SEMARANG – The invention of Diponegoro University (UNDIP) students named “Innovation of Water Tap as Water Purification with Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic Waste Membranes Modified from Bagasse Ash Silica” deserves to be processed as a product. The creation of Undip Team on National Student Science Week 2020 is not only useful for filtering water, but also anti-clogged and anti-rust so that the value of its usefulness should be taken into account.
The interesting part is that the main raw materials for making these taps are from waste, namely plastic waste and bagasse ash. These two materials are available in more than sufficient quantities if this technology is used as a functional product. Thus the continuity of supply of raw materials is safe.
Undip students team consists of Yelta Okta Dina, Billy Saputra, Revaldo Andika P, Bernadeta Eka N and Barokah Sitta D under the guidance of Prof. Dr.rer.nat Heru Susanto, S.T., M.M., M.T.; developed a water filter using Polyethylene Terephthalate and bagasse as mixed matrix. Polyethylene terephthalate and bagasse are chosen as mixed matrix because these materials have good selectivity and resistance.
In its implementation, this research also received funding support from Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture through Student Creativity Program of 5 Fields 2020. It should be understood that the component used in making this filter tool is a Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) membrane magnet, iron wire, activated carbon, silver ion and maifan stone.
In their presentation, Undip Team on National Student Science Week 2020 stated that this tool has the advantages of a compact design, easy to use, durable and long lasting. Another advantage of this tool is that it can overcome clogged taps because it is designed with an innovative water tap that utilizes a modified PET membrane with bagasse ash silica that uses six filter stages. This tool can purify and improve the quality of water so that it is safe to be consumed.
The target group that is considered relevant as users of this creation apart from residents’ houses, is also suitable for food stalls, offices, public places and pharmacies. People who are aware of health and clean water are the right segment. Yelta Okta Dina reported from https://indohcf-award.com/innovation explained, PET plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate) has excellent tensile strength and impact strength, as well as chemical resistance, clarity, processability, colorability and thermal stability. Thus it is chosen to be used as a raw material in filtering the water tap.
As a comparison, nowadays there are tap water filters with various materials such as stainless steel on the body using palm fiber, fine sand, coconut fibers and others. In fact, the use of stainless steel bodies can still cause rust. Meanwhile, the use of fibers, fine sand, and coconut fibers does not last long and is not effective as a filter. The water that is produced over time is actually dangerous for health.
This differs from PET membranes which use a mixed matrix membrane. Bagasse ash silica membrane can be used for a long time because it has several advantages, namely being stable against mechanical influences, heat, organic solvents and extreme pH conditions.
In Indonesia, with a population of 265 million people, 29.96 percent of it or 79.4 million of them do not have access to clean water. This is a problem when clean water is very important, especially in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. That way, it is hoped that there will be an acceleration for the development of this creation into products. (PR team)
Translated by: Titis (Public Relations)
