Aiming to elevate its science and technology campaigns, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) is on the lookout for new social media STARs or Science and Technology Advocates of Research.

In partnership with international social media platform TikTok, DOST PCIEERD launched the Pinoy Science STAR competition to look for the next generation science communicators who will have the opportunity to communicate the researches supported by the Council.

The STAR Competition is open to the public, 18 years old and above, resident of the Philippines and with an active Tiktok account.

The application will run from August 22 to September 22, 2022.

Ten winners will be chosen to be the main content creators of the Pinoy Science social media channels and feature PCIEERD’s projects and programs and other S&T and research and development (R&D) initiatives.

Promotional coupons amounting to P110,000 (around 2000 USD) and Tiktok and Pinoy Science exclusive merchandise also await the winners.

“At a time when everyone is barraged with so many alterative channels choices to engage, we should see to it that we supply social media with high-quality research-based information. Science and technology provide understanding and clarity to the pressing challenges w face today.” PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit said.

In October 2020, PCIEERD forged a collaboration with Tiktok Philippines to further promote scientific innovations to the public.

For more details about the Pinoy Science STAR Competition, visit https://bit.ly/PCIEERDSTARCamp2022.

The wind tunnel in the laboratory that simulates wind speeds to test and calibrate small-scale wind turbines.

To advance the Philippines’ capability in harnessing energy from the wind, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) funded the establishment of the country’s first wind turbine research, development and testing laboratory in Iloilo City that was launched on Tuesday.

Developed and housed by the Central Philippine University (CPU), the laboratory will spearhead R&D initiatives that will serve as basis to help policymakers upgrade and formulate renewable energy (RE) policies, assess island communities’ potential in harnessing wind power and aid local government units (LGUs) in doing so, and provide various testing services to evaluate the performance of wind turbines to ensure that the country’s growing wind farms can maximize RE production.

“As CPU, through its Affiliated Renewable Energy Center (AREC), had been involved in wind energy systems development and installation as early as the 90s, it is high time that we build an R&D and testing lab to analyze the long-term performance of existing wind farms and help the sector take off,” said Project Leader and CPU Mechanical Engineering Department Chairperson Engr. Jeriel G. Militar.

Moreover, the facility will be the venue for training programs on the use of wind tunnels, wind monitoring systems, and prototyping software and hardware. It will also lead to the design of wind turbine prototypes, guides for the conduct of wind resource assessment, and protocols or standard procedures in testing.

From left: DOST-PCIEERD Deputy Executive Director Engr. Niñaliza Escorial, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, Central Philippine University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, and DOST VI Regional Director Rowen Gelonga led the launching and inauguration of the Wind Turbine Development and Testing Laboratory on 25 May 2022.

“We envision that our initiatives through this lab, coupled with the availability of local support for training, repair, and maintenance, will encourage the adoption of local technologies by the local communities and contribute to the increase in the utilization of wind energy, a clean and renewable energy, in the region,” added Militar.

The lab is strategically established in Panay Island as it is one of the identified suitable places to generate wind power in the Philippines, especially for small-scale wind energy power applications.

DOST-PCIEERD, as the funding and monitoring agency of the project through its Institution Development Program (IDP), is optimistic that CPU’s wind turbine development and testing laboratory will unlock the country’s capability in generating wind energy.

“We are confident that the facility will further showcase the Philippines’ extensive wind potential among Southeast Asian countries, leading the accelerated growth of the wind energy market. This inspires us at DOST-PCIEERD to assist more institutions establish and upgrade their own facilities to enrich their regions with R&D initiatives that uplift the whole nation,” said DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit.

To date, the IDP has helped set up and upgrade 37 labs all over the country, amounting to a total investment of P194.42 million. The grant covers the purchase of laboratory equipment and facilities, including highly specialized software and other relevant operational expenses.

DOST-PCIEERD will accept proposals under the IDP this year, so interested institutions are recommended to stay updated through the Council’s social media accounts (@dostpcieerd) and/or website at https://www.pcieerd.dost.gov.ph.

To get more details on how to apply, please see https://pcieerd.dost.gov.ph/supported-programs-projects/strategic-thrusts-and-programs/240-institution-development.

Screenshot of project leaders who presented their projects during the SIBOL 2022 on May 17, 2022 via Zoom

Next admin can capitalize on value-adding research on food

As the Philippines turns a new leaf with the conclusion of the national elections, the next administration can expect new technologies they can leverage to address the country’s problems on food security.

The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) is set to launch the second of the Science and Innovation Budding Opportunities for Leverage (SIBOL) 2022 on May 17 this year focused on food security.

DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit said that the projects featured in SIBOL can be used by the next administration to address the country’s concerns on food security.

“The technologies lined up have enormous commercial potential and can be further improved with proper funding.” Paringit said.

This year, DOST-PCIEERD is supporting 238 new projects this year with a total funding of more than Php 1.7 billion.

Presented in the second episode of SIBOL 2022 for Food Security are: 

• Establishment and Operationalization of Integrated Research and Development Laboratory (IRDL) by the University of Antique (UA). The project seeks to capacitate the university, students, faculties, researchers, government agencies, and private industries   in   the   province   of   Antique in their research and analytical testing needs through the establishment and operationalization of the IRDL Laboratory in UA.

• Establishment of ParSU – MTL (Microbiology Testing Laboratory) by Partido State University in Goa, Camarines Sur. The establishment of ParSu-MTL aims to provide services to the community with the help of LGU in assessing different food products being produced by different establishments.

• Upgrading of the Vacuum-Fried Fruits and Vegetables Production in the Western Visayas Food Innovation Center by the Guimaras State College. The project aims to upgrade the West Visayas Food Innovation Center’s equipment to maximize vacuum-fried fruits and vegetables production for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

• Utilization of Banana Peel, Canistel Fruit and Brown Rice in the Development of Composite Flour by the Iloilo Science and Technology University. The project aims to utilize banana peel, canistel fruit (chesa), and brown rice as main ingredients in developing functional food for lactating mothers.

• Characterization and Utilization of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Peels, Seeds, and Rinds Extracts as Food Preservative and Fortificant for High-Fat Foods also by UA. The project is based on the characterization and utilization of watermelon peels, seeds, and rinds extracts as food preservative and fortificant for high-fat foods.

• Adulteration Detection and Fingerprinting of Philippine Honey Using Stable Isotopes (Phase 2) by the PNRI. This project will pursue honey adulteration survey in the Philippine market, expand coverage of honey fingerprinting of bee species, convene national forums and feasibility study in establishing the National Isotopes Center – Food Authenticity Laboratory (NIC-FAL) to help protect the honey industry and its consumers from adulteration and fraud.

• Stable Isotope and Multi-Elemental Profiling of Coffee and Cacao Beans in the Philippines by IRMS and XRF for Origin Identification by the De La Salle University (DLSU). It aims to deep-dive into multi-elemental profiling of coffee and cacao beans in the country.

• Tracing the Geographic Origin of Philippine Carabao Mango Through ChemoIsotopic Fingerprinting by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), DOST. This project aims to determine the traceability of Philippine carabao mangoes in the local market.

• Development of Halal Compliant Restructured Goat Meat Products Freeze-Dried Mango-Yogurt by Sultan Kudarat State University-Tacurong Campus. The project aims to develop technologies to make goat meat products and mango-yogurt snacks halal compliant. This has arisen from the growing demand for halal-certified products and consumers demanding convenience, variety, healthy, and quality meat and dairy products.

• Complementing Conventional Techniques with Isotope Techniques to Detect Inorganic Fertilizer Application and Haram Ingredients in Food Production by PNRI. The project will develop, optimize, and evaluate nuclear and isotope analytical techniques for the authentication and geographical fingerprinting of organic food, halal meat and gel capsules.

• Establishment of Halal Assurance Management System and Halal-compliant Standardized Process for Spa Skincare Products for the Halal Tourism Industry by the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute. The project will focus on the development and establishment of Halal Assurance Management System (HAS) and Halal-compliant Standardized Process on Spa Skincare Products such as massage and body oil, body scrub and body cream.

• DOST ETCH: Enhanced Testing Capabilities of DOST Halal Verification Laboratories (HVLs) in Support to Philippine Tourism Industry by DOST Region IV-A. The project aims to support Halal tourism development in the country through the provision of internationally accepted halal and tayyib tests for local products and provide technical assistance on the Halal assessment of hospitality industries.

• Development and Deployment of Halal Tourism Training Module and Halal Assurance Systems (HAS) to Secure Halal Compliance of Tourism Establishments by DOST Region XI. This project proposal intends to strengthen and secure compliance of tourism establishments and enterprises with Halal standards through the strengthening of three components: 1) Development and deployment of training modules on Halal Tourism, 2) Development of Halal Assurance Systems for selected tourism establishments and enterprises, and 3) Establishment of a Halal food service establishment which shall serve as a model for Halal food establishments in the country.

“We are confident that these projects will bear fruit and pay dividends in the coming years considering their potential to create or add value to our citizens and to our country.” Paringit said.

The SIBOL webinar series is a presentation to the public of new projects and programs that DOST-PCIEERD is funding and create awareness on the promising new projects and their potential impact to society. 

(From left) NIA Deputy Administrator Engr. Czar M. Sulaik, NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo Visaya (ret), DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit, and DOST-PCIEERD Chief of EUSTDD Engr. Nonilo A. Pena.

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) has forged a 6-year partnership with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Friday to further capacitate the latter in delivering science-based services toward effective water management of irrigation in the country.

The ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) was attended by DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, NIA Administrator General Ricardo Visaya (Ret), and Deputy Administrator Engr. Czar M. Sulaik at the NIA head office in Quezon City.

“With the rapid advancement of science and technology (S&T), coupled with the growing challenges brought about by climate change, there is a need to continually develop new strategies in enhancing the local governments’ disaster resiliency as well as its adaptability to infrastructure development and investment,” Paringit said.

(From left) NIA Deputy Administrator Engr. Czar M. Sulaik, NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo Visaya (ret), DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit, and DOST-PCIEERD Chief of EUSTDD Engr. Nonilo A. Pena. At the back witnessing the signing of the MOU are representatives from both agencies.

“We, at the Council, are glad to have entered this collaboration with NIA as we continue advocating for a stronger tie with our public and private, as well as academic partners, for the eventual adoption of R&D,” he added.

Both parties have agreed to formally collaborate through the Water Resource Management and Climate Resilient Infrastructure Initiative Program (WRMCRII) to address challenges in the sector by planning, programming, crafting policies regarding harmonized water resource management, disaster resilience, climate change adaptation, and mitigation program based on research and development (R&D) agenda and S&T intervention plan.

The potential S&T collaboration areas are, but not limited to allocation of flood control in all dams; severe sedimentation-desilting; real-time monitoring during floods; dam break scenario-affected communities; inter-agency collaboration-watershed rehabilitation; enhanced forecasting during floods; hydrological and river flow modelling; groundwater modelling and monitoring for irrigation well areas; shallow tube wells for aquifer recharge; and smart farming innovative water management systems.

DOST-PCIEERD and NIA will also create an oversight committee equally representing both parties to monitor project accomplishments and the recommended succeeding steps during the implementation of the program.

E-trike charging at the station in UP Diliman EEEI Building

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has declared that it is continuously prioritizing an ecosystem of e-mobility solutions for the country's transportation sector since fuel prices have reached new highs.

When the Department of Energy (DOE) is planning to procure the E-trike units, the DOST had anticipated the need for S&T interventions such as EV charging needs, low-cost battery storage system, battery management system, low-cost materials and production for e-trike, battery parts and components, mining technology to source out raw materials, etc. Some of these technologies were featured in different news articles*.

Therefore, the agency has invested over PHP 321M on e-mobility related projects to modernize and uplift the transportation sector and reduce GHG emissions to save the environment.

Dr. Enrico Paringit, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) urged the public to support efforts to boost financing for e-mobility research and development and use and adoption of research-based technologies in the transportation industry and stressed the lower value of e-mobility, which costs 40% less than gasoline.

Prototype of the Electric Jeepney and Electric Van

During a virtual press conference, DOST announced 16 e-mobility initiatives that target diverse areas of the transportation industry. The following are the projects:

• E-Mobility R & D Center: This will be the country's first e-trike center which will be built in Cagayan. There are other projects under these, which are: Project 1: Design, Development, and Fabrication of the E-Trike's Different Parts and Assemblies; Project 2: Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Locally Developed E-Trike's Electrical and Electronic Systems; and Project 3: Viability Study of Conversion of Conventional Tricycle To E-Trike

• Intelligent Electric Transportation Systems: The DOST has helped to develop automobiles made from locally available materials and designed and manufactured by Filipino engineers. Two of them are the Hybrid Electric Train (HET) and the Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT). Under this initiative, there are three more projects: Project 1: Ad-Hoc Vehicle Infrastructure Cooperative Environment; Project 2: Emocion: Electric Mobility and Charging Infrastructure Operating as a Network; Project 3: E-Trike Deployment and Utilization Investigation

• Charging in Minutes (CharM): The Charging in Minutes project, commonly known as "CharM," attempts to reduce the time it takes to charge electric automobiles. In comparison to the traditional 4-6 hours of sluggish charging, this fast-charging system can fully charge electric automobiles in 30 minutes. The capabilities of the CharM are crucial in aiding the country's development of a more flexible and ecologically friendly mass transportation system.
• 23-seater Electric Jeepney (E-Jeepney): Design, Development, Demonstration and Business Planning of a Flexible Electric Van (Flev) for Logistics and Passenger Transport
• Safe, Efficient, and Sustainable Solar-Assisted Plug-In Electric Boat (Sessy E-Boat)
• E-Boat Chargers
• Design of a Modular Stator, Segmented Rotor Switched Reluctance Motor
• NICER R&D Center for Advanced Batteries: This is one of the most well-known new R&D centers, which will collaborate with host universities to develop strong R&D capabilities in the region. Three additional projects are listed under this:
  • NextGen: Advanced Cathode Materials for Next Generation Batteries
  • REBCell: NiFe High Energy Density Batteries
  • ALAB-EU: Advanced Lead-Acid Batteries
• Fabrication of Aluminum-Air Reactor Battery

According to Paringit, e-mobility solutions are less expensive to maintain since the battery has fewer moving parts than a traditional automobile, making maintenance easier, less frequent, and more economical overall.

Paringit believes that electric vehicles will help minimize harmful air pollution by not generating any emissions. E-mobility solutions will help alleviate the Philippines' energy challenges as the country transitions to renewable energy sources.

“DOST-PCIEERD welcomes the public to join us in speeding the country's transition to e-mobility as a pioneer and partner in facilitating innovations, " he added.