UPB wins First Place in 4 categories of the IV version of the Plurinational Science and Technology Award 2017
The Plurinational Prize for Science and Technology is a recognition that the Bolivian State makes to national researchers, who through their scientific performance are contributing to the strengthening of science and technology, to the economic, productive and social development of the country.
In this IV version of the Prize, 67 national research papers from different academic institutions in the country applied, of which 28 papers were selected for a second round, where presentations were made in front of an evaluation committee in the city of La Paz. days 5 and 6 of September of this year.
The UPB Research Centers obtained First Place in 4 of the 7 categories of the Prize, 2 of them in collaboration with public universities.
First Place in Category "Health and medicine industry".
Project: "DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-COST READER FOR THE 'ELISA' TECHNIQUE (ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOABSORPTION TEST)".
In this project, a low-cost ELISA reader was developed (for disease diagnosis) based on a mini-spectrometer that, coupled to the camera of an Android smartphone, makes it a biomedical measurement instrument, thanks to development software own. The developed ELISA reader can be used massively in health centers and hospitals in the country.
This inter-university project combines capabilities in optoelectronics and software from UPB and in biomedicine from UMSS. The team is made up of Omar Ormachea PhD., Alex Villazón PhD., Ramiro Escalera PhD. (UPB) and Patricia Rodriguez PhD-c, Mgr. Amilcar Flores and Pedro Surriabre PhD-c. (UMSS).
First Place in Category "Information and communication technologies".
Project: "DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND VALIDATION OF A MIOELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CLAW FOR PROSTHETIC PURPOSES".
In this project, a control system for a claw was developed from myo-electrical signals. The prototype comprises a motorized claw and a microcontroller device. This device receives signals from myo-electrical sensors, to process, classify, define and carry out the movement, regulating force and speed. Its applications include teleoperated arms in the industry and prosthetics for the disabled.
The project was developed by Cecilia Tapia PhD. and Andrea Ávila (student of Electromechanical Engineering).
First Place in Category "Industrial Transformation".
Project: “INDUSTRIAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE: DEVELOPMENT OF FIRMWARE SOFTWARE FOR DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS OF INDUCTION MOTOR FAILURES THROUGH CURRENT ANALYSIS AND VIBRATIONAL ANALYSIS”.
In this project, a software for a micro-controller system was developed, which allows detecting induction motor failures (rotor and bearings) and determining their degree of severity, through non-invasive analysis. This project allows to carry out preventive, efficient and low cost maintenance on industrial engines.
The research group is made up of Grover Zurita PhD., Ing. Hector Pita (teacher of the UPB-University of New Mexico double degree program) and Adrian Villarroel (research assistant)
First Place in Category "Natural Resources, Environment and Biodiversity".
Project: “HYDROGEOCHEMISTRY OF THE NATURAL PRESENCE OF ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER OF BOLIVIA AND DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-COST ARSENIC REMOVAL TECHNOLOGY IN SOLAR COLLECTORS”
The geogenic causes of the high presence of arsenic in wells exceeding the maximum allowable value for drinking water have been identified in this project. To mitigate this situation, the project has also developed a highly efficient arsenic treatment process based on low-cost solar collectors. This study was conducted south of Lake Poopó and in the peri-urban area of Cochabamba.
This inter-university project combines capacities in industrial processes and energy at UPB and in hydrogeochemistry at UMSA. The team is made up of Ramiro Escalera PhD., Omar Ormachea PhD. (UPB) and Mauricio Ormachea PhD. (UMSA).
