A group of three ITB students has drawn attention by turning coal waste into a material for lithium-ion batteries. Their work reframes Fly Ash and Bottom Ash, or FABA, as a resource with industrial value rather than a burden that must simply be disposed of.
The team, called SULE, won first place in the national I-CHALLENGE 2026 competition in the Industry Case Analysis Competition category, or I-CAC. The project brings together environmental management and battery innovation in a way that targets both cleaner energy and lower production costs.
From waste to battery material
SULE consists of Malika Fatima Lawe, Rufaida Khairina, and I Dewa Ayu Andina Angelia. They viewed FABA from coal-fired power plants as a potential source of valuable materials, especially because it contains silica and alumina.
That perspective matters because FABA can become an environmental problem if it is not handled properly. Instead of treating it only as residue, the team explored how it could support battery manufacturing.
To process the waste, they used direct alkaline leaching and ammonium sulfate roasting. The result was an anode material made from silicon-carbon and an alpha-alumina ceramic layer.
Promising performance for lithium-ion batteries
The processed material showed strong results for lithium-ion battery applications. The FABA-based anode reached a capacity of up to 1450.3 mAh/g.
The alpha-alumina separator also showed thermal stability up to 200 degrees Celsius. That level of resistance gives it an advantage over ordinary plastic separators when exposed to heat.
Together, the two materials give SULE’s innovation the profile of a possible alternative battery supply chain. The approach also opens the door to lower production costs because it relies on industrial waste.
Why the idea matters beyond the lab
The project connects directly to clean energy needs in Indonesia. High-quality batteries are needed for electric vehicles, solar energy storage, and electricity supply in remote areas.
SULE also sees the concept as one way to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on imported battery materials. Much of the raw material for batteries still comes from abroad, which tends to make production more expensive.
At the same time, the approach could help address the millions of tons of FABA generated by the energy industry each year. That would not only reduce pollution, but also support efforts to lower carbon emissions.
A circular economy approach with industrial potential
One of the strongest aspects of the project is its circular economy logic. Waste that is usually seen as a problem is turned into a high-value product for future energy industries.
The idea also aligns with Indonesia’s push toward new and renewable energy. It has been described as having potential to improve access to clean electricity in 3T regions, which still face limited energy infrastructure.
For ITB, the achievement adds to a growing list of student innovations rooted in local research. For industry, it signals a possible path toward national battery development based on more efficient resource use.
Next steps toward commercialization
Winning I-CHALLENGE 2026 is only the beginning for SULE. The team hopes the project will move beyond competition and into further development.
Their roadmap targets continued research in 2026 and commercialization in 2027. If that plan succeeds, the technology could become one of the strategic options for strengthening Indonesia’s battery industry while reducing import dependence.
The project shows how campus-based research can address environmental and energy challenges at the same time. From coal waste, the team has outlined a route toward batteries that are cheaper, more stable, and more environmentally responsible.
Source: pemmzchannel.com
