THE PHILIPPINE Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) received bamboo-framed face shields from the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), a sister-agency under the DOST.
During a recent simple turnover ceremony, receiving the bamboo-framed face shields was DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora.
The shields were developed by the FPRDI Team composed of Froilan B. Samiano, Audel V. Mosteiro, Noel M. Medrano, Val DV Valderama and Engineer Cesar O. Austria.
The product is FPRDI’s response to the need for more personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Austria says they have added abaca pulp into the nylon cord that holds the two ends of the bamboo frame to provide more comfort and convenience to the wearer.
As the project leader of a PCAARRD-funded project dubbed “Processing and wood quality evaluation of paper mulberry for furniture, handicrafts, and other by-products,” Austria added that the FPRDI team is also looking at the wood from paper mulberry, Broussenetia papyrifera (L.) Vent, locally known as “lapnis,” as a potential material for the face shield’s frame.
Once again, this proves that bamboo has gone a long, long way in proving a source of materials for different purposes, and likewise, a source of various livelihood opportunities.
Engineered bamboo, as one of its most recent products, has been used in many high-end homes, hotels, and offices around the world.
Although often used for making furniture, especially in the countryside, kawayan tinik (Bambusa blumeana Schultes f.) and giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper (Schultes f.) Backer ex Heyn) species.
Basically, these two species possess the desirable characteristics of poles for producing engineered bamboo ― large diameter, straight, with thick culm walls and high density, and defect-free.
Poles from these species are also readily available.
A wide range of products from bamboo can be made by binding together bamboo veneers, strands, fiber, strips or slats, woven mats, or flattened bamboo with a suitable glue to form a composite material designed to meet specific needs.
Engineered bamboo is often stronger and less prone to warping than equivalent solid woods.
Meanwhile, the kawayan tinik can be found in the lowland areas across the country.
It grows erect in clumps and extends up to 15-25 m tall with an average culm diameter of 6-10 cm. Its large clumps and spiny branches at its basal portion are the distinguishing features of this bamboo species.
Giant bamboo, on the other hand, has a towering height of 32 m, with about 20 culms in a clump measuring 2-3 m in diameter.
This bamboo is spineless with young culms covered with velvety hairs and thrives in areas with good drainage and high elevation.
Kawayan tinik is a good raw material for bamboo parquets and laminated products like tables, chairs, and doors.
Other than producing plywood and tiles, giant bamboo is also used for construction, pulp, and papermaking.
Preferred for traditional and emerging applications, both species have been widely studied for their high commercial value. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
