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Winter in Switzerland: Ms. Mejica's Research Stay at Empa
Mecaelah Palaganas • May 10, 2024
Glennise Faye C. Mejica,
a Research Fellow (RF) III of the CIPHER project and a PhD Student Researcher of Empa's AURORA project
with UP Diliman, visited the Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics at Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Switzerland
from February 1, 2024, to March 29, 2024, for a two-month research stay. The Project AURORA, titled "Advanced Utilization and Research On Renewable Ammonia"
is funded by the Research Partnership Grant ASEAN 2022 (RPG-ASEAN 2022), aiming to deepen the understanding and advance photoelectrochemical ammonia technology through comprehensive investigations on photoelectrocatalysts. It also supports the exchange of ideas and training on advanced instruments relevant to the study between researchers from the Philippines and Switzerland.
During Ms. Mejica’s stay, she conducted research on photoelectrocatalysis for nitrogen reduction reactions and received training on scientific instruments and apparatus pertinent to the study. She was mentored by Dr. Artur Braun, the Project Principal Investigator of Project AURORA.
Some highlights of the research stay include:
- Project AURORA meeting
- Conducting experiments on Photoelectrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (PEC-NRR)
- Developing copper oxide-based photocathodes and performing photoelectrochemical testing
- Visiting Casale, an ammonia company located in Lugano, Switzerland
- Visit of Prof. Joey D. Ocon, PhD at Empa
- Visit of Prof. Julie Anne Del Rosario-Paraggua, PhD, who delivered a talk at Empa
This research stay provided Ms. Mejica with invaluable opportunities to engage with researchers from diverse backgrounds and refine her skills and expertise. The experience significantly enhanced her capabilities in researching photoelectrochemicals for nitrogen reduction reactions within the scope of Project CIPHER and Project AURORA.
By: Glennise Faye C. Mejica, M.Eng.
LEE research staff and graduate students participated in an in-house training and workshop on the Python for Power Systems Analysis (PyPSA) toolbox on October 9 and 23, 2024 . The sessions were led by Arizeo Salac (SRS 1, ElectriPHI), who returned from a six-month research sandwich program at the Reiner Lemoine Institute in Berlin, Germany , where he focused on data-driven decision-making and energy systems modeling. The training included a detailed discussion on energy systems modeling, with key topics such as data sources and the representation of energy systems using both conventional and renewable technologies. Participants received hands-on assistance with the software setup and installation, followed by simulation activities that showcased PyPSA’s capabilities in energy and power systems analysis. Mr. Salac also presented his baseline model of the Philippine energy system, which can be utilized for energy transition scenario planning. The event aimed to enhance participants' proficiency with open-source modeling tools, share best practices in modeling, and support their research in energy systems. Article by: Sophia Lunor
Prof. Joey D. Ocon, Dr. Julie Anne D.R. Paraggua, Dr. Lawrence Limjuco, and Giancarlo Sanglay were among the Filipino delegates at the 2nd ASEAN Battery Technology Conference , held from August 21 to 23, 2024 , at the Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa in Singapore. Themed "Powering ASEAN: Innovating the Future of Battery," the event was co-organized by key ASEAN associations from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. They were accompanied by LEE member and graduate student, Giancarlo Sanglay and NextGen Project Chief Technical Specialist, Dr. Lawrence Limjuco, of the Advanced Batteries Center. The conference aimed to foster connections among researchers, engineers, and industry stakeholders within the battery and electric vehicle (EV) sectors. It provided a platform for knowledge exchange, technical discussions, and potential collaborations. Key topics included the development of the Battery and EV Roadmap for Southeast Asia, as well as government policies and regulations surrounding battery and energy storage systems (ESS) applications. Industry leaders and academic experts also addressed technological advancements in battery materials, financial support for innovations, and strategies for managing the end-of-life value chain of batteries. Prof. Ocon, who also serves as Co-Founder of Nascent Batteries, played an active role in the event by moderating a panel discussion on advancing ESS technologies in Asia. The panel featured representatives from prominent organizations, including EDP Renewables APAC, Green Tenaga Pte Ltd, and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. This collaborative event underscored the region's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and highlighted the critical role of ASEAN countries in driving innovation within the battery and EV industries. Article by: Lora Monique Sapanta
The Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering (LEE) held a despedida party to bid farewell to two of its active members — Ms. Rosela Lazaro and Asst. Prof. Michael Castro — as they embark on a new chapter of their academic journey. The LEE members, along with their laboratory head, Prof. Joey D. Ocon, celebrated through a friendly competition at the Ever Gotesco Bowling Alley, Commonwealth Avenue last August 19, 2024. This also fostered camaraderie and strengthened the bond and friendship between the lab members. Ms. Lazaro will be studying MS in Environmental Science and Engineering at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea. Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Castro will be pursuing a doctorate degree in Nuclear Engineering and Management at the University of Tokyo, Japan. He will be returning to UP Diliman to tend to his duties at the Department of Chemical Engineering. Indeed, ‘goodbyes’ are not the end. It marks a beginning of a new ‘hello’, a step closer to making dreams come true. To Sir Michael, ganbatte! To Sela, hwaiting! We are all rooting for you both! Article by: Lora Monique Sapanta
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