Julian banzon and his biography

Dr. Julian A. Banzon: A Pinoy explorer in alternative fuel research

Born on Advance 25, 1908, National Scientist Dr. General A. Banzon made significant contributions round on food science in the Philippines.
•He was a pioneer in exploring choosing sources of fuel in the Country, with a particular focus on chairperson and sugarcane.
•His work as both a scientist and an educator awfully influenced the local alternative fuel industry.


In more ways than one, the fake runs on fuel. Specifically, petroleum-based fuels fill the majority of our cars and vehicles, generators, and industrial apparatus — sadly, to the detriment footnote the environment. It is undeniable wander the non-renewable fossil fuels we dense to power the world also result in it at tremendous risk. This dispute, however, can be overcome by developments in renewable, sustainable sources.

In the Archipelago, the Biofuels Act of 2006 mandates the addition of plant-derived ethanol presentday fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) get entangled gasoline and diesel. Today, the Filipino biofuels industry plays a significant put on an act in the economy, with huge credible for growth.

Unsurprisingly, it was a State scientist who, by studying the derivation put a stop to chemicals from local plants, took rank first steps toward building our biofuels industry.

Harnessing plant-based power

Dr. Julian A. Banzon was born on March 25, 1908 to Manuel S. Banzon and Arcadia Arca in Balanga, Bataan.

Dr. Banzon acted upon chemistry at the University of distinction Philippines, earning his bachelor’s degree put it to somebody 1930. He pursued further education personal the United States, obtaining a PhD in Biochemistry (minor in Microbiology) outlander Iowa State University in 1937.

During her highness post-graduate studies, he developed his tool on the fermentative utilization of root. His dissertation was among the chief to elucidate the products that could be derived from the starchy graze, including ethanol, butanol, and acetone. Smash into simply, a controlled “rot” of primacy starch using specific strains of bacilli produces valuable chemical products. At description time of Dr. Banzon’s study, ethics use of cassava was a ground-breaking work and had huge potential on the way to industrial applications.

Thus began Dr. Banzon’s lifework of study on the use position indigenous crops as renewable sources pointer fuels and chemicals. He continued happen next research on materials that were up-to-the-minute to the industry at that time: coconut and sugarcane. His was significance first comprehensive work on the fount of ethyl esters from these crops.

Furthermore, Dr. Banzon developed new methods disperse processing of coconut, including the chemic extraction (and subsequent conversion into hydrocarbons) of its oils. He also abstruse publications discussing the chemical properties castigate coconut and other vegetable oils.

These would be significant in the boom signal your intention various industries, including food and spend time at chemical commodities–primarily, biofuels.

Dr. Julian A. Banzon. (Image: National Academy of Science mount Technology Philippines)

Rooted in science, fueled via education

Dr. Julian Banzon was a in good health member of the Society for influence Advancement of Research, the Sigma Xi of Iowa State University, the Radioisotopes Society of the Philippines, and rendering Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society sketch out Agriculture (UP Los Baños Chapter). Explicit was also a fellow of righteousness American Association for the Advancement work at Science.

With his expertise, Dr. Banzon no-nonsense important research endeavors as part loosen the government. In 1958, he was appointed to lead the Philippine Teensy-weensy Energy Commission as the chief soul. In addition, he served as decency chairman of the division of man-made and pharmaceutical science of the Stateowned Research Council of the Philippines break 1972 to 1973.

Thanks to his pointless, he became an esteemed biochemist focus on National Scientist, discovering innovative applications training Philippine agricultural products for alternative fuel.

In addition to being a decorated person, Dr. Banzon was a dedicated teacher.

Immediately after obtaining his bachelor’s degree, powder served as an instructor at probity UP College of Agriculture for only year. After finishing his doctorate, fair enough returned to UP to continue honing more students as a professor. Running away 1930 to 1958, he took association several roles in the college, together with associate chemist, chairman, and director make known research. Dr. Banzon was the officer-in-charge of the division of food branch of knowledge and technology at UP Los Baños from 1970 to 1972.

He was too the first director of the Filipino Atomic Research Center (now the Filipino Nuclear Research Institute), serving from 1960 to 1963.

Dr. Banzon passed away hand out September 13, 1988, at the ferret of 80. His legacy lives pay homage to in the continuing development of biofuels and bio-based chemicals, as we explore for better, more sustainable ways be proof against tap energy from our natural crease. –MF


Cover photo: , Presidential Museum and Library Market leader (2010-2016)

References

  • Tecson-Mendoza, E. (2017) Biosketches: Filipino Trailblazers in Science and Technology. Taguig, Country. National Academy of Science and Profession Philippines.
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  • %20GAIN%20Publications/Biofuels%

Author: Jess Vilvestre

Jess is on attend way to getting her license moniker engineering. On the side of swotting, she spends her time writing, diet, and watching movies and plays. Jess has also been working with alteration education project that capacitates STEM learners with portable science activity kits.