Robot assembled from hobby kit by Robotis, a Korean company


By RAMIL DIGAL GULLE
abs-cbnNEWS.com

Taking a tour of the exhibits at the 8th ASEAN Science and Technology Week can make you think, hey, maybe science and technology can save the world—but only if we humans use it properly.

It’s unfortunate that the only “science and technology” that has become popular is the type that helps sell consumer electronic goods: anything that’s cool, fashionable, “high-tech”, expensive.

You know, high-tech stuff that you don’t really need and wouldn’t buy if only you stopped and thought things through--before having your credit card swiped at the cashier counter.

For example, one abs-cbnNEWS.com reporter once purchased one of those expensive, high-tech cellular phones. It was a slick, black slider cell phone unit that, from a distance, looked like a piece of sexy, swanky alien obsidian studded with silver… er, studs. It cost around 16,000 pesos.

Unbeknownst to the reporter however, the expensive phone was also a high-tech hubris magnet: she had if for two days, and then by accident dropped it from the third floor of an apartment building.

Following that cellular phone’s demise, the reporter got herself a new one: a basic voice call and SMS-capable unit with black-and-white display; a no-frills unit that has, as a bonus feature, a built-in flashlight at the top end.

She reports that, for her needs, it works just as well as her previous phone.

When the only sci-tech in our conscious, contemporary lives involves only products designed to entertain, to dazzle, entice, and to sell—and we have million-dollar marketing budgets to thank for that—we could begin to think that entertainment is all that science and technology are good for.

That’s a wrong notion, of course, since there are more urgent uses for science and technology—two of which are in the areas of food security and alternative energy sources. These two areas of concern were addressed by many of the booths at the ASEAN science and technology fair.

Ecological preservation and protection was another area of concern that several exhibits focused on.  Below are some exhibits that caught our attention at the science and technology fair.


Batangas robot
The Batangas State University student Christian Jay Faraon was at the booth operating the Robo Golf Ball Picker using a laptop computer. It’s a robotic machine that, well, picks up golf balls. The robot was developed by BSU’s Department of Mechatronics.

Robo Golf Ball Picker (http://mrbeatdownblues.multiply.com/video/item/1) has four wheels, a carriage fitted with a box for placing golf balls in, a mechanical arm and a three-fingered “hand” that picks up golf balls and stows them away on the box.

Okay, so Robo Golf Ball Picker doesn’t really impress like the robotic kits (http://www.alexan.com.ph/prods_kits_robotics.php#es1) by Alexan but even with its seeming simplicity, this robot created by BSU can be compelling to watch—the same way you watch a five-month-old baby learning to crawl, stand-up, or reach for toys; you find yourself waiting to see whether Robo Golf Picker actually succeeds (http://mrbeatdownblues.multiply.com/video/item/4) in picking up the golf balls around it.

From time to time, Robo Golf Ball Picker fails to pick up a ball. The arm goes down, the “fingers” close in on the ball, but not close enough—so the ball slips through the fingers and falls back down. Or sometimes, Robo Golf Picker loses its aim and misses the ball completely.

And all the while, as you’re watching, you’re going “Go, Robo Golf Ball Picker! You can do it, you can do it!” in your head.

Robo Golf Ball Picker is in its early stages of development—it’s not even the full prototype yet. Faraon said they still have to work on the robot to allow it to sense the balls on its own (instead of having an operator manipulate the robot to locate, lock on and pick up the balls).

Faraon said that they’ve already tested Robo Golf Ball Picker in an actual golf course, and it did okay—even navigating slopes and uneven terrain. Faraon said that when Robo Golf Picker is climbing up or going down as slope, they had to adjust its arm so that it’s facing backwards—if not, the weight of the arm would pitch the entire robot forward and it would flip.

The other invention from BSU is a kind of surveillance camera-scope (http://mrbeatdownblues.multiply.com/video/item/8/BATANGAS_STATE_UNIVERSI...). It’s a telescope that’s attached to a digital camera. When the camera-scope is connected to a laptop, the user can use it to look out at very far objects. Unfortunately, Faraon could not say how far the camera-scope could see.

“It’s pretty far,” he said, “We used an astronomy telescope.”

At that point, Faraon and this writer engaged in speculation as to the possible  uses of a surveillance camera that could see really far away.

“Someone suggested that it could be used by snipers,” Faraon volunteered.


DIY robotics
Robots are really crowd-drawers during science exhibits. The center of attention at the Alexan booth was their educational robot construction kits. Alexan is a company that started out in 1972 as a distributor of semiconductors and ICs.

Today the company has expanded and now "carries extensive lines of electronic components, production tools, test instruments, universal programmers, and equipments from leading manufacturers" according to its website, www.alexan.com.ph

Alexan also established its own electronics technology school that teaches courses on, among others, Basic Microcontroller Programming and Application, Electronic Devices and Circuits Assembly and Programmable Logic Control (PLC)--all of which are related to robotics. It also publishes electonics textbooks and magazines for electronics enthusiasts.

Alexan is also the Philippines distributor of Bioloid, a line of robotics hobby kits manufactured by the Korean firm Robotis. Robotics hobby kits show just how high-tech  toys and hobbies have become. These aren't just robot toys--they are actual robots that you construct and program using computer software.

For more information on robotics kits as a hobby you can check out http://www.tribotix.com/Products/Robotis/Bioloid/Bioloid.htm.

As for what the Bioloid can actually do, it's better to watch this video of a Bioloid robot dog (http://mrbeatdownblues.multiply.com/video/item/6).

Cockpit of Sinag, the first Philippine-made solar-powered car; note solar panels on surface

Sinag the Solar Car
Fifteen De La Salle University students were part of the crew that helped race the first ever Philippine-made solar-powered car in the World Solar Challenge race from October 21 to 28, 2007. 

Sinag traveled 3,000 kilometers across the Australian continent, from Darwin to Adelaide, finishing at 11th place. Sinag arrived at the finish line with over a day to spare.  The Philippine-made solar car raced against other solar-powered vehicles from 40 countries.

Sinag's victory is a milestone since it was the first time for the Philippines to join the World Solar Challenge, with a car that was proudly designed and manufactured by Filipinos. If only Filipinos could use solar cars right now--a good idea in the face of rising oil prices.  Learn more about sinag here (http://sinag.dlsu.edu.ph/).


Use your noodle
The increasing prices of food ingredients, including wheat and rice, has spurred the search for low-cost yet healthy substitutes. A perfect example of this is the iodine-rich seaweed noodles researched and developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute.

Iodine is a micronutrient that helps keep the thyroid gland healthy and aids in regulating hormones that affect nerves, muscles, growth rate and metabolic rate.

Other noodle varieties developed by the FNRI are  made with vegetables like squash and saluyot.  Not only are these noodle varieties nutritious, they also sound yummy.

But why stop at noodles? At the ASEAN Sci-Tech fair, we discovered squash pan de sal. This version of the Filipino staple breakfast bread is sold at Yelly's Bakeshop located in Parañaque with a branch in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

If want to know more about the healthy breads from Yelly's you may call them at (632)821.8763; (632)822.3177 or mobile number (639)906.300.3996.


Smart water
Feeling a little stupid, lately? Right behind the squash pandsal and noodles display at the FNRI exhibit, this writer saw a drinking fountain labled "IQ Water". It's water fortified with iodine. Does it work? Well, this writer tried it--just two cups--and felt no smarter. Then again, maybe one needs to drink it more often in greater quantities.

Sampling of free software available from the International Open Source Network

Free, legal software
Video, audio and software piracy is a crime. To support piracy is to support the criminal organizations making money from the sales of pirated materials. But what if you don't have the budget for legal, original PC software? Forget about getting pirated software. Chances are, you'll find what you need at the International Open Source Network website (http://www.iosn.net/).

The IOSN was established by the United Nations Development Program to focus on the advocacy of making free, legal, open source software available particularly in the Asia-Pacific region--where software piracy is rampant and driven by the need for developing nations to use less-costly PC software.

One side panel of the IOSN exhibit is plastered with CD covers of various types of free, open source software--it's amazing how much free software is available. There's Open Office, which is already known as free software that allows you to work with Microsoft Office documents. What is not know so well-known is that other software for other computer tasks--like audio-mixing software, for example--are also available.

Visit the IOSN website for more information on what free, legally available software might be of use to you. 

The Bulb Eater, a fluorescent lamp and lightbulb disposal machine

Better bulbs
There are actually people that the government is paying to promote the use of fluorescent lighting. These are the people working for the Philippine Efficient Lighting Market Transformation Project (PELMATP) under the Department of Energy. The project is also supported by the United Nations Development Program and the Global Environmental Facility.

Incandescent lighting, i.e., the lightbulb, is not only old technolgy (with due respect to Thomas Edison) but it's also wasteful. Of the total electrical energy used to power a lightbulb, only 5% to 20% is given off as light. The rest of the energy is being used to superheat the bulb's filament.

The greater electrical power being used to light up old-fashioned light bulbs also, in effect, increases the emissions of greenhouse gasses from coal power plants--this is becaue more coal needs to burn in order light up the bulbs. So the ordinary, filament-using light bulb is not just old and wasteful, it also causes harm to the environment.

The exhibit staff of PELMATP demonstrated the difference between the light output of an ordinary lightbulb compared to a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). They did the "butter test". This test involves holding a teaspoon of butter over an ordinary lightbulb and over a CFL.

The hotter lightbulbs quickly caused the butter to melt, while of course, the butter over the CFL did not melt so easily. It was notable how quickly the butter over the lightbulb melted--it made you want to scramble for a pan and do some sauteing, or at least get a piece of squash pan de sal so you could have a snack right there.

According to the PELMATP staff, using CFLs or LFLs (linear fluorescent lamps--the long tubular type) saves a household as much as 50-70 percent off its electric bills.

The PELMATP exhibit also displayed a mean-looking Bulb Eater. Essentially, it's a disposal machine for busted fluorescent lamps. What the machine does is crush and grind waste fluorescent lamps safely. You see, all fluorescent lamps contain gas and powdery materials that are toxic to people and the environment.

Using the Bulb Eater however, these toxic materials are rendered inert and disposed of safely. This is why the PELMATP staff reminded their audience to segregate household garbage and not throw busted fluorescent lamps along with the rest of the trash. Instead, they need to be placed in separate containers, so trash collectors could take all waste fluorescent lamps to a disposal facility that uses a Bulb Eater.

It seems pretty cool to own a Bulb Eater, if only to witness the fear it strikes into the gaseous hearts of fluorescent lamps. The CFL at the demonstration did a great, efficient job--but one could sense that it trembled in its socket whenever it caught a glimpse of the Bulb Eater.


Malaysian Net police
Malaysia is serious about Internet security and educating young people about using the Internet safely, to protect themselves from threats ranging from spam to sexual predators. The exhibit featured materials distributed to kids by CyberSecurity Malaysia, which is a government agency.

According to one brochure, CyberSecurity Malaysia is mandated to "protect all Malaysians from threats in cyberspace. We function in similar capacity to the armed services--we fight, combat and bring down all threats that could harm our nation and its people."

The materials it publishes to teach kids about Internet safety are tailored to that young audience, using cartoons and other kid-friendly visuals. The posters for kids, in particular, are visually engaging and really bring home their messages. These posters, by the way, were drawn and colored by children themselves.

One poster warns against cyberbullying (http://www.esecurity.org.my/download/poster/kids/jpeg/cyberbully.jpg); while another warns a child not to post personal information (http://www.esecurity.org.my/download/poster/kids/jpeg/never-give-persona...) on the Internet. Another poster on the other hand warns kids not to reply to suspicious emails (http://www.esecurity.org.my/download/poster/kids/jpeg/dont-reply-uncomfo...).

If you are a parent concerned about your child's Internet surfing, or are unfamiliar about how to keep your child safe in cyberspace, you might want to check out www.esecurity.org.my

Scale model of Malaysian artificial reef that spurs the growth of sea-coral

Coral reef-makers
Another exhibit at the Malaysian booth was a system for creating coral reefs. Special egg-shaped structures--made from cement, a special chemical and other materials--are set on the sea-floor and a direct current (DC) of electricity is applied to them. The regular application of DC eventually spurs the growth of sea-coral--voila, a new coral reef is born.


Ready for REDAS
Here's an invention that more local governments should probably use: the REDAS (Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System) software developed by the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Essentially, the REDAS provides a computer simulation of the effects of an earthquake or other natural disaster (typhoons, tsunamis) on a specific location after the disaster happens. At first, it's not so obvious how this could be useful, sinc the disaster already happened, right?

Well, the technology to predict earthquakes still does not exist--or if it does, we , the public, are not privvy to it--but the REDAS offers what is probably the next best thing: anticipate the type and extent of damage that an earthquake or other natural disaster could inflict in a specific area.

Take for example, the July 1990, 7.8 magnitude quake that struck Luzon in 1990. The epicenter of that quake was located at 15º 42' N and 121º 7' E near the town of Rizal, Nueva Ecija, northeast of Cabanatuan City.

Now, once the magnitude and epicenter of the quake are inputed in REDAS, the software will produce data, telling the user what damage could be expected in areas like Baguio, Pangasinan, La Union, Manila, etc.

The value of such data is really in helping local governments and disaster relief agencies know wherther a particular area is in danger of landslides, ground settling (the ground either sinks or collapses) or even liquefaction (mixing of soild and groundwater), and other hazardous effects. Knowing the possible damage that an earthquake may cause to an area will enable disaster officials to make quick, more effective decisions about relief and rescue operations.

The REDAS  uses a database of information that includes multi-hazards maps that include the geological features of an area and the natural disasters to which such an area is vulnerable.

The REDAS may also be used in urban planning to help governments and developers indentify what types of structures are appropriate for a particular area, proper land use, the strict enforcement of building codes, etc.

Those interested in the REDAS may email leyobautista@yahoo.com or call Phivolcs at (632)426.1468 to 79.


Styro-maniacs
What do we do with all the wated styro and plastic materials we discard every day? Rather than allow this waste to damage the environment, the  Industrial Technology Development Institute under the Department of Science and Technology, has a developed a system for recycling them into other useful products. The ITDI worked with the Polystrene Packaging Council of the Philippines to come up with such a recycling technology.

First styro materials are shredded. After shredding, they are mixed with cooking oil and melted inside a special oven. Used cooking oil from fastfood chains may be used for the melting process. Once the styro is melted, it is then poured into molds.

Waste plastic "sando" bags may also be melted down using this same process but at higher temperatures and using more cooking oil.

Some of the products that have been made out of waste styro and plastics include catwalk blocks, "timber" planks, chairs, tables and flower pots and planters.

The ITDI has also developed a technology to use waste plastic bags as ingredients in asphalt paving mixes.


Sounds clean
China's booth at the fair featured an ultrasonic cleaning machine. It consisted of a stainless steel box with a sound generator beneath and a space for putting in the object to be cleaned and a cleaning liquid. Combining soundwaves and the cleaning liquid, the machine is able to remove grease and dirt from objects.

Which gives rise to the question, what sorts of objects could you dip into the machine for cleaning? At the demonstration, the machine was used to clean a pair of glasses. But how about other objects, like scalpels, forceps, fountain pens, etc.?

Unfortunately, the guys at the booth could not give more information about the machine. They said the machine was being featured at the exhibit to showcase the ultrasonic technology, but further information would have to be sought from  machine's manufacturer. Here's the website: www.scientz.com


Backpack life-vest
The Vietnamese booth featured a backpack for children that doubles as a life vest. There was nobody at the booth when this writer came by, but thankfully there was some reading material available. The backpack is designed to let children float on their backs in case... well, they get caught in a flood or fall into the river or the sea.

The backpack looks like the type shoolchildren use and is supposed to allow them to float on their backs when they are in the water. For kids who get caught in a flood on the way to or from school, or who get into a boating accident, this backpack would be useful.

Note to parents: if you buy this backpack, tell your child not to wear it in front but at the back like he or she is supposed to. You can ask the backpack's inventor, Huy Pham Quang for more information. Call him at 03503860781 or email mai510_hn@yahoo.com.

Carabao chicharon, anyone?

Crispy kalabaw, bayabas wash
One booth featured foodstuffs and non-food products manufactured by various SMEs in Northern Luzon. There was "Magichanic Oil" a motor oil that, as its brochure says, improves engine performance and saves money for the vehicle owner.

Magichanic Oil is supposed to minimize engine wear, increase engine fuel efficiency and combustion, and even increase mileage up to 20% or more. Are all these claims true? To find out, call Jerome Banda at (074)304.1419.

There's also the carabao chicharon, or crispy fried carabao skin snack. We're all used to pork chicharon--but carabao?

Then there's feminine wash that uses--guess what?--guava leaves as its main, active ingredient.

The 8th ASEAN Science and Technology fair really showed the many uses of science and technology. There were, if fact, too many exhibits for a single article to cover.

Hopefully, many of these inventions and technologies get enough support so their benefits could reach even more people.