Remarkable inventions of young Filipino innovators

PATENTS, DESIGNS: The Philippines is raising its role on the global innovation landscape by actively patenting inventions and trademarking industrial designs of the country’s young inventors. For example, under the the country’s patent law (Republic Act 8293), the Philippines Science High School System (PSHS) has recently successfully registered 9 patents (with both local and global intellectual property rights protection), 82 utility models, 17 industrial designs, and 176 copyrights.

BREAKING GROUND: Some of the inventions are showcased at the on-going STEMVIBE event in Manila (Philippine International Convention Centre | The Forum Tent), which runs until October 28, 2023. These ground breaking innovations are the direct outcome of extensive student research events at the state-owned institutions or state-funded research and development projects to foster an environment conducive to discoveries and advances in STEM education. Some of the inventions showcased:

VISSER: The device Versatile Instrumentation System for Science Education and Research, is a state-funded kit developed by the Institute of Physics. Inventors said the kit is affordable by design, and is aimed for use by students and teachers in high schools. Each kit is composed of a handheld device, various sensors and learning manuals. Teachers and students can choose which experiment they want to perform by navigating through the built-in software. Once the plug-and-play sensors are connected, they can then start performing it experiments. Alternatively, teachers and students can conduct their own experiments by choosing which sensors they need and use the handheld device as a data logger.

IMAHE MICRO-PLASTICS DETECTOR: It’s not just the PSHS system rolling out interesting inventions. This is a portable device that is applicable on an on-site (in-situ) setting to assess micro plastic sizes in a sample through image processing. It features a layer set up with varying mesh filter sizes for containing the micro plastic samples. This filters are encased in stackable mesh discs for the sample to be viewed from a camera, and is fitted with a portable microscope. The device can be charged for portable. It can show the micro plastic particles, size range, concentrations of specific types of microplastics — in different samples, including soil and sludge. AFP file photo shows a magnified view of microplastics.

GUL.AI PROJECT: This is an artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IOT)-assisted plant growing system. It promotes crop science and its fusion with information and communications technology (ICT) through a plant growing and monitoring system. The design and implementation of the system adopts an IoT technique to gather relevant environmental data for real time visualisation, monitoring and analysis. Combined with plant growth observations, the data then generates AI models that can eventually be used as pre-sets for growing crops. Iterations of the system are being developed by the Advanced Science and Technology Institute under DOST at the University of the Philippines.

CURRENCY COUNTER AND COUNTERFEIT MONEY DETECTOR: BLURS, which stands for Blind Level Usage Recognition of Sales, is a device that helps the visually-impaired detect the amount of money and single out counterfeit bills. The device cost 1,700 pesos ($27) using 3-D printed materials. This inexpensive portable digital money counter-cum fake currency detector uses a built-in ultraviolet light to detect reflective material in bills powered by off-the-shelf lithium batteries. It was invented by students at the General Santos City National high school. It claimed the top prize for creative research this 2023 for the Mindanao cluster. The school is working with the Department of Science and Technology to commercialise the project.

BANTAY: This invention is a real-time and efficient aquaculture monitoring gear utilising networking technology to facilitate communication between sensors and a micro computer. Developed by Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus, the device is designed to be portable, features wireless capability, and incorporates on micro computer inside. This portable monitor and device has the capacity to monitor critical water parameters such as temperature, the sold oxygen, and pH, crucial for maintaining optimal water quality in an aqua culture setting.

VISION: The device allows visually impaired users to detect, feel, and “see” the objects in their surroundings — a sort of obstacle detector and avoidance AI. It can be worn like eyeglasses or placed on various body parts to provide information audibly and through a camera perspective. Users can ask questions, and the system fetches answers from the web. Using software, VISION can also recognise and track people and objects assisting the visually challenged with obstacle detection. The device encompasses those already patented and applied, as well as those in the pipeline awaiting patent application.

PROJECT FERRO-FLIGHT. This nano-particle based technology was developed by the Philippine State College of Aeronautics in Mactan Cebu. It seeks to maximise the potential for ferrous-based catalysts in creating a cost-effective reduction-oxidation catalyst for UAV-quadcopter hydrogen fuel cell applications. Compared to traditional platinum-based catalysts, ferrous (mainly iron)-based catalysts provide high performance and cost-effective solution — such as high catalytic activity, stability and selectivity for the fuel cells’ critical hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions. This helps extend flight periods and improves drone performance overall, its inventors said.

MARVEL: It stands for Multiple Applications for Reality-Virtuality Experience Laboratory (MARVEL), envisioned to provide top-notch training and research facilities in “mixed-reality" applications for medical, allied health and marine simulations.  MARVEL features an advanced motion capture (MoCap) system with sub-mm 3D precision and high-speed tracking capability and open-source software and five head-mounted devices for testing and demonstrating mixed reality apps. The system, developed at Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) with state funding, allows professionals to conduct research and development activities and develop products that will help students improve their skills in emergency response and maritime studies.  

TEAM TURBO: This project aims to create a filter for diesel engines emitting particulate matter 2.5 (or fine particles/droplets in the air that are 2 ½ microns or less in width) that is found in engine fumes of jeepments and most diesel engines. This project introduces a self-powered tribo-electric filter for removing particulate matter from automobile exhaust fumes using the tribo-electrification effect. Using what is known as “ anogenerators”, this kit can serve as an alternative method for mechanical energy generation in order to satisfy the demands of distributed energy. Inventors from Hill School in Los Banos, Laguna (South of Manila) said their invention is lightweight, entails simple construction, wide material availability, low-cost, and high efficiency even at low operating frequency.

AIR-CONDITIONING WITHOUT REFRIGERANT: A key patented technology developed at the Philippine Science High School system (Bicol campus) is “AirDisc”, a revolutionary air-conditioning-without-refrigerant system, developed by a student at its campus in Bicol, about 600km southeast of Manila. The AirDisc technology — which combines a low-compression-pressure and high volume of air molecules — is a cost-efficient, safe air-conditioning system that utilises only one-tenth of the energy used by traditional ACs. It is also free of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). As a high-efficiency and HFC-free cooling device, it greatly improves air-conditioning for both the consumers and the environment. Since it was first unveiled in 2018, AirDisc has collected at least 10 awards globally, from Asia and Europe. It is protected by an international patent and is currently ongoing commercialisation. The first units are expected to hit the market in 2024.

PROTECTION: Some of the patented inventions registered under the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) protocols.

PATENTING PROCESS: Filipino students display their invention, an affordable roof insulation system from re-purposed beverage cardboards, reducing ambient temperatures by up to 3°C. The young inventors are getting extra hand in patenting registration, being ramped up as numerous other inventions in the pipeline. The government gets 60 per cent of the intellectual property (IP) rights of inventions developed by the students while in government-run schools or projects; the authors (the students) own 40 per cent of the patent. This way, both parties get royalty fees from commercial/industrial use of their inventions during the life of patent protection, the official said.

AQUAIRE: A rainwater collection/purification system using an inverted umbrella, called Aquaire, and a system of modular micro-filter membrane that filters out smaller dissolved solids and bacteria, using nano tech. This foldable simple, inexpensive rainwater harvesting and filtration design, ideal for low-income communities, has a capacity to produce up to 4,050 litres of water per square metre annually, according to the inventors. Filters are to be replaced every six months.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: Lilia Habacon, Executive Director of the PSHS System, said they now actively help the young inventors go through the patent application and registration. The government then gets 60 per cent of the intellectual property (IP) rights of inventions made by the students while in school, while the authors (the students) own 40 per cent of the patent — and potential royal fees from the commercial or industrial use of their inventions during the life of patent protection.

BADGE OF HONOUR: Some of the WIPO registrations for innovations of Filipino students at the forefront of the country’s tech initiative. “We carefully and deliberately navigate the transition of students’ valuable innovations from the lab to the public or market. It’s a journey for our high schools in the realm of tech transfer. We want to ensure that our young inventors’ work and ideas resonate and endure beyond their academic years,” said Habacon. Most of these gear are being offered for commercialisation/mass production via the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI).