The call was made by the Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, through the Multidisciplinary Research Institute in Sciences and Technology.

Two interesting talks, one referring to “Technologies for environmental sustainability: applications of solar thermal energy, water collection from dew and fog”, by the researcher, Dr. Danilo Carvajal, belonging to the Innergias team and attached to the Research Institute Multidisciplinary in Sciences and Technology of the ULS (IIMCT-ULS), and another on “Energy Efficiency in thermal systems: Theory in favor of Engineering”, taught by Dr. Luis Silva, from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the house of studies and assigned to the IIMCT-ULS, were carried out to conclude the cycle of talks organized by the Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies.

During the activity, reviews of the work carried out by the researchers, both attached to the IIMCT-ULS, were presented. The exhibitions included the participation of students and teachers from the University, who interacted with the Doctors, transforming into an interactive master class on the topics covered.

The first talk, given by Dr. Danilo Carvajal, dealt with works related to technologies applied to renewable natural resources, particularly applied solar thermal energy and atmospheric water collection, which included the results of outstanding works developed by the expert.

The final talk was given by Dr. Luis Silva, who showed various techniques to improve energy efficiency in applications that involve thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, as well as Synthetic Jet, which were described as air flows that are They produce in an oscillatory manner and can be used to improve heat removal from electronic components; matter that interested those present, who asked questions about the concept and the study addressed by the professional.

In response to the Research and Postgraduate policy, the ULS considers research, development and training of advanced human capital activities as a fundamental axis, and it is for this reason that dissemination talks are regularly held, with the idea that students can learn about the type of research that is carried out at the university, and thus share experiences regarding the different agreed upon topics.

It should be noted that the IIMCT-ULS aims to provide support to the different doctoral and master's programs, as well as strengthen institutional scientific productivity. This means that researchers are attached to the Institute and carry out their research and teaching activities within the departments, ensuring that the results of the research are transferred to teaching and strengthen student learning.

The fact must also be highlighted that, under the gaze of the University of La Serena, it is always necessary to advance in quantity and quality of scientific productivity. Thus, to date the University has published approximately 150 articles in WOS and around 170 articles in Scopus, surpassing the productivity of just last year to date. It must be noted and taken into consideration that the ULS has been quickly positioning itself in the rankings that visualize the area of ​​research, especially considering that not more than two days ago the university was positioned in the “Ranking of Research Quality 2017” published in the newspaper La Tercera (http://especiales.latercera.com/2017/universidades/article.html?id=6). Of the 40 study houses analyzed, the ULS is located in 11th place in the classification, rising four places compared to the previous year.

Regarding this achievement, the Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Eduardo Notte Cuello, pointed out that “the results that we are showing are the result of a policy of strengthening postgraduate degrees, in particular the Creditable Doctorate programs and the hiring of researchers to complement their cloisters; It is no coincidence that to date we have far exceeded the number of articles published during 2016 and that, in addition, we have three of the five doctorates that the ULS has accredited by the National Accreditation Commission (CNA), and one in the process of accreditation. It is notable that the recently created Doctorate in Biological Sciences, Mention Ecology of Arid Zones, has already managed to be accredited by the CNA, which indicates firstly a robust and committed academic body, and secondly, an adequate political and administrative structure ”.