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.
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.
Researchers from the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology successfully designed a pyridinium salt molecule that is critical for molecular electronics. The molecule's key feature is its ability to perform reversible electrical switching even when immobilized on a surface.
Just a few years ago, electric vehicles felt like a futuristic promise. Today, they are a global reality, and Chile is rapidly adopting them—most recently evidenced by Copiapó becoming the country's first city with a 100% electric public transport system. While this technology represents a vital, cleaner alternative to traditional fuel, this shift to electromobility simultaneously creates new, complex environmental challenges that current systems are not yet equipped to handle.
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.
Renewable energy is a necessity in the face of climate change, as industries and communities are increasingly adopting clean sources, such as solar and wind power. However, a major challenge is their intermittency; the sun does not always shine, and the wind does not always blow. This variability creates a gap between when energy is generated and when it's consumed, making it difficult to use its full potential.