PNRI-DOST Showcases Radiation Technologies at National Science and Technology Week Exhibits
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Smart farming techniques for rice and corn production; plant growth promoter from radiation-modified natural polymers such as seaweed; radiation processing of food; nuclear analytical technique for detecting red tide toxin; and gamma column scanning - a non destructive technique that can “see” the flaws inside a steel process vessel in industrial processes: these were the radiation technologies that the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute - Department of Science and Technology showcased during the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) exhibits at the SMX Convention Center on July 23 - 27, 2013.
With the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation: The Road to a Smarter Philippines,” the NSTW celebration, dubbed as Expo Science 2013, was attended by students, teachers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and representatives from the local government units, non-government organizations, private and government sectors.
The Institute’s projects were featured together with almost a hundred other products and technologies from other attached agencies and regional offices of the Department of Science and Technology, as well as several universities and business firms.
The “smart-farming” project of the PNRI’s Agricultural Research Section uses nuclear tracer techniques to determine the efficiency of current fertilizer application and irrigation methods to eventually develop more cost-effective alternatives. The on-going DOST-funded project will identify and refine farming methods which waste away water, fertilizers and nutrients from the soil.
Plant growth promoter/elicitor products developed by science research specialists of PNRI’s Chemistry Research Section from radiation-modified seaweed, crab and shrimp shells increase not only the crop’s yield and nutrient intake but also its resistance to disease and bacteria.
In another project of the Chemistry Research Section, the Receptor Binding Assay technique intends to complement the mouse bioassay method for detectingparalytic shellfish poisoning from red tide and keep the country up to date with the requirements of the CODEX Alimentarius, the international standard for food and consumer health.
Food Irradiation is the focus of the project by the Biomedical Research section, which aims to reduce post-harvest losses by preventing microbial growth and insect infestation as well as to enhance food safety and quality.
The Isotope Techniques Section promotes the application of gamma-ray column scanning for local industries, which will give operators of large-scale plants a real-time image of the insides of columns and process vessels to detect possible damage or malfunction without shutting down the operation.
Nuclear Technology Applications in Soil Science Research and Development win the First and Third Best Poster Paper Award
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Soil science research and development studies of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) using nuclear technology won first and third places in the Best Poster Paper competition during the 16th annual conference and scientific meeting of the Philippine Society of Soil Science and Technology (PSSST). The PSSST conference, with the theme, “Soils for Survival”, was held in Subic, Zambales on May 29-31, 2013.
The poster paper entitled “Efficacy of Gamma Sterilization Technique for Biofertilizer Carrier Production” by Roland V. Rallos and Faye G. Rivera, Agricultural Research Section, Atomic Research Division of DOST-PNRI together with Juliet A. Anarna, University of the Philippines Los Baños- National Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Marcelina J. Palis and Jacqueline S. Rojales, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management won the Best Poster Paper.
The study that won first-place established the efficiency of using gamma irradiation as a sterilization technique for biofertilizer carrier production, particularly in eliminating unwanted microbes in newly-mixed biofertlizer carrier, specifically, clay and charcoal mixture. The study also affirmed the practicality of gamma sterilization technique for large scale production of biofertilizer carriers.
Garnering third place was the DOST-PNRI study by the Agricultural Research Section on “Agronomic Applicability of Non-Destructive Soil Moisture-Density Measurements Using Gamma-Neutron Probe” by Roland V. Rallos, Wilfredo A. Gultiano and John Faustus C. Vidal.
The DOST-PNRI soil science study advocated gamma-neutron probe as a viable non-destructive method for measuring soil moisture-density. Producing consistently accurate results similar to standard core and gravimetric methods, the study recommends the use of gamma neutron probe for soils having varied salinity and texture that may demand frequent measurements.
The 16th PSSST annual conference was participated in by members of the Society from the academe, government and non-government research and development institutes, policy makers, the private sector and other interested parties who shared the latest developments in soil science and other related fields.
PNRI Director Receives Award for Service to the Chemistry Profession
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Dr. Alumanda M. dela Rosa, Director of Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute recently received the Philippine Federation of Chemical Societies (PFCS) Award for Service to the Chemistry Profession in recognition of her commitment and dedication to her work in government service, particularly for her service to the chemistry profession. The award was given during the 28th Philippine Chemistry Congress held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on April 10 – 12, 2013.
The PFCS, which serves as an umbrella organization for the five chemistry societies in the Philippines, cited Dr. dela Rosa’s achievements in nuclear science and technology which led to the recognition of the expertise of PNRI scientists by their peers and of PNRI as an effective nuclear research and regulatory organization.
Dr. dela Rosa actively served as an officer of the chemical professional organizations and as a Member and Chairman of the Board of Chemistry of the Professional Regulation Commission.
Young PNRI Nuclear Research Specialists Lecture in IAEA-RCA Regional Training Course
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Two young nuclear research specialists from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) served as lecturers, together with two experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), during the Regional Training Course on Basic Radiation Processing of Polymer Focusing on Radiation Grafting, which was hosted by the DOST-PNRI on April 15-19, 2013.
The purpose of the Regional Training Course was to provide theoretical and practical training on the basic aspects of radiation processing of polymers focusing on radiation grafting. Dr. Lucille Abad, Head of PNRI’s Chemistry Research Section, was the Training Course Director.
The training course, organized by the IAEA-Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (IAEA-RCA) was participated in by 25 young scientists (19 foreign and six local participants) from 12 RCA Member States.
The PNRI research specialists, namely Jordan Madrid and Llorina Rañada of the Institute’s Chemistry Research Section, Atomic Research Division, discussed the topics on Functionalization of Grafted Polymers and Its Applications, and Molecular Imprinting, respectively. The IAEA experts were Professor Olgun Guven of Department of Chemistry, Hacettepe University in Turkey and Dr. Yatendra Kumar Bhardwaj of Bhabha Atomic Research Center in India.
The countries represented by the participants are Member States of RCA which are participating in the project on “Supporting Radiation Processing for the Development of Advanced Grafted Materials for Industrial Applications and Environmental Preservation.”
IAEA Technical Officer Dr. Agnes Safrany congratulated Dr. Abad for a very successful implementation of the course.
