Filipino engineer wins James Dyson global sustainability award for earthquake sensor
Aldrei Ong received £30,000 for Sentinel, a device designed to detect hidden structural damage in concrete buildings.
Aldrei Ong, a structural engineer from the Philippines, has won the 2026 James Dyson Award's Global Sustainability prize for his invention, Sentinel, according to the Times of India.
The award, announced on Wednesday, includes £30,000 to assist in the further development of the technology. Sentinel is a sensor designed to identify internal cracks or damage in concrete structures that may not be visible from the outside after an earthquake.
The device functions using self-sensing concrete containing conductive materials. When damage occurs, the electrical resistance of the concrete changes, which a small electronic module detects and transmits wirelessly to an online dashboard for remote monitoring by engineers.
Ong developed the technology during his master's research at De La Salle University, where he tested more than 125 concrete samples. The sensor is built into a concrete spacer block, a component used during the building process, allowing it to be integrated into new construction without extra structural parts.
Sir James Dyson, the founder of Dyson, stated that serious damage inside concrete buildings can be invisible and potentially fatal after an earthquake. He noted the invention could help identify issues before they become more expensive and reduce the risk of people occupying buildings at risk of collapse.
Ong said the recognition affirms what persistence and curiosity can achieve and provides confidence to continue his work. He plans to improve the electronic components and develop versions for use in existing buildings.