Five students from the Faculty of Engineering (FT) of Universitas Indonesia (UI) have created a new innovation called The Green Giant Purifier, a large air filter that is expected to help overcome the problem of air pollution in Jakarta. The team, led by Nur Aziza Putri and consisting of Kethlin Zaneta, Fitra Mulya Saputra, Ongko Witjaktomo Abiyoga, and Mustofa Cahaya Wiguna, will present their innovation at the 37th National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS) on October 14–19, 2024.
The innovation emerged as a response to the increasingly worsening air quality problem in Jakarta. “On June 18, 2024, Jakarta became the city with the worst air quality in the world, reaching level 219 in the US Air Quality Index (AQI). This condition is very unhealthy and is made worse by the limited green areas in the city,” said Nur Aziza.
The Green Giant Purifier is an air filter with a diameter of 14 meters and an area of 153,938 m2. This tool combines the concept of a terrarium with renewable energy technology in the form of solar panels for its power source. This purifier is designed to utilize Sansevieria plants, which are known to have active compounds to reduce dangerous pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO).
This innovation is not only environmentally friendly but also has the potential to save public health costs. “The government can reduce losses due to ARI by more than 47 billion rupiah by adopting this tool,” said Nur Aziza. The tool is able to reduce pollutants by up to 65% and can be made with a budget of around 120 million rupiah per unit.
Academic Support and Sustainability
The process of developing this tool is not without challenges, especially in integrating technology with sustainable concepts that are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially points 11 and 13 related to sustainable cities and handling climate change. “With this system, we hope that the air quality in Jakarta can improve, so that people can live healthier,” said Dr. Nyoman Suwartha, the student team’s supervisor.
Nur Aziza and her team hope that their innovation can win a Gold Medal at PIMNAS 2024 and be implemented in the real world, collaborating with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to create a healthier Jakarta. Details of this innovation can be accessed through the following link: https://bit.ly/TheGreenGiantPurifier.
