Press Release: String of Awards for ITDI Researchers Resurges

At the recently concluded 2012 National Science and Technology Week celebration of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), research and development (R&D) efforts of the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), one of the R&D agencies of DOST again took center stage,  reaping awards and prestige for its  researchers and the Institute as a whole.
 

For the nth time, ITDI researches never fail to catch the limelight, with its researchers bringing home the bacon. This year, their resurging winning touch won for ITDI the following:

* BEST POSTER - Chemicals and Energy Division (CED) scientific poster entry entitled “Evaluation of Polyethylenimine/carrageenan Multi-layer for Antibacterial Activity of Pathogenic Bacteria”. This poster exhibited the methodology and results of the investigative study. Results showed that multi-layers of PEI (polyethylenimine) and carrageenan were found to be good antibacterial coating, usually, for medical applications.

Awarded by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) during its 34th Annual Scientific Meeting  (Poster Sessions and Exhibits), on July 12, 2012, at the  Manila Hotel. The research team is composed of Ms. Annabelle Briones, Chief Supervising Science Research Specialist, CED, Mr. Toshinori Sato (Keio University), and Ms. Ursela Bigol, Supervising Science Research Specialist, Environment and Biotechnology Division (EBD).

L-R: Engr. Edgar I. Garcia, TAPI Dir.; Ms. Carmen G. Peralta,
Dir.-DITTB-IPO; Prof. Fortunato T. De La Peña,
Usec-DOST; Dr. Blessie A. Basilia;  Dr. Marissa A. Paglicawan;
and, Ms. Teresa V. Navarro. Photo by ITDI.

2ND  PLACE, CREATIVE RESEARCH CATEGORY OR LIKHA, NATIONAL INVENTION CONTEST (NICE) - .Materials Science Division (MSD) for their research on “Biodegradable Starch-Clay Nanocomposites for Green Packaging”. A biodegradable biopolymer packaging material was developed that can be used in place of oil-based plastics. 

Biodegradable packaging made from starch is normally not suited for packaging because of its highly hydrophilic nature and its low mechanical properties. 

This newly-developed technology based on polymer/clay nanocomposites will improve the hydrophylic and mechanical properties of starch-based films. It will also address the growing need for cost-efficient barrier material and issues on the disposal of food packaging waste as the product is environment-friendly.

MSD researchers led by Dr. Blessie A. Basilia, Chief, SRS, Dr. Marissa A. Paglicawan, Senior SRS and Ms. Ma. Teresa V. Navarro, Senior SRS received the award during the NSTW closing ceremony on July 14, 2012 at the SMX-MOA.

L-R: Ms. T.V. Navarro; Dr. M. A. Paglicawan; Dr. Nuna E. Almanzor, ITDI Director;
Dr. B. A. Basilia; Dr. R.Torres; Ms. U.Bigol; Ms. E.Arrogante; and,
Ms. E. Manongsong. Photo courtesy of ITDI.

3RD PLACE, UTILITY MODEL, NATIONAL INVENTION CONTEST (NICE) - Another award for CED, entitled “A Novel Slimming Composition”. This entry won 1st place in the regional competition last September 2011 gaining its eligibility to join the NICE.  This is a novel slimming composition in a fat burner cream having active ingredients comprising of glycerylmonostearate, stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, mineral oil, triethanolamine, lanolin, glycerin, petrolatum, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, distilled water, and phytobioactives- grapefruit oil and caffeine having a concentration of 3% and 5%, respectively.

Dr. Rosalinda Torres, Supervising SRS and the lead researcher, together with Ms. Ursela Bigol, Supv. SRS, Ms. Evelyn Manongsong, SRS II, Ms. Elvira Arrogante, SR Analyst, and Mr. Eduardo Lanto, Science Aide, received the award also during the NSTW closing ceremony.

NICE and NAST 34th scientific meeting are part of the week-long (July 9-14,2012) NSTW celebration of the Department of Science and Technology.

CONGRATULATIONS!

(08/02/2012, ITDI S&T MEDIA SERVICE, w/reports from ddgotis)