Oportunidades Públicas

The green tax on vehicles. Does it work?

Every new car that is sold in Chile must pay a tax to the “green” that depends on their emissions of NOx and CO2 (the exact amount for each vehicle can be calculated in https://www4.sii.cl/calcImpVehiculoNuevoInternet/internet.html ) . Although the origin of this tax is the levy (it was part of the Tax Reform of 2014 to fund free university), can have a positive environmental impact. This research aims to estimate the effect of this tax on the emissions of the new car fleet. What has changed the average emission of the fleet? That is to say do You sell cars more clean today than yesterday? The brands are ahead of the compliance with future standards for their models to pay less tax?
All of these questions are very important to assess the impact of the tax, and to assess its performance as an instrument of environmental regulation.

CO2 Emissions quotas in the Climate Change Framework Law

La Ley 21455 - Ley Marco de Camblio Climatico - Art. 5(b) define “ Presupuestos sectoriales de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero al año 2030 asignados a los sectores señalados en el artículo 8°, de acuerdo a criterios de costo efectividad y equidad.” Esto se logra a traves de normas de emision para cada sector.
Esta investigacion indaga en como aterrizar estos conceptos considerando los dos criterios, y cuanto pueden cambiar los presupuestos segun qué criterio se considere.

Asignar los presupuestos es vital para que cada sector defina sus esfuerzos de mitigacion. El resultado de la investigacion puede ayudar a la politica publica. Ideal que hayan cursado ICS3742. (esta oportunidad se ofrece en 5 o 10 créditos)

Conservation of coastal wetlands: response of suspended solids to hydrochemical gradients

Understanding the biophysical and geochemical dynamics of suspended solids in coastal wetlands is key to assess and predict their response to human and natural stressors. However, it is still poorly known in Chile, preventing the design of adequate and timely responses to phenomena lile climate change, droughts, and soil use changes in watersheds, like urbanization.

The objectives of this workl are: (i) to sistematize and creiticallyt review the literature on suspended solids and turbidity in selected coastal wetlands; (ii) to familiarize and apply analytical tools enabling the characterization of the suspended particle dynamics and the related pollutants, either in lab or field models; (iii) to recognize the potential implications of the research findings on the proposal of adaptation/prevention/control.

Reparation-LAB: Applicability of Selective Electrodeposition for Recovery of Mechanical Parts (2026-II)

CONTEXT: The useful life of mechanical components is conditioned by the progressive deterioration of their functional surface due to wear and/or corrosion, which leads to the loss of critical tolerances and compromises their operational performance. In large components, such as those used in mining machinery, the high costs of replacement, together with environmental considerations, motivate the development of repair technologies to restore surface topography and recover the part's functionality.

OBJECTIVE: To collaborate with the "Reparation-LAB" team in the development of the device for the selective electrodeposition (ELO-Brush) of metal alloys. In particular, the student can work in:
(1) Design, manufacture, and functional testing of ELO-Brush components, (2) Implementation of electrodeposition experiments, (3) Physical-chemical, mechanical, and morphological characterization of the recovered surfaces, (4) State-of-the-art analysis (literature) and state-of-the-art (market).

Dedication: The 10 crs can be concentrated in one semester or distributed in 5 cr over two semesters.

Innovation, AI Technologies, and Sustainability in Companies and Startups 2026-2

- Topic options: Innovation, digital transformation, and the use of artificial intelligence in companies; eco-innovation as a response to sustainability challenges; factors influencing the success of fintechs and technology-based startups; wage gaps and sustainability.
- Methodological options: Econometric analysis, analysis based on natural language processing, database construction, and systematic literature review.
- The specific topic and methodology will be discussed with the applicant during the interview. Each IPre addresses only one of the topic options and, at most, two methodological techniques.
- To apply, please send me a CV and "ficha académica" to gvaldesu@uc.cl by July 14.