Diego Del Puerto

Diego Del Puerto

Senior Research Engineer and Senior Research Scientist

Applied Technologies

Design research rigs for extreme environments

I'm a Senior Research Engineer and Senior Research Scientist in the Applied Technologies team working in high-tech industry and R&D. My expertise spans mechanical design, high pressure vessels, and hydrogen reactor design and build for scientific and commercial applications. I work on innovation and problem-solving for Clean and Green technologies that reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. I am driven by the desire to contribute to advancements in technology, science, and society, ensuring a better future for the coming generations.

My inspiration comes from Nicola Tesla, whose groundbreaking contributions to science and engineering have left an indelible mark on the world. 

One of my proudest achievements was my critical intervention at Philips Semiconductors Phil. Inc. Where I rescued a multi-million-dollar technological product line, SOD110, from the brink of closure, safeguarding the livelihoods of the department's personnel and reinforcing my belief in the power of determination and expertise to drive positive change.

During my time at Callaghan Innovation, I have made scientific and technological innovations that significantly impact both industry and research institutions. Witnessing my ideas and research translate into practical and commercially viable solutions brings immense satisfaction, fusing scientific excellence with market success is a winning strategy.

In my research, I have published on topics including the reduction of Titanomagnetite Ironsand in a Fluidized Bed Reactor and the development of experimental rigs for New Zealand Titanomagnetite Ironsand processing.

Areas of expertise
  • Concept-Design-Build-Commissioning of Experimental Rigs and Labs
  • Hydrogen Reactors and High Pressure Vessels
  • Process development
  • Good manufacturing practice (GMP)
  • Semiconductor technology & manufacture
  • Instrumentation and control engineering
  • Mass & pressure
  • Mathematical modelling
  • Experimental physics, Design, Prototyping
  • Robotics and automation, Electrical, Mechanical
Education
  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, University of Nueva Caceres, Naga City, 1988
Memberships and awards
  • Phil. Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • Mechanical Engineering Group NZ
  • NZ Electrical Workers Registration Board
Selected publications
  • S.W. Prabowo, R. J. Longbottom, B.J. Monaghan, D. del Puerto, M.J. Ryan, C.W. Bumby. Hydrogen Reduction of Pre-oxidized New Zealand Titanomagnetite Ironsand in a Fluidized Bed Reactor JOM 74, 885–898 (2022)
  • S.W. Prabowo, R.J. Longbottom, B.J. Monaghan, D. del Puerto, M.J. Ryan, C.W. Bumby. Phase transformations during fluidized bed reduction of New Zealand titanomagnetite ironsand in hydrogen, Powder Technology 398, 117032 (2022)
  • S. Prabowo, R. Longbottom, M. Ryan, D. Puerto, B. Monaghan, C.W. Bumby, Sticking-free Reduction of Titanomagnetite Ironsand in a Fluidized Bed Reactor, Metall. Mater. Trans. B, 50 1729 (2019)
  • S. Prabowo, D. Puerto, M. Ryan, R. Longbottom, C. Bumby, B. Monaghan, Development of an Experimental Fluidised Bed Reactor for the Processing of New Zealand Titanomagnetite Ironsand, Proc. AusIMM Iron Ore 2019 Conference, 464-471, (Perth, July 2019).
  • S. Prabowo, D. Puerto, M. Ryan, R.J. Longbottom, C.W. Bumby, B.J. Monaghan, Design and Commissioning of an experimental Fluidised Bed reactor for the reduction of Titanomagnetite Ironsand, Proc. 8th International Congress on Science and Technology of Ironmaking, Art. No. 279, (Vienna, Sept. 2018)
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