Engineering Majors Land List of 2014 BPI-DOST Awardees

Engineering Majors Land List of 2014 BPI-DOST Awardees

Two senior Electrical Engineering students join the list of awardees for the 25th Bank of the Philippine Islands-Department of Science and Technology (BPI-DOST) Science Awards.

Louis Gerard C. Rotea and Johara M. Villanueva received their awards on March 6 at the Mind Museum in Global City, which included a cash prize of P25,000 and an offer for a junior officer position with BPI. They were part of the 29 recipients from BPI’s ten partner universities around the Philippines.

Selection considered the recipients’ superior academic standing in the field of science and technology, and the innovativeness and relevance of their research projects.

Rotea’s project was “Creating a Pavement-mounted Generator that Harnesses the Mechanical Energy of Vehicles in Roadways,” while Villanueva, “Road Power Generator: Micro-generator in Roadway Humps as Alternative Power Source.”

Representing Silliman in the awarding was Vice President for Development Prof. Jane Annette L. Belarmino. 

Abstracts:

Creating a Pavement-mounted Generator that Harnesses the Mechanical Energy of Vehicles in Roadways

This project proposal shall discuss how to create a road surface mounted electrical generator which uses the wasted mechanical energy of vehicles.  The design for a hump that could capture mechanical energy from vehicles, which could also be placed nearly on any road, is presented here.  The subsequent mechanisms necessary involved such as the rack & pinion, the ratchet wheel, the flywheel, and the pulleys will also be discussed especially their functions and how they relate to each other.  The alternator or the ideal one to be used at the end of these mechanisms to produce electricity will also be talked about.  All future actions and tests as well the expected results and benefits may also be found in this project proposal.  

Road Power Generator: Micro-generator in Roadway Humps as Alternative Power Source

This research study is centered on road power generator using micro-generator in roadway humps which will serve as an alternative power source.  This study includes the design and construction of a customized roadway hump or speed breaker and the micro-generator that utilizes the wasted kinetic energy of vehicles and traffic as it passes through the hump.  The design includes mechanical auxilliaries, such as shafts and flywheels and electrical elements, such magnetic wire and power inverters amongst the rest, which provides electromechanical power.  Initial results on the first feasibility analysis are also provided.  This research provides an alternative power source that utilizes renewable energy sources.  Its efficiency is comparable to the other green technology such as solar panels, wind turbines and the likes.  It can generate enough power to be sustained and can be easily converted for consuming.  The project is also cost-effective since it can produce about the same amount of power at generally lower initial cost.  Its advantages, if ever developed, are significant in this ever-developing world of ours.  

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Photo shows Johara M. Villanueva and Louis Gerard C. Rotea (fourth and fifth form left) beside their respective advisers: Engr. Dennis V. Salboro and Engr. Rulio O. Ignacio, and (L-R) BPI Foundation Executive Director Mr. Florendo Maranan, DOST Secretary Hon. Mario G. Montejo, Vice President for Development Prof. Jane Annette L. Belarmino and BPI President Mr. Cezar Consing.