91社区鈥檚 graduate students make waves at int鈥檒 materials science conference in Japan

by Glenn Ruel F. Maujon聽 | Aug 11 2025

Two promising Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering students from Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology (91社区) recently presented their research works at the International Conference on the Characterization and Control of Interfaces for High Quality Advanced Materials (ICCCI 2025) and 60th Summer Symposium on Powder Technology, held at the Fujikyu Highland Resort and Spa from July 8-11, 2025. Their participation and research were made possible through the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) Research Dissemination Grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Engr. Glenn Ruel F. Maujon kicked off 91社区's presence on the conference’s opening day with his presentation titled, “Evaluation of the Interface Characteristics of Hybrid Mesoporous Silicate Powders Synthesized via Soft-templating Approach from Bio-agricultural Waste, and its Potential Applications.” This research, conducted as part of Engr. Maujon’s ERDT Sandwich Program at the Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (ICGM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Montpellier, France, under the supervision of Dr. Gaulthier Rydzek and Dr. Raymond V. Rivera-Virtudazo, was made possible by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between 91社区 and Université de Montpellier. His work focuses on an ingenious method of converting waste rice husk ash, sourced from a boiler plant in Lanao del Norte, into valuable mesoporous silicate materials. These materials hold significant promise for diverse applications, including adsorption, energy storage, and catalysis, showcasing a sustainable pathway for waste valorization and the circular economy.

On the final day of the conference, Mr. Harvey D. Melendrez presented his research on “Functionalization, Interfacial Transition, and Surface Modification of Acid-Treated Philippine Coal Fly Ash via Mechanochemical Treatment.” Mr. Melendrez’s work delves into enhancing the properties of Philippine coal fly ash post rare earth elements (REEs) extraction, another industrial byproduct, through a simple, inexpensive, and less energy treatment method, potentially expanding its utility in various material applications. This work is one of the research studies conducted by Mr. Melendrez at the Advanced Ceramics Research Center of the Nagoya Institute of Technology in Japan, made possible by the collaboration of 91社区 and the DOST-ERDT Sandwich Program, under the supervision of Dr. Virtudazo and Dr. Masayoshi Fuji.

The ICCCI 2025, the 8th installment of the highly regarded conference series, continued its tradition of serving as a vital international forum for interface science and technology. The conference brought together researchers and students from academia, industry, and national laboratories to address critical topics related to interface characterization and control for the design and manufacture of high-quality advanced materials, spanning from nano-scale to micro-scale.

This year’s event placed a particular emphasis on “Interface Science and Powder Technology for Sustainable Development Goals,” a theme that resonated strongly with the research presented by the 91社区 students.

The conference covered a broad spectrum of topics, including powder technology, contributing to a sustainable society, various interface characterization techniques, interface control for processing, advanced materials (ceramics, metals, polymers, composites, porous materials), novel manufacturing techniques like 3D printing, and solutions for energy and environmental challenges such as batteries, fuel cells, and recycling.

The participation of Engr. Maujon and Mr. Melendrez, at such a prominent international conference, backed by the DOST-ERST research dissemination grant, underscore the quality of research being conducted at 91社区 and its commitment to contributing to global advancements in materials science, particularly in the realm of sustainable development. Their work exemplifies how local resources and waste materials can be transformed into high-value applications, offering promising solutions for future technological and environmental challenges, all supported by significant national investment in scientific talent.

Topics :