UNS – Three Chemical Engineering students from the Faculty of Engineering (FT) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta have achieved a remarkable milestone at the Chemical Engineering Fair and Competition (CREATION) 2024 hosted by Universitas Diponegoro (Undip) on Sunday (17/10/2024). The UNS team, represented by Dannia Firstia, Sarasayu Annissa Dewanti, and Werna Ramadhan, secured third place in the Chemical Engineering Research Competition (CERCo) category with their innovative use of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology. 

The team’s research, titled “Harnessing Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) Technology from Liquid POME Waste for Power Generation to Promote Energy Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability,” focused on transforming palm oil mill effluent (POME) into electrical energy. 

Using MFC technology, the team leveraged bacterial activity to process liquid waste into reusable energys while simultaneously mitigating environmental impacts. 

“This innovation addresses the need to manage POME, one of the largest palm oil industry by-products in Indonesia, by converting it into efficient renewable energy. Our MFC system is designed to support energy sustainability while preserving the environment,” Werna, a team member, explained in an interview with uns.ac.id on Monday (18/11/2024). 

The CREATION Undip 2024 competition is a prestigious event involving an initial online full-paper submission phase, followed by an on-site final presentation at the Undip campus in Semarang. In the final stage, the UNS team presented their research to a panel of judges comprising academic and industry experts. 

This year’s competition, “Green Industry Transformation: Leading the Way to a Sustainable and Environmentally-Friendly Future,” drew participation from Chemical Engineering students across Southeast Asia. 

Dannia Firstia noted that the greatest challenge was ensuring compatibility between the bacteria and the cathode materials used in the MFC system. “The development process required extensive literature studies to create an efficient and practical system,” she said. 

Sarasayu Annissa Dewanti, responsible for prototype development, emphasized that strong team collaboration was key to their success. “We are immensely grateful for this achievement and hope this innovation can continue to evolve in support of a sustainable energy transition,” added Werna. 

This accomplishment highlights FT UNS’s capacity to compete at both national and regional levels, delivering innovative solutions to pressing energy and environmental issues. 

With this success, the UNS team aspires to inspire fellow students to innovate and contribute to sustainable technology development. “We hope this research serves as a starting point for broader utilization of POME waste and supports Indonesia’s energy independence,” Werna concluded. 

Their MFC-based innovation underscores UNS’s commitment to advancing science-driven solutions for a greener, more sustainable industrial future. The CREATION 2024 competition exemplifies the potential of young generations to drive positive change for society and the environment. 

HUMAS UNS