Development of projects addressing real problems in the areas of Mechanics and Bioengineering is the target
Photo: Bruno Todeschini – Ascom/PUCRS
An international exchange program for professors and students in the area of Engineering of PUCRS and Rice University, from Texas, has been approved under the program 100,000 Strongs in the Americas, sponsored by the American government. In addition to strengthening the ties between both institutions, the partnership will develop projects in the area of engineering geared towards the solution of real Mechanics and Engineering problems. Only eight proposals, including PUCRS’, have been selected out of a large number of projects that have been presented by universities from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Mexico and the USA.
The School of Engineering (Feng), the Laboratory of Manufacture (LabFab), in collaboration with the Creativity Laboratory (Crialab) and the Science and Technology Park (Tecnopuc) will be responsible for the project at PUCRS. At Rice, the activities will be conducted at the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK), which deals with problem solving by employing prototyping tools such as 3D printers, laser cutter, controllers and other pieces of professional equipment. The partnership will lead to the improvement of LabFab’s techniques and methods, and will introduce the model that is currently used at OEDK to PUCRS.
The program is expected to start in June and will last from six to eight weeks. Three Feng students will go to Texas and three OEDK students will come to PUCRS. PUCRS’ students are currently working on their projects in the course of Experimental Mechanical Integration whereas Rice’s Engineering Design Minors are working on theirs. The accompanying professors will be responsible for running the projects.
