Like forests, wetlands are critical to global health and are sometimes referred to as the planet's lungs. They provide more than just oxygen and carbon sequestration; these vital ecosystems also supply clean drinking water, act as massive carbon sinks, and shelter 40% of all species, making them essential for biodiversity.
Global demand for functional foods is growing steadily, primarily driven by consumers seeking products that not only fulfill their nutritional requirements but also offer specific health benefits.
According to a report by consulting firm Fortune Business Insights, the global functional food and beverage market is poised for explosive growth, with its value projected to reach USD 793.60 billion in 2032. This represents a near doubling of the estimated USD 398.81 billion for 2025, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.33% over that period.
Concrete is the most widely used material in construction in Chile and around the world. However, its production involves high environmental and economic costs, which call for innovative solutions to optimize its performance.
Current chemical additives and cement replacement materials offer improved properties and sustainability. However, high industry requirements demand even more advanced alternatives. This has led to the exploration of bio-concrete, which is valued for its ability to self-repair cracks, thereby significantly extending the material's useful life.
Chile is actively positioning itself as a global leader in green hydrogen production and export, a clean fuel that is essential for national decarbonization and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Thanks to its vast solar and wind energy potential, Chile is well-positioned to produce green hydrogen via water electrolysis. In this process, electricity from renewable sources such as solar panels or wind turbines is used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, producing a fuel that only emits water vapor as a waste product.
The National Research and Development Agency (ANID) announced the results of the Fondef IDeA 2025 Technological Research Competition (Fondef IT), in which two projects submitted by the University of Santiago de Chile obtained funding.
This achievement reflects an increase in institutional participation compared to 2024. Last year, the University submitted 11 applications and secured one award. In this year’s edition, Usach submitted 15 initiatives and obtained two awards, demonstrating its growing commitment to and success in applied research funding among Chilean universities.
Con la presentación de los resultados, entre los cuales destaca un prototipo en funcionamiento en la empresa Desafío Ambiente, se realizó el evento de cierre del proyecto Fondef “Resonador acústico de plástico reciclado para espacios de trabajo”.
Pesticides are vital for agricultural productivity, but their improper use poses risks to human health, the environment, and product quality, necessitating the development of new solutions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are revolutionizing industries and companies, making their operations more efficient, effective, and even more sustainable.
These technologies could help optimize the monitoring of industrial fishing vessels to track bycatch, the practice of throwing non-target species caught incidentally back into the ocean.
Despite public policies like the REP and Single-Use Plastics laws, plastic waste management remains a significant national challenge. According to Fundación Chile, our country consumes nearly one million tons of plastic annually, with only a meager 8.5% being recycled.
To address this challenge, the University of Santiago (Usach) has partnered with the Juan Fernández Circular R&D project. Led by CircularTec and funded by ANID, the project’s goal is to treat plastic waste from a circular economy perspective and develop useful products for the archipelago’s community.
Driven by high international demand, Chilean fruit growing has expanded steadily in recent decades. To maintain competitiveness, the sector has adopted intensive practices like higher planting density, aggressive pruning, and heavy fertilizer use.
Unfortunately, these practices have led to an increase in phytopathogenic fungal diseases, especially those affecting fruit tree wood. Such infections weaken the trees’ structure and significantly diminish their productivity.