2 PH Inventions Land in the Global Top 20 of International Design Competition

Two Philippine inventions have been shortlisted for the James Dyson Award 2026 Global Top 20.

BiDaKidney, developed by University of the Philippines Diliman graduates Andrew Jacob Buensalido and Allyson Cabrestante, aims to make peritoneal dialysis (PD) safer, easier to manage, more accessible, and more affordable at home. Sentinel, created by De La Salle University graduate Aldrei Ong, turns a concrete spacer block into a sensor that can remotely detect structural damage in buildings.

Photo: James Dyson Award

The recognition marks the first time two Philippine entries have reached the Award’s Global Top 20, placing Filipino design and engineering in the global spotlight. It shows young Filipino inventors can create innovative solutions that not only make a meaningful difference in local communities but also stand alongside the world’s most promising innovations.

Photo: James Dyson Award

BiDaKidney: making home-based dialysis safer, easier, and more accessible

Dialysis is becoming a reality for more Filipinos: 64,845 people received treatment in 2024, up 22% from 53,296 in 2023. For patients, families, and caregivers managing peritoneal dialysis at home, treatment can mean daily tube exchanges, close fluid monitoring, and manual record-keeping, which can be tiring and increase the risk of contamination.

BiDaKidney automates key parts of PD while working with standard supplies patients already use. A controlled pump moves dialysis fluid through the tubing, built-in weight sensors track fluid transfer, and a dual-tube clamp directs flow to help prevent leaks and backflow. 

Photo: James Dyson Award

The idea took shape after Andrew’s older sister, a healthcare provider at a government hospital, spoke about the conditions patients faced during dialysis. Over two semesters, Andrew and Allyson moved from drawings and 3D models to a working prototype, refining the pump, sensors, clamp, and control system through repeated testing.

Andrew and Allyson said: “Seeing BiDaKidney reach the Global Top 20 is something we once only imagined—it feels incredible that this has become reality! 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.”

Sentinel: enabling earlier detection of structural damage

A major earthquake in Metro Manila could leave around 34,000 people dead, more than 100,000 injured, and over 170,000 homes collapsed. After the shaking stops, thousands of buildings would still need to be checked before families, students, workers, and patients can safely return. Because engineers often must assess each site through visual inspections or physical tests, confirming damage can take days or longer and cost a lot. This creates a critical information gap that delays reopening and leaves hidden structural risks undetected.

For Aldrei, Sentinel began with a simple observation: while buildings have systems that detect threats such as fire and smoke, they often lack a similarly accessible way to continuously monitor structural condition. This led him to explore how an everyday construction component could double as an early indicator of damage.

Photo: James Dyson Award

Sentinel is a concrete spacer block made from self-sensing concrete that shortens the gap between damage and detection. Aldrei shaped the sensor as a concrete spacer block so it could fit into existing construction practices.

Conductive materials create electrical pathways inside the block, and damage causes changes in the electrical signal. Embedded electrodes connect the block to a compact device that compares readings and remotely sends significant changes to an online dashboard, giving engineers an earlier indication that part of a structure may need closer inspection.

With an estimated manufacturing cost of only ₱10 ($0.15) per block, Sentinel is designed to make structural sensors a practical feature across more buildings, giving owners earlier information that can help reduce repair costs and occupants greater confidence in their safety. This potential is already being tested beyond the laboratory, with self-sensing spacer blocks embedded in the St. Margaret Mary Alacoque building of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart for field monitoring.

Aldrei said: “Living in an earthquake-prone country means structural safety cannot be something we think about only after disaster strikes. Reaching the Global Top 20 is exciting because it gives Sentinel a platform to show that earlier and more accessible monitoring is possible. If it can help local governments, schools, hospitals, businesses, and families act sooner, reduce the cost of disruptions, and recover with greater confidence after an earthquake, then Sentinel can help build safer and more resilient Filipino communities.”

BiDaKidney and Sentinel will enter the final stage of the James Dyson Award, with Sir James Dyson selecting the global winners and announcing them on November 4, 2026. The winning inventions will receive ₱2,390,230 to support their further development and commercialization.

A panel of 12 Dyson engineers based in the UK, US, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines selected this year’s global finalists. They bring a wide range of expertise, from product design to mechanical engineering, electronics, sustainability, and chemical engineering. They evaluated each invention on functionality, design process, originality, and commercial viability.

Michael Recinto, senior engineering manager at Dyson and James Dyson Award Top 20 judge, said: “The inclusion of BiDaKidney and Sentinel in the Global Top 20 represents a landmark achievement for the Philippines. It reflects the growing maturity of our innovation ecosystem and the ability of young Filipino inventors to combine technical excellence with a deep understanding of societal needs. These inventions address real challenges with ingenuity and purpose, demonstrating that world-class innovation can emerge from the Philippines and compete on the global stage.”

The Top 20 Shortlist

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