Biodiesel from Coconuts

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1D0HZM7wQxF3oJF_ormFTnWvXfBYVaDRPU4K-t4uYZBDjSf0MgQGLJIvPwXap2tFj23LqZNQLbKqphVkuOQX00mLrxBGp8ML3wkXfbHVwdfCADv7IxHUur91lYumCllETGVY_FaR0J89/s1600/coconut.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1D0HZM7wQxF3oJF_ormFTnWvXfBYVaDRPU4K-t4uYZBDjSf0MgQGLJIvPwXap2tFj23LqZNQLbKqphVkuOQX00mLrxBGp8ML3wkXfbHVwdfCADv7IxHUur91lYumCllETGVY_FaR0J89/s320/coconut.png" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Fuel from coconut? Now, why did it take them this long to even consider this? Haven’t the locals been using coconut oil for lamps and other small energy equipments? Biodiesel from coconut is a Philippine initiative and its research and study for fuel application had been conducted by the Asian Institute of Petroleum Studies (AIPSI) with the support of leading coconut methyl ester manufacturers in the Philippines — Chemrez Inc. and Senbel Fine Chemicals Inc.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">It was initially undertaken to provide a long-term, high volume, and sustainable alternative domestic market for coconut oil. To ensure its acceptance, AIPSI funded the first laboratory test conducted in the United States in 2001. The excellent results became the foundation that led to the development of cocodiesel in the country.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Chemrez a Filipino-owned company based in Libis, Quezon City, has begun producing fuels extracted from coconut. According to Chemrez president, Leon Lao, the company now has a capacity to produce 60 million liters a year to cover local demand and even export to other countries. The Philippines is one of the worlds biggest producers of coconut and the many products derived from it. One cannot disagree with Lao when he says that biodiesel extracted from coconut which is cheaper compared to biofuels extracted from grape seeds or corn.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">With the issue of global warming on top of the international agenda, the development of biofuels and other “clean” alternative energy sources other than fossil fuels such as oil has come to the forefront. Lao said that the use of biodiesel will help reduce air pollution with lesser smoke emission from vehicles using biofuels.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Chemrez has invested P650-million to construct a biodiesel plant in Quezon City and the firm has allocated P350 million for the acquisition of raw materials and operating expenses. Chemrez wants to increase the production of biodiesel in the coming years to be able to export to France, Germany, The Netherlands and Italy.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">The Philippines Senate has approved a biofuels bill that will encourage the research on and production of biofuels.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Chemrez is among the young new and pioneering companies to go headlong into this new industry. Lao says that with the Senate approval of the biofuels bill, the use of biodiesel is expected to increase and help the country save money from the importation of crude oil. With biofuels, the Philippines – a largely agricultural country rich in natural and biological resources – can save money on energy and go green.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">[2007]</span> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=3629012486930784822&postID=1790500231792757620&target=facebook" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VZfdyGqGxYxPWoelwmGbf0QFLIKAuJeUY4gkUrOuG0ypMqSfMCY5oXqRyQNoFBeMj4-rf3fO2HSZuuzFh6RfAhiQUOB0mhu1FMnZNnkfdasfJ-Tjd3cZm3lh88B0ouKAVkPXVh278OA/s1600/sharefb185.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=3629012486930784822&postID=1790500231792757620&target=twitter" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3bfhc90-5xenm9-eqI_ICgI5V8KPl28Gu8oXZsvNDA_oIk8ioAazonJE38acYIiOnSDyuPWj6zn-8wCMPPY5TMVVENEoNk2PfH73eNX5qkEIkvLossHYwU848ikKXjhyr1MRuJIjmFo/s1600/sharetw185.png" /></a></div>

Articles Contributors Jun Terra Philippines Science Biodiesel from Coconuts

Fuel from coconut? Now, why did it take them this long to even consider this? Haven’t the locals been using coconut oil for lamps and othe...

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"Wondergrass"

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglWNrC0P-Tgv09wnE34EqooIhK9om0zPjmSiPBnNNIgRIvppW2dW13X8_EvlgmK3bnLYmTj34GBXkgOK5ke7rjAQb14F44P5sTApGJA2atZRwIdcBuRE1wXVX9LwYNjnAmLrflPjtJOua/s1600/1_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglWNrC0P-Tgv09wnE34EqooIhK9om0zPjmSiPBnNNIgRIvppW2dW13X8_EvlgmK3bnLYmTj34GBXkgOK5ke7rjAQb14F44P5sTApGJA2atZRwIdcBuRE1wXVX9LwYNjnAmLrflPjtJOua/s320/1_9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Vetiveria zizaioides L. Nash is the scientific name of a grass species found by scientists of the Farm and Resources Management Institute (FARMI) of the Leyte State University (LSU) in Baybay, Leyte to have properties of controlling soil erosion and rehabilitating poor uplands. Led by Dr. Edwin Balbarino, they came to this conclusion after testing various plants (including grasses) as contour hedgerows in barren and less productive upland farmers’ fields in the Leyte towns of Baybay, Hindang and Matalom.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Popularly known as vetiver, the grass is a densely tufted perennial clump (clustered) grass with long and stiff leaf blades. Its leaf sheaths are closely overlapping, strongly compressed and keeled, creating a dense physical barrier at the ground surface. As the grass grows dense, it forms a thick hedge, making it a strong natural barrier to control soil runoff. It has a strong and dense root system that firmly holds the soil, making them withstand erosion even during heavy rains and intense flooding.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Scientists also noted that the grass is versatile, growing well in both alkaline and acidic upland soils and could survive long periods of drought. Apart from that its sharp leaves and aromatic roots repel snakes, rats, and other pests. Vetiver requires minimal maintenance and does not spread to valleys since it does not multiply by seeds or rhizomes.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">From their researches, the LSU-FARMI research team devised the use of the grass as contour hedgerow and came up with the Vetiver Grass Technology (VGT) which they are now promoting. Farmers who were involved in the LSU-FARMI research project, particularly those who have decided to adopt the technology, claimed that with the use of vetiver as hedgerows, their crop production has dramatically increased.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">The use of VGT has spread to many parts of the country, not only in upland agriculture but also in road, irrigation, and dam projects to control siltation and stabilize slopes, hillsides, road canals, and embankments.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">But guess what. Vetiver is found in many parts of the country and has been traditionally used by rice farmers to strengthen rice paddies and stabilize canal embankments. This only confirms that there is a lot that could be learned from traditional farming practices and that new technologies can be evolved from them for the modern age.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">[2007]</span> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=3629012486930784822&postID=8388846703123568793&target=facebook" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VZfdyGqGxYxPWoelwmGbf0QFLIKAuJeUY4gkUrOuG0ypMqSfMCY5oXqRyQNoFBeMj4-rf3fO2HSZuuzFh6RfAhiQUOB0mhu1FMnZNnkfdasfJ-Tjd3cZm3lh88B0ouKAVkPXVh278OA/s1600/sharefb185.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=3629012486930784822&postID=8388846703123568793&target=twitter" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3bfhc90-5xenm9-eqI_ICgI5V8KPl28Gu8oXZsvNDA_oIk8ioAazonJE38acYIiOnSDyuPWj6zn-8wCMPPY5TMVVENEoNk2PfH73eNX5qkEIkvLossHYwU848ikKXjhyr1MRuJIjmFo/s1600/sharetw185.png" /></a></div>

Articles Contributors Journal Jun Terra Philippines Science "Wondergrass"

Vetiveria zizaioides L. Nash is the scientific name of a grass species found by scientists of the Farm and Resources Management Institute ...

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How Two Non-Dentists Are Reshaping Dental Practice In The Philippines

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VY_NQQiqcEUiz4hvaqpM3PNOGa_60gdVkQhh2o7zCpBQOETGKk0yN02AWvy_OxYzST_wYw66nA565omZdWvADV3pAOodvz9wHZbTU1DGAzSM7qeb4WXo_jbaO5JqhsVVy4Dg2nKJmZDA/s1600/medix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VY_NQQiqcEUiz4hvaqpM3PNOGa_60gdVkQhh2o7zCpBQOETGKk0yN02AWvy_OxYzST_wYw66nA565omZdWvADV3pAOodvz9wHZbTU1DGAzSM7qeb4WXo_jbaO5JqhsVVy4Dg2nKJmZDA/s1600/medix.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medix Founder, Marc Medina (R) and Co-Founder, Lloyd Tronco<br /> (L) are reshaping how young dentists will keep records in the future.</td></tr> </tbody></table> <span style="font-size: large;">MANILA, Philippines - The dental profession is one which is clearly shaped by the dentists themselves.  Seldom does it happen when non-dental practitioners contribute to the path of the future of dental practice.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">In this day and age of business disruption though, two non-dental practitioners are helping shape the future of clinic management for dentists with an online platform which helps dental professionals manage their records.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">For the longest time, dentists have been keeping records on a 3x5 inch index card with chartings of fillings and actual tooth condition.  All of that is set to change in the next few years as an app called Medix slowly but steadily gains ground among Filipino dentists.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Medix ( <a href="http://www.medix.ph/" target="_blank">www.medix.ph</a> ) is an online platform for dentists to keep their records and simplify their management through the use of digital technology.  Medix CEO, Marc Medina, is a Computer Science graduate whose family background involved selling dentist chairs.  His Co-Founder in this technology startup, Lloyd Tronco, is a seasoned advertising professional whose credentials include being part of multinational ad agencies like McCann-Erickson.  Together, the two non-dentists have drawn on their own fields of expertise to propel Medix to be part of the standard tools of the trade in a dentist's clinic.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">"It's not an easy climb, this path to getting Medix accepted among current dentists", says Medina.  "Perhaps the greatest hindrance would be the clinic secretary, and the fact that some dentists still need to adapt to technology.  But we've seen interest.  Interest is high, all we need to push for is adaptability".</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">From the end of Tronco, who serves as Marketing Director, he says, "It's just a matter of time.  We're patient (no pun intended).  The dental students who are currently in dental colleges are our hope.  They are the ones who no longer need to adapt to smartphones and tablets.  As we speak, they are glued to those devices".  He adds, "When the time comes for them to start their practice, these young dentists will hardly resort to the 3x5 card.  They'll immediately go digital via Medix".</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">True enough, as more dentists are glued to their iPads, iPhones, Androids and tablets, there is no other way for dental practitioners to go but use a digital platform like Medix to not only keep records but also create appointments and manage the entire clinic.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">(for more inquiries on Medix, a message may be sent via <a href="http://www.facebook.com/medixph">http://www.facebook.com/medixph</a> or email medixph.dae@gmail.com ).</span><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=3629012486930784822&postID=4201901075716445677&target=facebook" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VZfdyGqGxYxPWoelwmGbf0QFLIKAuJeUY4gkUrOuG0ypMqSfMCY5oXqRyQNoFBeMj4-rf3fO2HSZuuzFh6RfAhiQUOB0mhu1FMnZNnkfdasfJ-Tjd3cZm3lh88B0ouKAVkPXVh278OA/s1600/sharefb185.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=3629012486930784822&postID=4201901075716445677&target=twitter" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3bfhc90-5xenm9-eqI_ICgI5V8KPl28Gu8oXZsvNDA_oIk8ioAazonJE38acYIiOnSDyuPWj6zn-8wCMPPY5TMVVENEoNk2PfH73eNX5qkEIkvLossHYwU848ikKXjhyr1MRuJIjmFo/s1600/sharetw185.png" /></a></div> <br />

Gadgets Miscellaneous News Philippines Science Stories How Two Non-Dentists Are Reshaping Dental Practice In The Philippines

Medix Founder, Marc Medina (R) and Co-Founder, Lloyd Tronco (L) are reshaping how young dentists will keep records in the future. MANIL...

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