DOST-6 to advance nanotech in natural fibers

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Department of Science and Technology Western Visayas (DOST-6) said it is exploring the potential of nanotechnology to bolster the production of natural fibers in the region.

“We are trying to develop a lot of sectors in Western Visayas and among the sectors that we would like to build our competency and capability is in nanotechnology since it’s a game-changing technology,” DOST-6 director Rowen Gelonga told Daily Guardian.

“We would like to enhance our capability to harness nanotechnology in the development of the many sectors that we have, particularly natural fibers,” he added.

Gelonga is considering enhancing the production of local fibers such as piña, abaca, cotton, and silk, which is one of the primary materials used by handloom weavers in making Hablon, the handwoven textile of Western Visayas.

The DOST-6 director noted that although nanotechnology is still emerging in the region, the agency’s capabilities can be augmented with the assistance of the Center for Advanced New Materials, Engineering, and Emerging Technologies (CANMEET) at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo.

“Nanotechnology is something that is relatively new to everyone but I think with CANMEET and our push with other universities we can slowly increase the number of projects that we have related to nanotechnology,” he said.

He also highlighted the significance of the membrane laboratory housed within CANMEET as a promising starting point.

Inaugurated in June 2022, CANMEET is the first material science and emerging technologies research center in Western Visayas. The research center houses two laboratories: the Smart Packaging Laboratory and the Membranes Laboratory.

The center is currently headed by Dr. Noel Peter Tan, a Balik Scientist Program (BDP) awardee of the DOST.

It can be noted that Tan is leading a research on nano-enabled bioplastics from regenerated cellulose, aiming to produce an alternative source of biodegradable bioplastic with improved mechanical properties suitable for packaging materials.

To further propel the advancements of the BSP grantees in the region, Gelonga said DOST-6 is planning to introduce them to the Regional Research, Development, and Innovation Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC).

“We are trying to come up with an activity at the level of the RDC. We would like to invite Balik Scientists in Western Visayas and inform the RDC of different specializations so that we can identify further additional opportunities for collaboration,” he said.

“We intend to do that before the end of the year,” he added.