The equipment will allow the University of La Serena to associate knowledge in medicine, mining and food. 

A zeta potential analyzer and a dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyzer will be the equipment that will nourish the work of new research thanks to the funds awarded by the ULS within the framework of the Scientific and Technological Equipment program (FONDEQUIP). Likewise, the study house will be the only one in the northern part of Chile to have this equipment, which will have a high impact on the Coquimbo Region and on the development of scientific work.

The new implements will make it possible to measure the size of the particles, their surface charge and how they behave when suspended in a solution. This, thanks to the project “Strengthening the detection and quantification capabilities of nanoparticles and their surface charge for the advancement of research in the Coquimbo Region and northern Chile.” In this regard, Dr. Claudia Bernal Zuluaga, academic of the Department of Chemistry of the University of La Serena, explained that the guidelines of this call seek associativity and collaboration between the different areas of knowledge of the University and the region, adding that " This team is not in the northern part of the country, so we have the opportunity to partner with medicine, mining and food, so we are going to generate impact options in knowledge and technological development.”

The areas strengthened with this project are food research, nutra and pharmaceutical encapsulation, materials science for energy, catalytic applications, water and soil remediation, among others.

In parallel, the ULS was awarded a larger FONDEQUIP which will be complemented with these funds. Meanwhile, the academic commented that "the interesting thing about having won these funds at the same time is that they put us on the horizon and continue to show us as a work team and a University that has potential, that wants to continue looking for scientific solutions." and technologies that impact the region and the country, which is why it is very important to highlight that it will provide us with cutting-edge equipment that is in few laboratories or that is not in Chile, as is the case of Fondequip Mayor."

The equipment will be available to the community and can be used by both academics and students of the University; However, it will also be accessible to external users belonging to other institutions.

Dr. Bernal pointed out that it is “a fundamental tool because particularly now we have several theses that use or need this technology and we are always looking at where to take the students to do these analyses, which involve travel costs, for example. Now they will be able to do it here and make faster decisions and I hope this will invite other applicants to our undergraduate and graduate programs knowing that we have cutting-edge equipment.”

The University of La Serena achieved great progress thanks to the award of the Scientific and Technological Equipment Fund (FONDEQUIP), which will allow the expansion and development of new research, contributing to both the local and national scientific community.

Source: Office of Science Dissemination