A research team from the Faculty of Engineering at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Renita Manurung, M.T., has received second-year funding through the Doctoral Dissertation Research Program under the BIMA Grant for the 2025 fiscal year.

The team includes Prof. Dr. Ir. Hamidah Harahap, M.Sc., Dr. Ir. Iriany, M.Si., and Wan Rizki Ansari. The research, which is being continued in its second year, is entitled “Modification and Performance Evaluation of a Microwave-Assisted Co-Pyrolysis System for Plastic Waste and Coffee Grounds: Product Characteristics and Distribution.”

At this stage, the team is conducting performance tests on the microwave-based system by examining the composition of the waste mixture, heating power levels, and operating conditions. The tests are aimed at studying the distribution of pyrolysis products, including pyrolysis oil, biochar, and gas, without drawing conclusions in advance regarding their quality or practical feasibility. The findings are expected to enrich existing references on the processing of mixed waste and provide a basis for potential technological development in subsequent stages.

The research is most closely aligned with SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy through the development of knowledge on alternative energy sources. The technology testing also supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, while the utilization of waste as a feedstock is related to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Through this research, the Faculty of Engineering at USU reaffirms its commitment to developing engineering research relevant to contemporary challenges in energy and resource management. Further technological development will continue to require verified test results to ensure that the potential benefits of the technology can be assessed accurately.