1. 11 – 13 April 2017 Cracow University of Technology
Catholic University of Uruguay - School of Engineering Materials Engineering Group
Kick-Off Meeting FIBRE
“Development of eco-friendly composite materials based on geopolymer matrix and reinforced with waste fibers”
 11 – 13 April Cracow University of Technology

2. Uruguay Surface: 176,215 km2 (Poland: 321,679 km2 )
Population: 3,286,314 (Poland : 38,454,576)
Density: 18.65/km2 (196th) (Poland : 123/km2  (83th))
GDP Per Cap: $21,570 (Poland : $27,654)

3. Universidad Católica del Uruguay “Dámaso Antonio Larrañaga”
Open Since: 1985
Students:
Faculty: ~1.500 (mostly part time)
Dámaso Antonio Larrañaga (1771 – 1848) was a Uruguayan priest, naturalist and botanist.
Founder of the National Library of Uruguay and the National University of Uruguay (among others).
650 IPNI records!

4. Post graduate programs: 4 Post graduate students: ~60
School of Engineering  
Degree Programs: 6
Degree Students: ~1200
Post graduate programs: 4
Post graduate students: ~60
Programs on:
Industrial Engineering
Electronics Engineering
Informatics Engineering
Food Technology Engineering,
Telecommunications Engineering
Power Systems Engineering
Materials Engineering Group: Started in 2012

5. Industrial Engineering Department - Materials Engineering Group (Started 2012)
Focused on ferrous matrix composite synthesis, and mechanical and tribological characterization of materials.
Starting: 3D additive composite synthesis (w/Stratasys)
1 PhD, 2 PhD Students, 2 Degree Students
3 International Founded Projects (2 EU, 1 GER)
2 National Founded Projects
(ANII + 2 with private companies partners)

6. Horizon 2020 - CREATe Network
Processing and characterization of advanced Composites for Resource-Efficient Applications and Technologies
The aim of CREATe-Network is to provide a platform for international and intersectoral collaboration between different academic and non academic institutions in Europe, Latin America, USA and South Africa in the multidisciplinary field of advanced composite materials.
Kick off meeting – Montevideo, 19th-20th of March 2015
Workshop on Processing and Characterization of Advanced Steel and Alloys
From the 29th of February to the 2nd of March 2016 at the Catholic University of Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay.

7. Materials Engineering Group
We’re working on . . .
High Chromium White Irons:
HT Design and evaluation
Superalloy integration as composite reinforcement
High Manganese Steel:
Post HT Mechanical Surface Treatment
Titanium reinforcement simultaneous casting as local reinforcement.
Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI)
HT Design
Corrosion on Cr/Ni and duplex alloys
As cast
Above Critical HT

8. Ferrous composite manufacture
Ferrous Alloy manufacture and testing
Induction and arc furnaces.
Mechanical Properties characterization
Slurry wear test machine
Erosion test machine
Optical Metallography
Macro Hardness tests
Metal Lab 75/80
Optical system
Paschen Runge mounting Focal length 750 mm Holographic grating 2400 tr/mn Spectral field nm Linear dispersion 0.55 nm/mn first order
Source
Frequency 600 Hz Excitation parameters controlled by computer

9. Our Spin Off: Environmental Engineering (2016)
2 PhD Students working on industrial innovation and development projects in the area of new processes and solutions and process modelling.
3 Companies providing Challenges, industrial needs ad financial support (mostly equipment)
3 Academic institutions providing support for the development of the new group
Strong financial support from National Research and Innovation Agency (grants and equipment)
Strong integration with Materials Science for Solutions implementation and failure analysis.
Further integration between materials Engineering and Waste Management.

10. Laboratory Base /Research Possibilities Materials Characterization
Material Synthesis
General Chemical Processing Labs
High Temperature Furnaces
Up to 1100 °C Furnaces
(from several cm to 1 m3)
Mechanical Testing
Universal Test Machines
(30 Ton, 12 Ton)
Macro/Micro Hardness Test
Dry/Wet Erosion Test
Materials Characterization
Microstructural Characterization
Optical Metallography
SEM
DRX
General Support Shop
Machining (Manual and Automated)
3D Milling
3D Printing

11. WP4: Mechanical Testing
FIBER W.P.’s
WP2: Reinforcement
Paper Mill Waste
Primary Sludge
Saw Dust
(on a lesser extent)
Mechanical Testing
Thermal conductivity tests
Mechanical erosion tests
WP4: Mechanical Testing
Microstructural Characterization
Optical Metallography
SEM
DRX
WP5: Prototipe Testing
Machining (Manual and Automated)
3D Milling
3D Printing
Paper Mill Waste:
Bio-Sludge
P-rich Sludge
WP1: Matrix?

12. S&W
Strengths:
Small Groups (Quick response, no organizational bureaucracy).
National Research Agency eager to support (equipment and student grants).
Several Postgraduate students in foreign universities
Weaknesses:
Small Groups (bigger HR is required to access to bigger Equipment Grants)
Big changes in surface availability and research equipment taking place. . .
Several Postgraduate students in foreign universities (not so much at home )

13. Thanks! ¿Questions?