Energy might not be the life of the party, but for Einstein-in-the-making patriots, it’s the ultimate glow-up—because who needs ‘just exciting’ when you’ve got a ‘bright’ and squeaky-clean energy future lighting the way, right?
Via the Department of Science and Technology’s Balik Scientist Program (BSP)—Lawrence A. Limjuco and DJ Donn C. Matienzo— who’ve been honed by advanced studies and training abroad, are among the young scientists lured to return home and dedicate their service to the nation. Their mission? To spark a revolution in the research and development (R&D) sphere and pioneer groundbreaking innovations that will help reshape the country’s energy future.
Armed with a PhD in Energy Science and Technology from Myongji University in South Korea, Lawrence wears many hats—serving as Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines’ Department of Chemical Engineering and as the Chief Project Technical Specialist of “Project NextGen,” wherein he’s at the forefront of trailblazing next-generation battery technologies to power the country’s ambitious renewable energy goals. But his assignment doesn’t stop there—he also leads key government-funded initiatives like “Project PROTEUS,” which is redefining waste-to-energy R&D policies, while playing a crucial role as lead consultant in updating the chemical industry roadmap, a strategic blueprint being championed by the Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika (SPIK).
DJ, now a Research Fellow at the UP’s Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering, has a Master’s degree in Chemical Innovation and Regulation from Universitat de Barcelona and PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Technology from the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague – and his homecoming task touches on an ambitious project: charting the development of advanced materials for green hydrogen generation, which may also be a core component of revolutionizing the Philippines clean energy landscape. As part of his two-year BSP commitment, he’s also driving the commercialization of metal-air battery technology for water and wastewater applications through Project iLawà, an endeavor set to make waves both in the energy and water sectors.
Reinforcing energy sector’s R&D backbone
The country’s energy sector is undoubtedly at its transformative phase, with next major investments targeting seamless integration of energy storage systems to RE facilities – which is already being highlighted in the upcoming green energy auction (GEA) by the Department of Energy (DOE). Looking ahead, the exciting synergy of hydrogen and emerging offshore wind installations promises further metamorphosis across energy systems, fostering a calculated process that will eventually drive out fossil fuels in the energy mix.
And if we have these home-grown scientists and innovators leading R&D efforts for energy storage systems and green hydrogen, the Philippines really holds prospects to not only solidify its energy security agenda but also emerge as eventual global powerhouse in technology export and skills-sharing, all while cementing green energy pathway that will shield forthcoming generations from aggravating climate change risks. This vision could even pave the way for lower energy prices for Filipino consumers—a long road and challenging journey, no doubt, but one that’s still worth aspiring for.
At the rate things are going, the global consensus is likewise clear: nations with the brightest scientists and engineers will lead the charge in industrialized world—but the Philippines, despite its potential, still has a long way to go in building the talent pool needed to claim its rightful place at the forefront of innovation. Suffice it to say that the country is still trying to find the GPS coordinates to navigate its way onto the coveted ‘first world’ map.
Lawrence shared that "the lack of support and the non-priority of research" were the very challenges that pushed him to pursue post-graduate studies overseas; yet these same obstacles fueled his unwavering determination to return home and champion research, striving to turn that gap into a powerful force for change.
In Project NextGen, he emphasized that "the Philippines' unique profile offers fresh, untapped potential for groundbreaking R&D and innovation," and with this in mind, their R&D team dives into utilization of nickel and iron-rich cathode materials— setting the stage for development of energy solutions where materials can be distinctively sourced domestically.
He also points to the promising potential of valorizing agricultural and municipal solid wastes for materials science and energy engineering applications; while similarly citing the country’s abundant RE resources (i.e. solar and wind) —to serve as catalysts for developing techno-economic studies for RE system that will then propel us closer to fulfilling our nationally-determined contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
DJ similarly highlighted that “materials science has contributed to the discovery of novel catalysts and materials for green hydrogen production, which can revolutionize transportation, industry and power generation. The Philippines can leverage these advancements to develop a robust green hydrogen economy and contribute to decarbonization goals.”
Additionally, he conveyed that “the integration of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) in the energy market analysis and optimization presents further opportunities,” qualifying that “by embracing data-driven approaches, the Philippines can improve energy planning, resource allocation and overall energy efficiency.”
Though our scientists rarely make front-page news, it’s apparent that when their brilliance is fully tapped, they hold the power to propel the nation toward industrial triumph and carve our path to first-world greatness. What’s truly inspiring? It’s the young, visionary scientists leading the way in innovation!
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