Moisture meter for furniture developed

Small and medium enterprises (SME) engaged in furniture and handicraft production are now benefiting from a moisture meter developed by government researchers.

The needle-type electrical resistance moisture meter was designed and fabricated by a research team of the Los Baños-based DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI).

The device – crafted by Gil Dolotina, Marina Alipon, and Grecelda Eusebio–won the F.O. Tesoro Technology Transfer Award given by the Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI) during the observance of this year’s National Science and Technology Week last July.

The equipment is made of simple transistorized circuit supplied by a nine-volt batter. It is cheaper than its counterparts in the market because its electronic parts are locally available.

The meter has been calibrated based on the electrical resistance of yemane (Gmelina arborea), a wood species touted to meet the requirements of the local furniture and handicraft industries.

"With the use of the device, the level of productivity among SMEs has increased, while the cost of production has decreased," said FPRDI, which is currently headed by director Florence Soriano. – RAF