I-CHALLENGE 2026 is a national competition featuring three categories: Essay Competition, Industry Case Competition, and Business Product & Design Competition. This year’s theme, “Optimization of Green Process through Circular Resources towards Regenerative Future”, challenged participants to propose innovative solutions for real industrial problems. Out of over 300 registered teams, only 10 finalists were given the opportunity to present their solutions at the grand final.

Caption: SULE Team’s Final Presentation at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Brawijaya University, Malang, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (Doc. SULE Team)

Team SULE presented an innovation titled “FABA-Derived Silica and Alumina for Lithium-Ion Battery Anode and Separator Coating as a Renewable Energy Storage Solution in Indonesia.” The project utilizes fly ash and bottom ash (FABA) waste from PT PLN NP UP Paiton as raw material to produce high-capacity silicon-carbon anodes and alpha-alumina ceramic coatings for lithium-ion batteries. Through an integrated circular manufacturing method, the team successfully developed an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and thermally safe solution to support Indonesia’s energy transition toward Net Zero Emissions by 2060.

“We chose this topic because it connects the upstream industrial waste crisis with the downstream need for renewable energy technology independence. FABA contains 20–24% silica and 19–28% alumina, offering great potential to replace imported materials,” explained Malika Fatima Lawe, Team Leader of SULE.

The final competition spanned three days, starting with Pitching Day, where each team presented for 24 minutes, including a 12-minute intensive Q&A session with academic and industry judges. The second day featured Exhibition, Seminar, and Awarding, during which teams showcased posters and infographics while engaging with other participants and visitors. Team SULE cited the Q&A session as their most memorable moment, as they had to defend their data-driven arguments before senior judges.

The research and development process required the team to balance scientific idealism with industrial feasibility. They employed direct alkaline leaching, nano-silicon anode synthesis, and ammonium sulfate roasting to extract silica and alumina from FABA. The resulting FABA anodes achieved a high capacity of 1,450.3 mAh/g, while the alpha-alumina separator remained stable up to 200°C, far exceeding standard plastic separators.

The team also emphasized the broader impact of their innovation for Indonesia. The circular FABA solution could address 1 million tons of PLN NP waste, reduce dependence on imported battery materials by up to 100%, and cut annual carbon emissions by 52.46%. For communities, this technology could provide safe, stable, and affordable clean electricity, particularly in Indonesia’s 3T regions (Frontier, Outermost, and Underdeveloped areas).

Rufaida added, “We hope this innovation does not remain merely a competition report. The implementation roadmap, from MVP research in 2026 to plant commercialization in 2027, can be realized by PLN Nusantara Power and Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC) as a high-value substitute for imported materials.”

The success of Team SULE demonstrates that outstanding innovations must integrate circularity, economic feasibility, and environmental sustainability, while being tested in real industrial settings. They also encourage other students to step out of their comfort zones and focus on solutions that are truly applicable to industry.

Reporter: Rasya Ihza Ramadhan (Department of Physics Engineering, Class of 2023)