Investigación

Chemistry and Anthropology: Tracing Psychoactive Plants in Andean Artifacts

During the second half of June, Fernando Carranza, a doctoral student in Anthropology at Tulane University (USA), spent two weeks collaborating with Dr. Javier Echeverría, a professor in the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology at the University of Santiago, Chile.

The visit was driven by Carranza’s interest in learning advanced analytical chemistry techniques to study archaeological artifacts. Specifically, he aimed to examine those that might contain remnants of psychoactive plants used in rituals by ancient Andean Amazonian cultures.

Researchers Offer Dairy Industry Recycled Material Tech for Yogurt Packaging

The research, led by University of Santiago academics Dr. María José Galotto, Dr. Abel Guarda, Dr. Eliezer Velásquez, and Ximena Valenzuela, seeks to prove that a circular economy model can be successfully implemented in food packaging, especially for polystyrene yogurt containers.

New Study by Our University Exposes Troubling Trends in Adolescent Mental Health

The book is the result of the international research initiative Global Early Adolescence Study (GEAS). Its development in Chile was made possible thanks to collaboration between the Public Health Program of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Usach, the San Bernardo Health and Education Corporation, and Johns Hopkins University. 

The presentation was attended by university authorities, representatives of the municipality of San Bernardo, and key professionals who participated in the study. 

Neuro-Inspired AI: The Path to Sustainable Intelligence

Today's AI advancements, from ChatGPT to facial recognition, rely on massive, energy-intensive data centers that process millions of calculations per second. This model, however, incurs high costs and significant environmental impact, while the ability to further increase AI's processing power is starting to stagnate.

Usach Secures 11 Fondef IDeA I+D 2025 Grants for Applied Research

A total of eleven applied research projects from the faculties of Engineering, Technology, Science, Medical Sciences, and Chemistry and Biology at the University of Santiago de Chile were awarded the Fondef IDeA I+D 2025 competition, organized by ANID. Nationwide, 129 initiatives will receive this funding.

For our institution, this result represents an 8.5% increase in awards compared to 2024, when eight proposals received funding. Institutional participation also expanded, with three to five faculties involved, while the number of applications grew from 44 to 51.

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Green Chemistry for Clean Water: Biosorbents to Detect Agricultural Pesticides

In Chile, various bodies of water, such as the Mapocho River, receive agricultural and industrial waste, including organochlorine pesticides, chemical compounds used for pest control but which accumulate in the environment and affect health and biodiversity.

Clean Energy from Waste: Producing Hydrogen and Green Methane from Algae and Manure

For years, green hydrogen has emerged as a leading contender for driving the global energy transition. Its ability to generate clean energy without emitting pollutants has ignited worldwide interest in decarbonizing production and energy sectors. In this context, Chile has become an international leader in developing this technology, leveraging its abundant solar and wind resources and a strong national commitment to clean energy production.

Innovative Biotech Solution Targets Climate-Degraded Soil

Climate change is significantly altering the quality and fertility of agricultural land, hindering its capacity to retain nutrients, capture moisture, and support vegetation. To combat this phenomenon, the use of microorganisms such as cyanobacteria offers an effective solution.

In response, Usach’s Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, specifically its Plant Biochemistry and Phytoremediation Laboratory, is developing a multifunctional biotechnological tool based on these living organisms to enhance soil adaptability and mitigate the climate crisis.

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Modernizing the Electrical System: Research Explores Autonomy and Local Generation

Historically, Chile’s electrical system has depended on large, distant power plants that transmit energy across long lines to urban consumers. This model, however, is now under considerable strain. The increasing adoption of renewable energies, residential solar panels, domestic batteries, and electric vehicles highlights the urgent need for modernization.