Selected research projects

Development of polyvinyl alcohol smart films with starch and anthocyanins from pigmented native potatoes as pH indicators in tarwi fermented food packaging
Funding Institution: PROCIENCIA
Amount:  164,840.00 PEN
PI UTEC: Dra. Diana Parada (dparada@utec.edu.pe)

Development of polyvinyl alcohol smart films with starch and anthocyanins from pigmented native potatoes as pH indicators in tarwi fermented food packaging

The general objective of this research is to develop smart films based on polyvinyl alcohol, starch and anthocyanins from pigmented native potatoes, for their application as functional packaging that can indicate changes in the pH of tarwi-based fermented foods of high nutritional value.

Perceptual Learning of Leg Movements and Kicking of Infants with Spina Bifida using a Virtual Reality Training System
Funding Institution: PROCIENCIA
Amount: 100,000 PEN
PI UTEC: Dr. Emir Vela (evela@utec.edu.pe)

Perceptual Learning of Leg Movements and Kicking of Infants with Spina Bifida using a Virtual Reality Training System

The project consists of developing a robotic system assembled to a virtual reality environment for infants affected by cerebral palsy or spina bifida. This robotic system will carry out the rehabilitation exercises of  lower extremities in the infants and at the same time they will be able to see their movements reflected in their avatar in the virtual environment; which can promote a shorter and more efficient rehabilitation therapy.

American Arts Incubator
Funding Institution: USA Embassy
Amount: 12,599 USD
PI UTEC: Antuane de La Flor (adelaflor@utec.edu.pe)

American Arts Incubator

AAI- is a technological-creative exchange program whose main objective is to contribute to social innovation in communities through digital art projects and new media. It takes place every year in different countries, with the sponsorship of ZERO1. In 2020, UTEC was the host of the Peruvian incubator, in which the theme “Adaptive Urbanism: Participatory Design for a Resilient Lima” was worked on. 23 projects by young artists and technologists were incubated, which were guided by Gabriel Kaprielian, a designer, architect, professor of architecture at Universidad de Temple, and Head of the Design and Innovation for Sustainable Cities program in the School of Environmental Design, at the UC Berkeley.

As a result of this experience, two virtual exhibitions were held and a book of the experience, edited by UTEC Press, was produced.

Use of cocoa waste for green composites production in Pangoa
Funding Institution:The Elsevier Foundation-ISC3 Green & Sustainable Chemistry Challenge.
Amount:  49,886.00 USD
PI UTEC : Dra. Diana Parada (dparada@utec.edu.pe)

Use of cocoa waste for green composites production in Pangoa

This project explores the use of cocoa pods and discarded leaves after pineapple cultivation as low-cost raw material for the development of composite materials to be used as an input in the furniture and panel industry for construction or decoration.

The objective of this project is that these materials replace – at least partially – the wood used in the manufacture of these furniture and panels, and as a consequence it would reduce deforestation and mitigate environmental problems in the area due to the inadequate disposal of large volumes of this waste.

Remote Haptic Control of a Robotic System for Application in Surgery
• Funding Institution:FONDECYT y World Bank.
• Amount: 348,850.00 PEN
PI UTEC : Dra. Ruth Canahuire Cabello (rcanahuire@utec.edu.pe)

Remote Haptic Control of a Robotic System for Application in Surgery

This project’s main objective is the experimental implementation of a robotic system made up of a manipulator robot with 6 degrees of freedom to carry out high-precision tracking of trajectories in order to be used as a main tool in cutting surgeries. 

The robotic system will be remotely controlled by an user, with haptics-type technology that will allow the user to sense and feel the degree of hardness of the material being cut and the force being applied.

Manufacture of fiber cement panels using materials obtained from endemic plants of Peru
• Funding Institution:FONDECYT y World Bank.
• Amount: 350,000.00 PEN
PI UTEC : MSc. Elena Flores Barreda (cfloresb@utec.edu.pe)

Manufacture of fiber cement panels using materials obtained from endemic plants of Peru

The objective of this project is to determine the mechanical properties and durability of fiber cement panels manufactured using Ichu fibers as reinforcement and Ichu ashes as an addition, for application indoors.