Our most recent publication, «Thermodynamic behaviour of a D2+ molecular complex in quantum rings under the combined effects of nonresonant intense laser field radiation and electric field,» is now available.

A methodical study of the thermal properties of a hydrogen molecular ion strongly confined in a flat semiconductor quantum ring under external probes: intense laser-field radiation and static electric fields were carried out. The corresponding Schrödinger equation for these two coupled donors system was numerically solved by using the finite element method within the effective mass approximation. The effects of the donor angular and radial positions on the entropy, heat capacity and internal energy were analysed. Results show that the entropy of the system is maintained low as long as the molecule preserves its integrity but if the molecule is fragmented, the randomness of the system is substantially increased. Nevertheless, applying an intense laser or an external electric field can reduce this property in real time.

Available in open access our new paper:

Water quality monitoring allows communities to achieve sustainable management of water resources, which is crucial for life-supporting processes. Water quality is determined by measuring chemical, physical, and biological parameters, requiring sophisticated meters and trained specialists to perform the measurement. However, in low-income communities, water quality is determined by using human senses—smell, color, and taste—since meter acquisition is limited by costs and most people do not know how to monitor water quality. Therefore, accessible technology is necessary to empower communities to have a sustainable lifestyle. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of PortAqua, a 2-parameter water quality meter (WQM), to promote training on water quality measurement. Using basic electronic components, PortAqua is capable of measuring pH with an error of 0.4, and conductivity with an error of 33% at 85 µS cm-1, and 8.7% at 1413 µS cm-1. To demonstrate its preliminary effectiveness as a WQM and its science communication capabilities, the meter has been used in a hands-on workshop with undergraduate and graduate students. During the workshop, attendees participated in a short lecture about water quality measurement techniques and local regulations. Then, they collected water samples from a local source, measured the samples using PortAqua, and discussed the results based on the concepts and regulations. The workshop’s effectiveness was evaluated through pre- and post-assessments which revealed increased knowledge of water quality regulations, measurement, and parameters at the end of the activity.

Best Paper Award: Water quality probe co-design for water monitoring in rural communities in Colombia

We are happy to announce that we have won the best Paper Award at the #IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference #IHTC2022. First prize for the paper: Co-design of a Water Quality Probe for Water Monitoring in Rural Communities in Colombia. #SDG6 @IEEEEDS Water quality probe co-design for water monitoring in rural communities in Colombia D.

NEW PATENT – METHOD FOR THE PHYSICAL SYNTHESIS OF METALLIC NANOPARTICLES

PATENT WO2022224090 – METHOD FOR THE PHYSICAL SYNTHESIS OF METALLIC NANOPARTICLESPATENT WO2022224090 – METHOD FOR THE PHYSICAL SYNTHESIS OF METALLIC NANOPARTICLES https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2022224090 Abstract(EN) The present invention relates to a method for the physical synthesis of metallic nanoparticles, which comprises: (a) depositing a metallic film on a substrate of irregularly oriented salt crystal; and (b) heat-treating

The disconnection between artificial intelligence engineering research and sustainable development

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to contribute to solving some of the most pressing societal issues of our time, but to what extent are engineers reflecting on the uses of their technologies for sustainable development, and who is producing the engineering knowledge behind AI? https://www.leidenmadtrics.nl/articles/the-disconnection-between-artificial-intelligence-engineering-research-and-sustainable-development

Our most recent paper: Valence State Tuning of Gold Nanoparticles in the Dewetting Process: An X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are commonly synthesized using the citrate reduction method, reducing Au3+ into Au1+ ions and facilitating the disproportionation of aurous species to Au atoms (Au0). This method results on citrate-capped AuNPs with valence single states Au0. Here, we report a methodology that allows obtaining AuNPs by the dewetting process with three different valence states (Au3+,

New REVIEW: Tug-of-War in the Selection of Materials for Battery Technologies

We are very excited to share that our review Tug-of-War in the Selection of Materials for Battery Technologies has just been published MDPI https://mdpi.com/1792914 #mdpibatteries. #Batteries are the heart and the bottleneck of portable electronic systems. This review studies material used in the four battery components from the perspective and the impact of seven ions (Li+, Na+, K+,

Our most recent article published in Nanoscale Advances

One of the important challenges of the #4IR is to provide #energy autonomy to billions of IoT #SDG7. #Thermoelectric materials can play a key role in this. But first, it is necessary to reduce its #thermalConductivity. (SThM) is a powerful technique for thermal characterization. However, one of the most challenging aspects of thermal characterization is

Investigador Senior (IS) 2022 Minciencias

Excelentes noticias. En su última clasificación nacional de investigadores el Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación ha catalogado al profesor Jaime Andrés Pérez en su máxima categoría: Investigador Senior. Esto es especialmente importante de cara a liderar desde Research group – (NANOUPAR) Nanostructures and Applied Physics Group en la UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE COLOMBIA, Sede de

Jóvenes Cesarenses en STEAM

Somos descendientes de Melquiades; la física y las invenciones dentro de #CienAñosdeSoledad Día Mundial del Medio Ambiente: Primera Jornada «Jóvenes Cesarenses en STEAM» Organiza: Proyecto de Extensión Solidaria de la Sede de La Paz «Ellas en STEAM» Descarga la programación completa https://bit.ly/3GKMN8a #SomosCiencia #SomosUNAL