MANILA, Philippines — A 17-year-old Biology student from the Far Eastern University is the lone Filipino to make it to the regional finals of the Google Science Fair 2012, a global online science competition for teenagers launched by the search giant last year.
The research of Mark Borris Aldonza zeroes in on how compounds from a certain plant species known to be a “pest plant” in the Philippines could help improve the burning longevity of coal and at the same time reduce the amount of harmful gases it emits.
Aldonza’s research provides a means for the efficient and environmentally friendly use of charcoal, a resource that remains to be an essential part of many Filipinos’ households as majority of the population remains out of reach by industrial electricity.
“Charcoal will go further if it is used efficiently and if its quality is optimum for the particular end use,” Aldonza outlined in his presentation. “The rising price of oil and increasing concern for climate change will result in increased use of wood as fuel in both developed and developing countries.”
By treating traditional charcoal with “tannins” sourced from a prolific plant called Crown Vetch, Aldonza was able to triple the burning time of coal and decrease the amount of five greenhouse gases it emits.
“Charcoal has definitely the potential to alleviate poverty, generate income, and enhance livelihoods,” the student said. “By developing charcoals like what I’ve done in this research, there’ll be more options for fuel use.”
Aldonza joins 89 other students from around the world as finalists in this year’s Google Science Fair, which has garnered compelling research topics such as studies on how substance created by bees, can treat cancer and how meth abuse can be treated.
Thirteen of the 90 finalists have also been nominated for the Scientific American Science in Action award, the winner of which will be announced on June 6 along with the 15 finalists in the competition.
These top 15 and the Science in Action winner will be flown out to Google’s headquarters in California in July for the celebratory finalist event and for the last round of judging, which will be conducted by a panel of renowned scientists and innovators.
The Grand Prize winner for this year’s search will receive a National Geographic expedition, a $50,000 scholarship grant from Google, a personal LEGO color mosaic, and a chance for an internship either at Google, Lego, or CERN.
source: interaksyon.com
