BALIKPAPAN – Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) brought together approximately 1,600 participants through the BINTANG Dissemination Program (Biomass for Sustainable Battery Innovation for Future Generations), funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) through the 2026 Semesta In-Saintek Program. Carrying the theme “Biomass for Sustainable Battery Innovation for Future Generations,” the program, held from September 1–8, 2026, served as a platform for education, collaboration, and the dissemination of biomass-based battery research to the wider community.

The BINTANG Dissemination Program consisted of three main agendas: the BINTANG School Roadshow, BINTANG Discovery Day, and BINTANG Innovation Expo. These activities were designed to bring research outcomes closer to the public through science education, technology demonstrations, experimental workshops, innovation exhibitions, and the strengthening of collaborative networks.

Through the BINTANG School Roadshow, science education reached approximately 600 participants from three elementary schools and three junior high schools in Balikpapan. The program featured a session entitled “Future Batteries from Biomass Waste,” delivered through interactive approaches tailored to the participants’ educational levels.

At the elementary school level, the program included the BILO story session, which stands for Baterai Inovasi Limbah Organik or Organic Waste Battery Innovation, educational games, and interactive activities introducing renewable energy, environmental conservation, and the utilization of empty fruit bunches from oil palm, known as TKKS, as an environmentally friendly battery material. The activities were also complemented by practical demonstrations of simple battery assembly and testing.

Meanwhile, junior high school students were introduced to renewable energy, the research process, and biomass-based battery innovation. Participants also took part in simple battery assembly activities as a form of experiential learning to strengthen their understanding of the concepts presented.

The next major event in the series was BINTANG Discovery Day, held at ITK’s Integrated Laboratory Building 1 on September 8, 2026. The event targeted 1,000 participants from various backgrounds, including senior high school and vocational school students, university students, members of the academic community, the general public, regional government representatives, research institutions, and industries with an interest in green energy development.

During the event, participants received insights into biomass-based green energy and were introduced to research conducted by the ITK Electrochemistry Research Center. Dr. Eng. Yunita Triana, M.Si., Head of the ITK Electrochemistry Research Center, presented the research journey, the utilization of empty fruit bunch waste as a battery component, and the process of developing research from the laboratory stage into working prototypes.

BINTANG Discovery Day also served as an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration between ITK and various stakeholders. The event included the signing of Cooperation Agreements between ITK and Yayasan Mitra Hijau, the East Kalimantan Regional Research Agency (BRIDA), the Balikpapan Regional Development Planning, Research, and Development Agency (Bapedalitbang), Bapedalitbang Paser, as well as several partner schools in Balikpapan.

In addition to presentations, BINTANG Discovery Day provided participants with hands-on experience through an Experimental Workshop on Environmentally Friendly Battery Production. Participants were introduced to the assembly process of pouch cell and coin cell battery prototypes using empty fruit bunch waste. The workshop was guided by researchers from the Environmentally Friendly Battery research team at the ITK Electrochemistry Research Center, including Winardi Dian Wahyu Pratama, S.T.

The Discovery Day also featured a number of sessions aimed at broadening participants’ understanding of research and renewable energy. Dr. M. Ir. H. Fitriansyah, S.T., M.M. delivered a presentation on research and innovation as solutions for maximizing regional potential. Dicky Edwin Hindarto discussed the potential of biomass waste as a renewable energy source in East Kalimantan. Meanwhile, Sujono Cipto Trisno, M.Pd. presented material on biomass battery innovation from the laboratory to the community.

The program continued with the BINTANG Innovation Expo, which showcased various research outputs, technological innovations, and renewable energy products. The exhibition featured approximately 30 energy-related innovations, including battery technology based on empty fruit bunch waste developed by the ITK Electrochemistry Research Center.

Visitors were also able to explore various research developments, downstream products, and innovations from ITK centers of excellence, universities, regional governments, research institutions, industries, and partner MSMEs. In addition to research exhibitions and downstream products, the Innovation Expo also featured product and technology prototype demonstrations, talk shows, science challenges, quizzes, and door prizes.

The presence of these innovations and activities demonstrated how research outcomes can be developed into technologies and products that deliver tangible benefits to society. Through the 2026 BINTANG Dissemination Program, ITK not only introduced biomass-based battery technology but also encouraged stronger connections among research, education, government, industry, MSMEs, and the community.

The use of empty fruit bunch waste as a battery material is one example of how local resources can be transformed into value-added innovations while supporting the development of sustainable energy. With East Kalimantan’s considerable biomass potential, the development of batteries based on local materials is expected to become one pathway toward more sustainable energy innovation while also creating opportunities for future research commercialization.

The 2026 BINTANG Dissemination Program was supported by funding from the 2026 Semesta In-Saintek Program of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. This support has played an important role in encouraging the development and dissemination of research conducted by the ITK Electrochemistry Research Center, particularly in biomass-based battery innovation using empty fruit bunch waste.

Through this initiative, ITK aims to ensure that research outcomes do not remain limited to laboratories and academic publications but can continue to be developed, introduced, and utilized by the wider community. ITK also extends its appreciation to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology for its support through the 2026 Semesta In-Saintek Program. This funding has been instrumental in advancing impactful research and strengthening biomass-based battery innovation to support a more sustainable energy future.