Investigación

Dr. Ximena Rosselló Zeldis, Head of the Visual Communication Design program, recently earned her Doctorate in American Studies with highest honors. Her thesis, “Universal Design from the South: A path toward the liberation of people with functional diversity,” not only initiates a critical debate on Universal Design application in Latin America but also introduces Analectic Design—an emerging concept seeking deeply human and contextualized inclusion in the discipline.

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.

Green hydrogen has established itself as one of the fundamental energy pillars for tackling the climate crisis and advancing global decarbonization. Unlike fossil fuels, its production is clean; when consumed in energy processes, its only by-product is water. Furthermore, hydrogen holds three times more energy than conventional fuels. Recent research indicates that hydrogen produced by electrolysis using renewable energy could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 50% and 90% compared to fossil fuel methods without carbon capture.

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.

Developed in the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology laboratories, a natural, liter-extract based ointment is transforming the veterinary treatment of melanoma—the most aggressive skin cancer—in horses and pets. This innovation is expected to have an international impact.

The innovative treatment was developed by academics Dr. Leonel Rojo and Dr. Claudio Acuña. Beginning in 2026, Kawell—a company dedicated to equine and pet wellness with operations in Chile and the United States—will be responsible for the international marketing and distribution of the product.

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.

At a treatment plant inauguration a few weeks ago, Ministers Carlos Montes (Housing and Urban Development) and Álvaro Elizalde (Interior) announced a new public policy: promoting the reuse of water from sinks, washing machines, and showers in new building projects to conserve water resources.

Ciudad Vagón is a replicable initiative from University of Santiago students that transforms unused urban spaces into vibrant, functional areas.

As the winner of the Estación Futuro challenge, the proposal emerged from an open innovation call. This initiative was a collaboration between the Innovation Center (CI) of the Faculty of Engineering (FING) and Metro de Santiago (the commissioning entity), operating within the Sinapsis Usach platform, part of the Directorate of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Dinem). 

This research was led by Santiago Orcajo, a researcher affiliated with the Institute of Astrophysics of La Plata (Argentina). The study was conducted under the auspices of the Millennium Nucleus for the Study of Young Exoplanets and their Moons (YEMS), an initiative that convenes researchers from four Chilean academic institutions, including the University of Santiago de Chile (Usach).

Globally, Chile is the second-largest producer of Atlantic salmon, a highly nutritious and widely consumed species. Domestically, salmon farming ranks as the nation’s second most important industry after copper. Concentrated primarily in the regions of Puerto Montt, Aysén, and Magallanes, this sector significantly impacts the economy, society, and science, driving employment, technological innovation, and regional development.