The University of Maine and the Technological Development Unit (UDT) of the Universidad de Concepción implemented a research program that gathered 16 students for nine weeks from universities in the United States and Chile on a research stay.
During their work at the University of Maine, students researched various topics such as sustainability, natural resource extraction, control processes, nanomaterials and nanotechnology, all associated with the forest industry and its derivatives.
The last week of this program, which began on August 6, included the visit of all participants to Chile. During this trip, professors and students learned about the reality of the forest industry in the region, with visits to major companies in the area such as Masisa, Arauco, CMPC and Mininco. The delegation also visited the Universidad de Concepción and some of the facilities, such as the Biotechnology Center.
This program will be executed for two more years, so it is a great opportunity for those students interested in topics related to biomass and its new applications. The next selection process of Chilean students will start in April 2013.