Scientists Gather at IPB to Discuss Nanotechnology
Indonesia is blessed with a wealth of natural resources including the second largest biodiversity in the world after Brazil. However, Indonesia's natural wealth is more exported abroad and resold to Indonesia at a price of 10 or even 100 times more expensive.
The source of the raw material can actually be processed further to produce high-value-value products, one of which is by using nanotechnology.
This was conveyed by Prof. Dr. Nurul Taufiqu Rochman at the "Bogor Science Club (BSC) Expo 2018 (Talks, Exhibition, and Competition)" Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) at the Jannes Humuntal Hutasoit (JHH) Auditorium, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Dramaga IPB Campus, Bogor (30/10 )
This event is a collaboration between Bogor Science Club (BSC) IPB, International Indonesian Scientists Association (I4) and Nano Center Indonesia, with the theme "Science and Technopreneur of Nanotechnology".
Prof. Nurul is the founder of the Nano Indonesia Society, the Board of Trustees of the Nano Center Indonesia Foundation, and the principal researcher at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, LIPI Physics research center.
Prof. Nurul said that nanotechnology can increase added value to Indonesia's natural resources. Such as mangosteen skin nanoparticles, turmeric nanoparticles, cat whiskers nanoparticles, beauty nanoparticles, and nanoherbal whose selling value can rise many times over from the original raw material.
Besides Prof. Nurul, other presenters were competent in the field of nanotechnology, such as Dr.Ing Hutomo Suryo Wasisto (CEO of IG (Indonesia-German-Nano); Dr. Ir. Sri Yuliani (researcher in nanotechnology innovation in Agricultural Research); and Radyum Ikono, B. Eng, M. Eng (COO Nano Center Indonesia).
Meanwhile Dr.Ing Hutomo Suryo Wasisto discussed nanotechnology from a different side. With a background in the study of Electrical Engineering he explained the application of nanotechnology in information technology such as nanofabrication and nanodevices.
Researchers from the Laboratory for Emerging Nanometrology (LENA), Technische Universitat Braunschweig, Germany also share information on how to continue their studies to Germany specifically to TU Braunschweig.
From the application side of nanotechnology, Dr. Ir. Sri Yuliani discussed the application of nanotechnology in the fields of food and agriculture. "Currently megatrend consumer behavior requires products that are of good quality and also provide comfort for its users. "Consumers also want healthy products with natural product trends, organic, and less chemicals," said Sri Yuliani.
Examples of nanotechnology applications in the field of food and agriculture include nano-based fertilizers, seed development (coating), nano-based herbicides and pesticides, food fortification, interactive smart food, and food modification.
While in terms of technopreneur, Radyum Ikono, M. Eng shared experiences on nanotechnology that were applied in entrepreneurship. "I have done this from 2012. I like research and enjoy reading journals, but I don't really enjoy life as a scientist. It turns out we have another option, namely becoming an entrepreneur from the results of our own research, "he said.
According to Radyum Ikono, this technology-based business is interesting because currently there is no standard price for technology-based products and also community willingness to pay is high enough for technology-based products. Now we need more technology-based entrepreneurs, "added Radyum Ikono.
Also present at the event were Deputy Dean of the Postgraduate School of IPB, Dr. Ir. Eka Intan Kumala Putri, M.Sc, BSC Trustee of IPB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Nahrowi M.Sc, BSC IPB External Representative, JN Rais Al-Haq, and participants from universities throughout Indonesia, and even participants from Malaysia.
The event was also enlivened by an exhibition of nanotechnology products, the announcement of the winners of the poster competition, and the launch of a collaboration between BSC IPB and Nano Center Indonesia. (jhn)
