The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the De La Salle University (DLSU) are spearheading a project.
Titled as, Nanosensors for Rubber Quality Assessment, the project aims to develop a method that can potentially differentiate a cuplump formed using formic acid or acetic acid from a cuplump formed using sulfuric acid.
Cuplump is the coagulated material found in the rubber collection cup and is used to manufacture TSR10 and TSR20 grade rubbers, which are most widely used in the tyre and rubber industry.
Local government units ban the use of battery solution to thicken cuplumps. This practice tends to absorb more water, resulting to heavier cuplumps when sold at the bagsakan center. Aside from the weak quality of rubber when processed, the use of battery solution poses negative effect to human health and the environment. The prescribed coagulating agent is formic acid as it dispels water instead of absorbing it.
The Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD) of PCAARRD and DLSU conducted the initial field testing of the nanosensor for rubber at two major rubber bagsakan centers, one in Zamboanga Sibugay and another in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte.
PCAARRD Evaluators Dr. Leila C. America, FERD officer-in-charge and Dr. Marcelino U. Siladan, Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Rubber, conducted the field testing.
Dr. Jose Isagani B. Janairo, DLSU Associate Professor, leads the project.
The nanosensor serves as a tool in rubber quality assessment and a technical support for LGUs to implement ordinances in penalizing anyone in possession of the said cuplumps. Rubber regulatory agents will be equipped with a gadget that can immediately determine if the cuplumps are coagulated with battery solution.
The development of the sensor will prevent rubber latex processors, farmers, and brokers from using battery solution in rubber latex coagulation. This will result to rubber cuplumps with better quality which can be sold at a higher price.
