IPB Students Utilize Sugar Cane as Piezoelectric Electricity Generator
Bogor Agricultural University students (IPB) study the potential of bagasse to make piezoelectric generator that can generate electricity. There are three students from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) involved in this research namely Rachma Juwita, Iqbal Lafifa Zulfa, and Dhea Nurlaela under the guidance of a lecturer, Drs. Mohammad Nur Indro, M.Sc.
The research was stated as proposal of Student Creativity Program of Research- Scientific Field (PKM-PE) entitled as " PROBIGS: Piezoelectric from Bio-composite Bagasse (Sugar Cane) Based on Strontium Titanate (SrTiO3) ".
Piezoelectric is a device that uses a piezoelectric effect. The effect is attached to the transducer so that it can be used to measure changes in pressure, acceleration, strain or force that converts the effect into an electrical charge. The electric voltage generated by the piezoelectric transducer is often encountered in everyday life.
"One application of piezoelectric is found in a gas lighter that when we pressed the plug then the fire will ignite. In addition, piezoelectric is also applied to marine wave power plants. Sea waves piezoelectric pressure then generate electricity. Piezoelectric can also produce sensors, "said one member of this team, Iqbal Lafifa Zulfa.
Piezoelectric material is generally derived from lead (Pb). Lead (Pb) is a source of environmental pollutants that come from metal. Environmental pollution by lead (Pb) is mostly derived from exploitation and extraction of metals as piping, ammunition, batteries, and piezoelectric materials.
The team then seeks out natural ingredients that are environmentally friendly as an alternative in piezoelectric manufacturing. Sugar cane waste is often encountered in a piling state and has not been widely utilized by humans. This cane bagasse can be used as one of the natural materials making piezoelectric material that environmentally friendly.
"This PKM aims to reduce the impact of environmental pollution, especially those from lead material (Pb). In addition, the use of bagasse waste is one of the efforts to reduce the accumulation of organic waste from sugarcane by utilizing it into piezoelectric material making, "said Chairman of this PKM-PE group, Rachma Juwita.
Starting from the uneasiness about the facts, the team decided to research the bagasse. It turns out that bagasse contains silica and can be used as a natural material for making environmentally friendly piezoelectric.
"The silica contained in bagasse is one of the natural ingredients needed in piezoelectric manufacturing. The silica on the bagasse is extracted as an environmentally friendly additive and then mixed with strontium titanate into a piezoelectric material. After this, we will test the electricity generated through pressure test and tensile test, "he said (DMR)
