Julian Banzon was a Filipino scientist whose main contribution to chemistry was the research he carried out into the use of alternative fuels. Rather than burning fossil fuels as a means of powering equipment, Banzon discussed the idea of using ethyl esters fuels extracted from coconut and sugar cane, and showed a great interest in making use of what the natural environment had to offer in terms of renewable resources.
During his career as a leading Filipino chemist, Banzon's main invention was a process by which it was possible to chemically extract residual coconut oil from a coconut. In the past, this method of extraction was only possibly through a physical process, and so Julian's invention was a real innovation in the field of chemistry that is still widely talked of amongst scientists in the Philippines today.
Banzon's commitment to the use of renewable resources in fuel production was a real step forward in the development of feasible alternatives to burning fossil fuels. Julian was keen to make use of raw materials in the Philippines and so made it his career goal to interest others in what the natural world had to offer in terms of renewable fuel resources. To an extent, he succeeded in realizing these ambitions.
Julian Banzon has been recognized with a number of awards for his excellent contributions to chemistry and wider scientific research. He won the Professional Regulation Commission's Chemist of the Year Award in 1978 - just a year after being awarded with the PHILSUGIN Award for Research courtesy of the Crop Society of the Philippines. In 1980, Banzon was given the Distinguished Service Award for his vast efforts to introduce renewable fuels to the people of the Philippines. It wasn't until 1986 however, that Banzon was official recognized by the Filipino government, who made him an official National Scientist for his contributions to chemistry.
During his career as a leading Filipino chemist, Banzon's main invention was a process by which it was possible to chemically extract residual coconut oil from a coconut. In the past, this method of extraction was only possibly through a physical process, and so Julian's invention was a real innovation in the field of chemistry that is still widely talked of amongst scientists in the Philippines today.
Banzon's commitment to the use of renewable resources in fuel production was a real step forward in the development of feasible alternatives to burning fossil fuels. Julian was keen to make use of raw materials in the Philippines and so made it his career goal to interest others in what the natural world had to offer in terms of renewable fuel resources. To an extent, he succeeded in realizing these ambitions.
Julian Banzon has been recognized with a number of awards for his excellent contributions to chemistry and wider scientific research. He won the Professional Regulation Commission's Chemist of the Year Award in 1978 - just a year after being awarded with the PHILSUGIN Award for Research courtesy of the Crop Society of the Philippines. In 1980, Banzon was given the Distinguished Service Award for his vast efforts to introduce renewable fuels to the people of the Philippines. It wasn't until 1986 however, that Banzon was official recognized by the Filipino government, who made him an official National Scientist for his contributions to chemistry.
