BALIKPAPAN – The Head of the East Kalimantan Regional Research Agency (BRIDA) encouraged stronger sustainable research and innovation through multi-stakeholder collaboration during the BINTANG Dissemination Program (Biomass for Sustainable Battery Innovation for Future Generations) organized by Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK). This commitment to collaboration was marked by 13 cooperation agreements involving ITK and various strategic partners to support the development and dissemination of biomass-based battery research.

Carrying the theme “Biomass for Sustainable Battery Innovation for Future Generations,” the BINTANG Dissemination Program served as a platform bringing together universities, regional governments, research institutions, industry, schools, MSMEs, and the wider community. The program not only introduced research outcomes but also encouraged their continued development through collaborative networks and the utilization of local resource potential.

The 2026 BINTANG Dissemination Program was supported by funding from the Semesta In-Saintek Program of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek). The series of activities was held from September 1–8, 2026, through three main programs: the BINTANG School Roadshow, BINTANG Discovery Day, and BINTANG Innovation Expo. Altogether, the program involved approximately 1,600 participants.

The first program, BINTANG School Roadshow, reached around 600 participants from three elementary schools and three junior high schools in Balikpapan. The activities were designed as interactive science education sessions focusing on renewable energy and the utilization of empty fruit bunches from oil palm, known as TKKS, as battery materials.

Participants also took part in the BILO storytelling session, educational games, demonstrations, simple battery assembly practices, and testing activities. Through this approach, students were introduced to sustainable energy concepts and technological innovation through learning experiences that were closely connected to everyday life.

Meanwhile, BINTANG Discovery Day targeted 1,000 participants, including senior high school and vocational school students, university students, members of the academic community, the general public, regional government representatives, research institutions, and industry. The event provided education on green energy and the use of TKKS as a battery material, while also offering hands-on experience through workshops on assembling pouch cell and coin cell battery prototypes.

The event opened with an introduction to the BINTANG Dissemination Program and the ITK Electrochemistry Research Center by Dr. Eng. Yunita Triana, M.Si. Participants were introduced to the research journey, from utilizing TKKS waste as a battery component to the process of developing laboratory research into technological prototypes.

During the workshop session, participants had the opportunity to learn about assembling pouch cell and coin cell battery prototypes made from TKKS-based materials alongside the ITK Electrochemistry Research Center team. The session was guided by Winardi Dian Wahyu Pratama, S.T. and M. Bintang Adiputra, S.T., allowing participants to directly observe how research findings are developed into technological prototypes.

Strengthening collaboration was one of the key elements of BINTANG Discovery Day. Cooperation Agreements were signed between ITK and Yayasan Mitra Hijau, BRIDA East Kalimantan, Bapedalitbang Balikpapan, Bapedalitbang Paser, as well as several partner schools in Balikpapan. This network represents an effort to expand the utilization of research outcomes while building a research and innovation ecosystem involving multiple stakeholders.

In addition to the workshop, participants gained further insights through a number of knowledge-sharing sessions. Dr. M. Ir. H. Fitriansyah, S.T., M.M. delivered a presentation on research and innovation as solutions for optimizing regional potential. Dicky Edwin Hindarto discussed the potential of biomass waste as a renewable energy source in East Kalimantan, while Sujono Cipto Trisno, M.Pd. discussed the development of biomass battery innovation from the laboratory to the wider community.

The next program, BINTANG Innovation Expo, served as a platform to introduce research outcomes, technological innovations, and renewable energy products to the public. The exhibition showcased approximately 30 innovations in the energy sector, including biomass-based battery technology developed by the ITK Electrochemistry Research Center.

The expo also featured downstream research products and products from partner MSMEs, product and technology prototype demonstrations, talk shows, science challenges, quizzes, and door prizes. These activities demonstrated how research outcomes can be developed into technologies and products with the potential to deliver tangible benefits to society.

The involvement of BRIDA East Kalimantan and various partners through these cooperation agreements demonstrates that sustainable research development requires cross-sector support. Collaboration among universities, government, research institutions, industry, schools, MSMEs, and the community is essential to ensure that research does not stop at the laboratory stage but continues to be developed and creates broader benefits.

Through the BINTANG Dissemination Program, ITK promotes the utilization of local biomass resources, particularly TKKS, as part of the development of environmentally friendly battery technology. This effort also supports the downstreaming of research and the development of innovations that are relevant to regional potential and local needs.

ITK extends its appreciation to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology for its funding support through the 2026 Semesta In-Saintek Program. This support has played an important role in strengthening the implementation of the BINTANG Dissemination Program, expanding research collaboration, and advancing sustainable biomass-based battery innovation that can deliver meaningful benefits to society.