The Department of Science and Technology’s Technology Application and Promotion Institute recently awarded the winners of this year’s National Invention Contest and Exhibits.

Bagging the Outstanding Invention or the Tuklas Award were the Crop Processing Machine by Arnulfo Malinios, Eleanor Balute, Estrella Calpe, and Herminigildo Lizano, all from Polangui, Albay (first prize); Rex Compost Tea Brewer (A Novel compost tea brewer) by James Fos Reamon (second prize); and Manufacturing Process for Hard Carrageenan Capsules by the Industrial and Technology Development Institute – DOST (third prize). The winners received cash prizes of PhP150, 000; PhP 100,000; and PhP 50,000 respectively.

In addition to the cash prize, Outstanding Invention Crop Processing Machine also received the World Intellectual Property Office Gold Medal.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Outstanding Utility Model were Method of Making Engine Oil Additive Mixed with Plant Oils by Johnny Sy (first place); Production of Medical Bandage from Mushroom Mycelium by Claro Santiago, Jr. of ITDI-DOST (second place);  and Mechanical Process of Producing Starch and Flour from Arrowroot Tubers by Arnulfo Malinis, Christopher Pacardo and Salvador Albia (third place). Winners pocketed cash prizes of PhP 100,000; PhP 50,000; PhP 25,000 respectively.

n the Outstanding Creative Research category or the Likha Award the Development of Local Bioactive Polymer Nanofibrous Scaffold by Electrospinning by the DOST-ITDI research team clinched the top prize of PhP 50,000 while the Commercialization Potential of Suksuk for Handwoven Silk Fabric by Rubelyn Delfin, Milagros Nilo, and Flory Libunao garnered the second prize of PhP 25,000; and the Joyski-the motorcycle driven Jetski by Noro Camomot took the third prize of  PhP 15,000.

In the Outstanding Student Creative Research category or Sibol Award for College level, the research Greenstick Fracture Detection and Diagnosis Using Image Processing and Analysis by De La Salle University - Taft students Airi Bianca Beltran, Rachel Joyce OaƱa, and Cathlyn Marie Montano bagged the first prize worth PhP 50,000;  Herbiplast Revolutionary Natural Ointment Bandage (Anti-Bacterial, coagulant, all natural) by Albert Bautista II of the University of Baguio placed in second with Ph P25,000 cash prize; and Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Liniment from the leaf Extract of Lagundi Fam. Verbenaceae by Richelle Abuan of St. Louis University, Baguio City cornered the third prize worth PhP 15,000.

In the high school level, the Production of Biodegradable Plastics (BIOPLASTEM) from Shells of Brown Shrimps (Penaeus aztecus) through the Process of Polymerization by students of the Arturo Eustaquio Memorial Science High School topped the awards. Earning the Ph P50,000 first prize were Reezie Love Miguel, Janiz Amasoli Suyko, and Claudine Mae Etiong. Second place went to Engineering a Novel Radiation Shield and Semiconductor from Green Mussel Shells by Jessel Fatima Cane of the Bayugan National Comprehensive High School who won PhP25,000. Third place went to Feasibility of Using Chicken Eggshells (Gallus domesticus) as fillets and an Anti-Bacterial Component for Polypropylene Plastic by the students of the Immaculate Conception Academy – Greenhills namely Rhodessa King, Janessa Limchutick, Jeanelle Ong, Sharlene Santiago, Tetris Tan and Karen Tan who won PhP 15,000.

The National Invention Contest and Exhibits is a yearly inventions competition organized by the DOST through TAPI in support of the R.A. No. 7459 which provides incentives to local inventors, including cash rewards to patented inventions.

Source:  DOST