AJEA (Proceedings of UTN Academic Conferences and Events)

1st Science and Technology Conference FRBB 2024

Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca UTN — 2025-07-15

The important research activity at the Bahía Blanca Regional Faculty (FRBB) brings together numerous and valuable groups working in various areas of local interest. As part of the 70th anniversary of our Faculty, the First Science and Technology Conference was held with the aim of creating a space to share knowledge and experiences among researchers from our institution, promoting interaction, collaboration, joint growth, and the dissemination of their activities.
This event facilitated connections between researchers from different disciplines addressing related topics, encouraging the exchange of ideas and discussions on new methodologies, tools, and research approaches. Faculty members and student researchers from our Faculty, other UTN Faculties, and the National University of the South presented their research projects developed within the framework of approved projects at the UTN-FRBB.
As an open event, it allowed the scientific community and other social sectors to become aware of the topics discussed, as well as the ongoing advancements and proposals.

The thematic areas addressed were:

Mechanical Applications and Mechatronics
Signal Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation
Electronics, Computing, and Communications
Energy
Structures and Civil Engineering
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, and Food Technology
Materials
Environment, Contingencies, and Sustainable Development
Information Systems and Computer Science
Transport and Communication Networks
Educational Technology and Engineering Teaching

Since all the presented works were subjected to a peer-review process by experts in their respective areas, their compilation allows us to offer a digital book with high-quality content. Students, faculty, and researchers can delve into its reading, confident that they will find ideas, approaches, and perspectives that will enrich their own quest for new horizons.

Autoridades
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca-UTN

Esp. Ing. Alejandro Staffa
Decano

Mg. Ing. Carlos Vera
Vicedecano, Secretario Académico

Mg. Lic. María Susana Porris
Secretaria Administrativa

Lic. Fernando Buffone
Secretario de Asuntos Estudiantiles

Dra. Lic. Marta Vidal
Secretaria de Ciencia y Tecnología

Mg. Lic. Roberto Verna
Secretario de Cultura y Extensión Universitaria

Dr. Ariel Egidi
Secretario Legal y Técnico

Mg. Ing. Adrián Azzurro
Subsecretario de Cultura y Extensión Universitaria

Lic. Mauro Etcheverry
Subsecretario de Vinculación Tecnológica

Esp. Bioqca. Milena Uribe Echevarría
Directora de Departamento de Ciencias Básicas

Ing. José Poggio
Director de Departamento de Ingeniería Civil

Mg. Ing. Eduardo Guillermo
Director de Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica

Mg. Ing. Lorenzo de Pasquale
Director de Departamento de Ingeniería Electrónica

Mg, Lic. Roque Sánchez
Director de Departamento de Lic. en Organización Industrial

Comité Académico
Presidente de las jornadas
Ing. Alejandro Staffa

Miembros del comité organizador
Marta Vidal
Juan Ignacio Ardenghi
Claudia Caruso
Milena Uribe Echevarría
Adrián Azzurro
Secretaría de Ciencia y Tecnología

Miembros del comité científico
Juan Ignacio Ardenghi
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Adrián Azzurro
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Patricia Benedetti
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Marcelo Bruno
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Macarena Campins
Facultad Regional Mar del Plata.

Damián Castellini
Facultad Regional Mar del Plata.

Lorenzo De Pasquale
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Claudia Dido
Facultad Regional Trenque Lauquen.

Guillermo Friedrich
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Andrés García
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Mónica García Zatti
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Pablo Girón
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Adrián Gonnet
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Mariana González
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Eduardo Guillermo
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Vanina Guntero
Facultad Reginal San Francisco.

Silvina Guzman
Facultad Reginal San Francisco.

Hernán Kunert
Facultad Regional Mar del Plata.

Néstor Machado Susseret
Facultad Regional Mar del Plata.

Marina Alejandra Maggiore
Facultad Regional Mar del Plata.

Cecilia Morgade
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Liliam Moro
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Nair de los Angeles Pereira
Facultad Regional Mar del Plata.

Marcelo Piován
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

María Ines Prario
Facultad Regional Mar del Plata.

Leandro Sarmiento
Facultad Reginal San Francisco.

Yamila Rodriguez
Facultad Regional Mar del Plata.

Aloma Sartor
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Milena Uribe Echevarría
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Marta Vidal
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Alicia Zanfrillo
Facultad Regional Mar del Plata.

Diseño web para las jornadas

Lic. Claudia Caruso
Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca.

Friction coefficient of additively manufactured polymeric parts

Andrés Bories Otondo — 2025-07-15

This article shows the studies performed in order to determine, by means of experimental procedures, the friction properties of pieces additively manufactured with thermoset polymeric filaments. The experimental procedures are based on an alternative to the classical inclined plane test, although with a test rig of own design. With this procedure, it is possible to determine the dynamic friction coefficient. Ad-hoc specimens of own design are proposed to evaluate various features of surface finishing, materials, etc., which affect the variation of the friction coefficient in printed parts. The test specimens are constructed with 3 common types of filaments employed in 3D printing by the filament deposition method (FDM). Particularly Polylactic Acid (PLA), High Impact Poly Styrene (HIPS) and Polyethylene Terephthalate modified with Glycol (PETG) are evaluated.

Creep behaviour of HP Grade steel at 900°C

Daniela Alessio — 2025-07-15

For the study of the strength of a heat-resistant steel Gr HP microalloyed with Nb and Ti, tensile creep tests were carried out at temperatures in the range of 700 to 950ºC and stresses between 50 and 110 MPa, with an equipment that allows up to three test pieces to be tested independently at constant stress and temperature, controlled by a data acquisition system.

It was observed that at 80 MPa and 900ºC the secondary stage is short and the fracture of the specimen is sudden, however, the deformation rate at that stage was similar to the values determined at lower stresses under the same temperature condition, in disagreement with the predicted response.

The tests were repeated at 900ºC and at stresses of 75, 80 and 85 MPa, and the same behavior was observed. The results of the microstructure analysis, which showed differences in the morphology, density of the carbides at the grain boundary and intragranular, together with the determined hardness values at 80 MPa, validate the loss of strength and the observed behavior.

Study of the microbicidal activity against Eschericia coli and Streptococcus faecalis of Bismuth Oxyhalides (BiOBr and BiOI)

Marisa J. Sandoval — 2025-07-15

Bacteria, microorganisms that coexist with humans, can cause serious diseases, particularly when ingested in contaminated drinking water. Two bacteria with different cell wall shapes and structures, that can be found in aqueous environments, were selected in order to study the microbicidal capacity of emerging catalytic materials such as bismuth oxyhalides. These materials, unlike traditional photocatalytic materials, have a layered structure with an internal static electric field perpendicular to them, which potentially induces an effective separation in the generation of electron-hole pairs. The standard species used in this study were, Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 25212). In addition, as part of the same, the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) generated during the photocatalytic reaction were measured. The results obtained showed for both oxyhalides, an excellent bactericidal efficiency, especially for BiOI and a high concentration of H₂O₂, particularly higher for BiOBr.

Study of deformation mechanisms to creep in austenitic steel

Carlos Nacud — 2025-07-15

The objective of this work is to study the deformation mechanism’s in three Cr – Ni – Fe alloyed austenitic steels, when they operate for long periods of time at high temperatures and high stress states, in these conditions the material is subject to creep deformation, which is the responsible for the loss of mechanical properties.

Tensile creep tests are performed at a temperature range between 978 and 1173 K, and applied stresses between 70 and 110 MPa in the material reception. From experimental data the characteristic parameters are calculated such as the creep coefficient of tension and activation energy.

The microstructural variation of the material is also analyzed with optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analysis by dispersive X- ray spectroscopy (EDX), to evaluate the effects of kinetics changes occurred in the precipitated phases and the presence of microstructural damage.

Quantum-chemical study of CO2 adsorption and dissociation on the W3O x/Cu(111) inverse catalyst

Oscar Hurtado-Aular — 2025-07-15

Density functional calculations with dispersion correction (DFT-D3) have been performed to study the CO₂ adsorption and dissociation on W₃O_x/Cu(111) inverse catalyst (x = 9 or 6). The W₃O₉ aggregate adsorbs in several different geometries through the formation of O—Cu bonds, in all cases taking electronic charge from the metal surface. The reduced W₃O₆ particle anchors very strongly to Cu(111) by means of W—Cu bonds; in this case, the charge transfer is opposite to W₃O₉/Cu(111), yielding the oxide particle positively charged. CO₂ is activated on W₃O₉/Cu(111) only in the form that is by far the least stable (the one possessing Cs symmetry). In contrast, CO₂ is activated on W₃O₆/Cu(111) at the oxide metal interface; its dissociation was found to be exothermic and kinetically favorable than on the pure counterparts, Cu(111) and WO₃(001) surfaces. Our results suggest that stoichiometry and symmetry of Cu-supported W₃O_x clusters play a crucial role in CO₂ activation and dissociation.

Theoretical study of nitrate elimination in drinking water using metal oxide catalysts

Nicolás Domancich — 2025-07-15

The use of catalytic technologies to purify water contaminated with high levels of nitrates is of great interest in our country, where the contamination of fresh water with these ions is no longer an isolated or infrequent event. This occurs due to the confluence of various factors, for example, the increased use of fertilizers, pesticides, and contamination with chemical waste from domestic and industrial origin. Catalysts based on metal oxides have been shown to be highly efficient of removing these ions from water. In this work, theoretical modeling was carried out, based on Density Functional Theory (DFT), of the sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) adsorption on different metal oxides, in the presence and absence of water. It could be observed that the most favorable substrate for nitrate adsorption is TiO₂ anatase, in both situations. In the 2H₂O-NaNO₃/MgO system, the dissociation of a water molecule can be observed.

Theoretical study of the formation of polydopamine on regular graphene as a precursor of composite materials

Nicolás Domancich — 2025-07-15

Composite materials based on graphene have excellent properties due to their high electrical and thermal conductivity, which make them interesting for applications in areas such as electronics, energy and medicine. Polydopamine (PDA) can be obtained through the self-polymerization of dopamine (DA), forming, under appropriate conditions, a coating that prevents the agglomeration of the reduced graphene oxide sheets. These coatings exhibit several properties such as the formation of strong bonds, easy implementation on different substrate surfaces, excellent biocompatibility and versatile post-functionalization accessibility. Some studies would indicate that 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI) acts as an initiator in the formation of the PDA coating. In this work, the adsorption of DHI and PDA dimers on the graphene surface is studied using a theoretical model. The calculations were carried out within the framework of Density Functional Theory (DFT) and considering periodic models. The behavior of these systems was comparatively examined, and the adhesiveness was evaluated.

Theoretical study of the influence of halogen vacancies on the properties of bismuth oxyiodide

Adrián A. Jiménez G. — 2025-07-15

Bismuth oxyhalides (BiOX, X: halide) are an efficient group of photocatalysts that achieve the degradation of organic pollutants in water and also possess bactericidal properties. In particular, bismuth oxyiodide BiOI can be activated under solar radiation due to its smaller band gap (Eg). Experimentally, different structures and vacancy concentrations can be obtained by varying the synthesis procedure, allowing for tuning of the band gap. In this work, we present results obtained from calculations using the commercial VASP package based on Density Functional Theory and including Van der Waals forces. The modeled systems Bi₇O₉I₃, Bi₄O₅I₂, and Bi₅O₇I correspond to those reported experimentally. We can conclude that a decrease in iodine concentration results in increased band gaps and shifts to shorter wavelengths. In summary, the impact of iodine concentration changes is directly reflected in the optoelectronic properties of these systems.

Evaluation of creep rate in high-temperature resistant alloy

Gabriel González — 2025-07-15

When the components of an industrial plant are subjected to severe temperature and mechanical stress conditions, they suffer from a plastic deformation that continues over time. This process, known as creep, occurs in petrochemical industries, power generation plants, and oil refineries, where components are used for long periods and exposed to severe service conditions. The objective of this work is to study the creep behavior of nickel high content alloys (Incoloy 800 (30 Ni – 20 Cr), Inconel 601 (60 Ni – 25 Cr), and HP series steels (25 Cr – 35 Ni)) that possess high thermomechanical resistance associated with the internal microstructure of the matrix. The variation of the deformation rate with applied stress and temperature is analyzed; simultaneously, the microstructural evolution is characterized under conditions of temperature and time similar to those in the tests. Experimentally, through creep tests, laboratory conditions similar to service operation conditions will be reproduced. The experimental curves obtained in this way will allow us to understand the variation of physical and mechanical properties, study the mechanisms responsible for the phenomenon, and describe parameters related to the material's mechanical strength.

Evaluation of the potential reuse of industrial waste in hot asphalt mixtures through filler substitution.

María Cecilia Montero — 2025-07-15

To achieve sustainable management in the construction industry, it is essential to analyze the environmental impacts of the materials used in building projects. This investigation evaluates the filler replacement in hot asphalt mixes using residual ornamental stone powder from a marble factory. This study aims to explore the potential for reusing these residues as a viable and sustainable alternative to reduce the dependence on natural resources and contribute to proper waste management.

Laboratory tests were conducted comparing standard mixtures with those that substitute lime, using stone cutting waste at 33%, 66%, and 100% by weight. The results showed a decrease in stability and an increase in the creep in the asphalt mixtures after the replacements. The use of these residues had a positive impact, with replacement limited to 50% while remaining within required regulatory standards. Additionally, it generated environmental benefits by reducing natural resource consumption and promoting the reuse of waste, preventing its final disposal.

Catalyst nature influence on fluoroquinolone adsorption

Ana C. Rossi Fernández — 2025-07-15

In this work, the Norfloxacin (NFX) adsorption on two types of catalysts: ZnO (Wurtzite) and TiO₂ (Anatase) was studied using the Vienna Ab Initio Simulation Package (VASP) program, which is based on the formalism of Density Functional Theory (DFT). The two ZnO polar surfaces were modeled, one with O exposed (000-1) called “ZnO-O” and the other with Zn exposed (0001) called “ZnO-Zn”. The aim is to evaluate the differences between ZnO surfaces and compare them with the Anatase surface (TiO₂-A). The adsorbate-substrate interaction was analyzed by the atomic charges and the bond order using the DDEC6 method. Density atomic charge differences were also carried out. The adsorption energies (E_ads) obtained were exothermic, being the highest magnitude the situations in which the molecule adsorbs on ZnO. In the case of NFX on ZnO-O, a dissociative adsorption occurs with the loss of one hydrogen from the molecule and one hydroxyl formation on the surface. While, for ZnO-Zn and TiO₂-A surfaces the adsorption is not dissociative.

The reactivity of defects at iron surfaces: theoretical study of carbon dioxide dissociation and hydrogenation on adatom and step sites

Ana C. Rossi-Fernández — 2025-07-15

This study presents the results obtained from studying the adsorption, dissociation, and hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) on three iron (Fe) surfaces. Two of these surfaces are derived from the (100) plane: the pure terrace and the terrace with an added atom (adatom, Fe_ad-Fe(100)). The third surface corresponds to the plane Fe(310), which represents a stepped surface. The theoretical calculations were performed using the VASP calculation package, based on density functional theory (DFT), which is capable of representing extended surfaces. CO₂ finds more adsorption sites on surfaces containing topological defects, compared to the Fe(100) terrace. However, their adsorption energies improve slightly. The dissociation (CO₂→ CO + O) is more favorable on defected surfaces. The activation barrier for the hydrogenation (HCOO formation), is significantly reduced on Fe(100), but it is even lower on the Fe_adFe(100) surface. These results suggest that CO₂ hydrogenation is more likely to occur on Fe(100) and Fe_ad-Fe(100), whereas there will be competition between dissociation and hydrogenation on Fe(310).

Bulk elasticity modulus of 3D printed pieces with flexible polymers

Manuel Colombo — 2025-07-15

The purpose of this article is to experimentally characterize the bulk elastic modulus of parts built by 3D printing using flexible polymers. The bulk elastic modulus represents the resistance of a material to volumetric change when subjected to compression. The variants of the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filament allow for the construction of highly flexible parts employed for damping elements or vibration suppression. The determination of elastic properties 3D printed elastomers is of interest due to its use in software for modeling mechanical components. The ASTM D395 standard is used to conceive the experimental protocol to be applied in a multiple purpose testing machine built ad-hoc for non-conventional tests, originaly developed in the lab CIMTA of UTN-FRBB. The study evaluates the influence of various configuration parameters of the 3D printing procedure of the specimens.

Removal of paracetamol using activated carbon

Andres Díaz Compañy — 2025-07-15

The presence of pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic environment is a known problem worldwide. Paracetamol is widely used as an analgesic and antipyretic. Its high consumption implies a continuous discharge into aqueous environments through industrial and domestic wastewaters that requires mitigation and remediation strategies. The aim of the present study is to analyze the removal of paracetamol from aqueous solutions by the adsorption technique. For this purpose, two commercial adsorbents with different textural properties are used: CAT and CARBOPAL activated carbons. A series of batch adsorption experiments are carried out at different pH values (3.0, 7.0 and 10.5) and ionic strength (0.01, 0.5 and 1 M) to investigate the effects on the removal of paracetamol from aqueous solution. In addition, the adsorption mechanism is investigated using computational calculations based on Density Functional Theory. Studies show that the adsorption capacities of CAT and CARBOPAL are suitable for the removal of paracetamol in water.

Design and simulation of a QPSK demodulator using Costas Loop

Tomás A. De Caso — 2025-07-15

This work, describes the design and simulation of a QPSK demodulator, intended for integration into a naval communications modem. For this purpose, a Costas loop circuit was used to perform a carrier recovery system. The demodulator was simulated on a mathematical software and VHDL. To check the system's performance, it was tested with different noise levels.

Fullerenes C30, C30-B, C30-N for clonidine carriers: DFT study

Breyner Ocampo Cárdenas — 2025-07-15

Fullerenes, a form of carbon allotropes, have garnered increasing interest in biomedical research due to their exceptional physical and chemical properties. These spherical nanomaterials can be modified to improve their solubility and adsorption energy through their functionalization process, which makes them suitable for use in drug delivery and release. This study examines structural characteristics, the bonding interaction and electronic properties, including density of states (DOS) and Bader charge analysis, for fullerenes C30, C30-B, and C30-N in their interaction with the clonidine drug. The calculations were performed using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) with the Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package (VASP).

Research on the Earth's upper atmosphere using ionospheric radars

Yamila Daniela Melendi — 2025-07-15

This work describes the operation and applications of the AIS-INGV ionosonde installed at the National Technological University, Bahía Blanca Regional Faculty (UTN-FRBB). It is used to monitor the ionosphere in real-time by generating ionograms that allow the estimation of characteristic ionospheric parameters (foF1, foF2, MUF(3000), Es, h'Es, among others). Since the ionosphere is the effective medium through which HF radio signals and waves propagate, its study is vital for communication systems. Through ionograms, numerous "Spread F" events and disturbances caused by the arrival of geomagnetic storms to Earth's environment have been identified. Additionally, we present the use of the data for the preparation of weekly space weather reports, which include a description of the Sun, solar wind, and interplanetary magnetic field, as well as a comparison of local ionospheric conditions with those of other regions.

Application of Principal Component Analysis for Crack Detection in Turbine Blades

Augusto Riedinger — 2025-07-15

In this work, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is implemented for detecting cracks in gas turbine blades. The simulated problem involves a factory that produces blades in series, where some pieces exhibit cracks as a result of the manufacturing process. Based on black-and-white images of the blades, considered as pixel matrices, the goal is to identify defective pieces. The objective of the work is to develop an automated system capable of detecting these anomalies using PCA. The methodology applied includes the graphical simulation of N blade images, converting eachimage into a column vector, and forming a data matrix of M x N. Then, the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the covariance matrix are calculated, selecting the most significant principal components. Finally, the data is projected into a new, lower-dimensional space, and decision boundaries are established to identify defective blades. The implemented method proved effective in detecting blades with cracks, allowing their separation for repair or disposal.

SDR (Software Defined Radio) Based RF Monitoring and Measurement

Marcos Ariel Loidi — 2025-07-15

A sensor network for measuring radio frequency power is presented, based on a software-defined radio equipment and the Raspberry Pi single-board computer. These two form secondary measurement nodes connected to a primary node that acts as a server. The collected data is transmitted to the server, which is responsible for processing it, storing it in a database and presenting it through a web page for analysis in real time and in the form of a history. The developed software also offers the possibility of configuring filters and alerts based on pre-established levels. The sensor network is linked to the web with an encrypted virtual tunnel or virtual private network. It allows power to be measured from approximately 50MHz to 2GHz. The results of the measurements and their evaluation in various frequency bands, schedules and daily intervals are presented. A scheme for validating the measurements based on the available equipment is integrated into the work. In the developed configuration, a relationship is established between the power measured by the SDR (dBm), and the power density (mW/
cm2) captured by its antenna.

Technologies for Data Communication in IoT

Guillermo Reggiani — 2025-07-15

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become an integral part of everyday life and various industries. The number of connected devices is expected to continue to grow exponentially over the next few years. Various wireless technologies are used to support massive connectivity. In this sense, this work proposes to describe the existing wireless IoT connectivity technologies, as well as the emerging solutions that can be effectively used to enable the connectivity of IoT devices. To classify the connectivity technologies applicable to IoT, the main parameters to consider are: coverage range, transfer rate, latency, energy consumption and reliability. Another important issue to consider is the service requirements imposed by the field of application. In this sense, the relative importance of the previously mentioned parameters must be analyzed based on the context determined by the application and the operating environment. Within the emerging solutions for IoT, we are going to work with the new IEEE 802.11ah standard known as Wi-Fi HaLow.

Rotation control of the parametric pendulum with a view on wave energy applications

Franco Ezequiel Dotti — 2025-07-15

This paper presents advancements made by Grupo de Análisis en Multifísica Aplicada regarding the application of a rotation control technique for the parametric pendulum. This technique is part of the ongoing research line on wave energy converters. The control action consists of an assistance torque, which is appropriately applied to a pendulum wheel to increase its angular velocity. Experiments are presented, demonstrating that rotations can be achieved and sustained using this technique under both harmonic and irregular forcing. The latter is particularly significant for potential use in wave energy converters, which is the primary engineering application being pursued. A mathematical model of the control law is also introduced, introducing a torque function in the classical equation of the parametric pendulum. This model is experimentally validated and then employed to explore a broader range of possibilities for the control technique under study.

Analysis of prismatic-like spring additively manufactured for uses in meta-structures

Leandro Nazareno Gutiérrez — 2025-07-15

A meta-structure is a structural concept consisting of a main structure containing small oscillators distributed periodically. When the meta-structure vibrates, the vibration amplitude can be substantially mitigated, if the small oscillators are all calibrated identically. Such vibration reduction occurs in a band of frequencies that contains the natural frequency of the oscillators. In elastic meta-structures made up of a supporting beam and its embedded oscillators, the design and mechanical characterization of the latter is a fundamental task. Thus, in this article a study is carried out to characterize the elastic properties of a prismatic flexural spring built additively in extruded polymers. For this purpose, the Taguchi method is used in the design of the experiment, a testing machine for determining the spring stiffness constant, and then the most influential parameters in the design of the oscillator are determined.

CFD applied to the behavior of hydrokinetic turbines without and with biofouling

Horacio R. di Prátula — 2025-07-15

This publication is oriented to the analysis of the order in the research process to ensure that it leads us to an optimal condition to apply CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to the simulation of the behavior of parts of hydrokinetic turbines (especially blades) submerged in the sea and the effect on the boundary layer and the parameters (torque, dynamic pressure, speed, etc.) of the fluid before biofouling.

The effect of roughness or damage to the blades affects the parameters in hydrokinetic turbines (in wind turbines as well), since any wing modification affects the Cp (power coefficient: determining factor of the energy production system of a hydrokinetic turbine).

In our case and in order to predict the effect of barnacle fouling on the performance of the propeller, roughness functions of barnacle fouling obtained experimentally in our coastal area (access channel to Puerto Belgrano) will be used.

The research process is based on the placement of specimens and monitoring with the use of the wind tunnel to model and apply CFD, so that the simulation model allows predicting the effect of biofouling with monitoring on the variables of design.

Horizontal axis generator with permanent magnets and transversal flow

Horacio R. di Prátula — 2025-07-15

The design of the generator presented in this work is unprecedented, it is transverse flow, with series winding, low weight in the rotation system, low rotation speed and a minimum of magnetic material (oriented Si steel sheets). It can be used in wind, hydrokinetic or other renewable systems that require electrical generation.

The conceptual starting point was the design of a generator with a power greater than 5 MW to take advantage of the wind resource at sea.

The sketch created from the aforementioned electrical machine presents totally different characteristics, especially in the stator, the type of material used, the winding and the general structure.

Although the machine generates three-phase voltage, the signal must be rectified and, through an inverter, obtain a voltage of nominal values (voltage, frequency, waveform, etc.) suitable for the systems of our country.

The concept was then applied to the design of a compact single-phase generator that has a special characteristic since it allows two-phase or three-phase electrical signals to be achieved through the mechanical assembly of two or three machines.

Photovoltaic solar installation for the university extension center building: technical feasibility and recovery of investment

Matias Ovejero — 2025-07-15

Solar energy is a key renewable source to combat climate change and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Using photovoltaic solar installations in buildings can help cover all or part of their electricity consumption, but feasibility depends on geographic, technical and economic factors. There are three types of installations: off-grid, which require additional support or storage when there is no energy production; grid-tied for self-consumption, allowing the sale of surplus production; and hybrid systems, which combine both. This study analyzes three technical and economic possibilities to cover a portion of the electricity consumption of the Extension Building at the Bahía Blanca Regional Faculty through a photovoltaic solar installation connected to the public grid. It concludes that 42%, 28%, and 16% of total consumption can be covered, with a return on investment in 15, 11, and 18 years, respectively. These solar production values will be used in the PID that studies small-scale green hydrogen production in
buildings.

Powerful wind turbine modelling using Matlab/Simulink

Matías Aravena — 2025-07-15

Due to the growth of renewable energies installed in the energy matrix of the Argentine Republic, failures related to these developing and constantly growing technologies are evident, especially in some systems subjected to large permanent loads. A clear example of this is the repeated failures of power components in frequency converters. To be able to understand the causes and solutions of these systematic failures related to these system components in the future, in this paper, a state-space variables model of the set frequency converter–power transformer coupled to an electrical network will be presented, allowing for future optimal control implementations and parameter identification based on real measurements available in installed wind generators. The measurements used will be real data obtained from wind turbines to verify their response in different states of the electrical network to ultimately verify the working conditions of the power components mounted on frequency converters, once the model parameters in this paper will be correctly identified in the near future.

Piezoelectric energy harvesters applied to wireless sensing

Sebastián Pablo Machado — 2025-07-15

The increasing demand for energy and the need for clean energy sources have driven a remarkable increase in research activity focused on the efficient management of energy resources. Among the emerging techniques, energy harvesting stands out for its ability to collect waste energy from clean and accessible environmental sources, such as light, vibrations and thermal gradients. Within these techniques, the use of mechanical energy in the form of vibrations is particularly interesting, since it does not depend on the availability of sunlight. This work presents some of the piezoelectric energy harvesters that we have developed specifically for powering wireless sensors. The main innovation of these devices lies in their self-powering capacity, eliminating the need for cables or batteries, which in turn reduces industrial maintenance costs and allows continuous remote monitoring, favoring the early detection of problems.

Vibration energy harvesting with a piezoelectric circular diaphragm (buzzer)

Carlos Vera — 2025-07-15

Experimental and numerical results of studies carried out on piezoelectric energy harvesters with circular geometry, buzzers. These harvesters allow a wide versatility of use in the recovery of energy from vibratory sources, basically coming from common phenomena in the field of engineering. A circular mass is attached to the setup to tune working frequencies and also increasing the generated power. Experimental results are presented for 2 different link configurations, and comparisons with finite element models using the COMSOL Multiphysics® program. In all the cases studied, emphasis was placed on the generation of energy at resonance frequencies, values that are determined experimentally and that comes from the resonance frequency near the engine of a John Deere brand harvester, which is intended to be assisted with ignition sensors and thus prevent fires in this type of equipment.

Finite Volume Magnetostatics

Martín Saravia — 2025-07-15

This document presents an analysis of the Finite Volume Method applied to the resolution of discontinuous magnetic fi eld distributions, using spatial discretizations based on unstructured and non-orthogonal meshes. First, a specifi c mathematical formulation is developed to address magnetostatic systems, optimized to handle the inherent complexity of magnetic interactions in such discretizations. The formulation is implemented within the OpenFOAM simulation environment, known for its fl exibility and capability to solve complex problems. To validate the proposed method, detailed comparisons are made with results obtained from other established numerical methods, specifi cally the Finite Element Method using the COMSOL computational software. The results demonstrate that the fi nite volume method is eff ective in capturing variations in the magnetic fi eld, even in the presence of complex interactions between diff erent media. This study not only confi rms the robustness and accuracy of the method but also highlights its potential for application in magnetic scenarios with complex geometries.

Nano-datasets: Enabling Efficient Video Understanding Research with Customizable Subsets of Large-Scale Datasets

Joel Ermantraut — 2025-07-15

The advancement of self-supervised learning in video understanding has been facilitated by large-scale datasets, yet their size poses challenges for researchers with limited computational resources. To address this, we introduce nano-datasets, a repository of scripts designed to generate customizable subsets from established video datasets like Kinetics, Something-Something-v2, and ImageNet-1K. These scripts maintain the semantic integrity and structure of the original datasets while allowing users to create smaller, more manageable versions tailored to their specific research needs. By enabling researchers to experiment with diverse architectures and fine-tune models on accessible datasets, nano-datasets aims to democratize video understanding research and foster reproducibility and collaboration within the field.

nano-JEPA: A Proposal to Enable the Video Understanding Using Personal Computers

Adrián Rostagno — 2025-07-15

V-JEPA is an artificial intelligence model whose objective is to understand and predict video content. Uses a self-supervised learning approach; It is pretrained on unlabeled data and then tailored to specific tasks. It learns by predicting missing or masked parts of a video, forcing the model to understand and develop a comprehensive view of the scene. It aims to develop artificial intelligence that learns in a similar way to humans, forming internal models of the world around them to adapt and complete tasks efficiently. However, their enormous computational demands, which often require powerful GPU clusters, limit accessibility for many researchers. Therefore, nano-JEPA, an adaptation of V-JEPA, is proposed to run on personal computers, even without GPU. The nano-dataset repository is also presented, which facilitates the creation of manageable subsets from large public video data sets. The goal is to enable greater participation and experimentation inresearch with models similar to V-JEPA. Reasonable performance of nano-JEPA could be observed in subsequent tasks, opening doors for further exploration and innovation.

Port GIS. Applications on the Bahía Blanca Estuary

Daniela Escudero — 2025-07-15

Port governance involves social, economic and environmental objectives. In addition, the expansion of economic activity and trade poses challenges for optimizing the use of port land, leading to an increasing demand for information to support its planning and management. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) organize, manage, share, and analyze large volumes of georeferenced data, serving as an efficient decision-support tool. This presentation aims to disseminate some applications of the Port GIS in territorial studies. These were developed within the framework of the Research Project entitled "Support tool for port governance in the Bahía Blanca estuary”. For this purpose, two cases are briefly described, featuring maps generated from the implemented data. These examples show the usefulness of GIS for diagnosis and/or management of territorial issues. Success relies on concentration and constant updating of available information. Therefore, it is essential that decision-makers establish collaborative mechanisms within their organizations to ensure this process.

Analysis of a competency-based training proposal with active learning in Engineering and Society in the context of the adaptations of the curricular designs of Engineering careers

Karina Ferrando — 2025-07-15

A partir del desarrollo e incorporación de entornos digitales en la educación, se torna necesario para los equipos docentes incursionar en nuevas formas de abordar los procesos de enseñanza aprendizaje. Las adecuaciones curriculares realizadas en la Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (UTN) y que están siendo implementadas en la actualidad, requieren de incorporar un enfoque de enseñanza basado en competencias con aprendizaje centrado en el estudiante (ACE). En este trabajo presentamos una actividad innovadora de gamificación propuesta desde la cátedra de Ingeniería y Sociedad, asignatura de los primeros años, en la Facultad Regional Avellaneda (FRA) siguiendo el enfoque educativo basado en competencias con aprendizaje centrado en el estudiante. Se describe el proceso de la actividad, sus pasos y los resultados obtenidos a partir de su puesta en práctica. La gamificación ayuda a estimular la motivación intrínseca del estudiantado, despierta iniciativa para hacer la misma actividad, les genera diversión y satisfacción mientras aprenden.

Analysis of the Impact of Implementing Competency-Based Training in Engineering Degree Programs

Lucia Rumi — 2025-07-15

This work is part of a research project aimed at analyzing the implementation and monitoring of the competency-based training proposal within the framework of the curricular adjustments of the National Technological University (UTN). In this case, the results of the gradual implementation of competency-based training (CBT) and student-centered learning (SCL) plans in a third year course of the Civil Engineering program are presented. The adjustment of the planning in this course began with the definition of the contribution of generic and specific competencies of the program, in accordance with the new Curricular Design (Ord. 1853/2022) and the Civil Engineering Department of the Bahía Blanca Regional Faculty. Learning Outcomes (LO) were then outlined, from which the teaching-learning strategies and evaluation system could be designed. This paper analyzes the initial results of the proposed planning implementation.

Advances in the incorporation of curricular activities in digital environments for engineering careers at UTN. The case of Engineering and Society.

Karina Ferrando — 2025-07-15

The experience in education in digital environments that occurred during the pandemic, and the framework of the challenges imposed by the curricular adaptation that is occurring in engineering careers, finds our Faculties of the National Technological University (UTN) with a deficit in the offer of subjects in alternative modalities to the traditional face-to-face option.

Taking into account the results achieved from the Department of Engineering and Society of the Avellaneda Regional Faculty with virtual teaching during 2020 and 2021 in the context of a health emergency, added to a pilot experience in the 2022 school year, we formed a team of research and developed a PID-UTN Project where we propose to address the problem of incorporating curricular activities in digital environments for engineering careers at UTN. which was approved and began activities in April 2024.

We present some advances regarding the incorporation of the virtual modality as an alternative for teaching basic subjects in the first years of engineering careers.

Competency-based training and interfaculty research project

Rafael Omar Cura — 2025-07-15

In the Argentine Republic, engineering majors are implementing new curricular designs based on the development of competencies. Teams of research professors from the Regional Faculties of Avellaneda, Bahía Blanca, Chubut, Neuquén, San Nicolás and Trenque Lauquen of the National Technological University developed a research project to analyze the implementation of said process between 2024 and 2026. The object of the study is the correspondence between the learning results, the teaching methodology and the evaluation system in the development of the new teaching plans. These variables comprise subvariables that are interrelated in the training and evaluation activities of the course. The study is descriptive and also about educational change from the action research approach, establishing strengths, difficulties and improvements. The main instruments are observation records and surveys with quantitative and qualitative data. The work is organized with regional references, local work and in virtual classrooms, in first-year, mid-career and end-of-career groups. There are interesting advances in the participating teams.

Strengths and difficulties in the bimodal course in Engineering and Society (2023-2024)

Adrián Gerico — 2025-07-15

Training in Engineering careers in the Argentine Republic is undergoing changes in curricular design, competency-based training model and new course modalities. The new curricular designs of the National Technological University courses approved in 2022 are adopting these characteristics. After the design of the new teaching plans for Engineering and Society of the Bahía Blanca Regional Faculty, they received the call from the University's Institutional Distance Education System to design and implement a bimodal course experience. This work analyzes achievements and difficulties in the development of this training modality during the second semester of 2023 and the first of 2024. It is a descriptive educational research whose methodology is based on obtaining relevant quantitative and qualitative data on significant learning variables. It is part of a Research Project. The incipient analyzes show the relevance of the activities designed to achieve expected results and the formation of some competencies, and improvements and enrichments are also proposed.

Active methodologies student-centered in a first-year Computing

Verónica L. Vanoli — 2025-07-15

There are new challenges in teaching and learning methodologies at the Universidad Tecnológica Nacional due to the reformulation of planning based on the competency training model. For this reason, the Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca, in its four-monthly course Fundamentos de Informática, corresponding to the first year of several Engineering degree programmes, proposes active methodologies student-centered that contribute to this process of change. For it, this paper presents three experiences applied in practical activities related to three objects of knowledge of the subject respectively, describing each of them: their implementation in different four-monthly, the benefits of their realisation and the results obtained from the opinion of each student after their participation in the activities. It concludes by showing how favourable the incorporation of these methodologies and participation in these activities during the training process is, and closes with an idea for future work.

New technologies in competency-based education: didactic proposals in Algebra and Algebra and Analytic Geometry.

Claudia Caruso — 2025-07-15

The objective of this paper is to present the didactic proposals that, within the framework of the competency-based education approach, have been developed by the teaching teams of the subjects Algebra and Algebra and Analytical Geometry. In this context, one of these proposals involved incorporating the use of technology in both subjects through the design and implementation of audiovisual and hypermedia materials as support for in-person classes. The material designed in this way, hosted on the virtual classroom of the courses, facilitated the incorporation of other methodological strategies, such as Flexible Learning, allowing students to receive multiple options regarding when, where, and how to learn. Finally, possible future actions are presented, incorporating the didactic use of technology and aiming not only to develop the subject’s content but also to foster the competencies and skills necessary for the training and future professional development of the students.

Use of an evaluative portfolio in competency-based training

Sergio A. Miglioli — 2025-07-15

Taking as a cornerstone the new Curriculum Design of Mechanical Engineering, based on Competence-Based Training, an experience is presented that arose as a response to the search for a portfolio of tools to build a fair evaluation based on competency-based training, for the subject Physics II (as a homogeneous subject of the four engineering courses), proposed in the tax matrix of the same. The proposal also sought to directly cover several aspects. These are, training in knowledge, and in Learning Results. These activities were carried out both in classroom work and in the laboratory, trying in each opportunity to develop and enhance the capacities and skills of the students, for the management and understanding of the objects of knowledge of Physics II. As a result of the use of this proposal, the majority of the students passed the course, an interesting number showed interest in research and 20% achieved direct approval. Finally, in addition to the conclusions, the anonymous opinion of students is used as a method of teaching self-assessment, and proposals for improvement are also presented.

Mathematical model of biohydrogen production in anaerobic co-digestion processes

Nadia Dietrich — 2025-07-15

In Argentina, large quantities of organic waste are generated from agro-industrial production. Poor management of this waste can cause great damage to the environment. Therefore, there are several biological methods that allow for proper treatment, such as anaerobic co-digestion. Anaerobic treatment is a clean and sustainable technology, from which value-added by-products are obtained (biol, biogas and digest). In one of the first stages of this process, Biohydrogen is generated. In this work, the generation of Biohydrogen through dark fermentation (thermophilic) from the co-digestion of bovine manure with a type of bagasse (pear) was evaluated, and a mathematical adjustment was made, using an adapted model, to describe the cumulative progress of Hydrogen production in a discontinuous process. Bovine manure was used as inoculum and co-substrate, and allowed the start of the biological Hydrogen production process. The results obtained fit the proposed kinetic model, with a correlation coefficient of more than 0.90.

Comprehensive utilization of sunflower seed hulls in a Circular Economy model: Production of mushrooms, enzymes, and biogas and biofertilizer

Maximiliano Andrés Bidegain — 2025-07-15

This study addresses a Circular Economy proposal to utilize sunflower seed hulls (SSH), an abundant waste in the oilseed industry, as a substrate for the cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms, particularly for the Pleurotus genus. This process not only produces food but also generates a by-product, spent mushroom substrate (SMS) with potential for the production of biofertilizers, biogas, and enzymes for bioremediation. The ability of an aqueous extract of SMS to degrade dyes was evaluated, showing a 62% degradation of malachite green, followed by aniline blue (24%). Phenol red showed no significant decolorization. Additionally, the capacity of SMS to produce biogas in co-digestion with bovine manure was evaluated, showing higher production in mixtures with higher dry matter concentration. To close the cycle, it is proposed to use the obtained biogas as an energy source for pasteurization in mushroom cultivation. In conclusion, this strategy offers a sustainable solution that generates both economic and environmental value.

Study of filter materials for remediation of arsenic and fluoride in water

Sandra B. Ulacco — 2025-07-15

Photocatalytic materials such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂) represent a promising alternative for the remediation of contaminated waters. However, one of the difficulties that its use presents is the difficulty of extracting it of the remediated medium. An alternative is the adhesion of the photocatalyst in particles capable of settling or extracting by magnetization. The proposal of this work is the study of the adhesion of TiO₂ rutile on nearby sand (Monte Hermoso) which, due to its high content of ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃), represents a superior solution. Sand has excellent properties as a filter material and its oxide and iron salt content contribute to the removal of arsenic compounds. On the other hand, rutile TiO₂ allows the removal of fluoride ions by adsorption. The present study begins with the characterization of sand and TiO₂, the analysis of the affinity between both compounds and the study of the removal of arsenic and fluoride by the isolated materials. It will continue with remediation studies of TiO₂
supported in sand for compounds of arsenic and fluoride in water.

Preliminary study of phosphatases and β-glucosidases enzymes as biochemical indicators in the anaerobic codigestion of onion residues and manures

Victoria Monserrat — 2025-07-15

This work is a preliminary study of phosphatases and β-glucosidases hydrolytic enzymes activity in co-digestion of wastes of onion and hen and cow manure with and without addition of inoculum (co-digested hen manure) anaerobic reactors, in order to determine their function as early indicators of co-digestion different stages. The tests were carried out in duplicate on 3 biodigesters of 2000 mL at temperatures between 22 and 24 °C. Enzymatic activities, volume of gas generated, pH and biogas chromatography were measured. The highest enzymatic activity was obtained for cow manure reactors, which could be considered to set the initial operating and control conditions in the hydrolytic phase in the co-digestion processes. The highest volume production of biogas was for reactors with hen manure with 69% methane generation.

Evaluation of bismuth oxyhalides as degrading agents of the antibiotic norfloxacin in aqueous medium

Anabela S. Lorenzetti — 2025-07-15

Water contamination by chemicals products poses a significant risk to public health. The development of analytical methods of greater sensitivity has revealed several contaminants of emerging concern, among which the antibiotic norfloxacin (NFX) has been detected.

The use of photocatalysis for environmental decontamination adheres to several green chemistry principles and particularly bismuth oxyhalides, appearing more recently in the literature, have attracted attention due to their optical and electronic properties. This work shows a characterization of the materials used, bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) and bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) such as particle distribution and size, X-ray diffraction, pore size and surface area, and their ability to remediate the antibiotic norfloxacin in aqueous solution. The results show excellent photocatalytic activity for BiOBr and also excellent adsorptive activity in the case of BIOI, achieving 100% remedial efficiency in both cases.

Hygrothermal evaluation of different construction typologies of homes in Bahía Blanca

Sofia A. Luna — 2025-07-15

This article analyzes the hygrothermal comfort of three single-family homes in Bahía Blanca, with different construction methods: traditional, reinforced concrete and dry construction. The objective is to expand knowledge within the framework of the research PID 8416: Energy efficiency and hygrothermal conditioning in engineering projects in the residential sector, an approach as mitigation measures to climate change, providing a base of information for future studies.

The analysis consists of monitoring each home through temperature and humidity measurements during winter and summer, contemplating compliance with the IRAM regulations on thermal conditioning.

This work offers information that could contribute to the construction of sustainable homes, focused on the well-being of residents and the reduction of energy consumption and its environmental footprint.

Influence of the presence of humidity on the adsorption of gaseous arsenic species on TiO2 anatase

Silvia A. Fuente — 2025-07-15

The presence of arsenic in the environment is one of the most severe forms of contamination. To our knowledge, there is extensive literature on the remediation of this contaminant in aqueous phases, but this is scarce in gaseous systems. Human activities such as mining, metallurgy, fossil fuel combustion, and certain natural processes like volcanic eruptions contribute to the presence of this metalloid in the atmosphere. Given that adsorption is a simple, efficient, and cost-effective technology, the aim of this work is to conduct a theoretical study under isoelectric potential conditions to establish affinity values and electronic transfer of arsenic compounds on the stoichiometric (101) surface of TiO₂ anatase.

The study of the adsorption of isolated As atoms reveal a stronger attraction to the dimer, which exhibits dissociation due to the breaking of the As-As bond. Additionally, there is a greater affinity for As₂O₅ oxide and oxidation of As₂O₃, which is particularly interesting due to the higher toxicity of the latter.

Finally, the acidic forms differ in their behavior in the presence or absence of water.

Optimal location of a textile waste transfer plant for efficient and sustainable management

Juan Ignacio Ardenghi — 2025-07-15

With the increase in population and the growing consumption that this entails, the generation of textile waste has become an increasingly difficult problem. The final disposal of a high percentage of this waste in landfills, although considered an improvement compared to open burning or disposal in uncontrolled dumps, actually presents serious environmental, social and economic consequences that require urgent attention. Reducing the amount of textile waste sent to these facilities requires the implementation of comprehensive strategies that contemplate the recycling, reuse and valorization of these materials. To address this problem, this work proposes a strategic solution: the optimal location of a textile waste transfer plant to centralize the management of this waste, improving its handling, processing and valorization. To do this, a mathematical model is developed that allows identifying the most suitable location for this plant, minimizing transportation costs and maximizing the efficiency of the system.

Methodology for Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Vessels in the Port of Bahía Blanca

Guillermo Friedrich — 2025-07-15

The Environmental Engineering Studies Group of the National Technological University, Bahía Blanca Regional Faculty, estimated the Carbon Footprint (CF) of the Port of Bahía Blanca. It included the industrial activities carried out in the port area for 2017 and 2020. Currently, data from 2023 are being worked on.

The results have shown that the total CF is strongly determined by industrial activities, either by their direct emissions or by the consumption of electric energy. However, when the specific activities of port movement are considered, the three modes of transport (ships, trucks and trains) explain 89% of the CF. According to 2017 results, trucks contributed 49.2%, ships 36.1% and trains 3.9%. Considering the distance traveled and the tonnage transported, ships are the most efficient in terms of emissions per tonne-kilometer.

The goal of this paper is to describe the methodology used to estimate the CF of maritime transport, highlighting aspects that would allow proposing mitigation strategies to improve its performance.

Review of Optimization Strategies for Environmental Control in Water Resources

Cecilia I. Stoklas — 2025-07-15

This review presents various research works previously published by the Center for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (CIMTA) on design problems related to water quality in aquatic environments. The review highlights the evolution in the development and combination of mathematical approaches aimed at reducing the number of numerical simulations and minimizing the computational times required to solve design problems. It includes a brief introduction to the environmental issues, the importance of mathematical models and numerical methods as predictive tools, and the advantages of the simulation optimization approach in design and management for decision-making. The review describes the advancements in the analyzed works and provides some illustrative examples. Finally, a comparative analysis of these works is conducted.