Nuclear Technology Applications in Soil Science Research and Development win the First and Third Best Poster Paper Award
- Details
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
- Details
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
- Details
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.
Schools from Visayas and Mindanao Win Top Awards in Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz
- Details
A science high school in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, - Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial High School in Region 7 – triumphed as the champion among 195 schools from 11 regions of the country that participated in the Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz (PNSQ).
The PNSQ, conducted by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) in collaboration with the DOST Regional Offices, was one of the highlights of the Atomic Energy Week ruby anniversary in December 2012.
Another school from the Visayas, the Philippine Science High School Western Visayas campus in Region 6 placed second while the Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus in Region 11 won the third place.
Caloocan City Science High School was the first place winner in the Pop Quiz, which was conducted to maximize the participation of schools within Metro Manila and to complement the PNSQ aim of enhancing awareness and understanding of the Filipino youth on nuclear science and technology and its beneficial applications. Parañaque Science High School and Muntinlupa Science High School were the second and third place winners in the Pop Quiz, respectively.
The PNSQ quarter final, semi-final and final rounds and the Pop Quiz were held at Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
The champion team from Dumaguete, composed of Alec Benjamin G. Ramirez and Hannah Jael M. Cadusale received a cash prize of 30,000 while the second and third place winners received 20,000 and 10,000 respectively. Former Congressman Mark Cojuangco, AEW closing ceremonies keynote speaker, and PNRI officials Dr. Christina Petrache, Officer-in-Charge and Victoria Fe Medina, Technology Diffusion Division chief and 2012 AEW Executive Chairperson awarded the winners at the AEW closing ceremonies.
In his keynote address, Cojuangco cited the benefits of nuclear power as an energy source that is “non-polluting, non greenhouse gas generating, the cheapest energy source and statistically and proven by history as the safest energy source ever developed by humankind.” He stressed that the youth should be aware of these benefits and be the future champions of nuclear power “so that the society will lose its irrational fear of nuclear power.”
He also expressed his hope that Philippine society will one day be able to make the right choices regarding nuclear power “because of knowledge and awareness of the truth and realities, rather than the unfounded fears, of nuclear technology“.
Congressman Julio A. Ledesma IV, in his handwritten inspirational message read by PNRI Officer-in-Charge Christina A. Petrache, encouraged the students who participated in the Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz to send to him a statement, through his Twitter account, regarding his question of “Is the Philippines ready to operate a nuclear power plant facility?” Congressman Ledesma chairs the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives. (Click here for the list of PNSQ winners and finalists)
