The research groups of PRISM, each of which is multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary in nature,
are the following:
- Nanoscience Group (NG)
The group focuses on the synthesis,
development and engineering of functional materials and systems at the molecular scale
for various technological applications inclusive but not limited to metal oxide,
chalcogenide and organic/inorganic hybrid nanomaterials for plant pest control,
germicidal, electronics, photovoltaic cells and super hydrophobic applications.
Under this groups are two major subgroups, namely the Coatings Group and the
Sensors Group.
(i) Coatings Group (CG) - The group focuses
on the synthesis, development and implementation of coating materials and processes of
material deposition on different material surfaces for coating technology application
inclusive but not limited tobioceramics based medical implants and anti-corrosive paints
and any functional surface treatment processes.
(ii)Sensors Group (SG)
- This group focuses on the synthesis of materials both organic and
inorganic and its hybrids for fabrication and technology-transfer of various sensors and
actuators inclusive but not limited to chemical, radiation and bio-sensors development
and fabrication.
- Biotechnology Group (BG)
This group will focus on the use
of biological processes, organisms, or systems to manufacture products intended to
improve the quality of human life. Specifically, the group research directions are on
applying biotechnology and methodologies to medical processes, industrial applications
and sustainable agricultural practice.
- Natural Product and Drug Development Program
(NPDDP)
The NPDDP is concerned with the discovery of bioactive
compounds from terrestrial and marine sources indigenous to the Philippines, and the
development of these bioactive extracts and compounds into supplements and new drugs for
infectious and non-infectious diseases, with emphasis on cancer.
- Complex Systems Group (CSG)
Emergent phenomena in complex
systems have spurred much interest in the scientific community over the last couple of
decades. Its beauty is well appreciated in the study of different complex systems
– from the joint firing of neurons, which leads to memory; the usefulness of noise
in enhancing measurement via stochastic resonance; pattern formation in granular, soft
matter, and biological systems; to the synergies of the different parts of a cell
thereby inducing motion. The CSG is dedicated to contribute new understanding to
emergent phenomena mentioned above via both numerical modelling and experimentation.
- Renewable Energy Group (REG)
The group focuses on the
synthesis, development and engineering of low cost and efficient materials, processes,
designs and biological systems inclusive but not limited to photocatalytic materials and
systems for hydrogen gas production, and laboratory and large scale dye-sensitized and
thin film solar cells.
- Climate Change Research Group (CCR)
The group is geared
towards understanding impacts of climate change in Region 10 and beyond which involves
initially mapping of climate change vulnerabilities and impact scenarios using
Geographic Information System. Research initiatives will likewise focus on the following
mitigation and adaptation themes: 1. Development of the underpinning science to
facilitate mitigation through emissions trading; 2. Research into mitigation options in
agriculture and forestry; 3. Development of technologies for production of bioenergy and
other products from agriculture and forest biomass; and 4. Research into sustainable
development of marine and freshwater ecosystems, to ensure that they are ecologically
healthy as well as economically productive under the predicted impacts of climate
change.
- Biodiversity Group (BG)
The Biodiversity Research Group
carries out fundamental and applied research on biodiversity focusing on Philippine
flora and fauna. Research includes species and community level studies, ecology of
species interactions, species distribution and modeling, phylogenetic systematics,
biogeography, conservation of flora and fauna, and others.
- Applied Mathematics and Statistics Group (APSG)
- A
research group which focuses on the development of mathematical and/or statistical
solutions to address various problems, development of new tools and computer software
for computing, and modelling of complex systems in other fields in order to answer
pressing local, national, environmental issues, among others. The group is composed of
those from the basic and/or applied disciplines in Mathematics and Statistics, working
together to promote interdisciplinary efforts and collaboration with allied fields.
- Theoretical Science Group (TRG)
This group carries out
research in a variety of topics in mathematics, physics, and other sciences. In
particular, as a group that concentrates on basic research, it embarks on studies that
aim to generate new ideas, principles, and theories which may form the basis of progress
and development in the different fields and, in the future, shed light to yet
unexplained phenomenon in both the traditional and the applied science.
- Radiation Science (RS)
The group focuses on the study of
the fundamental nature of radiation, and its interaction with matter, using the
principles and tools of mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, and biology. The
group also studies the various applications of radiation, including but not limited to,
medicine, nuclear energy, nuclear safety, nuclear security, radiation protection,
materials testing, agriculture and geology.
