Students and academics exhibit innovation prototypes at Make It ULS fair

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It seeks to promote participation instances for the development of new projects and prototypes, for links with the industry and to contribute to the development of the region.

Students, academics and researchers from the University of La Serena participated in Make It ULS, the first fair of innovative projects and prototypes that seek to respond to the needs of the country and the Coquimbo Region. The activity was organized by the Research and Development Directorate of the institution and was supported by the FIULS 2030 project.fair2

The FIULS 2030 project, from the Faculty of Engineering of the U. de La Serena, participated in this fair, since it is framed in two of its axes: Applied R&D and links with the industry (which seeks to transfer innovation knowledge and entrepreneurship), and Commercialization of Technology and Technology-Based Entrepreneurship (which develops and transfers innovation capabilities inside and outside the Faculty).

The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Ing. Mauricio Godoy Seura, indicated that “we are participating in different instances that promote the development of new projects and prototypes that allow us to deliver solutions in our environment and link up with the industry, not only for contribute in the region, but also for the country.”

For his part, the Director of Research and Development of the ULS, Dr. Sergio Torres, made a positive assessment of the activity, "it is an instance in which we have researchers and students involved presenting their applied research projects, who are providing solutions to the problems that our region has and this is very relevant in the role of the University. Therefore, I consider that this was an absolute success and invites us to replicate it in the future."

fair3Diana Leiva, PhD student in Food and Bioprocess Engineering, participated with her project “EnBio2”, which consists of the development of an antioxidant film with functional properties based on chitose. “This prototype consists of the development of an antioxidant, biodegradable and antimicrobial packaging, from solid or liquid shrimp waste, with the aim of extending the life of food,” she explained.

Regarding the initiative, the Regional Director of CORFO, Gregorio Rodríguez, indicated that “it is very gratifying to see the impact that the initiatives with which we are sharing with the University have, we are seeing a series of prototypes that are very well underway in the area. of innovation, that is, efficient solutions are provided that have a greater impact, contributing to the sophistication of our offer of goods and services, and that allow increasing productive capacities in our region.

Meanwhile, the Seremi of Mining, Roberto Vega, indicated that “we have a great motivation to support our students, they come first. “In this fair, innovation is being promoted and we are sure that new inventions and future mechanisms will come from here that will give progress and development to our country and the Coquimbo Region.”

Written by María José Barraza, FIULS 2030 Project