he Department of Science and Technology (DOST) -Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) has forged partnership with Mark Energy Revolution Corporation (MERC)  to develop a portable storage device that can provide sufficient power for lighting while simultaneously charging a few other small electronic devices without producing harmful chemicals.

DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña said the DOST-ITDI through its Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL) led the  research and development (R & D) “collaboration”  with the Bulacan-based MERC to develop sustainable, and environment-friendly energy technologies.

"This R&D collaboration seeks to find improvements in MERC’s Power Cube, a storage device  which uses low-cost metal anodes, cathodes, and saltwater electrolytes,” he said in his weekly report streamed live on Friday, Feb. 5.

"This powerful combination is equivalent to 80 AA Li-ion batteries,” he added.

According to Dela Peña, MERC, a Filipino company, has been an "active player" in the development of sustainable and renewable energy sources as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.  

In 2015, MERC introduced its first water-activated metal-air fuel cell (MAFC) that was used to power Hydralight lighting products that only require water or saltwater to activate the battery.

"The collaboration will provide MERC access to premier testing and research capabilities of ADMATEL in its current efforts to develop renewable energy storage solutions,” dela Peña said.