Research in Focus
Wireless Technologies Research Center (CPTW) – The Wireless Technologies Research Center, located in PUCRS' School of Engineering, conducts research and development on new technologies in wireless communication systems, aiming to meet academic needs and the industrial demand for innovative solutions, consolidating research on high value-added products. The Digital TV Broadcast Modulators - Chip 3S project, developed in partnerships with PUCRS, CEITEC, RF Telavo and the Abaco Institute, originated the first national chip for modulators of digital TV signals, at a cost lower than those available on the market. Developed with 100% national technology, the project received financial support from BNDES. The patent for the "Concurrent Self-learning Deconvolution Process" has already been granted in Korea and USA. Learn more…
Center of Excellence in Research and Innovation in Petroleum, Mineral Resources and Carbon Storage (CEPAC) – The Brazilian Carbon Storage Center is an interdisciplinary Center for Research, Development, Innovation, Demonstration and Transfer (RDID&T) of carbon storage technologies for climate change mitigation and energy production. It is a joint initiative between PETROBRAS and PUCRS, through the Institute for the Environment (IMA) and the School of Chemistry (FAQUI), with participation of the School of Engineering (FENG), the School Philosophy and Human Sciences (FFCH) and the Materials Engineering and Technology Graduate Program (PGETEMA) to develop technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through geological storage, coupled with oil recovery and the production of unconventional fuels. These technologies allow new sources of energy to gradually replace fossil fuels, thus contributing with solutions to reduce global warming and climate change. Learn more…
Microgravity Center (MicroG) – The Microgravity Center is located in PUCRS' School of Engineering and aims to develop research projects relative to biomedicine before, during and after the simulations of microgravity and parabolic flights, for 21st century aviation medicine and aerospace biomedical engineering. The center collaborates internationally with the University of Glasgow (Scotland), the Medical University of Warsaw (Poland), the University of Medicine Kaunas (Lithuania), the Greek Society of Aerospace Medicine, the International Society of Telemedicine, King's College London (England), the German Aerospace Centre - DLR and NASA. Learn more…
The Research Center on Molecular and Functional Biology and 4G (a Brazilian biotech company) began in 2005 with support from FINEP (a Brazilian government research funding agency) to develop drugs against tuberculosis and chronic degenerative diseases. Currently, Brazil imports all drugs for tuberculosis, although it is one of the 22 countries with 80% of the cases in the world. The results of this project will help to reduce the time and costs of treatment. The study "The use of biodiversity as a source of new chemical compounds against defined molecular targets" explores Brazilian biodiversity for new drugs aimed at treating neglected endemic diseases. Learn more (in Portuguese)
Photovoltaic Solar Energy Center – Developed by PUCRS in partnership with CEEE, ELETROSUL and PETROBRAS, the main purpose of this project is to analyze and implement a pilot plant to produce high-efficiency, cost-effective photovoltaic modules, assessing the technical feasibility and production cost. The relevance of the project is justified by the fact that Brazil is a country with high rates of solar radiation throughout its territory and, at the same time, ten million people have no access to electricity. The continental size and low energy demand in isolated locations make the use of photovoltaic systems in homes or in the form of mini-networks attractive from economical and technological perspectives. Learn more (in Portuguese)
AEROMOVEL Project – The AEROMOVEL is an automated people mover which uses known and tested principles arranged in an innovative way as a result of joint research development by PUCRS, UFRGS, and Aeromovel SA, with primary funding from FINEP (Brazilian Agency for Innovation). The Aeromovel technology is based on the premise of providing an automated transport system using elevated guideways, with reduced implementation, operation and maintenance costs. The vehicle propulsion is produced by a fixed plate that travels inside a pressurized air duct and which is rigidly attached to the vehicle underframe. The air pressure differential acting on the plate generates a traction force. The air flow is generated and controlled by stationary units installed along the trackway. Aeromovel normally uses electricity as the prime power source. The pneumatic propulsion design and the use of free and unpowered wheels enables Aeromovel vehicles to traverse sharp horizontal curves and climb steep grades. Learn more (in Portuguese)
PROPRATA – This project includes a survey of archaeological, historical and anthropological sources and data on the origins of the populations of the eastern Platina region. The reconstitution of human occupation and settlement of this area integrates many research studies in Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil, mainly in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. This research requires a synchronic and diachronic study of the societies found in this area and their environmental adaptations, innovations, techno-economic forms of sociopolitical organization, as well as cultural and ideological values that changed over time. Learn more (in Portuguese)
Center of Documentation and Cultural Memory (DELFOS) – For decades, PUCRS has accommodated archives of several collections in the areas of Humanities, Arts, Journalism, Cinema, History and Architecture. These collections have documents of high cultural, academic and sentimental value and were organized in an interdisciplinary center for documentation and memory in 2007. The DELFOS archives contain unique work pieces by writers, poets, artists, journalists, historians, and architects from the south of Brazil. Learn more (in Portuguese)
PUCRS/Tübingen: ProMata Project – The Center for Research and Preservation of Nature Pro-mata, administered by the Institute for the Environment (IMA), carries out its activities in its own area of 4,500 hectares, covered by forests and native plants. It is located in the city of São Francisco de Paula, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The Pro-Forestry Project focuses on research studies and implementation activities to maintain biological diversity, preserve endangered species and natural ecosystems, and enhance sustainable integrated development and environmental education. Learn more (in Portuguese)
Brazilian Centre for Research in Democracy – The Brazilian Centre for Research in Democracy develops interdisciplinary research in democracy, both theoretical and applied, broadly conceived so as to comprise social research, political, historical, legal, and economic analyses relating to democracy. The activities are developed by the Departments of Criminal Sciences, Economics, History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences. The projects are aligned within several research lines including: Development, Elections & Political Parties, International Relations, Political Communication, Theories of Justice & Political Culture, State, Organizations & Public Policies, Social Movements, Youths and Interpretations of Lifeworld, and Social Relations in Networks. Learn more (in Portuguese)
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul
Av. Ipiranga 6681
Porto Alegre/RS/Brazil
Zip Code: 90619-900
Phone: +55 51 3353-4431
E-mail: dir.pesquisa@pucrs.br
