Selected research projects
Funding Institution: World Bank and Fondecyt
Amount: 1'058,300 PEN - URL
PI: Dr. Julio Valdivia (jvaldiviav@utec.edu.pe)
Implementation of a microfluidic device "point of care" (in situ) for the pre-concentration and separation by inertial forces of Plasmodium spp. in infected blood
This project designs and tests a lab-on-a-chip device with a “point of care” function that allows the detection of Malaria in a shorter time and smaller sample volumes than those required by current clinical diagnostic techniques.
Funding Institution: World Bank and Fondecyt
Amount: 2'697,100 PEN - URL
PI: Dr. Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Reyes (jcrodriguez@utec.edu.pe)
Development of interdisciplinary strategies for the conservation of our heritage facing the national bicentennial: From paintings and gilded copper to altarpieces and burted mats
This project aims to find strategies to protect heritage objects through a) the understanding of the mechanisms of deterioration, and b) the monitoring and control of the storage conditions.
Funding Institution: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Amount: 100,000 USD - URL
PI: Dr. Jorge Abad (jabadc@utec.edu.pe)
Impacts of alluvial mining in the Madre de Dios Basin: physical effects and mitigation planning
This project explores the interactions between flow, sediment transport, and channel change in rivers in association with the distribution of mercury along the food chain. This project involves an integrated assessment of a coupled natural-human system in southeastern Peru where there is an urgent need to develop science-based sustainable practices and conservation of natural resources.
Funding Program: Harvard - UTEC Research Seed Fund
Amount: 45,000 USD
PI: Dr. Carlos Rios (crios@utec.edu.pe) and Dr. Joost Vlassak (Harvard University)
micro-SNAP project
Peruvian agriculture has been technically abandoned in the last few years, endangering the future of this activity and promoting the spread of illegal/informal economic activities. This proposal looks to develop a soil analysis tool using microfluidic technology for farming applications in order to strengthen Peruvian agriculture.
Funding Program: Harvard - UTEC Research Seed Fund
Amount: 45,000 USD
PI: Dr. Emir Vela (evela@utec.edu.pe) and Dr. Katia Bertoldi (Harvard University)
Soft Robotic Haptic Device for Tactile Stimulation of Infants with Locomotor and Sensation Disorder
The goal of this proposal is to develop a low-cost soft robotic haptic device made of soft metamaterials to perform gentle mechanical stimulation for the rehabilitation of tactile sensations in the lower limbs of 0-6-month-old infants affected by Spina Bifida. Stimuli will be performed on the thigh, foot dorsum, and joints; thus, promoting the recovery of their walking disorders.
Funding Program: Harvard - UTEC Research Seed Fund
Amount: 45,000 USD
PI: Dr. Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Reyes (jcrodriguez@utec.edu.pe), Dr. Cynthia Friend and Dr. Robert Madix (Harvard University)
Gold and Silver: Catalyzing the Harvard – UTEC partnership
Catalysis is at the core of the development of sustainable processes and materials for the world. In particular, catalysis with gold and silver at the nanoscale are very promising for several chemical processes, since these metals are able to perform organic chemical reactions of relevance for transforming natural resources (natural gas, ethanol) into fine chemicals. This proposal focuses on the understanding of the reactivity of gold towards various types of organic molecules at ideal (ultra-high vacuum) and real (micro-reactor) conditions.
