DOST- PNRI Nuclear Materials Research Section

26/08/2026

Congratulations Doc Val and Ma’am Teri! 🎉⚛️

26/08/2026

NMRS conducts natural radioactivity baselining and models radiologic environmental impact assessments in the country as part of our ongoing DOST Grants-in-Aid funded Project NuRAD Component 1.

In the video, NMRS staff use an in situ gamma ray spectrometer to measure background dose and natural radionuclide concentrations.

12/08/2026

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Uranium Upgraded from a Local Uraninite-Bearing Cu-Mo-U Mineralized Sample
🪨

Researchers from UP - Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, DOST - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, and Akita University confirmed uraninite as the principal uranium-bearing mineral in a Cu–Mo sulfidic and magnetite-bearing sample from Camarines Norte and developed a process to preconcentrate the uranium for subsequent leaching and purification toward yellowcake production.

An important raw material for nuclear fuel production is uranium concentrate, commonly known as yellowcake. To produce yellowcake, uranium is milled and extracted from uranium ores. Uranium processing varies depending on the uranium mineralization in terms of the host rock, ore mineralogy, and uranium grade. In the Philippines, identified uranium occurrences are limited and generally exhibit low uranium grades.

One notable example is a Cu-Mo-U mineralized sample from Camarines Norte, which may represent a potential conventional source of uranium. Mineralogical characterization confirmed uraninite as the primary uranium-bearing mineral. Because substantial amounts of gangue minerals may interfere with uranium recovery, preconcentration is necessary prior to hydrometallurgical processing.

This study successfully developed a preconcentration process to generate potential feed material for leaching to produce yellowcake. The copper-molybdenum-uranium (Cu-Mo-U) mineralized sample underwent flotation to remove sulfides which can be further processed into marketable copper and molybdenum products, followed by magnetic separation to remove magnetic minerals, and ultimately upgrade the uranium content in the non-magnetic fraction.

This is a big step towards our efforts in exploring alternative sources of energy. ⚛️
Science for the Filipino people! 🇵🇭

Special thank you to DOST Philippines and DOST PCIEERD for funding and monitoring our project on Nuclear Materials Exploration and Recovery under the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research Program Phase 1!

Access the paper here: https://scienggj.org/2026-special-issue-18/

06/08/2026

🇵🇭 HOT OFF THE PRESS: Mercury speciation and pollution assessment of small-scale gold mining-impacted sediments in Gumaus Bay, Camarines Norte

Our latest research investigates the potential environmental impacts of small-scale gold mining (SSGM) operations on marine coastal environments. By analyzing marine surface sediments in Gumaus Bay, we mapped the distribution, mercury speciation, and potential ecological risks of mercury and other potentially toxic elements originating from local SSGM activities.

- Elemental mercury (Hg0) released from upstream ball mill amalgamation facilities undergoes partial oxidation during transport, transforming predominantly into intermediate mercurous species, Hg(I). Further transformation of these species into Hg(II) or methylmercury (MeHg) poses increased bioavailability and ecological risks to the marine environment.

- Multivariate analysis reveals two geochemical groupings: a lithogenic association consisting of Cr and Ni derived from regional ultramafic bedrock weathering, and an anthropogenic association consisting of Hg, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn linked to upstream small-scale gold mining tailings discharged via the Luklukan River.

Research findings highlight critical insights into mercury transformation in local marine environments and emphasize the need for sustainable management strategies to protect coastal ecosystems.

🔗 Read and download the article free of charge until September 25, 2026, through this link: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1nZBh8MvAu7UWt

05/08/2026

Happiest birthday, Doc Val! Best wishes and more power! ⚛ 🥳🥳

Having served the Institute as Deputy Director for almost half a decade, Dr. Vallerie Ann Samson represents the new breed of pioneers in the scientific arena, particularly in the field of nuclear science. Her youth and jovial character coupled with her stern and responsive policies ensure that the Institute continues to push the heights of the atom while also bringing it within reach and appreciation of a wide range of sectors.

Thank you for your sterling service, and we look forward to many more years of your leadership! ⚛️

Happy Birthday, Doc Val! 🥳✨
Best wishes and more power!

30/06/2026

🇵🇭 A new milestone for Philippine nuclear and geochemical science!

The Nuclear Materials Research Section proudly announces the successful installation and commissioning of our Teledyne Photon Machines Iridia 300 Laser Ablation system, now coupled to PNRI’s Agilent 8900 ICP-MS/MS.

This establishes what is, to our knowledge, the first LA-ICP-MS/MS facility in the Philippines—bringing micron-scale elemental and isotopic analysis directly to Filipino scientists.

With this capability, we can now analyze micrometer-scale regions of solid samples with minimal preparation, enabling high-resolution elemental and isotopic mapping, ultra-trace analysis, and applications such as zircon U-Pb geochronology, environmental forensics, nuclear materials research, food authenticity, and climate archives.

This facility is a step toward building advanced, homegrown scientific capability for the Philippines. World-class science, built here. For the Filipino. 🇵🇭

17/06/2026

Today, we celebrate an extraordinary woman who wears many hats with grace, strength, and style.🥳🎉

A loving mother, a brilliant chemist and researcher, and an icon in her own unique way. 🏡👩🏽‍🔬🤸🏽‍♀️

Happy birthday to one of the Senior Science Research Specialist of NMRS, Ma'am Jennyvi! 🔥🔥

Thank you for your kindness, dedication, and intelligence. Your unwavering spirit inspire everyone fortunate enough to know you.

💅🏻💅🏻👑👑

10/06/2026

The Nuclear Materials Research Section is proud to share the list of staff members who will be presenting at the 𝟒𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 from June 10 to 12, 2026 at the SMX Convention, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. 👩🏻‍🔬⚗️

Good luck and have a fruitful experience at the #𝟒𝟎𝐏𝐂𝐂&𝟏𝟕𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐂𝐂!

#𝐍𝐌𝐑𝐒 #𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐏𝐍𝐑𝐈 #𝐎𝐧𝐞𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓𝟒𝐔 #𝐧𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐏𝐇 #𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 #𝟒𝟎𝐏𝐂𝐂&𝟏𝟕𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐂𝐂

08/06/2026

happy birthday to the absolute GOAT, Doc Angel! 🐐🔥👼

your creativity? ✨ giving ✨
your energy? 🍯 left no crumbs 🍯
your ideas? 💅 serving 💅

thank you for being the ultimate section head and never letting the team vibe check fail! we love you fr fr 💯 💯

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...