Research on Sandpaper Leaf or “As-is” Awarded as Best Paper During the 2nd National Metals and Engineering Conference
by Kai H. Negado
The Metals and Engineering (M&E) Week 2023 celebration of the Department of Science and Technology-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) recently concluded with the 2nd National Metals and Engineering Conference (NMEC) on 22 June 2023 at the Acacia Hotel Manila, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
The research paper, penned by Ainne Marie A Mercado as the principal author, Harley Ned S. Aquino, Tiffany Mae C. Nuelan, Jannah P. Regencia, and Dr. Sicily B. Tiu as co-authors, from Batangas State University The National Engineering University focuses on the use of sandpaper leaf extract, commonly known as “As-is” as a green corrosion inhibitor – corrosion inhibitors which are biodegradable, do not contain heavy metals, or other toxic compounds.
The 2nd NMEC Best Paper awardees with DOST-MIRDC top management and the M&E Week 2023 technical committee
Entitled “Sandpaper Leaf (Ficus fiskei Elm.) Extract as Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel in Saline Environment,” the research revealed that ethanolic extracts of Sandpaper leaf plant contain natural corrosion inhibitive compounds. In addition to being environmentally friendly and ecologically acceptable, plant products such as Sandpaper leaf extracts are inexpensive, readily available, and renewable.
This research paper, along with the 30 papers submitted for inclusion in the NMEC proceedings is aligned with the M&E Week 2023 theme “Metals and Engineering Industry: Propelling the Economy Toward Innovativeness and Sustainability.” The research awarded the Best Paper, classified under the materials engineering and additive manufacturing category, got the highest rating with criteria on innovation, originality, technical merit, presentation, and relevance to conference topics.
Ainne Marie A. Mercado, principal author of the research awarded the Best Paper was pleasantly surprised with the outcome, stating that “This award is very unexpected, not just for me but the entire team. We can’t express in words the excitement and happiness that we felt when we heard the title of our study being awarded as the Best Paper for NMEC 2023, because our paper is the fruit of more than a year of our group’s hardship and perseverance.”
The NMEC provides a platform for researchers, scientists, and engineers from government institutes and academe to present and discuss recent developments and progress made in the metals, engineering, and allied industries. The Conference was attended by officials, faculty members, and student researchers from various state universities and colleges, along with DOST officials, DOST Regional Directors, and DOST-MIRDC top management.
Full papers of the studies presented during the 2nd NMEC will be published in the Philippine Metals to be released by the DOST-MIRDC in November.
