IAEA donates COVID-19 detection kits to PH
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RT-PCR detection kits provide more accurate COVID-19 test results. (Photo by IAEA)
IAEA donates COVID-19 detection kits to PH
As part of its program to help its member-states address COVID-19, the International Atomic Energy Agency donated detection kits that use nuclear techniques for quick, accurate detection of the dreaded virus. The Philippines is one of the member-states of the agency.
Called the Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), the technology is an important tool in detecting COVID-19 quickly, enabling doctors to immediately come up with diagnosis and provide proper medical care, increasing the survival chance of patients.
The diagnostic kits include microcentrifuge for sample extraction, shaker vortex, thermocycler, scanner for cryotubes, fastvirus master mix, and personal protective equipment. The €84,000- (or PhP4,776,595) worth donation is expected to be delivered next week to the Department of Health (DOH) which will field it to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and hospitals that conduct COVID-19 testing.
The IAEA will likewise conduct a training on the use of nuclear-derived techniques for the detection of COVID-19 when current restrictions are eased. It will be participated in by two professors from the University of the Philippines Manila.
The detection kits were formally requested by the Department of Foreign Affairs for DOH, and facilitated by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the IAEA with the support of the DOST-PNRI, the country’s authority on nuclear matters. This IAEA donation is part of the technical cooperation project titled "Strengthening Capabilities of Member States in Building, Strengthening and Restoring Capacities and Services in Case of Outbreaks, Emergencies and Disasters."
Suspension of Work at DOST-PNRI
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In line with the suspension of work in the Executive Branch of the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19, work in the DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute is temporarily suspended until further notice.
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Radiation Protection Services Section
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Stay safe, everyone!
Philippines INIR Mission Report by the IAEA
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The Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Report for the Philippines is already available at the website of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Link to the IAEA Website:
https://www.iaea.org/services/review-missions/integrated-nuclear-infrastructure-review-inir
Link to the Philippines INIR Mission Report:
INIR is a holistic peer review to assist Member States in assessing the status of their national infrastructure for the introduction of nuclear power. The review covers the comprehensive infrastructure required for developing a safe, secure and sustainable nuclear power program. The Phase 1 INIR Mission for the Philippines was conducted from December 10 to 17, 2018, followed by the turnover of the official report on October 30, 2019.
PNRI Radiation-Modified Abaca/Polyester Fabric Wins Outstanding Utility Model Award at 2020 NICE
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PNRI Career Scientist Dr. Lucille Abad, Dr. Jordan Madrid and Mr. Patrick Jay Cabalar (4th to 6th from left, respectively) receive the trophy and cash prize for the Outstanding Utility Model Award during the 2020 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE). They are joined by DOST Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara (3rd from left) DOST – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) Director Engr. Edgar Garcia (2nd from left).
Mr. Patrick Jay Cabalar and Dr. Jordan Madrid of the Chemistry Research Section with their exhibit of the utility model “Composite Nonwoven Fabric Heavy Metal Adsorbent and Method for Preparing the Same” at the 2020 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE).
PNRI Radiation-Modified Abaca/Polyester Fabric Wins Outstanding Utility Model Award at 2020 NICE
State-of-the-art radiation applications once again took the lead among the latest Filipino innovations as chemistry researchers from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) won the first place for the Outstanding Utility Model category during the National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) on March 5, 2020 at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City.
The award for the radiation-grafted abaca-based nonwoven fabric which serves as an effective filter for heavy metals was received by Dr. Jordan Madrid, head of the PNRI Chemistry Research Section (CRS), Dr. Lucille Abad, Career Scientist and Chief of PNRI’s Atomic Research Division and Mr. Patrick Jay Cabalar, CRS project staff.
Radiation can modify materials and graft various polymers with advanced properties. Using radiation from the PNRI Electron Beam Irradiation Facility, researchers grafted a fabric based on the native product abaca with synthetic polymers to develop a nonwoven fabric that can filter toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, mercury and arsenic which can be harmful to human health and the environment.
Studies showed that the radiation-modified nonwoven fabric is reusable and cheaper to use than commercial resins which have the same purpose, while also being on par, if not better, in filtering the waste.
But the radiation-grafted abaca fabric’s application for wastewater treatment is just the tip of the iceberg. Researchers are also exploring other possible applications of the fabric such as for recovering precious metals and as a catalyst for producing biodiesel.
PNRI was granted a utility model for the technology in 2019. The nonwoven fabric previously won as the Regional Winner for the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) for the National Capital Region in November 2019. The product is an output of a PCAARRD-funded project in collaboration with Philippine Textile Research Institute which provided the abaca/polyester nonwoven fabric.
The 2020 NICE recognizes the efforts and hard work of Filipino inventors, researchers and students, encourages the development of inventions through competitions and highlights the role of the Filipino inventors in Philippine society and in the context of national economic development.
