Associate Scientist Dr. Rey Eliseo O. Torrejos, and Science and Technology Fellow Dr. Nathan Ray A. Alim from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research institute (DOST-PTRI) participated in the recently concluded Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) National Convention 2024, held at the Waterfront Hotel Cebu on September 11-14, 2024. The event was organized by the PIChE Cebu Chapter in cooperation with the Cebu Local Government, DOST Regional Office VII, and other industry sponsors, and was attended by over 1,700 delegates. 

Dr. Torrejos presented his research, in collaboration with Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan University), titled "Photocatalytic Degradation of Textile Microplastics Using Zinc Oxide-Carbon Dots Nanocomposites: Synthesis, Characterization, and Kinetics." He won the "Best Thematic Speaker" award for his presentation, which addressed the problem of microplastic pollution through the development of a photocatalytic nanocomposite capable of degrading microplastics. 

Dr. Alim also presented his research, in collaboration with Ateneo de Davao University, titled "Enhancing Super-Oleophilicity of Musa Fibers Through Physical and Chemical Modifications for Oil Sorption Applications." This research tackles the issue of oil spill incidents using needle-punched nonwoven processing of Musa fibers and subsequent chemical modifications. 

These research and development efforts are supported by the Joint Research Undertaking (JRU), a collaboration modality under the DOST-PTRI Textile Academy's Thesis Assistance Program. The program promotes textile R&D by providing technical experts as co-advisers and offering partner institutions access to equipment free of charge.