The visit of a doctoral student from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU, its Danish acronym) to the Vibrations and Rotordynamics Laboratory at Universidad de La Frontera is generating new opportunities for academic collaboration and strengthening the development of technologies applied to vibration control in industrial machinery.
This is the research placement of Matías Reumay San Martín, alumni of Mechanical Civil Engineering and the Master of Engineering Sciences at Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO), who carried out a research stay between 17 November 2025 and 30 January 2026 under the supervision of Dr. Jorge González Salazar, head of the laboratory and director of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
During his stay at UFRO, Matías Reumay focused his work on commissioning a test bench acquired by the laboratory led by Dr. González. This process involved assembly tasks, adjustments to hydraulic connections and several redesigns of the supporting structure, carried out together with placement students. “The stay focused essentially on commissioning this test bench, which simulates a rotating machine (…) and through high-pressure oil injection into the bearings, we can control the vibrations it generates”, explained the UFRO engineer.
In addition to reconnecting with his alma mater, Reumay highlighted the value of the training experience during his work with the team led by Dr. González. “It has truly been very rewarding to return, first to Chile after two years, and also to reconnect with my university. The professors remain very much in the same spirit, I have met many former classmates, and there has been a great deal of collaboration”, he said about his return to UFRO.
The test bench implemented at UFRO makes it possible to emulate an industrial machine through active bearings that measure vibration and temperature in order to regulate oil injection and control the system’s dynamic response, with the aim of reducing rotor displacement and projecting its application in real machines. At the same time, Matías Reumay complements this line of work at DTU, where he is working on the design of controllers for vibration regulation using similar test benches.
Internationalisation and Networks
The student’s arrival at UFRO represents another step in consolidating academic networks between Chile, Denmark and other countries researching these technologies. Dr. González noted that this collaboration has deep roots in his own doctoral studies at the Technical University of Denmark, where the first links were established and later encouraged the arrival of Chilean students, including Reumay.
“This opens doors. The idea is that, hopefully in the future, Danish students may come, or other Chilean students who continue working with me and also have open opportunities to undertake short stays or even pursue a doctoral pathway”, he stated.
He also explained that the laboratory has already established initial contact with researchers from the University of São Paulo, who are also working in this field, and that the aim is to build a South American community connected to international centres where this technology is being developed.
In this way, Matías Reumay’s placement strengthens the link between UFRO and DTU and contributes to expanding the laboratory’s capabilities in order to project future opportunities for student mobility and scientific cooperation. The presence of the UFRO alumni reflects the value of these return experiences and collaboration between institutions to strengthen knowledge exchange and technological development.
Research Office
