Presentation

The Scientific Instrumentation and Information Technologies Centre was officially created in January 2003 and restructured in March 2024, adding, as a result of a restructuring in which the continuity of the overall objectives of former LNEC units was privileged, the skills associated with information technologies. The creation of those units has always taken into account the notion that the success of a scientific research institution largely depends on its ability to develop different tools, both to characterise the properties of materials and to study the behaviour of physical models and prototypes, by making it possible to analyse their performance and safety, as well as to validate mathematical models. It also involves the existence of IT infrastructures and the respective human resources with skills to explore and enhance them in the service of scientific research

In order to carry out those activities, the Centre uses the knowledge from scientific areas that are traditionally integrated in the fields of electrotechnical and mechanical engineering, and in the fields of metrology, system engineering and information technologies, by adapting that knowledge to the fulfilment of its tasks.

The Organization Chart of Scientific Instrumentation and Computer Infrastructures Unit is divided into:

Metrological Quality Unit

Electrotechnical and Mechanical Systems Unit

Information Technology and Computer Infraestructures Unit

Activity

The Scientific Instrumentation and Information Technologies Center develops science and technology activities - comprising both research and development activities (R&D) and other scientific and technical activities (OAC&T) - in the areas of Scientific Instrumentation, Metrology and IT, including the design and development of measuring instruments, test equipment, IT resources and other electromechanical systems aimed at applications in the broad field of Civil Engineering.

It also develops work to ensure the metrological quality of these instruments, participates in multidisciplinary teams involved in carrying out studies and tests, and also develops activity to build prototypes and small scale models, in all cases aiming primarily at the needs of the other organic units of LNEC . It also develops activities to characterize smoke control systems (in fire situations) in buildings.

On a second level of action, the CIC develops activity including the collaboration for different types of tests, as well as corrective maintenance work for various types of equipment or instrumentation.