across various domains, combining computational simulation with practical experiments. It also seeks to improve the design and communication within these graph structures, exploring new protocols to make information transmission more efficient and resilient.

Faculty Members Involved:

• Diego Nunes Brandão (coordinator) 
• Felipe da Rocha Henriques 
• Glauco Fiorott Amorim 
• Helga Dolorico Balbi
• Laura Silva de Assis 

Intelligent Applications have become essential for optimizing processes and enabling informed decision-making. Their integration with Robotics, Multimedia, and the Internet of Things (IoT) drives significant innovation across multiple domains.

In Robotics, intelligent applications enhance machine autonomy and interaction, enabling solutions that range from personal assistant robots to advanced surgical systems. A special focus is placed on educational robotics, which combines state-of-the-art technology with playful, interactive approaches to develop intelligent embedded systems and perception algorithms. These solutions are often tested in technology competitions to refine their performance before being applied in educational contexts.

Multimedia has transformed the way information is consumed by integrating video, audio, images, and text with intelligent algorithms. This enables personalized user experiences, speech and image recognition, and immersive virtual reality environments, resulting in more intuitive and multisensory interactions.

In IoT, Artificial Intelligence allows everyday objects to collect and analyze data to create more efficient and secure environments. The convergence of IoT and AI gives rise to AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things), which incorporates advanced learning and decision-making capabilities into connected devices.

This research project explores how these technologies can transform teaching and learning, synchronize multisensory effects, and support environmental monitoring, enabling the development of more autonomous and efficient systems.

Faculty Members Involved:

• Joel Andre Ferreira dos Santos (coordinator) 
• João Roberto de Toledo Quadros 
• Glauco Fiorott Amorim 
• Diego Nunes Brandão

Software Engineering is the field that studies and applies scientific and technological methods to the software life cycle, ensuring systematic and disciplined approaches to development. With the growing reliance on software in smartphones, computers, and wearable devices, the quality and security of these systems have become fundamental. Furthermore, emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, and Virtual Reality impose new challenges on software engineering.

This research project investigates how software engineering can be applied to these technologies to maximize their societal benefits. In the context of Blockchain, for instance, smart contracts enable innovative services, but code vulnerabilities can lead to million-dollar losses, making security a critical concern. In IoT, security is equally essential, as failures can compromise hardware or even endanger human lives. Developing secure, scalable, and reliable systems thus becomes a central challenge within Software Engineering.

Educational games are another important application, supporting learning through exploration within the game environment. The use of data provenance makes it possible to analyze player actions, revealing their behavior and strategies.

This project also welcomes additional investigations into emerging technologies and their societal impact, exploring innovative approaches to software development.

Faculty Members Involved: 

• Diogo Silveira Mendonça (coordinator) 
• Joel André Ferreira dos Santos