Students from the Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology (TRKI) study program, Vocational School, Diponegoro University (UNDIP), have once again achieved a proud accomplishment at the national level. Three student teams successfully secured funding in various prestigious research competitions in 2025, demonstrating the research and innovation capabilities of TRKI students in addressing industrial and environmental issues.
- Palm Oil Research: Bio-Filter Innovation from TKKS Waste and Magnetic Biochar
At the 2025 Student Level Palm Oil Research Competition organized by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS), the team led by Irgy Khairoel Al Fahrezi and mentored by Abdullah Malik Islam Filardli, S.T., M.T., successfully secured funding for their research titled: “Development of a Bio-Filter Based on TKKS and FeCl-Modified Magnetic Biochar to Improve the Efficiency of BOD, COD, and Heavy Metal Absorption in Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME)”. This research aims to develop biofiltration technology using palm oil empty fruit bunch (TKKS) waste and magnetically modified biochar as a more efficient and environmentally friendly solution for treating palm oil industrial wastewater. This team also includes Farid Alpharaby, Marsya Rizkya Ramadhani, Fadlie Fadila, and Stefany Sebayang.
- PKM: ClearaSpray — Palm Sap-Based Antiscale Spray
The second team was awarded funding under the 2025 Student Creativity Program (PKM) scheme organized by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology (Ditjen Diktiristek) with the innovation titled: “ClearaSpray: Innovative Product Based on Palm Sap as a Natural and Environmentally Friendly Antiscale Spray for Glass Laboratory Equipment”. ClearaSpray is a natural solution to remove scale from laboratory equipment without harsh chemicals, utilizing the potential of palm sap as an organic cleaning agent. This team is led by Alam Surya Negara and guided by Dr. Ir. Fami Arifan, S.T., M.Eng., M.M., IPM., ASEAN Eng. The team members are from a cross-departmental collaboration: Senifa Azzahra (FEB), Salsa Kamilia, Amsal Jobit Mangaraja Sinaga, and Mohamad Rasyid Bahaudin (TRKI).
- PKM-RE: Antibacterial Gel from Palm Shell Charcoal and Tea Tree Oil
The third achievement came from the PKM Exact Research scheme (PKM-RE) with the title: “Formulation of Gel Preparations Based on a Combination of Palm Shell Activated Charcoal and Tea Tree Oil as an Antibacterial”. This research utilized palm shell waste processed into activated charcoal, combined with tea tree oil to create a gel preparation that functions as a natural antibacterial, with potential applications in the pharmaceutical and personal care fields. This team is led by Muhammad Amyra Faiz, with Sri Risdhiyanti Nuswantari, S.T., M.T., as the supervising lecturer, and members including Aini Silvia Astha, Lailatul Safitri, Al Fariza, and Abellia Puteri Hapsari.