DOST- PNRI Nuclear Materials Research Section

16/05/2026

We just produced uranium yellowcake. ⚛️🇵🇭

Researchers from DOST- PNRI Nuclear Materials Research Section successfully recovered and produced uranium yellowcake from a fertilizer industry by-product — the largest production achieved locally so far.

Why is this important?

Because it demonstrates that Filipino scientists can develop the knowledge, methods, and technologies needed for its nuclear power program, specifically the nuclear fuel cycle aspect.

This does NOT mean the Philippines has produced nuclear fuel or weapons. Yellowcake is an intermediate material used in the early stages of the nuclear fuel cycle. But this achievement represents an important scientific and technological milestone for the country.

What was once considered industrial waste may also contain strategic resources — and science allows us to unlock that potential safely and responsibly.

This is Filipino nuclear science in action. 🇵🇭⚛️

Congratulations to the DOST-PNRI Nuclear Materials Research Section (NMRS), especially the project team led by Ms. Jennyvi D. Ramirez, and our partners, funders, and managers from the DOST, PCIEERD, and the IAEA.

📰 Read more here:

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/05/17/dost-pnri-uranium-yellowcake-produced-from-fertilizer-by-product/

Nuclear technology researchers extracted uranium yellowcake from Philippine wet phosphoric acid, a by-product formed during fertilizer production. This marks the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute’s biggest recovery of uranium from this local industrial sour...

07/05/2026

🇵🇭 HOT OFF THE PRESS: Sediment chronologies in Sorsogon Bay strengthened through validated ²¹⁰Pb dating

Researchers from the DOST – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, UP – Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, and UP – Marine Science Institute have published a study in the Journal of Environmental Radioactivity revisiting sediment core dating in Sorsogon Bay using the ²¹⁰Pb method, and demonstrating how validated age profiles can significantly improve confidence in sediment chronologies.

• The study applied multiple ²¹⁰Pb models (CIC, CF:CS, and CRS) to collected sediment cores in Sorsogon Bay and generated age-depth profiles spanning approximately the last 100 years.
• Validation was performed using natural event markers such as the eruption of Mount Bulusan, major typhoon events, and land-use changes, combined with statistical analysis.
• Results revealed the influence of natural events to sediment characteristics particularly dry bulk density and mass accumulation rate. Validation step strengthens confidence in sedimentation rates and sediment chronology providing a stronger scientific basis for understanding land-use change, pollution history, climate variability, and other natural and anthropogenic drivers over the past century.

This study forms part of the master’s thesis of the lead author at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

🧪 “Age dating of sediment cores in Sorsogon Bay, Philippines, using ²¹⁰Pb method: A revisit” by J.D. Ramirez, A.T. Bautista VII, J.F. Madrid, E.J. Sta. Maria, F.P. Siringan, S.S. Castañeda, and M.G. Cayetano
📖 Published in Journal of Environmental Radioactivity (2026)

🔗 Read and download the article free of charge until June 24, 2026 through this link: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1n2np,62~nr2hq

30/04/2026

[EDIT: APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED]

Unlock the secrets of crystal structures! 💎 Join our FREE workshop on Synchrotron and Mössbauer Methods this May 11–12 at DOST-PNRI.

What to expect:
✅ Basics of Synchrotron Methods (specifically x-ray absorption spectroscopy)
✅ Practical tips for beam time proposal writing
✅ Sample and standard preparation
✅ Preliminary and data analysis walkthroughs

Don't miss this chance to learn from experts Dr. Karmina Aquino, Dr. Ruth Agillon, and Dr. Jeffrey Perez.

🚨 Limited to 20 participants only!
👉 Apply now: https://forms.gle/wYENeMTmWkuKkGzZ7

Pre-registration and pre-test required. Selected participants will be announced on May 5.

📰 Learn more: https://pnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/2-uncategorised/884-workshop-on-unlocking-crystal-structure

06/04/2026

Today's the day! 🚀

Join us for a free online session exploring "Geological Hydrogen: Fuel for Subsurface and Extraterrestrial Life, and a Sustainable Future." 🌏✨

This special event showcases Prof. James Leong's groundbreaking work under DOST PCIEERD's Balik Scientist Program, including insights from his recent field activities in Pangasinan and Zambales. It’s a must-attend for anyone interested in the intersection of geology, renewable energy, and space exploration!

📅 When: April 6, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Where: Online via Zoom
🔗 Join here: https://miamioh.zoom.us/j/84963506929...
Meeting ID: 849 6350 6929
Passcode: scientist

💡 Free Webinar: From Philippine Soil to Outer Space! 🚀

Join us for a free online session exploring "Geological Hydrogen: Fuel for Subsurface and Extraterrestrial Life, and a Sustainable Future." 🌏✨

This special event showcases Prof. James Leong's groundbreaking work under DOST PCIEERD's Balik Scientist Program, including insights from his recent field activities in Pangasinan and Zambales. It’s a must-attend for anyone interested in the intersection of geology, renewable energy, and space exploration!

📅 When: April 6, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Where: Online via Zoom
🔗 Join here: https://miamioh.zoom.us/j/84963506929?pwd=k9n32pcRjaPBQUtKxeary82llMlgDg.1

Meeting ID: 849 6350 6929
Passcode: scientist

05/04/2026

Happy World Geologists' Day! 🌏🍃
Keep rocking, rockstars! 🤘🏻🪨✨

31/03/2026

It’s not too late to celebrate International Women's Month! 👩‍🔬

NMRS proudly recognizes our incredible female scientists for their valuable research contributions in our international publications.

NMRS garnered 11 IPA awards during the 2025 DOST Intellectual Property Awards, awarded by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST-PHL) at the awarding ceremony held on March 26, 2026, at the Quest Plus Conference Center, Muntinlupa City.

The IPA encourages DOST researchers and technology developers to share their work in international scientific journals, register their technologies, and increase the number of publications, patents, and utility models from DOST and its agencies, as stated by NAST.

We raise our glasses to all women researchers for their continuous efforts to push boundaries and make a difference in the world! 🥂 ⚛️

31/03/2026

Join our team! 👩‍🔬 👨‍🔬 ⚛ ⚛

Your dream job could be just a click away! Don't miss out on exciting career opportunities with us. ⚛️💼

🔎 Explore our current vacancies: https://bit.ly/PNRIJobVacancy

28/02/2026

Curious what rocks look like under the microscope? Let’s talk about rock thin sections!

A rock thin section is a 30-micrometer (0.03mm) slice of rock glued on a glass slide and studied under a petrographic microscope. It enables geologists to analyze the mineral composition, texture, and internal structures of rocks in much detail.

Here’s Marylie showing you how rock thin sections are done… from slabs to slides! 🪨 🔬

24/02/2026

Congratulations to our very own Dr. Angel Bautista VII for his promotion to Career Scientist II!

Dr. Bautista serves as the head of the Nuclear Materials Research Section and is a leading nuclear and isotope geochemist in the Philippines!

We are very proud of you, Doc Angel! Padayon!🌏⚛️

✨ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 to 𝘿𝙧. 𝘼𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡 𝙏. 𝘽𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖 𝙑𝙄𝙄, 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗨𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗜 from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology.

Dr. Bautista, a leading nuclear and isotope geochemist, currently serves as Section Head of the Nuclear Materials Research Section at the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST–PNRI).

His work spans isotope geochemistry, environmental radioactivity, and food authenticity and traceability. He is particularly recognized for advancing the use of iodine-129 as a tracer of nuclear activities in marine systems and natural archives.

Among the key studies he has led are investigations documenting anthropogenic iodine-129 signals in Philippine corals and in a Greenland ice core, the latter proposed as a potential marker of the Anthropocene epoch. His team has also reported elevated iodine-129 levels in the West Philippine Sea, with important implications for transboundary marine radioactivity and environmental monitoring.

Beyond his foundational research, Dr. Bautista has spearheaded the development of intellectual property, protected technologies that have strengthened public trust and food authenticity standards, notably for honey. He is also committed to mentoring young scientists and contributes actively to science-based policy development in the Philippines.

💚
"Empowering and Promoting World Class Filipino Scientists in the Government Service"

12/02/2026

Ready to talk about isotope geochemistry and geochronology? 🧪🌋

We’re excited to host an overview of the Philippine Sea Plate (PSP) Project tomorrow! Ms. Marylie Teresita G. Vergara will be breaking down the geochronological and isotope geochemical techniques we use to reconstruct the early tectonic history of the Philippine Sea Plate!

Whether you're a geochemistry pro or just curious about the PSP’s origins, come hang out with us at NMRS Big Laboratory at 2PM and learn something new.

*Please note that this seminar is exclusively available for in-person attendance.