NU12 – Week 11 - REPLACEMENT - DUENAS

Edwin T. Dueñas                                                                                              NU12 – Week 11 - REPLACEMENT

NU12 Idea:  Water lettuce as a Heavy metal (Toxic) Remover

The major river systems in the Metro Manila and Bulacan are the Marilao-Meycauayan river system, Pasig-Marikina River, the Malabon-Tullahan River and the Paranaque-Zapote Rivers which flow into Manila Bay and Laguna Lake. The rivers are so highly polluted from the discharge of domestic and industrial wastewater that they can be termed as being biologically dead except for the upstream portion of the Marikina River.

As an example, the river systems of Marilao and Meycauayan City in Bulacan have been rated by an international environmental group as among the dirtiest places on earth. The New York-based Blacksmith Institute has included the two places on its "Dirty Thirty" list of the World's Worst Polluted Places for 2007. The study was based on the group's monitoring of pollution levels in different parts of the globe, Marilao and Meycauayan are the only South East Asian areas on Blacksmith's list.

The group noted that in Meycauayan, Marilao there were presence of heavy metals, chemicals, and other forms of waste in the river system. The river system is extremely polluted due to waste received from tanneries, gold and precious metals refineries, the largest lead smelter in the Philippines, and numerous municipal dumpsites. It added that substantial contamination also results from small-scale lead recycling facilities along the river at Marilao and from the many tanneries that dump untreated hexa­valent chromium wastewater into the river. Despite being the source of food, drinking and irrigation water for some 250,000 residents, the river system is contaminated with haphazardly dumped industrial waste.

Therefore due to the increased number of pollutants like heavy metals, these major river systems in Metro Manila and Bulacan are greatly in need of a wastewater treatment. If not treated, this can lead to harm to the aquatic life and can pose health problems and even death to humans. There are many methods but most of them are costly. The wastewater treatment must be effective and must have a low cost considering that the Philippines is a third world country and has a tight budget on environmental issues.  

                Water lettuce is very rampant in bodies of water in the Philippines and considers having metal hyper-accumulating properties. Water lettuce were undertaken for this project since they are potentially hyper-accumulators of metals as they have extensive roots and provide large surface area for the biofilms formation and thus enhance the microbial activities. This can reduce the levels of heavy metals in polluted waters.

Heavy metals are very dangerous and are considered to be carcinogens. An example of this is Hexavalent Chromium, Cr(VI). It is one of the most commonly occurring toxic pollutants present in wastewaters discharged from electroplating, dye and pigment manufacturing, wood preserving and leather tanning industries. In addition to being highly toxic Cr (VI) is mobile, and has a long residence time in surface water and groundwater; it poses health risk to humans and animals and impairs the development and growth of plants.

The process involves rising of plants hydroponically and transplanting them into metal-polluted waters where plants absorb and concentrate the metals in their roots and shoots. As they become saturated with the metal contaminants, roots or whole plants are harvested for disposal in landfills. The heavy metals accumulated by the plants are then naturally converted to a non toxic metal and can be disposed in landfills. Water Lettuce can also be included in a waste water treatment facility allowing the water to pass by a tank full of water lettuce. In this way, it can decrease the levels of heavy metals in the effluent.  Water lilies does this well.  4

NU12 by Ed Duenas - New credit card security features

Edwin T. Dueñas                                                                    NU12 – Week 9 (Replacement)

NU12 Idea: New Credit Card Design Features

Typically, a person owns at least one credit card and usually the owner has more than a hundred of credit card transactions in a new year. For my perspective, the credit card is the most unsafe mode of payment both in retail store buying and online buying. In retail shops and restaurants, the credit card is very vulnerable for copying and cloning. Imagine all the details are there, the card holder name, card number, expiration and the CVV (security pin). Generally, if a person is involved in some sort of mafia that person can easily copy the details of the card or can clone it.

To give you an idea, in a Shell gas station there is an incident wherein the customer's card was cloned thru a very small apparatus that can be hidden within the palm of the gas boy. The gas boy was later on identified as one of the members of a big mafia. Understandably, the credit card transaction consumes a longer amount of time compared to a regular transaction; therefore the customer has no idea that his card was already cloned. After a month, he saw his credit card bill ballooned to hundreds of thousands and transactions were traced outside the Philippines. For online purchases the database, accounts and computers can be hacked easily if the user is not vigilant or knowledgeable. Therefore, the problem is really evident and credit card companies do not do enough to counter this threat.

Below is the list of changes for credit card designs, features and verification:

1.)    The new design will feature only the initials of the owner-     There should be no complete name in the card. This is very important because it is very easy for wrong doers to copy the name of the credit card owner and use this for online purchases. In this way, it will be very hard for wrong doers to use the card.

2.)    The new design will only include the first 4 numbers and the last 4 numbers of the credit card. – This is one of the most vital changes to be done because this is very important for hackers and wrong doers. An error in card number will not push any transaction.  The rationality in this is that an owner does not need their complete credit card numbers to be displayed.   

3.)    CVV (Security Pin) is removed from the card- Just like pin numbers in ATMs, owners should memorize the pin numbers or security pin. They do not need to parade this information for all establishments especially now that the present design is that the CVV is very near the signature and merchants always look at this part of the card. It is very easy for them to memorize the CVV, same as the card number.

4.)    Every credit card should have a photo with security marks - Just like in passports and visas, a photo should be attached in the card with security marks. The logic is the same were merchants requests IDs for verification.  

5.)    Every credit card will have a QR Code – For those who are not familiar, QR codes is just like a barcode that when scanned information is generated. If necessary, the authorize person in a shop can verify the information of the card thru the QR code. Limited information can be access thru this.

6.)    Verification of payments will be via biometrics- The signature of a person can be easily copied and some merchants do not even check the signature of the credit card holder. I proposed that fingerprint or eye scanning or face recognition (via webcam) should be done for verification purposes. This will be implemented for both online and store purchases. The signature will still be required.

Over-all credit card companies may feel that this changes could incur additional cost and will require a relative amount of time but this business is very lucrative and its is only fitting to protect their customers. I suggest that other companies start this new design and market it as a more secured credit card. Companies can add additional annual payments for this type of card. If we are talking of hundreds of thousands, it is only suitable to protect the owners of the credit card.4

NU12_Week8_Duenas - Floor wax with insect repellant - anti dengue

Edwin T. Dueñas                                                                                            NU12 – Week 8

NU12 Idea: Floor Wax with Insect Repellant

According to the Department of Health it was registered that for the year 2011, the DOH had verified a total of 12,044 dengue cases in the Philippines. Out of the total number, 78 deaths were recorded. Of the 12,044 cases, 3,435 came from Metro Manila while 2,245 cases were from Central Luzon and 2,176 from Calabarzon. Cases of dengue were caused by uncovered containers that have stored water. Drainages are also one of the usual breeding grounds of dengue mosquitoes.

Dengue is one of the illnesses that are considered to be deadly if not given enough attention. It also does not pick its victim, it can be the poor or rich, young or adult, everyone can be struck by the deadly dengue mosquito and this could be in multiple times. This is why proper preventive measures should be done like avoiding storing of water for uncovered containers and another is to clean the environment.

Having an entrepreneur mindset, I thought of one product that can help in protecting our home, school or any establishment from mosquitoes which carry deadly illnesses like dengue. I've thought of producing a "floor wax with insect repellant". The plan is to have a wax that can be use to polish and preserve the finish of floors and at the same time be an agent that can repel mosquitoes. 

The active ingredient would be the lemongrass which is considered antipyretic, analgesic, antifungal, digestive aid, insecticide and sedative. From the lemongrass, volatile oil will be extracted mainly 70% citral, citronellal, and myrcene. Citral has a chemical composition of 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal or lemonal  and has a molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆O.  As I've said this is the major component of the oil of lemongrass and is an aroma compound used in perfumery for its citrus effect. Aside from this it can be used as an insect repellant.4

NU1 12 by ED - Safety D00rs

Edwin T. Dueñas                                                                                                        NU12 Week 3

New Business Idea: Safety Doors in Condominiums

It can be observed that there are a booming number of condominiums in the Philippines. In the past, it was only concentrated in Metro Manila but now there are many developers which builds in other places outside Metro like in Tagaytay, Batangas, Bataan and even in Rizal. Based on my research, in the year 2010 there are already 189 "major condominium brands" in the country and possibly this number will increase in the future. It doesn't mean that one condominium brand has only one building. Usually there are two or three towers in each brand. An example of this is the SMDC Grass Residences located in North Edsa , Quezon City which will have three buildings, each at 20 stories tall.

        

The increase number of development of condominiums means that there is a relative increase in demand in this industry. Therefore the question arises, why Filipinos do prefer to own a condominium. I believed that this is something to do with a reduction of cost compared to houses, of course there are luxury condominiums which are more expensive than a house but generally it is faster to own a condo than a house especially if you are in a prime location where land properties is expensive. One of the greatest advantages of having a condo is that maintenance is very minimal. This means that you don't have to water your garden, clean a two to three story house every day, it is not also necessary to repaint the house etc. etc… Living in a condominium means being practical and a reduction in space means reduction in cost. Some also treats buying a condo an investment and for rental business. One of the perceived downsides of owning a condo is the homeowner's association fees but in reality this fee is the same amount which we spend to maintain a house and its dues in a village.

As I established the demand for a condominium in the Philippines, I realized that there are businesses opportunities that can be capitalize in this industry. Safety is one of the prime concerns of unit owners. There are lots of incidents in the past that are well documented were killers, robbers were able to easily enter the condominium unit of the victim. I realized that although there are security guards that are stationed in the building it is not enough to secure all the units. An example of this is that when I visited the condo of our family friend, in the lobby the guard asks me who I was looking and what is the unit number. Then I filled up a log sheet then he instructed me to go upstairs via the elevator. What was lacking? The guard didn't even verify my identity thru submission of an ID; he didn't even call my friend if I can be permitted to go upstairs. This condo is located in the Fort and is a prime condominium. If I have bad intentions I can easily deliver my plan to the unit owner.

The business opportunity that I have thought is installing a SAFETY DOOR in each unit. This would serve as a double door therefore, before someone who has wicked intentions can enter the unit he is restricted by a second door.  How would I go about this? I will get suppliers in China for stainless steel and other requirements and import it in the Philippines and have someone who is knowledgeable to install it. Marketing will play a major role as this can succeed if it will be package as a need more than a want for unit owners. You can just imagine the number of prospective clients if this project will materialize. You can observe that in some business establishments or apartments there are somewhat doors or steel bars that has a similar function. The problem is that the design of these is not pleasing to the eyes and condo unit owners don't like that. Living in a condo means luxury in its own definition and this may decrease the design or interiors of the unit. What I'm planning is that I will have customized design that will complement the interior design of the unit. In this way both safety and aesthetics is being address. 4

NU 12 by Ed Duenas - Pinoy Ice Cream

Edwin T. Dueñas                                                                                                                                              NU12-Week 2

New Idea #2: Pinoy Ice Cream Shop

When you try to visit malls you can observe how Filipinos love eating ice cream. There is the usual grocery ice cream like Selecta and Magnolia, or stalls like Arce Dairy, FIC. There is growing number of gelato shops which also is gaining popularity in Metro Manila. Aside from this ice cream yogurt is also a trend nowadays.  But one of the most notable brands of ice cream in the world and here in the Philippines is DQ Ice Cream. There shops are in Gateway, Ayala malls or in SM supermalls and people goes on queue to have a taste of this ice cream. Maybe it's because of the brand, quality, cost, taste or uniqueness.

        

 I'm trying to analyze their product and as I evaluate it, it's not something difficult to do but I'm fazed why won't anyone try to compete in their specialty ice cream which is the blizzard. I tried to ask for suppliers of premix soft serve ice cream and suppliers of ice cream machines, they told me that it depends to the premix and the ice cream maker but it's possible to produce this kind of ice cream. If you are familiar with DQ Blizzard Ice cream, it has a unique texture of ice cream with different toppings on it. The difference is terms of the hardness of their ice cream, which they are proving by turning the cup of ice cream upside down without any spill or drop of the ice cream.

      

The plan is not to imitate DQ Ice cream but to compete for their specialty ice cream. By producing ice cream that has a lower cost than DQ but has a Pinoy touch with the flavors and toppings. Planned flavors and toppings will not be revealed in this paper for purposes of company secrecy. The Ice cream shop will provide new concepts on its store and its products. Once customers enter the shop they will be transformed to their ice cream dreams and fantasies. They will also be transported to their childhood days and for younger customers they will have a feel of being a child or teenager in the 90s.4

NU12 by Ed Duenas: Separate Butt and Face Soap

Edwin T. Dueñas                                                                                                                                              NU12 – Week 1

New Product: World's First Butt Soap

Compare to other western countries Filipinos have a different way in handling and cleaning human feces. The more conventional way on dealing with their stool is to wipe their butt with toilet paper and/or wash it with a bidet. While the most common way for Filipinos is to use a pail and a soap to wash and clean their waste.  In Florence, Italy comfort rooms has a separate toilet bowl with some sort of washer. After wiping their waste they transfer to the other bowl to wash. In the United States, tissue paper is enough to handle the cleaning of the human waste and their butt.

                            

 Going back to Filipinos, soap is essential when it comes to cleaning of waste but often times the one that they use in their body or face is the soap that they use for cleaning their butt. This is unhealthy and unhygienic as the dirt or bacteria may transfer to the face, mouth or other parts. Upon analyzing, it brought about an idea of having a dedicated bar of soap that would only be use for cleaning of the butt. This is one issue that is usually being neglected by Filipinos and statistics shows numerous diseases are being cause by the bacteria brought about by the human waste.  Having a separate soap for the cleaning of the butt or human feces, it can be sad that this will reduce the transfer of bacteria.

The plan is to make consumers health conscious and make them more hygienic. You can only imagine bacteria transferring to your whole body because of using soap for all. Many may argue the use of ordinary soap as butt soap but most of the time consumers forget and becomes confuse in which soap they have decided to dedicate it with. This results to mixture of what soap to use. Research shows that there is already in the market a soap that has a label for soap and butt. Again, this will not work because it is useless to divide one soap for two functions in two sides because the water will travel in both sides only to spread the bacteria in both sides. And normally humans are not accustomed in using a soap in just one side.

                               

We have to face the fact that one time or another, we had experience the call of nature and tried to find a soap for one time use for cleaning our butt. Most often we see in the store different soaps that have different functions that we do not use like whitening, papaya soap etc. The plan is to produce butt soap that has a lower cost to ordinary soap and with limited add-ons but has a specific formulation for cleaning of the butt. For purposes of company secrecy the formulations will not be revealed in this paper.4.  (to be the new business?)