Driven by the expanding clean energy and advanced electronics sectors, the sustained increase in global demand for rare earth elements (REEs) necessitates more sustainable extraction methods. Studies indicate that mining tailings in north-central Chile represent a promising alternative source, containing significant concentrations of REEs like neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy).
With their project “Resilient Water Smart Group,” students Catalina Orellana and Alejandro Daza from the Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering emerged as winners of the 2025 edition of AQUA 365. Their innovative proposal exceeded the jury’s expectations, supported by a compelling pitch developed with the guidance and mentorship of the FING Innovation Center team.
Crucial to Chile’s innovation landscape, the Fund for the Promotion of Scientific and Technological Development (Fondef) finances applied research, technological development, and innovation in strategic economic sectors. It actively promotes collaboration among academia, business, and government. In the highly competitive 2025 Fondef competition, Dr. Andrea Mahn Osses’s project stood out and received an award.
The project aims to validate the microencapsulation of sulforaphane, creating a functional ingredient with proven efficacy for the food industry.
During the end of the last ice age, vast quantities of CO2, previously sequestered deep within the ocean, surged to the Southern Ocean’s surface and were released into the atmosphere, significantly contributing to global warming. However, it was theorized that some of this stored oceanic carbon might have been swept up and transported directly northward to the eastern equatorial Pacific upwelling region by Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) and Subantarctic Modal Water (SAMW).
In many complex scenarios, strategic decision-making must occur before the full picture of the future is known. However, contrary to traditional models, modern practitioners recognize that investing in additional information is often a viable option before committing to a final action. The key question is no longer just what decision to make, but what and how much information to obtain, when to do so, and at what cost.
The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Santiago de Chile (USACH) excelled in early-stage research, securing 10 Fondecyt Iniciación 2026 grants. This achievement surpasses last year's results and underscores FING's dedication to innovation, technological development, and nurturing young talent in Chilean engineering.
USACH earned a total of 19 Fondecyt projects in this year's call, with more than half, 10, from the Faculty of Engineering. This highlights FING's leadership in supporting emerging researchers tackling national challenges.
Driven by the concerning number of marine species illegally discarded at sea, Dr. Chang’s proposal seeks to develop an Artificial Intelligence solution to tackle pressing challenges such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
The ESUS team was founded 15 years ago by former student Gonzalo Pacheco, who had the foresight to create a solar car when discussions about new energy matrices were just beginning. From that initial model, four more were developed until 2018. Then, new generations embraced the challenge, adapting to the evolving needs of the industry by designing electric cars, which opened the door to participating in "Formula SAE." In this new context, the ESUS team took on the demanding task of designing a racecar, complete with all the intricate mechanical and electrical components involved.
The Agricultural Development Institute (Indap) has provided $5.25 billion pesos in funding to the Department of Industrial Engineering for a new program: the “Technology Transfer and Productive Investment Program for Peasant and Indigenous Family Farming (AFCI)” in the Atacama Region.
More than 800 small-scale farmers will directly benefit from this 18-month initiative. It uses a comprehensive model that integrates technical advice, productive investment, specialized training, and technology transfer to promote sustainable and equitable practices with local relevance.
The Atacama Goat Program, a major Usach-INDAP initiative, is designed to enable Atacama goat milk producers to significantly maintain or increase their productive activity, remain in the territory, and boost their gross margin. This is achieved by strengthening the production and commercial aspects of their systems through the incorporation of practices and management techniques linked to sustainability and value addition.