THREE graduates of the University of Mindanao placed second in the 2022 National Invention Contest and Exhibit (NICE) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for their electronic fire extinguisher project.
Researchers Engr. Francis Bagol, Engr. Franco Bellera, and Chris John Pogoy made it to the top ten finalists in the Creative Research for College Level category or the Sibol award of the National Invention Contest.
The goal of the project, called "Development of Portable Fire Exterminator Using Schock Waves," is to extinguish fire from electrical wirings, gadgets, appliances or other similar devices with shockwaves that would otherwise be dangerous if extinguished using water.
"The device has a fire sensor that produces a sound that is amplified to release shock waves used to put out the fire," DOST said in a statement on July 2.
The researchers also won the Sibol award in the Davao Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit the previous year. The group said they are grateful they placed second among the 63 competing nationwide for NICE.
"We are really happy because nagbunga din ang aming pinaghirapan (our hardwork paid off)," the group said.
The researchers will take home P500,000 cash prize and P25,000 worth of gift certificates.
According to DOST, NICE is a nationwide event participated by various inventors wherein their works are exhibited and recognized. Through this, DOST encourages innovation and research among Filipinos for their "inventive capabilities." (With reports from DOST)