DE La Salle University-Manila manufacturing engineering student Joseph Aristotle de Leon scooped the 2024 James Dyson Award in the Philippines for his groundbreaking underground monitoring system that provides real-time video feeds of the Earth's subsurface. His creation, Resistivity Acquisition and Monitoring of the Underground, or Ramun, was announced as the national winner during the award ceremony on Monday, September 9, at the Manila House, BGC, Taguig City. De Leon takes home P348,000 from the James Dyson Award to support the next steps in development, working reliably in a real-world setting. Ramun, aptly subtitled "See the Unseen," poses a solution to the problem that "many hazards, including groundwater pollution and depletion, sinkholes, landslides, and soil liquefaction, remain hidden beneath the Earth's subsurface," a media release said. "Additionally, the subsurface offers untapped opportunities to solve problems in water use, energy and climate change, such as groundwater replenishment, thermal storage and carbon sequestration," it added. Ramun is seen to deal with the dual problems of subsidence and floods, frequently made worse by improper groundwater management. This was evident during Typhoon Enteng, which brought about severe flooding and destructive landslides in Metro Manila, highlighting the urgent need for better monitoring and managing of subsurface conditions. De Leon hopes a working Ramun system can soon be installed in an urban environment, which could spark further installations in other areas. Ramun seeks to create a community of advocates and innovators who can use the technology to educate and inspire others. By raising awareness about the importance of the underground environment, de Leon hopes to spark a wave of new inventions, solutions and policies that will optimize the use of valuable subsurface resources. De Leon said Ramun could seamlessly integrate into various settings, from construction sites to sensitive ecosystems. "The ability to access real-time information about the subsurface is essential for mitigating hazards and optimizing the use of underground resources. In a world facing resource scarcity, Ramun offers a sustainable solution by enabling us to explore and manage these valuable assets efficiently," he said. "Ramun allows us to explore the resources beneath the Earth's surface and ensure that they are used sustainably and properly to maximize their benefits for the masses. This non-invasive approach ensures minimal disruption to daily life while delivering crucial data for informed decision-making," he added. One of the judges, Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development Executive Director Enrico Paringit, said, "This innovation is crucial for urban and developing areas to prevent potential disasters, thereby reducing damage and saving lives. Having the James Dyson Award recognize Ramun highlights the importance of matching environmental challenges with cutting-edge solutions and is a testament to the impact of innovations that create safer, more resilient communities." Also announced winners were Ynna Nichole Ilogon and Rodel Remolana Jr. of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), first runner-up with their GeopolyCement invention. Made entirely from agro-industrial waste and pozzolan materials and refined by varying the silica-alumina ratio and alkali activator concentration, GeopolyCement offers a low-carbon and more cost-effective alternative to traditional cement, providing adequate strength and integrity while addressing the pressing issue of carbon dioxide emissions in the construction industry. Its lightweight foamed concrete can provide better thermal insulation, potentially lowering energy costs for buildings. King Zhytt Driz and Alonzo Gabriel Limocon, also of MSU-IIT, were second runner-up with their Fire GeoPrimer, a geopolymeric intumescent flame-retardant primer coating for wood applications, using nanosilica and aluminum from agro-industrial waste and clay. It provides better fire resistance and protection for wooden structures while being sustainable and eco-friendly. It also provides a surface for paints to hold onto. The international top 20 shortlist will be announced on October 16, selected by Dyson engineers, and the global winners on November 13, chosen by James Dyson. The prizes, given out by billionaire inventor James Dyson's humanitarian foundation, honor new technologies that solve urgent problems in the real world. The Award operates across 29 countries this year and has supported over 400 problem-solving inventions with over P4.8 million in prize money. Visit https://www.jamesdysonaward.org/en-PH/ for more information. THE MANILA TIMES
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