DOST's Tech Transfer Day draws IP-seeking technologies
75 breakthrough technologies for agriculture, disaster preparedness, business competitiveness, IT development, and quality health were showcased for investors and technology adaptors during DOST’s Technology Transfer Day, including some that are seeking intellectual property protection.
Filipino innovation and ingenuity was in full force on Thursday at the Technology Transfer Day, with inventions as diverse as water quality sensor system to a nanocoating that delays fruit ripening up on display for potential investors and industry adaptors.
Several of the technologies presented have been either applied for IP protection or are already protected.
One such technology is the award-winning CharM system or the Rapid Electric Vehicle - Charging in Minutes system by Engr. Leo Tayo and Professor Lew Tria of the University of the Philippines. The fast-charging system for electric vehicles has been applied for patent protection at IPOPHL,even as it has already been commercially launched.
The CharM system has been deployed at Isabela State University Campus to service e-trikes there, with the owners eyeing to expand its footprint and distribution gradually.
“Right now we’re catering to start-ups undertaking fleet management of e-jeepneys. We’re also in talks with MERALCO who have their own initiatives in e-vehicles,” said Engr. Tayo.
The system pledges to charge e-vehicles using lithium-ion battery in at most, 30 minutes versus the standard electric vehicle stations taking 4-6 hours for a full charge.
A unique invention that marries the arts and science is Gitara ni Juan.
This invention not only applied for patent protection but is aiming for industrial design protection and trademark for its brand name. The technology being applied for patent protection is a process that standardizes the method in manufacturing locally-made classical guitars.
“The technology itself is the use of more sustainable, local wood as the main part of the classical guitar and the specific process in making entry-level classical guitar using the local wood,” explained Engr. Crisron Lucas of the University of the Philippines Diliman.
With the use of local wood, Gitara ni Juan can be sold for a fifth of the price of local or imported guitars that make use of more expensive spruce or cedar wood.
Moreover, the classical guitar is fashioned with in-house designs, which Lucas hopes can be given industrial design protection too. Gitara Ni Juan is not stopping there, but also applied for a trademark.
“Local distributors are already phoning in for orders,” he added.
A nano-coating formulation extending the post-harvest life of produce promises better revenues for fruit producers and harvesters, and has been registered as a utility model at IPOPHL. It's clever brand name, Fruitect, is also trademark protected.
This UM is a creation of Dr. Veronica Sabularse, Dr. Hideliza Hernandez, et al , and is said to delay the ripening of fruits in storage by 4-5 days.