UST Department of Chemical Engineering

10/07/2026

The Department of Chemical Engineering congratulates our alumni, Mayumi M. Calpotura, Marie Antoinette D. Quitiviz, and Cyril Joy Y. Zablan, alongside their faculty advisers, Engr. Rhovee P. Vistan, MSc, and Engr. Edgar Clyde R. Lopez, Ph.D., on their recent scientific publication.

Their research article, "Degradation of Methylene Blue in Water via Peroxymonosulfate Activation Using Exfoliated Banana Peel Hydrochar as Catalyst," was published on April 15, 2026.
The study addresses the critical environmental and public health risks associated with synthetic dyes in aquatic systems.

The research team successfully synthesized an economical catalyst that contains no metals, derived from banana peel waste. Utilizing this exfoliated banana peel hydrochar, the team achieved a 99.45% removal of methylene blue under optimized conditions, demonstrating a highly promising approach to sustainable wastewater treatment without the risks of metal leaching.

The full text can be accessed via
DOI: 10.1002/slct.73252

10/07/2026

Negative emissions technologies (NETs) are vital for removing substantial amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere, but closed-loop enhanced weathering (EW) systems can be highly vulnerable to unexpected operational disruptions. In this newly released chapter, published by Elsevier under the title Criticality analysis in carbon dioxide removal process network using P-graph, the study leverages a P-graph-based criticality analysis to determine exactly which processing units cause the most significant impacts during internal or external disruption scenarios. This proven, literature-backed model successfully identifies the air-separation unit as the most critical system component, providing crucial insights to help design effective risk-mitigation measures for reliable industrial decarbonization.

The study was conducted by our very own Prof. Michael Francis D. Benjamin, PhD (UST ChE Faculty/Researcher) in collaboration with Prof. Raymond R. Tan.

Check out the full study here: 🔗 [https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-21721-0.00008-9]

10/07/2026

Biochar is excellent for soil health and carbon storage, but its "aging" behavior after field application has remained a significant research gap until now. In this newly released chapter, published by Elsevier under the title A rough set approach for evaluating the chemical properties of biochar based on accelerated aging data, the study leverages rough set-based machine learning to determine how factors like feedstock, aging methods, and temperature affect biochar's long-term composition. This proven, literature-backed model bridges a major gap, helping us optimize biochar for climate mitigation and superior soil health.

The study was conducted by Engr. Ryan Christian R. Atis, Trisha Marie B. Aquino, and Engr. Annicka Lesley L. Marron (all are UST ChE alumni) and Assoc. Prof. Beatriz A. Belmonte, Ph.D. (UST ChE Faculty/Researcher).

Check out the full study here: [https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-21721-0.00013-2]

01/07/2026

23/06/2026

28/05/2026

The Department of Chemical Engineering invites you to a special afternoon of gratitude, reflection and inspiration.

Let us celebrate together the hard work, perseverance and triumphs of our new Thomasian chemical engineers.

Date: June 2, 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati Auditorium and Pre-Function Area

The event will include a Thanksgiving Mass and Testimonies, where stories of hard work and success come alive. This is a time to celebrate accomplishments, share personal experiences, and find inspiration from the journeys of your fellow engineers as we continue to build a better tomorrow.

We look forward to seeing the ChE community at this celebration.

28/05/2026

The Department of Chemical Engineering proudly honors the exceptional achievements of our students at the UST Student Awards 2026, held on May 22, 2026.

St. Albertus Magnus Award Recipients:
K. Frances Marie C. Biola
Rainiel Mark N. Cawat
Randmar B. Pinili

Quezon Leadership Award Recipient:
Mores Nomrev Caracas

Your dedication, hard work, and leadership continue to inspire the entire community. Keep striving for excellence and making the whole UST ChE community proud.

25/05/2026

Securing its place as the 6th Top Performing School nationwide, UST delivered a strong performance in the May 2026 Chemical Engineers Licensure Examination, registering an outstanding 80.00% overall passing rate (8 out of 10 passers).

With an 80.00% passing rate for first-time takers, the university's performance exceeded the national passing average of 77.61%.

This achievement stands as a testament to the hard work of our graduates and the guidance of the UST faculty. Congratulations to our new Thomasian chemical engineers and the entire department! Thank you for continuously raising the bar for the Thomasian community.

22/05/2026

A heartfelt celebration of achievements, success, and gratitude awaits.

As our future Chemical Engineers prepare for their official sending-off through the historic Arch of the Centuries and start a new chapter outside UST, it’s important to recognize not just their accomplishments, but also the people behind their success.

The UST Department of Chemical Engineering warmly invites all parents and guardians of the UST ChE Class of 2026 to “Sharing the AppreChEation: A Celebration of Achievements, Success, and Gratitude.” This special gathering honors not only our students' achievements, but also the unwavering love, sacrifices, and support that have guided our graduating Chemical Engineering students on their journey.

Join us as we celebrate this meaningful milestone together as one Thomasian community.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati Auditorium (21st and 22nd Floors), University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila

We look forward to celebrating this memorable occasion with you.