On September 23, anyone considering pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in engineering had the opportunity to get an up-close look at the opportunities offered by Coppe/UFRJ. At the second edition of Coppe de Portas Abertas, students and professionals were able to tour laboratories, talk with professors, researchers, and students, and learn about the institution’s 13 graduate programs, as well as initiatives related to entrepreneurship and innovation.

Held in the lobby of Block A of the Technology Center (CT), the event brought together in one place various paths for academic training and professional careers. Visitors were able to tour 27 laboratories—some of which are not typically open to the public—and speak directly with program members about research areas, lines of work, and educational opportunities.

Two interdisciplinary projects from Coppe—MagLev-Cobra and Orla sem Lixo—were also presented, helping to demonstrate, in practice, the diversity of research conducted at the institution and its connection to real-world problems.

From postgraduate to entrepreneurship

The program also demonstrated that a career at Coppe can take different paths. The Business Incubator participated in this edition with a space dedicated to entrepreneurship, showcasing initiatives that bridge research, technology, and the market.

One of the incubated companies, Delta Entech, also participated in the event and presented its portfolio of innovative solutions for environmental challenges—including products for removing toxic gases from the atmosphere—as well as circular economy initiatives involving the recycling and reuse of decontaminated materials, showing visitors an example of how knowledge and technologies developed in an academic setting can reach the market.

The Incubator’s presence broadened the perspective on the possibilities that can arise from education and research at Coppe, including the creation and development of technology-based businesses.

By bringing together 13 graduate programs, 27 laboratories, interdisciplinary projects, and Coppe’s Innovation Ecosystem, Portas Abertas offered visitors a broader view of the possibilities for education and professional careers, as well as an opportunity to explore different paths up close before choosing their next step.

When reading the title of a thesis, it is often difficult to imagine the problem that the research aims to solve, who might benefit from it, or even where that knowledge might be applied. Researchers themselves, when explaining their work, often tend to focus on the methodology, the stages of the research, and the results obtained. However, they are not always able to translate this knowledge into language that allows the public to understand its meaning and value.

It was to address this challenge that Coppe held, for the second time, “Coppe Explica,” an initiative that encourages students and researchers to present their research clearly in videos of up to three minutes. The winners of the second edition were announced on September 22, during Coppe’s Academic and Cultural Week.

The difficulty of connecting scientific topics to people’s daily lives is also part of the professional experience of Coppe’s director, Professor Suzana Kahn. During the awards ceremony, she shared that she had to learn how to explain complex issues related to climate change concisely and in an understandable way.

“I used to work with Congressman Carlos Minc, who would get frustrated whenever I tried to explain all the variables involved in climate. And he ended up training me extensively to communicate in a very short amount of time—in three minutes—especially with the press, so that the public could understand what I did,” Suzana said.

For the director, the ability to explain research is also linked to a public university’s responsibility to show society the knowledge it produces and its potential contributions. “I think it’s very important to help fulfill our obligation to society, since we’re at a public university, and it’s important to demonstrate what we’re giving back to this society,” she said.

From thesis to everyday life

The videos featured in Coppe Explica demonstrate, in practice, how the presentation of a research project changes when it is framed around the question it seeks to answer and its potential contribution.

This was the case for Anielly Bastos Vaz de Jesus, from the Biomedical Engineering Program, winner of the Ph.D. category. The title of her thesis, “Corpos Ressonantes: uma experiência neuro-anatomo-fisicamente dançante” (Resonant Bodies: A neuro-anatomical-physiological dancing experience), reveals little at first glance about the study’s application. In her presentation, however, Anielly explains that the research investigates how the brain reacts to the movements of dance, using sensors to capture these movements, and how this knowledge can contribute to physical therapy rehabilitation.

In the Master’s category, Maria Victoria Almeida do Carmo, from the Mechanical Engineering Program, took first place and also won the Popular Vote. Her thesis, titled “Descrição Termomecânica de Ligas com Memória de Forma Considerando um Modelo Constitutivo com Cinética de Transformação de Fase Linear” (Thermomechanical Description of Shape-Memory Alloys Considering a Constitutive Model with Linear Phase-Transition Kinetics), deals with modeling the behavior of alloys that can return to their original configuration after undergoing deformation and receiving certain stimuli. This modeling can help to understand, predict, and improve the performance of the materials in which they are used.

The examples illustrate one of the goals of Coppe Explica: to go beyond the title and methodology of a research project to shed light on the problem being investigated, the knowledge generated, and its potential contribution to society.

In this edition, seven students received awards in the Ph.D., Master’s, and Undergraduate Research categories.

Research and energy transition

The commitment to bridging the gap between science, application, and society was also evident in the “Ocean and Energy Transition” Special Award, held in partnership with Marsalgado. The winner was Bruno Mello Maciel, from the Nanotechnology Engineering Program, for his research titled “Marine Fuel from Ocean CO2.”

When presenting his work, Bruno linked the research to a concrete challenge of the energy transition in the maritime sector. According to him, about 98% of the shipping fleet uses fossil fuels, which are responsible for CO₂ emissions. Part of this carbon is absorbed by the oceans, which can contribute to environmental problems and corrosion of vessels.

The research explores a process that uses CO₂ dissolved in seawater to produce marine e-methanol, a fuel with a lower environmental impact. The proposal combines carbon capture and conversion into a single process, using the ocean as a carbon sink.

For Marsalgado CEO Cristiane Barcelar, bringing researchers and companies together is essential for solutions developed in academia to move forward. “Marsalgado’s goal is to facilitate this transition, whether in partnership with the private sector, governments, or academia,” she said.

By challenging researchers to explain their work beyond academic jargon, Coppe Explica aims to develop a skill that can make a difference not only in communicating with the general public but also in engaging with companies, partners, managers, and other audiences interested in science, technology, and innovation.

Check out the winners and the videos

Ph.D. Category

1st place – Anielly Bastos Vaz de Jesus
Biomedical Engineering Program
Research: Resonant Bodies: A Neuro-Anatomical-Physical Dancing Experience

2nd place – Huang Ken Wei
Energy Planning Program
Research: Systemic analysis of low-carbon fuels for maritime transport and green corridors: evaluation using a global integrated assessment model

3rd place – Ana Flavia Martins Rodrigues
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Program
Research: From waste to protection: Carbon Dots as corrosion inhibitors

Master’s Degree Category

1st place – Maria Victoria Almeida do Carmo
Mechanical Engineering Program
Research: Thermomechanical Characterization of Shape-Memory Alloys Using a Constitutive Model with Linear Phase-Transition Kinetics

2nd place – João Vítor Correia Pessoa
Electrical Engineering Program
Research: Predictive modeling of cognitive decline using knowledge graphs and longitudinal data

Coppe Explica – Undergraduate Research Category

1st place – Ariane Macedo Farias
Chemical Engineering Program
Research: Development and optimization of surfactin purification processes using tangential ultrafiltration for high value-added biotechnological applications

1st place – Wellington Moraes
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Program
Research: Biomass-derived carbon dots as corrosion inhibitors

“Ocean and Energy Transition” Special Award

1st place – Bruno Mello Maciel
Nanotechnology Engineering Program
Research: Marine fuel derived from ocean CO₂

Coppe/UFRJ, CREA-RJ, and CAU-RJ have joined forces to present candidates for the Rio de Janeiro State Government with a Charter of Commitments, featuring a public policy agenda focused on the state’s socioeconomic development, with planning and continuity extending beyond a single term in office.

The initiative brings together three state institutions–each with autonomy and expertise in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and architecture–to present proposals and make their technical capabilities available to the candidates and the public. The aim is to contribute to a development agenda that is not tied to the electoral calendar and that combines the capacity for planning, implementing, and monitoring public policies.

The Charter proposes that Rio de Janeiro make better use of its scientific, technological, and professional capacity to formulate and implement a permanent development strategy. The document is organized around three pillars: the state’s technical capacity to plan and execute; structural projects for the state’s development; and the modernization, restoration, and preservation of existing infrastructure.

The Charter was signed by the director of Coppe/UFRJ, Professor Suzana Kahn; the president of CREA-RJ, Miguel Fernández; and the president of CAU-RJ, Sydnei Menezes.

“This is an opportune moment for us to come together in support of a more modern development path for Rio de Janeiro, with more technology integrated into its infrastructure. We recognize the strength of the educational and research institutions based in our state, and we believe that the state government has the capacity to build this future–one marked by greater development, opportunities, innovation, and quality of life for our population,” said Suzana Kahn.

Technical capacity to plan and execute

The first pillar of the Charter addresses the need to strengthen the state’s permanent technical capacity. Among the proposals are the strengthening of public engineering and architecture structures, the preservation of the state’s technical memory, and the promotion of qualified professionals to strategic positions within public agencies.

The proposal is based on the understanding that public policies and infrastructure projects require accumulated technical knowledge and teams capable of overseeing the various stages of planning, contracting, execution, and maintenance.

For Miguel Fernández, president of CREA-RJ, restoring this technical capacity is an issue that transcends individual administrations. “It is essential that we have a strategic vision that transcends any single administration regarding infrastructure development in our state,” he stated.

According to Miguel, the first pillar also reinforces the importance of engineering, architecture, and scientific development for the formulation of public policies. He further emphasized the need for strategic positions related to technology, engineering, and architecture to be filled by professionals with appropriate training.

Structural projects for development

The second pillar brings together projects considered strategic for expanding the state’s territorial integration and development capacity. The Charter proposes an investment agenda that connects different regions of Rio de Janeiro, strengthens production chains, and addresses long-standing problems related to mobility, housing, and sanitation.

Among the priorities presented are the construction of Metro Line 3, the modernization and expansion of the rail network, the construction of the EF-118 highway, and the BR-101 Ring Road in Campos dos Goytacazes.

The proposal aims to revive a planning vision that views infrastructure projects as part of an integrated development strategy, rather than merely as isolated interventions.

For Sydnei Menezes, president of CAU-RJ, the revival of urban planning is essential. He cited as an example road projects in Rio de Janeiro that, according to him, were the result of plans drawn up decades ago.

“The most recent significant road projects—the Linha Vermelha and the Linha Amarela—stem from the Doxiadis Plan (an urban planning project commissioned in 1964 by the former state of Guanabara—under the Lacerda administration—from the Greek urban planner Constantino Doxiadis). These projects are the result of planning that took place decades ago. The issue of planning has been lost over time,” he stated.

From existing infrastructure to the future

The third pillar highlights an aspect often associated with public works: the need to maintain what already exists.

The Charter proposes an ongoing policy for the assessment, modernization, restoration, and renewal of the state’s infrastructure, recognizing that some existing structures are nearing the end of their useful life and must be monitored before problems escalate into emergencies.

This pillar also includes social housing and urban development, with preventive measures to avoid informal settlements, as well as an integrated sanitation policy that coordinates water security, supply, drainage, wastewater treatment, and the elimination of open dumps.

For Miguel Fernández, this shift in perspective is necessary because public works are not permanent. “If the major engineering challenge of previous decades was primarily to address population growth amid an existing deficit, the challenge for this new generation is also, above all, to preserve what already exists or replace what is there,” he explained.

Avoided tragedies don’t make the headlines

In advocating for the importance of investing in maintenance and prevention, the president of CREA-RJ highlighted a characteristic of infrastructure that makes it difficult for society to recognize its value: when a structure functions properly, its impact often goes unnoticed.

A preventive approach, however, can avert human, economic, and environmental losses. In this sense, infrastructure maintenance should be treated as part of development policy, not merely as a response to emergency situations.

The Charter thus seeks to broaden the debate on infrastructure beyond the construction of new projects to include the government’s capacity to monitor, maintain, modernize, and replace existing structures.

Continue the dialogue between the government and institutions

Another point highlighted by the leaders is the need to reestablish closer ties between the government and institutions that possess technical expertise in urban development and infrastructure.

According to Sydnei Menezes, professional organizations have historically participated in the formulation of policies and projects in collaboration with governments. In his view, restoring this dialogue is also a way to strengthen planning and the quality of public decisions.

“Engineering and architecture departments were staffed by professionals dedicated exclusively to their fields. And they had the opportunity to offer suggestions and ideas to help policymakers make their decisions,” he said.

In Sydnei’s view, the setting of priorities and deadlines for public works is often dictated by the logic of electoral cycles, to the detriment of the technical characteristics of the projects.

In presenting the Charter, the three institutions emphasize that the proposal is not an agenda for a specific administration, but rather a contribution to help Rio de Janeiro return to a planning approach capable of spanning different administrations.

“It is not a charter of proposals for a single administration or government. It is a long-term vision for Rio,” stated Miguel Fernández.

The ceremony for the presentation and signing of the Charter of Commitments is available on Coppe’s YouTube channel.

The full text of the Charter of Commitments is available below.