"This year, there are six ITB FIT (Faculty of Industrial Technology) lecturers who successfully receive awards and research grants worth IDR 15 billion. This number solidifies ITB as one of the universities with the most research cooperation agreements. This year's achievement is also better than last year's, where only three proposals managed to get funding," revealed Wibawa Hendra Saputera, S.Si, M.Si, M.Sc., Ph.D. The contract period would last one to two years, depending on the complexity of the research of each lecturer.

Proposing photocatalytic decarboxylation technology, he is one of the lecturers who received the grant. The main objective of his technology is to produce high-quality biohydrocarbons using light energy as an alternative to fossil fuels, as well as promote decarbonization in the energy sector. This technology offers promising prospects to reduce carbon emissions, in line with green energy transition and sustainable principles.

"I am incredibly grateful for this program, which is strategic in supporting research and development of the Indonesian palm oil industry. With a focus on seven main sectors—bioenergy; biomaterials and oleochemicals; food, feed, and health; land, soil, and cultivation; post-harvest and management; waste and environmental management; as well as socio-economics, management, business, markets, and information and communication technologies (ICT)—we expect this program to create innovation that boosts the productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of the nation's palm oil industry," stated Hendra, who is also a member of the Sustainable Energy and Technology Research Group.

He added that the target of GRS 2024 was to catalyze collaboration between researchers, industries, and the government to formulate applicative, research-based solutions. Hence, the program would not only increase the competitiveness of the Indonesian palm oil industry in the global market but also ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly plantation practices. Moreover, through well-directed funding, it is hoped that research results could be directly implemented to benefit farmers, industry players, and society as a whole.

The signing of the agreement took place on November 19, 2024. The six FIT lecturers who received the 2024 Palm Oil Research Grant, along with their research titles, are as follows:

1. Prof. Brian Yuliarto, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D. (Development of Rapid Test Kit for Detecting 3MCPD and GE Based on Modified Transition Metal Nanoparticles)

2. Dr.Eng. Yosi Agustina Hidayat, S.T., M.T. (Development of Tracking and Theft Prevention Prototype Device Based on Internet of Things for Palm Oil Vehicles and Products)

3. Dr. Ir. Melia Laniwati Gunawan, M.S. (Development of Alkali Methoxide Production as Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis)

4. Prof. Ir. Ronny Purwadi, M.T., Ph.D. (Development of Cellulase Enzyme Production Methods to Support Second-Generation Bioethanol Production)

5. Ir. Hary Devianto, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D., IPK. (Utilization of Biogas Through Reduction of CO2 to Formic Acid Using Electrolysis and Photocatalysis With Catalyst From Palm Oil Waste)

6. Wibawa Hendra Saputera, S.Si., M.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Development of Photocatalytic Decarboxylation Technology for Biohydrocarbon Production from Palm Oil and Fatty Acid at Ambient Temperature and Pressure)

Reporter: Maharani Rachmawati Purnomo (Oceanography '20)
Indonesian Editor: M. Naufal Hafizh
Translator: Ariq Ramadhan Teruna (Chemical Engineering '21)