Two Philippine inventions — one addressing home-based dialysis and the other earthquake safety — have advanced to the Global Top 20 of the James Dyson Award 2026, marking the first time the country has placed two entries on the final shortlist of the international design competition.

BiDaKidney, a semi-automated peritoneal dialysis machine developed by University of the Philippines Diliman graduates Andrew Jacob Buensalido and Allyson Cabrestante, and Sentinel, a structural damage sensor created by De La Salle University graduate Aldrei Ong, will proceed to the final round of judging. There, they will be reviewed by Sir James Dyson, the British inventor whose foundation runs the award, for a chance to win ₱2.39 million.

The recognition underscores locally developed answers to healthcare and infrastructure challenges, with both inventions intended to make essential services safer, more accessible and potentially less costly.

The global shortlist consists of 20 inventions chosen by a panel of 12 Dyson engineers based in the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. Entries were judged on functionality, design process, originality and commercial viability.

Dialysis at Home

BiDaKidney seeks to simplify peritoneal dialysis, a treatment that allows patients with kidney failure to manage dialysis at home but demands careful fluid exchanges, monitoring and record-keeping.

Data cited by the award organizers show that the number of Filipinos receiving dialysis treatment rose 22% to 64,845 in 2024 from 53,296 in 2023 — an increase that underscores the growing scale of the country's dialysis needs.

For patients and caregivers handling peritoneal dialysis, repeated tube exchanges and fluid monitoring can be physically taxing and raise the risk of contamination. BiDaKidney automates key parts of the process while using standard supplies already available to patients: a controlled pump moves dialysis fluid through tubing, built-in weight sensors track how much fluid is transferred, and a dual-tube clamp directs the flow to help prevent leaks and backflow.

The project began after Mr. Buensalido's older sister, a healthcare provider at a government hospital, described the difficulties faced by patients undergoing dialysis. Over two semesters, he and Mr. Cabrestante turned the concept from drawings and 3D models into a working prototype, refining its pump, sensors, clamp and control system through repeated testing.

The inventors said the international recognition could help them connect with people and organizations able to support the project's further development.

“Beyond the award itself, we are grateful for what this recognition brings: the opportunity to spotlight the difficult realities patients and families face in managing dialysis, and to build connections with the people who can help us make those realities less difficult,” they said.

Monitoring Structural Damage

Sentinel aims to help engineers identify possible structural damage earlier by turning an ordinary concrete spacer block — the small block used in construction to hold reinforcing steel in position within concrete — into a sensor. The invention addresses the challenge of assessing buildings after major earthquakes, when engineers must inspect numerous structures before residents and occupants can safely return.

A major earthquake in Metro Manila could leave around 34,000 people dead, more than 100,000 injured and over 170,000 homes collapsed, according to figures cited in the award materials. Damage assessment through visual inspections and physical tests can take days or longer and may be costly, potentially delaying the reopening of buildings while leaving hidden structural risks undetected.

Mr. Ong built Sentinel around self-sensing concrete, which uses conductive materials to create electrical pathways within the block. When the material is damaged, changes in its electrical signals can indicate a potential structural problem. Embedded electrodes connect the block to a compact device that compares readings and sends significant changes to an online dashboard, allowing engineers to pinpoint areas that may require closer inspection.

The design is meant to fit into existing construction practices, making structural monitoring more accessible without requiring an entirely separate sensor installation system.

Sentinel has an estimated manufacturing cost of ₱10 per block. Its potential is already being tested outside the laboratory, with self-sensing spacer blocks installed in the St. Margaret Mary Alacoque building of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart for field monitoring.

Mr. Ong said the project could help communities respond more quickly to structural risks and recover more confidently following disasters.

“Living in an earthquake-prone country means structural safety cannot be something we think about only after disaster strikes,” he said. “If it can help local governments, schools, hospitals, businesses, and families act sooner, reduce the cost disruptions, and recover with greater confidence after an earthquake, then Sentinel can help build safer and more resilient Filipino communities,” he added.

Global Competition

Dyson Senior Engineering Manager and James Dyson Award Top 20 judge Michael Recinto said the inclusion of both inventions reflects the growing capabilities of Filipino innovators in addressing practical problems through engineering and design.

“The inclusion of BiDaKidney and Sentinel in the Global Top 20 represents a landmark achievement for the Philippines,” he said, adding that the projects combine technical expertise with an understanding of societal needs.

The Global Top 20 will advance to the final stage of judging, with winners selected by Sir James Dyson and announced on Nov. 4. Each global winner will receive ₱2.39 million to support further development and commercialization, while international runners-up will receive ₱398,280. Attention now turns to the Nov. 4 announcement, with both teams viewing the recognition as a way to connect with partners who can support the further development and commercialization of their inventions.

The James Dyson Award is an international design competition that encourages emerging design engineers to develop solutions to real-world problems. Now in its 21st year, it operates across 28 countries and regions and is run by the James Dyson Foundation, an engineering education charity established in the United Kingdom.

— Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba, BusinessWorld