Dr. Rodrigo del Río Secures Anillo Project to Develop Sustainable Hydrophobic Nanocellulose
Dr. Rodrigo del Río, a researcher at CIEN-UC, has secured a significant award in the ANID Anillos Competition. The project, focused on developing hydrophobic nanocellulose, promises to advance sustainable solutions for decarbonization and renewable energy generation in Chile. This achievement highlights CIEN-UC’s capability to lead cutting-edge research in the field of advanced materials.
Dr. Rodrigo del Río, principal investigator at the Center for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research (CIEN-UC), has achieved a significant award in the Anillos Competition of the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID). This achievement will enable the development of an innovative project focused on the production of hydrophobic nanocellulose, a key material for decarbonizing the energy matrix.
The project, titled “Nanocellulose as a Sustainable Material for Surface Engineering Applications in Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage,” aims to develop an environmentally friendly process for obtaining nanocellulose with adjustable hydrophobic properties. This advancement will allow its application in various areas, including its use as an electrode separator in lithium-ion batteries and in electrolyzers for hydrogen and ammonia generation, thus contributing to the development of renewable and sustainable energies.
The research team led by Dr. Del Río includes prominent academics from the Pontifical Catholic University, as well as collaborators from Bernardo O’Higgins University and the University of Concepción, highlighting the collaborative and multidisciplinary nature of the project.
This award reinforces CIEN-UC’s and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile’s commitment to cutting-edge research and the development of technologies addressing the country’s environmental and energy challenges.
