Organized yearly by ANID, the Fondef IDeA I+D Competition supports applied research projects tackling critical national challenges—including health, energy, climate change, digital technologies, natural resources, the environment, and productive development—while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement with socioeconomic actors.
In the 2025 Fondef IDeA I+D call, professors from the School of Engineering played a prominent role in seven awarded projects, which propose innovative technological solutions relevant to industry and society.
Álvaro González (Director)
Associate Professor from the Department of Construction Engineering and Management—also serving as School Director, Outreach Director, and DICTUC member—leads the project ‘Enhancing Pavement Sustainability: Assessing Lignin Filler’s Antioxidant Role and Performance in Warm Mix Asphalt’
Elodie Blanco (Alternate Director), Assitant Professor from the Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, and the Department of Construction Engineering and Management.
Associate Firm: Asfalcura SpA
Collaborator: EMPA
Ángela Decar (Director)
Adjunct Instructor Professor from the Engineering Design Area (Dilab) leads the project ‘Simulation of Swallowing in Infants’
Associated Firm: Importadora y Comercializadora Skill Training
Jorge Ramos (Director)
Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Metallurgical Engineering leads the project ‘Porosity Reduction in Low Mass Additive Manufacture Metal Mirrors for Astronomy and Earth Observation’
Max Marian (Alternate Director), Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Metallurgical Engineering, serving as Associate Director of International Relations.
Associates: FACH Dirección Espacial and University of Edinburgh
Collaborator: UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Ricardo Giesen (Director)
Associate Professor from the Department of Transportation and Logistics Engineering leads the project ‘Supply-Demand Equilibrium Simulation Model for Multimodal Freight Transportation Networks’
Luis Rizzi (Alternate Director), Associate Professor from the Department of Transportation and Logistics Engineering, serving as Associate Director of Graduate Studies.
Associate: Ministry of Transportation and Communications
Loreto Valenzuela (Researcher)
Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, with the project ‘SalmoClean: A Solution for Controlling and Preventing Salmonella spp. in Bedding, Guano, and Surfaces of Broiler Chicken Rearing Facilities’
Led by the School of Veterinary Medicine UC
Associated Firms: Nanotec and Agrosuper
Collaborator: UniFAHS
Roberto Canales (Alternate Director)
Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering with the project ‘Emergency Response System for Confined Environments with Restricted Oxygen Access – SIREMACAR’
Led by the Faculty of Chemistry UC
Associate: APOLINAV
Néstor Escalona (Researcher)
Full Professor in the Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering – serving as School Director, Graduate Studies Director, and Faculty of Chemistry Professor – with the project ‘Decreasing Fertilizer Dependency by Developing Biochar from Agroindustrial Waste Biomass’
Led by Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María
Associated Firms: Andes Carbon y Bioinsumos Cakrana
These projects represent tangible progress in developing innovative solutions with practical applications, aligned with national priorities. Their implementation strengthens the School of Engineering’s capacity to contribute to Chile’s technological and sustainable development, reaffirming the key role of academia in building a more resilient and inclusive future for the country.
