Antonio García-Chica

Musculoskeletal disorders remain one of the leading occupational health concerns in agriculture, especially in physically demanding environments such as greenhouse cultivation. This study evaluates the ergonomic risks associated with 15 tasks involved in the complete cultivation cycle of vine tomatoes in Almería, Spain, using two complementary approaches: the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method and a fuzzy logic–based inference system. The fuzzy model integrates six biomechanical input variables and enables both real-time evaluation and simulation of ergonomic scenarios. The results highlight critical postural loads in several tasks, with the manual digging of planting holes identified as the most hazardous. A semi-automatic pneumatic system was proposed and analyzed, showing a substantial reduction in ergonomic risk, validated by both RULA and fuzzy logic outputs. This confirms that fuzzy logic not only mirrors expert ergonomic evaluation but also allows the assessment of potential improvements introduced by technological interventions. The methodology offers a scalable, interpretable, and adaptable decision-support tool for improving worker safety and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Water scarcity, rising energy costs, and limited technology adoption challenge Mediterranean greenhouse horticulture. Although irrigation automation and digital decision-support tools have been widely studied, adoption barriers and integrated water–energy decision support are often addressed separately, particularly under farmers’ real operational constraints. This study combines a survey of greenhouse farmers in Almería, southeastern Spain, with an interpretable Mamdani fuzzy logic model to assess irrigation automation and support water–energy management. Survey results show that 61% of farms use basic irrigation systems, 33% use semi-automated systems, and only 6% use fully automated irrigation; 87% rely exclusively on grid electricity. The main barriers were high initial investment, reliability and configuration concerns, and limited willingness to undertake specialized training. Automation was positively associated with cultivated area and educational attainment, but not with age or crop type. The fuzzy model integrates reservoir level, irrigation demand, irrigation mode, tariff period, and energy-supply configuration to estimate irrigation cost and feasible operating time. Scenario-based validation differentiated grid-connected, hybrid photovoltaic, and off-grid configurations and highlighted the potential of renewable integration and time-sensitive irrigation management to reduce dependence on conventional energy. By linking farmer adoption constraints with interpretable operational decision support, the framework provides a practical basis for gradual irrigation modernization and supports water–energy–food nexus management in Mediterranean greenhouse horticulture.

The exploitation of hydrokinetic resources represents a sustainable and efficient alternative for renewable energy generation. This study presents the design and real-world implementation of a compact hydrokinetic system capable of converting rainwater runoff into electricity within smart homes. Unlike conventional large-scale hydrokinetic technologies, this system was specifically engineered for intermittent, low-flow conditions typical of residential rainwater collection networks. The turbine was manufactured using 3D-printed biodegradable materials to promote environmental sustainability and facilitate rapid prototyping. Through CFD simulations and laboratory testing, the system’s hydraulic behaviour and energy conversion efficiency were validated across different flow scenarios. The complete system, consisting of four turbines rated at 120 W each, was integrated into a real smart home without structural modifications. From an academic perspective, this study contributes a quantitatively validated hybrid hydrokinetic–low-head framework for residential rainwater energy recovery, addressing intermittent and low-flow urban conditions insufficiently explored in existing literature. Field tests demonstrated that the hydrokinetic system provides complementary energy during rainfall events, generating up to 6000 Wh per day and enhancing household energy resilience, particularly during periods of low solar availability. The results confirm the technical feasibility, sustainability, and practical viability of decentralized hydrokinetic energy generation for residential applications.

This study explores the design and adaptation of a shipping container into a portable irrigation control station for agricultural operations. The project leverages the structural durability and mobility of containers to offer a versatile and sustainable solution for irrigation management. By integrating irrigation equipment, control systems, and energy storage, this unit provides an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional irrigation stations. A key advantage of this innovation is its mobility, allowing the container to be easily relocated between farms using a crane truck. This feature optimizes its use in seasonal crop rotations and in agricultural operations spread across different locations. The system operates autonomously, harnessing photovoltaic solar energy stored in batteries, thereby eliminating reliance on fossil fuels and significantly reducing the environmental impact of agricultural irrigation. The system was designed to irrigate 4 hectares, with a pump flow rate of 26 L/s, a total power load of 3.47 kW, and the capacity to supply a crop area of up to 4 ha under typical operating conditions. Beyond its operational efficiency, the study emphasizes the environmental benefits of repurposing shipping containers, contributing to waste reduction and mitigating ecological degradation. This approach aligns with sustainability principles in agriculture, promoting the responsible and efficient use of water and energy resources in decentralized irrigation systems.

The Canal de Castilla, one of Spain’s most remarkable hydraulic heritage landmarks, has shifted from its original role as a transportation infrastructure to a multifunctional resource linked to water management, agriculture, cultural preservation, and sustainable tourism. This paper addresses the current challenges and development opportunities associated with its conservation and territorial reintegration, presenting a methodological framework that combines engineering approaches, digital tools, thematic mapping, and participatory planning. Survey results from 120 residents in the municipality of Alar del Rey reveal a strong acknowledgment of the canal’s cultural significance, broad support for participatory governance, and a clear prioritization of heritage preservation alongside sustainable tourism initiatives. Furthermore, preferences for preventive maintenance and renewable energy integration highlight a growing societal awareness of sustainability. Beyond these aspects, the study emphasizes the educational potential of the canal, positioning it as a living laboratory for teaching in engineering, architecture, and environmental studies. In this way, the research not only supports the physical rehabilitation and functional revitalization of the Canal de Castilla in the 21st century but also contributes to educational innovation by promoting active methodologies and project-based learning in higher education.

En este trabajo se presenta una metodología para favorecer el aprendizaje de dinámica de mecanismos basado en el uso de cuadernos interactivos. Para ello, se propone la realización de un proyecto que utiliza un modelo virtual de una máquina, en este caso, una grúa, para abordar los conceptos relacionados con la cinemática y cinética de la partícula, de los sistemas de puntos y del sólido rígido tridimensional, así como los métodos de Newton-Euler y de Euler-Lagrange para la resolución de la dinámica de sistemas multicuerpo. Mediante el uso de los cuadernos interactivos, se irán resolviendo problemas de complejidad ascendente, siempre relacionados con la máquina elegida. Si bien esta máquina puede desempeñar un movimiento espacial que implica tres articulaciones de revolución y una prismática, en las fases iniciales se bloquearán algunas de estas articulaciones para adecuar la complejidad de los ejercicios a los contenidos abordados en cada momento. No obstante, el hecho de disponer del modelo virtual completo desde el inicio del proyecto permite disponer de una mejor perspectiva sobre las tareas a abordar además de fomentar el interés y la motivación. Gracias a la posibilidad de conectar los cuadernillos interactivos con un simulador multicuerpo, los estudiantes disponen de un sistema de visualización tridimensional de las simulaciones llevadas a cabo para la resolución de los cálculos relacionados con los problemas propuestos. Además, se utilizarán los resultados arrojados por el simulador como ground-truth, por lo que, gracias a un script encapsulado en los propios cuadernillos, los estudiantes pueden comprobar si las soluciones obtenidas son o no correctas de una manera completamente autónoma. La principal aportación de este trabajo consiste en la propuesta metodológica basada en cuadernillos interactivos combinada con el aprendizaje basado en proyectos. Además, se presentarán algunos datos relacionados con las experiencias de uso de la metodología propuesta. Como trabajos futuros se proponen la ampliación de las características de los proyectos propuestos, introduciendo nuevos grados de libertad, de manera que se combinen cadenas cinemáticas abiertas y cerradas, así como el uso de actuadores lineales y cilindros hidráulicos.

Greenhouse cultivation in Almería, Spain, has experienced continuous growth over the last five decades, and this area has established itself as one of Europe’s leading vegetable-producing regions. With 8201 hectares under cultivation, tomatoes are the most important crop, accounting for 63% of the total value of greenhouse tomato production in Spain. The aim of this study is to design and develop a tool that facilitates tomato trellising under greenhouse conditions and allows it to be carried out at the ground level. An operating principle is developed, and a static analysis of the tool is carried out. Time, costs, and risk of falling from height are compared with traditional methods (ladders, stilts, manual wheeled scaffolding, and motorized scaffolding). The tool incorporates a telescopic carbon fiber mast, a direct-current motor, and electromagnets. The results indicate that the tool is the second fastest method (4′38″) and has the second lowest cost (EUR 8026.93). It is concluded that it is a viable option for trellising, since it eliminates the risk of falling from height while maintaining competitive times and reasonable costs.