A BALIK Scientist from the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) has developed a new air filter using natural materials to combat harmful air pollutants, the agency said on Tuesday.
Ramuel John Tamargo, who completed his postgraduate studies at Yeungnam University in South Korea, developed an innovative air filter to absorb volatile organic compounds and other harmful gases commonly emitted by plastic manufacturing plants.
“We look forward to the day that these air filters become ubiquitous in the operations of our manufacturing industry,” DoST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said.
DoST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Balik Scientist Program (BSP) was established in October 1975 through Presidential Decree 819 and revitalized in 2007 with updated policies and funding.
BSP aims to promote information exchange and accelerate technology transfer into the country by strengthening the scientific and technological workforce in academic, public and private institutions. Its goal is to encourage Filipino scientists and technologists to return to the Philippines and contribute to its development.
During Tamargo’s tenure as a Balik Scientist, he created Air Purification using Sustainable Aluminosilicate for Valenzuela Environmental Remediation (AirSaver), which aims to improve the air quality for people living near industrial areas.
Valenzuela City is known for having over 200 plastic and rubber manufacturing companies.
The air filter was developed under the Niche Center in the Regions for the R&D Program in 2021 and is being monitored by the DoST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).
AirSaver is made from locally sourced natural zeolite, which is found in both volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Zeolite is commonly used to remove heavy metals and other pollutants from water, but it has a wide range of other applications.
Tamargo has adapted the material into a fixed bed filter, installed in plant industries’ exhaust systems to filter air emissions, said DoST.
DoST-PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit encouraged Filipino scientists to follow Tamargo’s example and contribute new ideas to the scientific community through the Balik Scientist Program.
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