Industria, Innovación e Infraestructura

FICT-ESPOL participated in CEDIA IGNOVA 2026 through Professor Samantha Jiménez, Ph.D., strengthening its ties with national networks in innovation, science, and technology; the event provided an opportunity to exchange experiences on technology transfer, artificial intelligence, and academia-industry collaboration, fostering new opportunities for applied research and scientific development in the country.

FICT ESPOL launched the SIKA 2026 Chair to strengthen ties between academia and industry, offering civil engineering students access to specialized knowledge, technical training, and hands-on experience in the construction sector; the initiative promotes an education aligned with the needs of today’s professional and technological environment.

Researchers at FICT-ESPOL published a study proposing bipolar membrane electrodialysis as an innovative alternative for capturing CO₂ from various types of water; the results show lower energy consumption compared to conventional technologies and open up new opportunities for sustainable applications and carbon reuse in the face of climate change.

FICT research has developed a model based on neural networks and life-cycle analysis to assess the environmental impacts of potato production in Ecuador. The study found that the use of drones for agricultural monitoring and fertilization reduces emissions, fossil fuel consumption, and eutrophication, promoting more sustainable and efficient agriculture.

FICT ESPOL launched the eighth cohort of the Holcim Academy, an initiative developed in partnership with the industry to strengthen the training of future civil engineers in sustainability and responsible construction; the first module focused on the circular economy and waste management, promoting skills geared toward innovation and sustainable development in the construction sector.

Students from the SPE–ESPOL Student Chapter took an international technical field trip to YPF’s La Plata Industrial Complex in Argentina, where they learned about the refining and operational processes at one of South America’s most important energy complexes; the experience strengthened their practical training and exposed these future engineers to high-tech industrial environments.

Faculty members and researchers from the FICT and the Master’s Program in Seismic-Resistant Civil Structures continue to enhance ESPOL’s international profile through scientific publications in specialized journals such as CPI Worldwide. Their research promotes sustainable and innovative solutions for civil engineering, incorporating recycled materials and eco-efficient technologies.

The ESPOL SPE Student Chapter represented Ecuador at the PetroBowl Regional LACSS 2026 international competition in Argentina, where petroleum engineering students demonstrated their technical knowledge and analytical skills against teams from across Latin America; the experience strengthened their professional training and reaffirmed the international presence of FICT and ESPOL in the energy sector.

The study develops predictive models based on machine learning to optimize the evaluation of CO₂ injection in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), reducing the need for multiple complex numerical simulations. Using open-source tools, the models achieve high accuracy in predicting production and CO₂ retention, positioning them as an efficient and reproducible alternative for decision-making in reservoir engineering.