Universidad de los Andes (Colombia)

Projects 2024

Paramus: Designing for Extinction

Finalist PROJECT

DIANA MARCELA QUIROGA GÓMEZ, LILIANA VALENTINA GONZÁLEZ SANTAMARÍA, DANIELA LARA PASCUA, VALERIA RAMOS MARTÍNEZ, JUAN DAVID NORATO PEDRAZA, SEBASTIAN MARTÍNEZ FONSECA

Paramus looks to alleviate the current water scarcity challenges faced by Bogotá citizens and numerous communities worldwide. Using cellulose, konjac gum, and other biobased materials, the technology creates a hygroscopic biopolymer capable of absorbing water vapor through its pores and releasing it when heated to 60°C. Integrated into urban furniture and powered by solar energy, Paramus offers a sustainable hydration system adaptable to varying humidity levels.

Giovanna Danies is a biologist and microbiologist with a Master's Degree in Biological Sciences from the Universidad de los Andes. In 2015, she received her PhD in Plant Pathology from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, USA. She was selected by the graduate school directors to receive the Barbara McClintock Award. In 2019, she received the L'Oreal Unesco award for Women in Science for her work on the Biodesign for High Schools project. Currently, Giovanna is an Associate Professor in the Department of Design at Universidad de los Andes. Giovanna directs the Atarraya Uniandes research group that seeks to strengthen basic and secondary education in STEM fields through design thinking.