DIWATA-1’s High Precision Telescope successfully captures high-res ground images 

Good news!

The High Precision Telescope (HPT), one of the four cameras onboard DIWATA-1, the Philippines’ first microsatellite for scientific earth observation, has successfully captured various images during the satellite’s test phase. The camera is able to capture images with a ground resolution of 3m at nadir (or lowest point) which is the highest resolution attained by a microsatellite in the 50-kg class. This was disclosed by the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) and the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) which have been collaborating with Japan’s Hokkaido and Tohoku Universities for the operation of DIWATA-1.

PCIEERD celebrates its 6^th year

Photo 1: PCIEERD Family group photo during the “Hatid ng Agham at Teknolohiya, Kaunlaran ng Bawat Isa” anniversary celebration last June 29, 2016 at Clark, Pampanga.

To celebrate its 6^th anniversary, the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCIEERD) held two events in Angeles, Pampanga last June 28-29. The events revolved around the theme “Hatid ng Agham at Teknolohiya, Kaunlaran ng Bawat Isa” which focused on delivering PCIEERD-funded technologies to interested investors, technology adopters, and other intended beneficiaries.

First ethanol-powered fuel cell research in the Philippines nears its completion

Now on the third quarter of its second year, the project  “Nanostructured Electrocatalyst Composites for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell (DEFC)”, funded by the  Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD)  of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is getting promising results. Worked on by a group of researchers from the University of Sto. Tomas under the leadership of Dr. Bernard John Tongol, the project’s objective is to produce a low-cost but effective ethanol-powered fuel cell. The team aims to do this by creating a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with synthesized anode-cathode materials which uses alternatives for the fuel cells available commercially. Once the DEFC prototype is completed, it will be used to come up with an LED lamp which can be used for emergency response purposes during power blackouts after natural disasters.

                Dr. Tongol pointed out that the fuel alone; that is,  ethanol,  has numerous benefits compared to the usual fuel cell. Ethanol is a renewable resource that can be produced from agricultural waste. This means that as long as there is a supply of ethanol, the fuel cell will continue to supply energy. Dr. Tongol said that, compared to other chemicals commonly used as fuel for fuel cells such as methanol and hydrogen, ethanol is less toxic and can be handled more easily. On the other hand, the team replaced the platinum-based anode-cathode catalysts with substitute materials. Palladium was used as substitute for the anode catalysts and non-precious metals such as cobalt and iron for the cathode catalysts.

Photo 1: Dr. Bernard John Tongol greets DOST- PCIEERD staff before starting the quarterly monitoring last June 23, 2016 at the University of Sto. Tomas.

Using the test station housed at the fuel cell testing center in the university, Dr. Tongol's group is evaluating the performance of the Pt- and Pd-based anode catalysts to come up with optimized conditions suitable for the electronic circuit design of the prototype. Meanwhile, the electrochemical performance of cobalt- and iron-based cathode catalysts revealed promising results using cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical stability and fuel cell performance of these new materials are currently being investigated.

Photo 2: Fuel cell test set-up

                In the next quarter, the team is scheduled to work on the design and development of DEFC-powered emergency LED prototype. The research is expected to be completed in November this year.

By: Alyana Bacarra

DOST, DTI, BOI hold 15th TID Updates featuring DOST’s innovation hubs and centers

June 17, 2016, Taguig City  ̶  The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) led by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Board of Investments (BOI) hosted the 15^th Trade and Industry Development Updates (TID Updates) focusing on DOST’s innovation hubs and centers.

TID Updates is a series of fora which is done to inform the public and the other stakeholders on the recent developments of the DTI-BOI’s Industry Development Program. TID Updates started last August 2013 where they focused on the chemical, mining, and manufacturing industries. For the 15^th installment of the fora series, they featured the DOST’s Innovation hubs and centers.

DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technological Services, Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara started the forum by discussing the importance and contribution of these innovation hubs to the different industries when it comes to employment and increasing the quality of the products. “These state-of-the-art facilities will enable industries to develop technologies and business models that will contribute to global competitiveness of industries and improve the country’s productivity”, she said.

DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technological Services Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara delivering her opening remarks

On his keynote address, DTI Secretary Hon. Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., agreed with Dr. Guevara. He emphasized that the industries are producing more jobs for the people.

 DTI Secretary Hon. Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., delivers his keynote address to the delegates of the forum.

DOST Secretary Hon. Mario G. Montejo, in his keynote speech, reminded everyone that the vision of DOST is to create innovations in an environment which attract investors. He also compared Philippines to other neighboring countries like Taiwan and China in terms of workers’ salary and cost of equipment in the industry. According to him, Philippines has the lowest salary among the three countries while spending a lot of money for the equipment.

DOST Secretary Hon. Mario G. Montejo discussing DOST’s strategy to attract investors which is to create innovations and an innovative environment.

DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director, Dr. Carlos Primo C. David, on the other hand, talked about the visioned impact of research and development in the country. He believed that R&D can help increase the country’s number of job opportunities. He also cited that studies abroad say that there will be an increase in market value when investing to R&D. Aside from this, he also introduced the innovations that are being developed in DOST. These technologies are of great help in improving the quality of the products of the different industries here in the Philippines particularly in food, textile, and electronics.

DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director, Dr. Carlos Primo C. David introduced the different technologies that are being developed in DOST

Regional Director Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano informed the delegates on the status of OneLab which is a One Stop Shop Laboratory Services for Global Competitiveness. OneLab is a project of DOST which aims to create a network for laboratories to prevent transporting the samples.

Regional Director Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano updated the delegates on the status of OneLab

After the talks, the delegates were able to explore the DOST centers and facilities through a tour.  They have visited  the ITDI’s NanoLab, Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL), Food Innovation Center, and Packaging Center, MIRDC’s Die and Mold Solution Center, PTRI’s Innovation Center for Yarns and Textiles, and the Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC).

DOST-PCIEERD set up a booth during the event featuring Future Flavors. Future Flavors is a collection products of the technologies developed and funded by DOST. It  showcases a variety of food products produced by the DOST Food Innovation Centers (FICs) from the different regions in the Philippines using DOST-developed food processing equipment – vacuum packaging machine, water retort, vacuum fryer, spray dryer, and freeze dryer. Noted advantages of food processing include greater food consistency, longer shelf life, removal of toxins, reduction of food borne diseases and cheaper food.

The event ended with an open forum where ask questions to the facility managers.

By: Charmaine Baisa, Jahn Patrice Rington and Ira Dominique Guerrero

The DOST- PCIEERD is celebrating its 6th anniversary on June 29, 2016 with two important events that revolve around the theme “Hatid ng Agham at Teknolohiya, Kaunlaran ng Bawat Isa”. With this theme focusing on the delivery technology-based solutions and innovations, PCIEERD will showcase outputs of research and development projects/technologies that are ready to be transferred to interested investors/technology adopters.