Revolution Through a Drop: Filipino Physicists Create Low-Cost, Adjustable Liquid Lenses with Transformative Potential

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a remarkable leap forward for Philippine science and global optics technology, a team of visionary Filipino researchers led by the Ateneo de Manila University has unlocked a deceptively simple but profoundly powerful innovation—water-based lenses that can be dynamically adjusted at will.

At the core of this discovery? Nothing more than a drop of water.

This isn’t science fiction. This is cutting-edge physics born from the creative fusion of local brilliance and accessible materials—a project with game-changing implications for everything from classroom microscopes to wearable technology and advanced laser labs.

From Simple Droplets to Scientific Marvels

The researchers—led by Mr. Marco Laurence M. Budlayan and Dr. Raphael A. Guerrero of the Ateneo School of Science and Engineering—joined forces with experts from Caraga State University, Pangasinan State University, and the University of the Philippines - Diliman. Together, they demonstrated that by coating an ordinary glass slide with a layer of electrospun PVC (polyvinyl chloride) fibers, they could create a hydrophobic (water-repellent) surface capable of holding water droplets in a dome-like, magnifying shape.

The brilliance of the discovery lies in its simplicity: By adding or removing water from the droplet, the researchers were able to precisely change its size—and with it, its magnification power. Larger droplets bent light more gently, offering long-distance focus, while smaller droplets sharply focused laser beams like a jeweler’s loupe.

Science in Motion: How It Works

Using a process called electrospinning, the team melted PVC plastic in an electric field, stretching and depositing it onto glass in the form of microscopic fibers. These fibers changed the surface of the glass, making it extremely hydrophobic. When a droplet of water was placed on this treated surface, it didn’t spread out—it formed a neat, spherical dome.

Shining a laser beam through droplets of various volumes, the researchers found they could manipulate the focal length and optical properties of each lens, without introducing visual distortion. In effect, they had created a perfectly tunable magnifier—one that could be dialed up or down with a mere drop of water.

Why It Matters: Empowering the Present, Shaping the Future

While the technology sounds like it belongs in a high-tech laboratory, its true strength lies in its accessibility. With minimal resources, these adjustable liquid lenses could be manufactured at a fraction of the cost of traditional lenses—opening doors in educational settings, rural diagnostics, portable research setups, and DIY science innovations.

In classrooms across the Philippines and beyond, this could mean hands-on lessons in optics without expensive gear. In remote areas, it could enable low-cost medical imaging or basic microscopes. And in future developments? Cameras with auto-adjusting liquid lenses, miniaturized projectors, or wearable glasses that shift focus as you move.

It’s a moment of triumph for Philippine science—a testament to ingenuity and collaboration, and a signal to the world that world-class innovation is thriving on our shores.

From the Lab to the World

The full findings of the team were published in the May 2025 issue of Results in Optics, cementing their contribution to the global body of scientific knowledge. And as this droplet-powered technology trickles into wider application, it stands as a glimmering example of what Filipino scientists can achieve when curiosity meets purpose.

This isn’t just a breakthrough in physics. It’s a statement: The future of science doesn’t always require billion-dollar labs. Sometimes, it begins with a single drop—and a spark of brilliance.

For more updates on groundbreaking innovations from the Philippines, stay tuned to Wazzup Pilipinas, your source for news that informs, inspires, and empowers.

Pushing the Limits of Precision: UP Scientists Unveil Breakthrough Insights into Thin Film Deposition Using Femtosecond Lasers

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In the intricate dance of atoms and light, a daring team of Filipino scientists from the University of the Philippines is challenging decades-old assumptions about how we build the future—one ultra-thin layer at a time.

In the world of materials science, the tiniest differences can mean the largest consequences. This truth drives a new and dramatic breakthrough from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS), where a group of visionary researchers has taken on one of modern physics’ most delicate puzzles: the precise creation of thin films used in next-generation electronics, superconductors, and energy systems.

But rather than following the well-worn path paved by traditional high-energy nanosecond pulsed laser methods, these scientists dared to ask: What happens when we turn the energy down, and the precision up?

Led by Joy Kristelle De Mata and Dr. Lean Dasallas of the Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSEP), with support from Dr. Roland Sarmago and Dr. Wilson Garcia of the National Institute of Physics (NIP), the team focused their attention on the high-temperature superconductor BSCCO—bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide—a material revered for its power and potential in critical technologies like power grids, magnetic resonance imaging, and high-efficiency electronics.

But the question was not if BSCCO could be deposited into thin films, but how—and whether a gentler touch, using low-energy femtosecond pulsed lasers, could preserve the material’s complex structure without compromise.

Challenging the Known: When Less Energy Reveals More Complexity

“Maintaining the correct stoichiometric ratio of elements in a film is paramount,” explained De Mata. “Even slight deviations can drastically affect its superconducting properties.”

This was the crux of their study: using femtosecond lasers with nanojoule-level pulses to carefully deposit layers of BSCCO, atom by atom, while battling the constant threat of imbalance. Unlike traditional nanosecond lasers, which come in blazing with high energy and brute force, femtosecond lasers offer pinpoint precision, operating in quadrillionths of a second. It’s like using a scalpel instead of a hammer.

Their journey, however, was far from simple.

They discovered that when low-energy fs-PLD (femtosecond pulsed laser deposition) is conducted in high-pressure environments, the resulting thin films often stray from the original material’s composition. This unexpected outcome defied what most current computational models would predict, exposing a hidden complexity in the deposition process.

“The existing models just couldn’t explain what we were seeing,” De Mata revealed. “It means the physics at play in fs-PLD is far more nuanced than we believed.”

A New Frontier in Materials Engineering

The implications of these findings ripple across industries that rely on ultra-thin, highly precise films—from microchips and memory storage to medical imaging and quantum computing. But even with its promise, fs-PLD isn’t ready to replace its higher-energy cousin just yet.

“The low energy of fs-PLD means the process is slower, and that’s a challenge for scaling up,” De Mata admitted. “There’s also the issue of consistency. The deviation in film composition limits its industrial reliability—for now.”

Still, for researchers seeking perfection rather than mass production, fs-PLD remains a shining tool. The team is already planning to delve deeper, exploring how temperature and substrate conditions affect film growth, with the ultimate goal of developing new predictive models that match the reality of femtosecond-scale deposition.

Science with a Soul: The Spirit of Filipino Ingenuity

This study is more than just physics—it’s a testament to Filipino brilliance in global science. At a time when developing nations are often seen as consumers rather than creators of cutting-edge tech, the UPD-CS team is proving that innovation has no borders.

By embracing the unknown and refining the ultrafine, they are not only reshaping what we know about lasers and materials—they are redefining what is possible.

As the scientific world watches closely, one thing is clear: from the heart of the Philippines, a quieter, more precise revolution in technology is taking shape—one femtosecond at a time.

With inputs from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science

Photo courtesy of Joy Kristelle De Mata

From Garden to Classroom to Table: How DepEd is Cultivating a Food-Secure Future for Filipino Learners

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In a nation where the aroma of adobo wafts through bustling streets and a bowl of lugaw can warm more than just the stomach, food is not just sustenance—it is identity. And in a bold, compassionate move echoing the cultural heartbeat of the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) has ramped up its mission to feed not just minds, but also bellies, aligning itself with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive for food security within the country’s public schools.

At the heart of this movement is a powerful convergence of purpose: feeding the hungry, teaching the young, and preserving the culture.

Nourishment with Nationalism: PBBM’s Vision in Action

During the launch of Filipino Food Month 2025, President Marcos captured the spirit of the Filipino plate and the Filipino soul in one breath. “Sa pamamagitan ng ating pagkain, matutuklasan natin ang ating pagka-Pilipino,” he proclaimed, highlighting the deep ties between cuisine, resilience, creativity, and community compassion.

With this vision, DepEd has renewed its commitment to three cornerstone programs: the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), Gulayan sa Paaralan, and Farm Schools—a triad aimed at nourishing the body, cultivating the land, and embedding values through food.

The Green Classroom: Ramon Torres Malingin Farm School’s Example

In the rural expanse of Negros Occidental, a beacon of this integrated approach stands proud: Ramon Torres Malingin Farm School (RTMFS). Here, students don’t just learn to plant—they learn to thrive.

Principal Roger Raymundo doesn’t just oversee a school; he shepherds a vision. “Farming can sustain them. Hindi ka magugutom kung marunong kang magtanim,” he asserts. Surrounding the school are bountiful rows of okra, eggplants, and bottle gourds—living lessons rooted in soil and survival.

These crops are more than just teaching tools. They directly nourish students through the school's feeding program, transforming learning into living, and knowledge into nourishment. For many students, it’s not just an education—it’s a lifeline.

Feeding Hope: Sta. Cristina Elementary School’s Triumph

Meanwhile, in the urban heartbeat of Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Sta. Cristina Elementary School (SCES) is proving that effective collaboration can turn policy into progress. With an astounding 93.80% success rate in its SBFP this year, SCES has turned meals into milestones.

Principal Elena Bayan attributes their triumph to community synergy. “Ang success ng aming SBFP ay makikita sa pagtutulungan,” she shares. Their Gulayan sa Paaralan is not just a source of vegetables—it is a symbol of unity, where parents, teachers, and students till the soil of progress together.

Every spoonful of ginisang munggo, every ladle of sopas, and every bowl of lugaw served at SCES carries not just nutrition, but tradition—a daily reinforcement of Filipino identity and shared responsibility.

The Bigger Picture: Food as Education, Culture, and Empowerment

From the provinces to the cities, DepEd is weaving a powerful tapestry that links agricultural literacy with nutritional health. This is no ordinary feeding program. It is a holistic, future-forward framework that sows seeds of sustainability while preserving the rich culinary soul of the nation.

These efforts are grounded in the wisdom of pagkakaisa—unity. They reflect a renewed national will to uplift children not just through textbooks, but through tangible, edible acts of care.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscores the ethos of the movement: “Through DepEd’s integrated approach that combines nutrition, agriculture, and values education, the spirit of Filipino hospitality and care is kept alive in every meal served.”

The Path Forward: Feeding with Compassion, Teaching with Purpose

As the country celebrates Filipino Food Month under the theme “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino, Yaman ng Ating Kasaysayan, Kultura, at Pagkatao,” it becomes clear that this isn’t just a commemoration—it’s a commitment.

In every garden plot cultivated, in every Filipino dish served in our public schools, and in every child who learns to plant, cook, and care, DepEd is shaping not only stronger students, but a stronger Philippines.

And in this endeavor, food is not just what we eat—it’s who we are.