The adage, “What lies beneath the surface?” is more than just an idiom; it is the driving force behind scientific discoveries. For Joseph Aristotle De Leon (BSMS MEM, ’24), this inquiry inspired the invention of the Resistivity Acquisition and Monitoring the Underground (RAMUN), a device that earned him the prestigious 2024 James Dyson Award at the national level. Bagging the award is only the beginning for De Leon, who is now seeking to solve more challenges with groundbreaking solutions.
Foot on the ground
With an inherent curiosity for engineering and technology, De Leon nurtured his interests by participating in investigatory projects and case study competitions throughout his elementary and high school years. Recognizing his potential, his parents encouraged him to delve into STEM. “Knowing that even as a child I loved tinkering and taking things apart, they told me to pursue a career in STEM,” he shares in Filipino.
De Leon took a leap of faith when he left his family and hometown in Legazpi, Albay, to join the pilot batch of senior high school students at DLSU. This transition marked the beginning of his Lasallian journey, where he had to learn to live independently in the bustling metro while adapting to a new environment.
Connecting with people from all walks of life at the University solidified his decision to pursue his engineering degree. “Since many of the professors in senior high [school] were also from the college department, I got exposed to the college environment and learned about the different programs available,” he narrates in Filipino.
Unearthing resilience
Throughout his college years, De Leon immersed himself in research, collaborating with peers on projects such as decentralized microgrids and intelligent systems for apprehension. Alongside these endeavors, he joined various research and innovation competitions.
However, the pandemic proved to be one of the most arduous periods in his life. His academic and personal pursuits were upended by strict lockdowns, abrupt shifts in learning modalities, and the uncertainty of the “new normal.” Yet, as the oldest of three siblings, De Leon realized he had to stay resilient and continue moving forward. “So, need ko talaga noon na mag-step up and also support ‘yung mga kapatid ko and even [my] mother, while completing (my degree.”
(I really needed to step up back then and also support my siblings and even my mother while completing my degree).
Fueled by a burning passion and curiosity for learning, De Leon seized the opportunity to pursue a master’s program alongside his bachelor’s degree. Upon meeting his advisor, Dr. Ryan Rhay P. Vicerra, a professor in the Department of Manufacturing and Management Engineering, he had the opportunity to cultivate his skills as a research assistant. His work in underground imaging eventually served as a foundation for creating his own thesis, RAMUN.
RAMUN through the layers
Unbeknownst to many, numerous hazards occur underneath the Earth’s surface that cause severe consequences when left unchecked. Similarly, latent natural resources with the potential to alleviate energy, climate change, and water-related issues remain untapped. Recognizing both the dangers and the opportunities, De Leon sought to develop RAMUN to explore the world below people’s feet and to bootstrap better hazard mitigations and resource optimization.
Among RAMUN’s key features is its use of electrical resistivity tomography, a non-traditional testing method that injects current into the ground. Varying drops in electric potential—depending on the subsurface properties—are recorded, allowing RAMUN to construct a subsurface resistivity profile that illustrates underground structures and features. De Leon likens the device to a pair of eyes capable of detecting underground issues, such as groundwater problems and liquefaction.
Moreover, he cites that RAMUN’s decentralized design distinguishes it from existing technology, enabling its urban application to be deployed anywhere onsite. Unlike existing technologies that rely on messy wiring, RAMUN offers a streamlined and non-invasive approach that ensures faster data acquisition and long-term usability. This flexibility aids in the exploration of Earth’s subsurface environment, presenting geotechnical professionals with critical information for better decision-making.
A humble visionary
De Leon dedicates the success of RAMUN to his advisor, his peers in the engineering department, and his family, especially his late father, Jose Ramon De Leon, whom he considers his first mentor. More than just a research project, RAMUN serves as a personal tribute to his father, who truly nurtured him into the person he is now. He remains motivated by a desire to leave a legacy through technological solutions that benefit society.
Reflecting on his journey, De Leon encourages aspiring innovators to adopt interdisciplinary approaches. While he is mainly an engineering student, he still drew valuable insights from different fields of science and even business with the help of his peers: “Maraming fields ka talaga na ita-tackle [so] connect with people and [embrace an] interdisciplinary [approach], he advises.
(You will really tackle numerous fields, so connect with people and embrace an interdisciplinary approach.)
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s January 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSJanuary2025.
