UCSC Environmental Chemistry students obtain the Idea and Innova 2023 Fund

Instance seeks to support the implementation of projects at an early stage and thus contribute to the professional training of UCSC students.

By Jean Pierre Molina M., Journalist.- Patricia Pizarro and Camila Albornoz, students of Environmental Chemistry at UCSC, were awarded the Idea and Innova Fund, an initiative organized by the Department of Innovation of the House of Studies, whose objective is to contribute to the development of skills and opportunities for UCSC students in the early generation of innovative projects. These are topics in the social, economic and environmental area, which contribute to sustainability.

The students learned about this fund through email notices and also through the encouragement of their thesis guide professors. When applying, it involved preparing forms, as well as attending webinars and finally presenting the idea. “It involved a lot of time, we had four meetings before to show the form and the idea. Then we apply. We had complete monitoring by the Innovation Department, they gave us feedback and supported us at all times”, commented Camila Albornoz.

Regarding the motivations for applying, Patricia Pizarro comments that her main motivation was to get support for the completion of her thesis. “For my part, Professor Elizabeth Elgueta was fundamental, she urged me to participate. In the same process I learned about other previous projects awarded and I felt motivated to continue and I believed that my idea had potential”, explained Patricia, who was awarded the project idea stage.

Meanwhile, Camila points out that her guide teacher, Dr. Fabiola Valdebenito, was essential when applying. “Professor Fabiola Valdebenito motivated me a lot to participate. We needed a budget for the analysis of my thesis, I have a ready product and I obtained the validation stage, which considers two million pesos. Another aspect is that we got to know a lot of projects related to our themes, which was enriching”, she added.

Regarding the projects, Patricia Pizarro was awarded the fund with her project titled: “Hydroxyapatite porous structure in 3D”. The project considers the revaluation of mollusk shells. “Hydroxyapatite is a powder and the idea is to mix it with some binder to print in 3D. From there, generate a porous structure, which can have multiple applications such as in the area of ​​medicine where bone prostheses have been developed”, she added. In the particular case of Environmental Chemistry, she wants to see the possibility of testing to absorb heavy metals, considering a filtering membrane.

Meanwhile, Camila Albornoz was awarded the fund with the project: “CO2 adsorption filter”, whose idea began with the research seminar. “This is the filter for indoor environments. In these indoor environments that have poor air quality or ventilation, respiratory diseases can spread. Since C02 is harmful to health, all that gas is captured with this filter. Purifiers are generally sold, but they focus on particles. Instead, what we propose is completely focused on C02,” she explained.

It should be noted that the process must be carried out within a period of six months. In addition, both students agree that participating in this instance is a first approach to the application of projects, which they could experience in the future in their professional career.

“It is a good instance to participate and practice, live the experience of how to apply for a project, even if it is something concrete. We had not done it before, so the experience is quite enriching, knowing about the process. In addition, there is a multidisciplinary team that supports and contributes to the generation of the project”, concluded Patricia Pizarro.