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These enormous boulders, which sit on an uplifted reef platform far from the sea, are not random. They are fragments of an ancient coral reef that were torn from the reef and hurled inland by extreme waves. This unusual sight piqued the curiosity of geologists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science’s National Institute of Geological Sciences (UPD-CS NIGS).

Edrian Tubalado, Dr. Noelynna Ramos, Lyndon Nawanao Jr., Ace Matthew Cantillep, Alec Benjamin Ramirez, and Jelian Reyes of the Geomorphology and Active Tectonics Research (GEAR) Laboratory, UPD-CS NIGS, together with Dr. Kathrine Maxwell of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research in Germany, Dr. Shou-Yeh Gong of the National Museum of Natural Science in Taiwan, Dr. Tsai-Luen Yu of the National Academy of Marine Research in Taiwan, and Dr. Chuan-Chou Shen of National Taiwan University, investigated 198 large, carbonate boulders in Barangays Davila and Dilavo in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

“The boulders were primarily composed of fossil corals and can be called coastal carbonate boulders,” Tubalado said. “We measured its size, weight, and location, and used specialized dating techniques to determine the ages of the coral components. These ages tell us when the coral boulders were transported out from the seawater onto the coast.”

Instead of using harsh chemicals, researchers Mon Bryan Gili, Wendell Manuel, and Dr. Marienette Vega of the UPD-CS Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSEP); Dr. Marlon Conato of the UPD-CS Institute of Chemistry (IC); and Rakshith Gowda Shankaregowda and Dr. Manh-Huong Phan of the University of South Florida used gamma radiation and a natural seaweed-derived substance called carrageenan to create the nanoparticles.

“In simple terms, we let radiation do the “work” of forming the particles, while the seaweed extract keeps them stable and safe. We then tested how effective these particles are against common bacteria,” Gili explained. Compared to traditional chemical methods, the researchers’ approach is much greener. 

Chemical synthesis often requires strong reducing agents and stabilizers, which can be toxic and difficult to dispose of safely. In their method, gamma radiation completely replaces these chemicals. It also sterilizes the nanoparticles as they form, which is a major advantage for medical applications. “Overall, this means fewer processing steps, less chemical waste, and a safer product for both people and the environment,” Gili added.

As a researcher in nuclear science, Gili was excited to apply radiation technology in a way that directly benefits health and sustainability. Concern for environmental safety and the growing issue of antibiotic resistance motivated him and his team to explore alternative methods for producing silver nanoparticles. Many conventional approaches use toxic chemicals that can harm people and the environment.

“The next steps include improving their long-term stability, testing them in real-world products, and evaluating their safety for human use.” Gili said. “Ultimately, we hope this technology can lead to affordable, locally produced antibacterial materials using Philippine natural resources and nuclear science expertise.”

Their paper, “Antibacterial evaluation of radiolytically synthesized silver nanoparticles with ι-carrageenan stabilizers,” was published in Radiation Physics and Chemistry, a journal featuring studies which focus on research and developments involving ionizing radiation in radiation physics, radiation chemistry, and radiation processing.

References:

Gili, M. B., Manuel, W. A., Guillermo, N. R., Shankaregowda, R. G., Phan, M., Conato, M. T., & Vega, M. M. (2025). Antibacterial evaluation of radiolytically synthesized silver nanoparticles with ι-carrageenan stabilizers. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 236, 112941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112941

Sa ikalimang Innovation Impact Stories webinar ng UP Diliman College of Science Innovation Program, ipinaliwanag ni Dr. Emily Castriciones ng UPD-CS Institute of Chemistry ang papel ng kimika sa pagpapatupad ng Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Siya ay nagsisilbi ring Analytical Chemist Inspector ng Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Bagama’t matagal nang pinagtibay ng Pilipinas ang CWC, hindi ito ganap na naipatupad noon dahil sa kakulangan ng legal na balangkas.

“Bilang mga chemist, kasama natin ang isang kemikal mula simula hanggang wakas. Ikaw ang nagsasagawa ng synthesis at pagsusuri, mula sa hilaw na materyal hanggang sa tapos na produkto gaya ng gamot,, pati na ang wastong pagtatapon nito bilang basurang kemikal. Patuloy mo ring minamanmanan ang pag-iral nito sa mga daluyan ng basura at sa kapaligiran,” ani ni Dr. Castriciones. “Mula sa simula hanggang sa katapusan ng buhay ng isang kemikal, laging may chemist na kasangkot.”

“Iba’t iba rin ang gawain namin sa loob ng mga planta. Sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan, kadalasan ay pagmamanman at regulasyon ang tungkulin. Ngunit huwag nating kaligtaan ang ating mga tagapagpatupad ng batas: ang Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency at ang PNP. Mayroon silang mga forensic laboratory, at sa pamamagitan ng aming proyekto kasama ang DOST, nakikipagtulungan kami sa PNP forensic lab at sa Bureau of Fire Protection,” paliwanag niya. “At siyempre, mahalaga rin ang dokumentasyon at iba pang gawaing kaakibat nito.”

Mas naging pamilyar si Dr. Castriciones sa kasunduan sa pamamagitan ng kanyang paglilingkod bilang teknikal na konsultant para sa CWC sa panahon ng pagbabalangkas ng RA 12174. Nagsilbi rin siya bilang tagapagsalita (resource person) sa mga pagpupulong ng technical working group at sa mga konsultasyon sa mga stakeholder na inorganisa ng Senate Committee at ng Anti-Terrorism Council. Ang mga ito ay nagsilbing Interim Philippine National Authority para sa CWC.

“Para sa matagumpay na pagpapatupad ng anumang pambansang batas, napakahalaga na kasangkot ang mga stakeholder, lalo na sa pagsusuri at pagbabalangkas ng implementing rules and regulations,” dagdagniya. “Itinataguyod ko ang tunay na pakikilahok ng buong lipunan—mula sa pamahalaan, industriya, akademya, at mga pribadong testing laboratory at mga institusyong pananaliksik.”

Ayon pa kay Dr. Castriciones, makatutulong ang mga siyentipiko sa pagpapalakas ng kaalaman at teknikal na kakayahan ng mga sangay ng pamahalaan. Sa pamamagitan ng mga proyektong pinagsama ng akademya at pamahalaan, maaari rin silang magsagawa ng pananaliksik na may agarang pakinabang para sa pambansang seguridad.

Ang Innovation Impact Stories ay isang serye ng webinar na nagpapakita kung paano nagdudulot ang agham, teknolohiya, at inobasyon ng tunay na pakinabang sa lipunan. Itinatampok ng programang ito ang mga kuwento, hamon, at tagumpay sa likod ng mga inobasyong nakabatay sa pananaliksik na may makabuluhang ambag sa iba’t ibang larangan. Layunin nitong magbigay-kaalaman at magbigay-inspirasyon sa mga mag-aaral, mananaliksik, at guro. Panghuli, layon nitong isulong ang kolaboratibong inobasyon na nag-uugnay sa teorya at praktika.

Para sa mga katanungan ukol sa Innovation Impact Stories, mangyaring magpadala ng mensahe sa cs.innovation_committee@science.upd.edu.ph

During the fifth Innovation Impact Stories webinar of the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) Innovation Program, Dr. Emily Castriciones from the UPD-CS Institute of Chemistry—also an Analytical Chemist Inspector for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)—discussed chemistry’s role in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which the Philippines had long ratified but could not fully enforce without a legal framework.

“As chemists, what we really do—if we think about it—is to be with a chemical from cradle to grave. You do the synthesis, you do the testing, whether it’s a raw material or a finished product like a drug, even up to its proper disposal as chemical waste, you are still monitoring its presence in the waste streams and in the environment ” Dr. Castriciones said during her talk. “From the cradle to the grave of a chemical, there is always a chemist involved.”

“Within the plant, there is a lot of work that we do as well. In government agencies, it’s mostly monitoring and regulatory, but let’s not forget our law enforcement—the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and PNP. They have forensic labs, and through our project with DOST, we are collaborating with the PNP forensic lab and the Bureau of Fire Protection,” she explained. “And of course, we can’t forget recordkeeping, documentation, and all the other essential work involved.”

Dr. Castriciones became more closely acquainted with the convention through serving as the technical consultant for the CWC during the drafting of the RA 12174 and by acting as a resource person in the technical working group meetings and stakeholder consultations organized by the Senate Committee and the Anti-Terrorism Council, which functioned as Interim Philippine National Authority for the CWC.

“For the successful implementation of any national law, I think it is very important that stakeholders are involved, especially in the review and drafting of the implementing rules and regulations,” she added. “I’m pushing for a truly all-of-society engagement—from the government, the industry, the academe, and private testing laboratories and research institutions.”

She also shared that scientists can help strengthen the knowledge and technical capabilities of government agencies and conduct meaningful research on areas with immediate applications for national security through academic-government cooperative projects.

Innovation Impact Stories is a webinar series that explores how science, technology, and innovation drive real-world impact. This initiative highlights the journeys, challenges, and successes behind research-driven innovations that have made meaningful contributions across various fields. It aims to inform and inspire students, researchers, and faculty to foster a culture of purposeful and collaborative innovation that bridges academic theory with practical application.

For inquiries about Innovation Impact Stories, please message cs.innovation_committee@science.upd.edu.ph