Solving big problems like clean energy require working in global teams and understanding the opportunities and constraints in different parts of the world. To help you gain this experience, we have developed a collaborative international program that consists of 12 days in Brazil at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) in Florianópolis. Florianópolis (or Floripa for short) is a coastal city of ~500,000 people located on the island of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. It is famed for its beaches, surfing, and its growing stature as a tech hub. The study abroad experience also includes visiting an industry site in Joinville, and a trip to the city of Foz do Iguaçu.
At UFSC, you will attend a class with Brazilian students co-taught by OSU and UFSC faculty in English. Together, you will work to understand the technical challenges related to thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials, and manufacturing of next generation thermal power production systems. As a case study, we will focus on supercritical systems powered by solar, nuclear, geothermal, waste heat, and/or fossil fuels. Specific attention will be given to the different and similar challenges in deploying these new technologies in Brazil and the United States. You will stay in a shared room (hotel) near campus and later at the national park.
Coursework will be complemented with cultural and technical tours including laboratories at UFSC, local industrial sites, the city of Florianópolis and the Island of Santa Catarina, the 14 GW Itapiu hydroelectric dam on the Brazil/Paraguay border, and the largest waterfall system in the world at the Iguaçu Falls National Park. After returning to Oregon, OSU/UFSC students will work together remotely on a technical design and analysis project presented at the end of Fall term.
For more information, please contact Dr. Brian Fronk (brian.fronk@oregonstate.edu).