From July 18-29, 2009 Professor Cairncross traveled to Ecuador and El Salvador to get an overview of water system problems and develop collaborations on renewable energy. Some of his activities included visiting universities, meeting with students and other professors for future collaborations, meeting with community members to discuss issues and strategies, attending seminars and conferences, and performing tests. Professor Cairncross attended the Congress of Latin American Students of Chemical Engineering, where he presented a talk on his biodiesel research, participated in a short course on biodiesel production, and visited LaGeo - the leading geothermal power company in El Salvador. He also met with faculty at the University of El Salvador to plan for his Fulbright Lectureship next spring. Some of the locations he visited were Quito Ecuador, Las Delicias in San Salvador, Ahuachapan El Salvador, and Miramar El Salvador.

Map of water system in Las Delicias, Ecuador


Pump flow tests, Las Delicias


Working with students from Chile on biodiesel experiments


Water supply system, Nueva Esperanza El Salvador - a community near Miramar El Salvador