THE POWER-SAVING microchip developed by researchers of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology will soon be commercially available, a school official said.

Dr. Reynaldo Vequizo, MSU-IIT Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office director, said that the university has started the process of acquiring a patent for the microchip.

“Pre-commercialization and negotiation initiatives on ‘μC-Integrated Circuit’ with industry for commercialization are ongoing. This negotiation is dependent now on the degree of patent protection,” he said.

The development of the microchip took more than three years. It was allotted a P34 million budget by the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.

The invention aims to fully capacitate MSU-IIT’s Microelectronics Laboratory in Digital Integrated Circuit Design and produce the final research on a System-on-a-Chip Microcontroller with Energy Harvesting and Power Management Unit.

Once the patent process is complete, Vequizo said the power-saving microchip will be presented to the newly launched Innovation through Leveraging, Industry, Government, Academe Networks and inclusive Community Engagements.

“ILIGANice is a collaborative program that aims to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of local enterprises through the adoption of scientifically developed technologies,” he explained.

Dr. Jinky Bornales, MSU-IIT’s Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension and ILIGANiCE project leader, said the program will assist micro, small, and medium enterprises to improve and enhance their goods or services.

“It’s a program that is based on the principle of collaboration between the academe and the community because we believe that the greater the scope of collaboration, the bigger the impact it will have to the entire community. Through ILIGANiCE, we will strategically connect and engage the academe and the community through our various activities,” Bornales said.