• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Funding Institution:FONDECYT

• Amount: 490,070.00 PEN

• PI UTEC : Dr. Emir Vela (evela@utec.edu.pe)

Highly flexible low-cost robotic system for the rehabilitation of infants from 0 to 6 months affected with spina bifida in Peru

The objective of this project is to design, manufacture and validate a highly flexible (soft and flexible materials) and low-cost robotic system for the rehabilitation of the lower extremities of infants between 0 -6 months affected with spina bifida (myelomeningocele) in Peru.

It is expected for the manufacture of these devices to be carried out with digital manufacturing processes, to make fast and low-cost prototypes, in remote regions of the country that have 3D printing technology.

• Funding Institution:MISTI Program

• Amount: 26,500  USD

• PI UTEC : Dr. Alberto Donayre (adonayre@utec.edu.pe) y Dr.Angela Belcher (MIT USA)

Programmable biomaterials for Bioremediation in Peru using synthetic biology tools

People from rural communities in Peru are exposed to heavy metal contaminants lacking alternatives for bioremediation and cost-effective decontamination solutions. Implementation of effective systems for heavy metal removal would limit and manage exposure to these pollutants. 

The main objective of this project is the implementation of cheap and simple yeast cells as a heavy metal bioremediation system. In addition, a protection of a hydrogel will be included, to produce a ready to be used yeast bioremediation system. 

• Funding Institution: FONDECYT

• Amount : 85,500.00 PEN

• PI UTEC: Dr. Julio Valdivia (jvaldivia@utec.edu.pe)

Design and implementation of a non-invasive wearable system capable of early detection of breast cancer through the use of microwave imaging technology

This project uses electromagnetic waves emitted by micro antennas located in a bra that is easy to put on for the patient, the presence of possible breast tumors is detected based on the dielectric constant that is different compared to healthy tissue. This device emits weak waves and is intended to be used in rural areas or in areas where complex equipment such as mammography does not exist. In this way, the equipment will serve for a rapid detection that alerts the doctor or health personnel to refer the suspected patient to a more specialized health center.

Detection of breast cancer is vital in its early stages and this completely innocuous kit could help in its detection. UTEC and UCSP are on the way to improve this system by developing machine learning tools and artificial intelligence algorithms.