The sustainable sealant made by a Philippine State College of Aeronautics graduate was named national winner of this year’s James Dyson Award.
Mark Kennedy Bantugon’s Pili Seal is a two-component sealant made from the waste of pili tree resin, also called “spent resin” or “de-oiled resin”. It is designed for aircraft integral fuel tank but also applicable in other areas subject to contact with aircraft fuels, lubricants, oils, water and/or weathering.
The international design competition for new problem-solving ideas noted Pili Seal’s application, effectiveness, and affordability compared to commercially available sealants in aviation, owing to the fact that it uses the waste material of pili tree resin as the base ingredient.
“Pili Seal exceeded all the data results of the commercial sealant used in aircraft integral fuel tank including the physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, and rheological property tests.”
The sealant is also safe and non-toxic.
Bantugon, 22, owes the inspiration for his invention to his father, a farmer and public school teacher, who exposed him and his siblings to life on the farm.
“Being a son of a local farmer and a young farmer as well, it never hindered me to dream and pursue a passion that can make a difference,” Bantugan said in a Facebook post.
He will be representing the country in the international round of the competition on Oct. 13.