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The Rector of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) and other senior leaders have visited the research and educational facility at the China-Indonesia Joint Research Laboratory for New Energy Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Technology at ITB’s Jatinangor campus. This laboratory marks an important milestone in international collaboration, focusing on developing new energy technologies and materials. The partnership between Indonesia and China in this project demonstrates both countries’ commitment to pursuing sustainable technological solutions, focusing on environmentally friendly new energy and efficient resource management.
The lab has the potential to support technology-oriented research relevant to global needs. One initiative is integrating digital technology across various aspects of research and education within the facility. Digital technology now plays a crucial role in research, enabling scientists and researchers to optimise data, automate processes, and accelerate innovation in new energy and material development.
The laboratory features two research centres: the Hydrometallurgy Engineering Technology Research Centre and the New Energy Materials Engineering Technology Research Centre. These centres facilitate interdisciplinary research, focusing on sustainable energy development and material processing, supported by digital technology that enables efficient research.
Technologies like big data, digital simulations, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are vital in research, particularly data collection and analysis across various experiments. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning further expedite the process of identifying optimal solutions for new materials and energy technologies.
An example of this digital initiative is using advanced research equipment integrated with digital systems. The lab has installed more than 300 world-class research and testing tools from countries like Japan, the United States, and Germany. These tools have digital technology to monitor, analyse, and process data in real-time. Some equipment features AI-based software capable of predicting experimental outcomes and providing quick improvement recommendations. This speeds up research and enhances the accuracy and quality of the studies conducted.
The lab’s digital initiatives include developing virtual simulation models for testing new materials. Digital simulations can be performed more quickly and safely, reducing the need for costly physical trials.
In metallurgy, digital simulations allow researchers to model material properties and predict how they react in different environmental conditions. This is a highly efficient solution for new energy and material research, saving resources, speeding up innovation, and delivering more precise results.
Beyond research, digital technology also supports human resource development in new energy and metallurgy fields. The laboratory has two multifunctional classrooms and three meeting rooms, with a capacity of over 200 people. These facilities are integrated with digital platforms, allowing hybrid teaching, seminars, and in—person and online conferences.
This initiative facilitates more inclusive education and ensures that learners worldwide can participate and share knowledge in real-time. Digital technology thus strengthens global connectivity in research and teaching, enabling broader and more effective international collaboration.
Digital technology also facilitates collaboration among academics, practitioners, and students to address the challenges of new energy technologies and materials. Through digital collaboration platforms, researchers worldwide can share data, engage in discussions, and work on joint projects virtually. This enhances collaboration efficiency and speeds up decision-making processes, allowing innovations to be realised more quickly.
Moreover, the use of digital technology in laboratory management ensures more environmentally sustainable operations. Integrated digital systems enable more efficient resource management, including energy and material usage. Digital energy and research material consumption monitoring ensures that the lab operates according to ITB’s sustainability principles.
With these various digital initiatives, the China-Indonesia Joint Research Laboratory for New Energy Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Technology stands out as a centre that not only focuses on new energy and material research but also promotes the use of digital technology to accelerate innovation, enhance collaboration, and optimise resource management.
