Given your experience with students and the Cu Fibra project, how would you characterize the project?
In presenting the concept proposal for submission to the 2023 Salone del Mobile in Milan, we pitched the idea that our future lies in our past.
Cu-fibra is a collection that projects design from the vernacular, from its land of origin, valuing the raw materials and natural resources present in the territory. It engages Nature and its most primitive wealth to keep open possible solutions that the future of the planet requires.
Can you explain the research team who developed the paper, in which department it is located and what experience the researchers have?
This research arose in the Faculty of Design of the Universidad del Desarrollo as a response to the opportunity to develop new materials from these abundant raw materials. We understand design as a bridge between creativity and innovation, which is why it is relevant to contribute to the generation of new solutions that add to the economic development of a country. With this in mind, we decided to explore the possibility of working with two of our main commodities, such as copper and cellulose, and contribute to the generation of value and creation of new innovative products.
It is worth mentioning that equipment was created especially for this project, under the premise that the design faculty would unite science and design for the generation of new materials. This occurs either through using scientific observation as a tool for identifying design possibilities or using design as a basis for the search of new materials with enhanced properties that will be used to solve specific needs and thus contribute to solving priority problems.
An interdisciplinary research team was assembled. This team consisted of:
• Alejandra Amenábar, Architect, Master in Public Policy UDD, Dean of the Faculty of Design at the Universidad del Desarrollo UDD.
• Paulina Contreras, Industrial Designer, Master in Industrial Engineering UBB, Master in Marketing Management and Business Management ESIC, Research Director of the Faculty of Design of the Universidad del Desarrollo UDD.
• Víctor Apablaza: Physical Engineer, Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences with a Mention in Materials Science from the University of Santiago de Chile.
We also worked with the iCono UDD Technology Transfer Department. This allowed us to engage in various expert collaborators – such as chemists, microbiologists, and lawyers. Building an interdisciplinary vision, led by design, has been essential to address the different technological challenges and problems that have arisen along the way. Currently, the doctor in chemistry, Nataly Silva, has permanently joined the research team.
Finally, in addition to the team, it was very important to have a company – a pulp producer – that would support the proposed development. We collaborated with Papelera CMPC (Paper and Cardboard Manufacturing Company) to develop the proof of concept. The proof demonstrated it was possible to achieve a successful and scalable technological development. Such proof also allowed us to generate two patents, one national and one for Brazil.
Who provided the funding: was it the university, private investors, the government, grants, a public-private partnership?
The project has been in development for eight years. The financing came from various sources, the main ones being the Universidad del Desarrollo and the two paper companies. With I+D Center of the Papelera CMPC (Paper and Cardboard Manufacturing Company), we were able to to develop the proof of concept. And later, through a linkage fund with the company formulated with the FPC Papelera (Forestry and
22