Growth Features

Industry partners, government officials, and members of the academe come together for ITDI’s technology culmination event at Crimson Hotel, Alabang.

With the theme, “Tayo na Pilipinas, Angkinin AmBisyon Natin! (Ugnayan sa Taas ng Teknolohiya ng ITDI), the event aims to showcase the technologies made by Filipino scientists.

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon – The Provincial Science and Technology Center here conducted a free Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) forum to a total of 56 enterprises on March 1, 2019, at Roberto’s Place, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

The 56 enterprises who attended belonged to the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector located in the province of Bukidnon.

The forum discussed the different programs and services concerning Scholarship and Consortia, Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories (RSTL), Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST), Science and Technology Academic Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS (STARBOOKS), Consultancy and Training, Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM), and SETUP.

PSTC-Bukidnon highlighted SETUP as it is the current demand of their participants. They discussed the guidelines and the requirements to avail of the SETUP program.

At the end of the program, the agency gathered a total of 13 firms who were identified as SETUP-ready, while the others will yet to submit their requirements in the following months.

On that day also marked the election of the new set officers for the Step-UP BUK Association.

The purpose of the creation of the organization is to help DOST in the identification of potential SETUP cooperators, feed backing mechanism in obtaining information about the SETUP applicants, identification of additional technology needs of existing SETUP clients and collection / reminder of on time refunds.

Step-UP BUK Association also served as an independent body which later on will be registered to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). PSTC Bukidnon serving as Secretariat.

“The association can also help us refer to possible good clients/cooperators and maybe improve collection rates.”, Ms. Golda Lim, proprietor of Cakeboom Cakes and Pastries in Malaybalay City, said.

Science professionals who wish to pursue further studies abroad may find the perfect opportunity in DOST-SEI Foreign Graduate Scholarships in Specialized Priority S&T Fields.

The Program, spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), offers full scholarship to MS and PhD students in the following priority fields of study: Agriculture (Agronomy, Animal Science, Entomology, Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Soil Science, Taxonomy, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Entomology); Analytical Chemistry; Artificial Intelligence; Atmospheric Science; Bioethics and Data Privacy; Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Biology; Combinatorial Chemistry; Data Science; Earth Science; Ethnomedicine; Ethnopharmacology; Genetic Epidemiology; Health financing; Immersive Technology; Marine Science; Medical Entomology; Medical Physics; Medicinal Chemistry; Meteorology; Metrology; Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; Natural Products Chemistry; Nuclear Science and Engineering; Organic Chemistry; Public Health Entomology; Rehabilitation Medicine; Robotics; Space Technology and Application/Aerospace Engineering; and Virology.

Scholars will receive financial assistance to cover actual tuition and other school fees. They are also entitled to health and accident insurance; allowance for thesis/dissertation, books, relocation, and living expenses; and one round-trip fare from residence to the place of study while on scholarship until completion of their degrees.

DOST-SEI Director Josette Biyo expressed high hopes that the Program will significantly upgrade the country’s research and technological innovation capabilities in the area of advanced sciences and emerging technologies. It’s a worthy addition to the agency’s science scholarship programs aimed to develop the country’s pool of high-quality human resources in science and technology.

“We hope this opportunity will enable our most scientifically talented and deserving science professionals to reach their dreams of obtaining their MS and PhD degrees abroad and at the same time, help the country in its bid to global competitiveness and economic development,” Biyo said.

Scientists from the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) have proven the usability of spent tea leaves (STL) as cheap yet reliable additive in producing plywood adhesives.

Their study was able toprove that STL can potentially serve as cheaper replacement for wheat flour when simultaneously used as extender and filler in locally-produced plywood adhesives. Moreover, the STL can effectively reduce the emission of carcinogenic substances when the STL is applied in wood-based panels for home and construction.

The researchers collected STL from a local beverage manufacturing plant, dried the leaves, milled them, and and mixed with urea formaldehyde (UF) resin. The resulting glue mixture was used to fabricate triple-layer plywood panels made of falcata and native mahogany lumber, both of which are commonly found across the Philippines.

Each 5-mm thick panel was tested for its shear strength, cohesive wood failure, and formaldehyde emission. This was done to determine the effect of STL on various glue mixes in compliance with Philippine National Standard 196 and ISO 12466-1 & 12466-2 standards.

“Through this mechanical test, shear strength and wood failure parameters are measured to indicate the performance of the bond between the glued veneers in terms of strength of the bond and amount of wood fibers taken off from either of the two glued layers of veneers being tested,” says Juanito Jimenez, Jr. of FPRDI, a constituent agency of the Department of Science and Technology.

From Trash to Treasure

Nationwide, nearly 18 metric tons of STL mainly derived as by-product from the manufacture of tea-flavored drinks are thrown in landfills or compost pits every day, its ancillary use largely untapped. STL retains much of its valuable fiber and protein components even after multiple uses thus it is seen as a very important material for plywood adhesive..

In relation of this, Jimenez and his fellow researchers at DOST-FPRDI are hoping that technology that may arise based on their methodology would one day be applied for commercial-scale industrial use.

“Our paper presents the encouraging results to prove STL’s potential in plywood manufacture as glue extender to replace wheat flour, as filler to replace coconut shell flour, and as formaldehyde scavenger,” he said.

He cautioned, however, that the use of STL as fuel for energy has commenced as an easy disposal option.

“The challenge now is to match or outdo the revenues/savings generated as energy resource by instead utilizing STL for higher value products, like glue additive, with an extra health benefit,” Jimenez said.

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It was just recently that Bumblee of the Transformers’ Autobots ruled the Philippine cinemas. It was evident that movie theaters nationwide have had gathered the younger generation through this type of entertainment genre.

Eventually, the thought of “meeting these awesome robots one day” almost always fill the backs of young Filipino minds. Funny how these movies impart robot-filled imaginations to the young.

Back to the academe sector, the Department of Science and Technology regional office 10 gratefully partners with Robogals Cagayan de Oro in giving free robotics classes to students under grade 10.

Robogals Cagayan de Oro is a student-run, not-for-profit organization, which aims to engage young female school students in engineering-based topics.

It started in 2014 as the first chapter of the Robogals Global Network in Southeast Asia and the Philippines. As of 2018, Robogals CDO remains as the only local chapter in the country. The organization’s 15 active volunteers have reached 500 students in 18 schools through a total of 20 workshops and events.

The organization’s goal is to increase female enrolment in Engineering and Information Technology courses in the country by directly engaging students, from years four to twelve, with FREE school workshops using various kits that are both fun and educational.

The FREE robotics classes will be part of every Science and Technology Caravan (S&T Caravan) in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, and Misamis Occidental.

The first leg of the S&T Caravan will happen on February 28, 2019, at the Linamon Municipal Covered Court, Linamon, Lanao del Norte.

Aside from the robotics classes, DOST-X will be giving FREE water testing, calibration services, and information materials of the agency’s programs and services.

DOST-X, Robogals-CDO, and the Local Government Unit of Linamon are encouraging the residents of Linamon and its neighboring towns to take part in this activity for the public.

For more information, contact DOST 10 at (088) 858-3931 or through their facebook page at facebook.com/dostregion10/. (Julie Anne H. Baculio, DOST-X)

About the picture (posterrobotics.png):

Free robotics class for students under grade 10 at the S&T Caravan on Feb 28 at the Municipal Covered Court, Linamon, LDN.

About the picture (poster.png):

S&T Caravan on Feb 28 at the Linamon Municipal Covered Court, Linamon, Lanao del Norte.

About DOST-X

The Department of Science and Technology – Region X (DOST-X) envisions to be an effective and competent catalyst of inclusive development by providing world class and innovative Science & Technology services in Region X.

Contact: Ms. Julie Anne H. Baculio, Science Research Specialist

The preparatory event created a venue to bring together technology generators and DOST Regional Offices for a market pitching of DOST-funded and -generated technologies.

DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Cristina L. Guevara said that each region has different needs and that the technologies to be offered must meet the regions’ unique needs.

“We want to bring the technologies closer to the ones who make decisions so that our technologies can find home to those who are capable of adopting them,” added Guevara.

Fourteen technologies from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and seven technologies from the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) were presented during the event.

DOST Regional Offices Directors and technical staff were able to choose technologies which can be beneficial to their regions for future adoption and commercialization.

The event has also presented the mechanics of the Technology Transfer Day including the signing of term sheets, Fairness Opinion Board evaluation, issuance of Fairness Opinion Reports (FOR) and Technology Licensing Agreements (TLA).

“Through the Technology Transfer Day, the Institute has issued 72 FOR, 31 of which successfully signed the TLA since 2016,” said DOST-TAPI Supervising Science Research Specialist Caezar Angelito E. Arceo.

Moreover, six technologies were commercialized by seven adoptors all over the regions from 2016 to 2017.

“The commercialized technologies include the portable pellet machine by the Central Luzon State University, salt iodization and salt washer machines by the Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), and liquefied petroleum gas fired spray dryer, rice transplanter, and rice harvester attachment for hand tractor by the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC),” said Officer-in-Charge of DOST-TAPI’s Investment and Business Operations Division.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is set to unveil the Philippines’ first Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) which aspires to be the country’s leading research center in innovative 3D printing technologies, processes, and materials.

DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit expressed optimism on the prospects of Additive Manufacturing, more popularly known as 3D printing, in the country as it move towards Industry 4.0.

“Additive manufacturing has limitless potentials–from aircrafts and automobile to medical and fashion applications–it is possible to create products for the same or lower cost without compromising quality. We are hopeful that with the establishment of AMCen we can see more researches geared towards this cutting-edge technology,” he said.

Additive manufacturing, allows rapid fabrication of various three-dimensional objects ranging from small parts and components, to three-dimensional structures such as cars, houses, and bridges. AMCen aims not only to have a user access facility but also to enhance R&D activities with the industry and academia.

This initiative will harness, strengthen, and expand the country’s capabilities in 3D printing and advanced design and manufacturing in the following areas: 1) Aerospace and Defense, 2) Biomedical/Healthcare, 3) Printed Electronics, 4) Agricultural Machinery, and 5) Automotive.

Balik Scientist and Case Western Reserve University professor, Dr. Rigoberto Advincula said that AMCen presents a unique position for the Philippines as it will be one of the first government-led centers in the ASEAN region that aspires to be a game-changer leading to Industry 4.0 goals.

Dr. Advincula will be leading the development of the center together with researchers from the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) and the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC).

The AMCen will be featuring two state-of-the-art research facilities that are seen to spur interest in Additive Manufacturing Research, namely: Multiple Materials Platform for Additive Manufacturing (MATDEV) and the Research on Advanced Prototyping for Product Innovation and Development using Additive Manufacturing Technologies (RAPPID-ADMATEC).

The MATDEV will be the laboratory-scale facility for design, materials development, and testing for additive manufacturing prototyping wherein materials such as ceramics, polymers, nanomaterials, and any combination of two or more of these materials will be developed and optimized. The facility guarantees reduction in material cost, lead time, importation, and wastage.

Materials development for additive manufacturing application shall be coupled with the recommendation or adoption of applicable standards particularly those critical applications of the technology.

On the other other hand, RAPPID-ADMATEC will provide the technology needed to create more innovative designs and speed up prototyping by reducing fabrication and processing time of components and products. Moreover, it will focus on the development and production of complex metal-based parts and materials using metal powders, cater to the production or localization of obsolete parts or repair and replacement of components to increase availability and reliability of existing equipment, as well as to improve manufacturing strategies and product quality through R&D, product development, consultancy and training services

In an effort to keep scholars who are expected to graduate at the end of AY 2018-2019 in the loop of their scholarship obligation, the Science Education Institute – Department of Science and Technology will again gather hundreds of NCR-based DOST-SEI scholars for a whole-day exit conference.

Now on its second year of implementation, the 2019 Exit Conference for DOST-SEI NCR Scholars will be held on February 18, 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City. It aims to re-orient the scholars on the terms and conditions of the Scholarship Agreement specifically on service obligation, and provide them with information about the DOST-SEI graduate scholarship programs and job-related concerns that can help them start their S&T careers.

Notable guest speakers from both government and private sectors, and successful graduate scholars will also be gracing the event to give talks on relevant topics. Similar conference is being held for scholars enrolled in colleges and universities in the regions.

The preparatory event created a venue to bring together technology generators and DOST Regional Offices for a market pitching of DOST-funded and -generated technologies.

DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Cristina L. Guevara said that each region has different needs and that the technologies to be offered must meet the regions’ unique needs.

“We want to bring the technologies closer to the ones who make decisions so that our technologies can find home to those who are capable of adopting them,” added Guevara.

Fourteen technologies from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and seven technologies from the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) were presented during the event.

DOST Regional Offices Directors and technical staff were able to choose technologies which can be beneficial to their regions for future adoption and commercialization.

The event has also presented the mechanics of the Technology Transfer Day including the signing of term sheets, Fairness Opinion Board evaluation, issuance of Fairness Opinion Reports (FOR) and Technology Licensing Agreements (TLA).

“Through the Technology Transfer Day, the Institute has issued 72 FOR, 31 of which successfully signed the TLA since 2016,” said DOST-TAPI Supervising Science Research Specialist Caezar Angelito E. Arceo.

Moreover, six technologies were commercialized by seven adoptors all over the regions from 2016 to 2017.

“The commercialized technologies include the portable pellet machine by the Central Luzon State University, salt iodization and salt washer machines by the Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), and liquefied petroleum gas fired spray dryer, rice transplanter, and rice harvester attachment for hand tractor by the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC),” said Officer-in-Charge of DOST-TAPI’s Investment and Business Operations Division.