Oportunidades Públicas

Size and scale of volcanoes in different environments of the cortex

This project will use data from a database data of morphometry of volcanoes (i.e., Grosse et al., 2008) to understand the distribution of the size and scale of the volcanoes. The student will perform statistical analysis and thermodynamic

Fragility Curves and Mitigation Strategies for Timber Structures under Earthquakes and Tsunamis

This project aims to develop fragility curves for timber structures built either formally or informally, considering multiple hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis. It will also evaluate specific mitigation measures for each hazard, analyzing potential synergies and conflicts between them. Desired: experience in numerical modeling and knowledge of construction systems. The student will learn how to develop fragility curves (probability of damage vs. hazard intensity), perform linear and nonlinear structural modeling, and formulate strategies to optimize the performance of these structures under multi-hazard scenarios.

Monitoring Seismicity in Front of the Juan Fernández Ridge

Construction of a preliminary geological map in remote areas

This Ipre aims to provide students with the methodology for generating a preliminary geological map based on collecting and integrating existing information and acquiring new information from satellite imagery for remote or difficult-to-access areas. A high-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) will be constructed, and photogeological and geomorphological mapping will be carried out. The case study will be the North Patagonian Batholith in the Aysén region, at the plate triple junction of the Taitao Peninsula.

Experimental Validation of 3D-Printed Connectors for Timber Structures

This research opportunity focuses on the design, modeling, and 3D printing of structural connectors for timber systems. The student will work with various 3D printing materials to fabricate two types of structural joints, which will then be tested in the lab to evaluate their mechanical behavior. The project is part of a broader research initiative on teaching innovation and digital fabrication technologies for timber construction.

Computational Modeling of Alveolar Micromechanics

Alveolar tissue supports gas exchange, the primary function of the respiratory system. To accomplish this, it cyclically undergoes stress and strain. This mechanical behavior is characterized by a non-linear relationship between stress and strain, as well as hysteresis caused by alveolar surfactant. This project seeks to develop a computational model that incorporates alveolar morphology and the non-linear behavior of the alveolar septum to understand its response under both normal and pathological conditions.

Building lung phantoms for mechanical ventilation

Phantoms are devices that replicate the anatomy and potentially the function of an organ. This project involves the design, fabrication, and validation of a lung phantom for the study of respiratory mechanics. The project combines medical image processing, 3D printing of biomodels, experimentation, and respiratory mechanics analysis to characterize lung phantoms.

Mechanical and electrical characterization of bone tissue

Bone tissue is a porous structure with a high mineral content that provides structural support for the musculoskeletal system. Its mechanical properties are difficult to determine non-invasively. An opportunity to do so is through electrical impedance measurements, a field that has been underexplored. This project seeks to study the relationship between the electrical and mechanical properties of bone tissue.

Analysis of respiratory behavior in athletes using wearable devices

Breathing plays a fundamental role in the development of exercise and physical activity. This project seeks to validate respiratory sensors for the study of athletes, and to understand which aspects of breathing are most associated with athletic performance.

Research in Geosciences and Mineral Deposits

This research will focus on Fe and Fe-Cu-Au deposits in the Coastal Range of the Norte Chico region. A multidisciplinary approach will be used, including the preparation, description, and analysis of geological samples, as well as the interpretation of geochemical, mineralogical, and structural data. Methodologically, it will include both fieldwork and laboratory analysis.

Assessment of Learning-by-Doing Experiences in Timber Construction Education

This opportunity seeks to assess the educational experience associated with learning-by-doing activities for teaching timber construction systems. The student will support the design, implementation, and analysis of surveys applied to undergraduate students participating in hands-on timber construction activities. The work will focus on evaluating students’ perceptions, learning experience, engagement, and perceived development of technical and transversal skills. The results will contribute to the validation of active learning strategies in timber engineering and construction education, as part of a teaching-focused research project.

Mechanical analysis of alveolar tissue during pulmonary emphysema

This research project aims to understand the behavior of stresses in alveolar tissue walls and how they are affected as pulmonary emphysema progresses. The project includes processing and analyzing murine lung micro-CT images, performing mechanical analysis using the finite element method, and conducting statistical analysis.

Mechanical characterization of the rat lung tissue

The mechanical behavior of the lung tissue determines respiratory function. This project aims to characterize the mechanical properties of lung tissue. The study involves conducting mechanical tests on soft tissues under different loading conditions and treatments, followed by their statistical analysis.