Open Science and Technology

Community Based Tourism and Renewable Energy Potential Study of the Sano Nggoang Lake, Flores, Indonesia

2025-06-19T19:05:34+07:00

Aims: This research employed qualitative methods focused on in-depth research at the Sano Nggoang site. The problem solved by this research is to examine the potential of community-based tourism and renewable energy so that it can bring benefit in economic, social, and environmental benefits for the community.
Methods: The methods employed included observation, interviews, and literature review. The goal was to gather information about the potential for community-based tourism, particularly geo-tourism, and renewable energy. This research can then be used to develop the local economy in Sano Nggoang.
Result: The results of this study revealed the tourism and renewable energy potential in Sano Nggoang. Attractions include birdwatching, horse riding, village tours, and forest tours. Available amenities include hot springs and homestays. Renewable energy potential includes geothermal energy and renewable energy. All of this potential can be developed through community-based tourism, thereby providing economic benefits to the residents of Sano Nggoang.
Conclusion: The conclusion is that there is considerable potential in renewable energy and geotourism. However, it must be developed collaboratively with the community using a community-based tourism concept. This can then be further developed and implemented within the community to provide sustainable benefits.

Accuracy of Learning Method Implementation in Higher Education Using K-Means Clustering and Silhouette Coefficient

2025-11-17T20:53:39+07:00

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic significantly transformed the learning process in higher education, forcing institutions to quickly adapt to unprecedented challenges. Traditional face-to-face learning was no longer feasible due to health restrictions, and this condition accelerated the integration of technology into teaching and learning activities. As a result, online, offline, and hybrid learning methods emerged as the primary alternatives for sustaining academic activities. However, the rapid shift also highlighted a critical issue: the effectiveness of these learning methods varied widely depending on institutional readiness, available resources, and student adaptability. Determining the most effective method has therefore become essential to ensure quality outcomes, maintain student performance, and support the continuity of higher education in the post-pandemic era.

Aims: This study aims to identify the appropriate post-pandemic learning strategy in higher education by applying the CRISP-DM methodology and the k-means clustering algorithm.

Methods: The dataset consists of 65,778 student records collected from 2015–2020, preprocessed through data reduction, cleaning, and transformation. K-means clustering was applied using Orange, an open-source data mining tool, and evaluated with the Silhouette Coefficient.

Result: The results show that offline learning produced the highest total frequency, hybrid learning was in the medium range, and online learning the lowest. Silhouette Coefficient scores indicated cluster quality in the medium structure category, with values of 0.47, 0.56, and 0.65 across three clusters. These findings suggest that offline learning remains the most effective method under normal conditions, hybrid learning is more suitable during pandemic or transitional periods, while online learning can serve as an alternative depending on institutional or governmental policies. The study concludes that clustering-based analysis provides practical insights for designing adaptive, data-driven learning strategies in higher education.

Innovative Street Sweeper Design: An Economical Prototype with Motorcycle-Powered Drive

2025-10-16T09:45:11+07:00

Penyapu jalan dan trotoar merupakan alat penting dalam menjaga kebersihan lingkungan perkotaan, namun alat yang ada seringkali tidak efisien, terutama di jalan sempit dan trotoar. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merancang dan membuat prototipe alat penyapu jalan yang efisien, hemat biaya, dan dapat digunakan di area terbatas dengan menggunakan sepeda motor sebagai penggerak utama. Metode yang digunakan meliputi perancangan menggunakan perangkat lunak CAD, pembuatan prototipe dengan material baja karbon dan komponen mekanis standar, serta pengujian prototipe di jalan dan trotoar. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan bahwa alat ini mampu meningkatkan efisiensi waktu penyapuan hingga 50% dibandingkan dengan metode manual, serta mengurangi biaya operasional hingga 70% dibandingkan dengan kendaraan penyapu jalan konvensional. Meskipun demikian, kapasitas pengumpul sampah masih terbatas dan perlu pengembangan lebih lanjut. Penelitian ini memberikan solusi yang lebih ekonomis dan ramah lingkungan dalam menjaga kebersihan kota, dengan potensi pengembangan lebih lanjut pada kapasitas pengumpul dan penggunaan motor listrik.

Design and Development of Solbag: An Innovative and Sustainable Learning Bag by Integration of Renewable Energy Technology

2025-12-19T12:30:45+07:00

Background: Indonesia, as an equatorial country, has a large solar energy potential. The great intensity of solar radiation throughout the year makes solar panel technology an alternative source of electricity, particularly in rural locations that are not yet connected to the conventional grid.
Aims: The aim of this research is to develop a prototype study bag that can utilize solar energy to charge portable electronic devices such as study lamps, using a simple electronic circuit but with stable power output. This integration of renewable energy technology can support educational activities based on environmental sustainability principles, particularly in remote areas.
Methods: The research method includes the design, manufacturing and testing stages of the prototype, including empirical validity testing and theoretical validity testing by a team of experts.
Result: The test results meet the theoretical validity interpretation criteria with a percentage of 93.67%, which is included in the very valid category, with a percentage of agreement value of 91.57%, which indicates the conformity of the assessment among the validators. In the empirical validity assessment, the Solbag system is able to provide an average stable voltage of 3.865 V. In addition, user analysis shows that Solbag is considered practical, functional, and contributes to increasing student awareness of the use of renewable energy.
Conclusion: The solbag bag system fits within the optimal range based on prototypes and comparable goods related to portable solar study lamps, and possesses the ability to serve as an eco-friendly lighting solution for students in rural areas with limited energy access.

Fabrication of Agricultural Waste-Based Biobriquettes Using Tapioca Starch Adhesive

2025-12-19T10:20:00+07:00

Background: Energy demand continues to increase along with population growth and human activities, while the availability of fossil energy in Indonesia is becoming increasingly limited. On the other hand, agricultural biomass wastes such as cassava stems, bamboo stems, coconut shells, and corn cobs are abundantly available but have not yet been optimally utilized as alternative energy sources.
Aims: The aim of this research is to to evaluate the effect of combining biomass wastes of cassava stems, bamboo stems, coconut shells, and corn cobs using tapioca starch as a binder on the physical characteristics and energy value of biobriquettes, as well as to assess their conformity with briquette quality standards as an alternative fuel.
Methods: This study produced biobriquettes from cassava stems, bamboo stems, coconut shells, and corn cobs using tapioca starch as a binder with two concentrations (7% and 10%). The biobriquettes were evaluated for physical and energy characteristics, including density, moisture content, compressive strength, shatter resistance index, calorific value, and burning rate, following SNI 01-6235-2000.
Result: Evaluation of biobriquette quality based on SNI 01-6235-2000 shows that all treatments meet the requirements for density, moisture content, and Shatter Resistance Index, indicating good physical quality and mechanical durability. For calorific value, only treatments P2T1, P2T2, P3T1, and P3T2 meet the minimum SNI standard (? 5,000 cal/g), while P1T1 and P1T2 do not. Overall, the biobriquettes produced have the potential to comply with SNI 01-6235-2000 as an alternative fuel, although optimization of biomass composition is still needed to improve calorific value.
Conclusion: The combination of cassava stems, bamboo stems, coconut shells, and corn cobs using tapioca starch as a binder was able to produce biobriquettes suitable as an alternative fuel. Treatments P2 and P3, particularly with a 7% binder concentration, met the calorific value requirement of SNI 01-6235-2000, indicating that a lower tapioca binder concentration is more effective and has strong potential for development as a renewable energy source based on biomass waste.

Scenario-Based Assessment of Indonesia’s Blue Carbon Systems under Restoration and Engineering-Integrated Pathways

2025-12-21T18:44:17+07:00

Aims: This study assesses the future potential of Indonesia’s blue carbon ecosystems from an environmental and climate engineering perspective, focusing on mangroves, seagrass beds, and saltmarshes.
Methods: Using a desk-based mixed-methods approach, it synthesizes secondary data from global and national sources to compare three development trajectories: Business as Usual, restoration-driven, and engineering-integrated pathways. Rather than relying on spatial modeling or site-specific measurements, the analysis applies an engineering-oriented synthesis that links published ecosystem extent and carbon metrics with documented coastal engineering and restoration cases to infer comparative future carbon performance and resilience.
Result: The findings indicate that blue carbon systems can deliver substantially greater and more durable climate benefits when ecological conservation is combined with engineered–nature interventions such as hybrid infrastructure, sediment enhancement, and green coastal buffers. These approaches not only enhance long-term carbon sequestration but also strengthen shoreline protection, biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods. The study identifies persistent gaps in policy integration, financing, and coastal design standards that limit implementation and proposes strategic recommendations for embedding engineering-enhanced blue carbon solutions into Indonesia’s climate policies, including Nationally Determined Contributions, and coastal development planning.
Conclusion: Overall, the paper demonstrates the feasibility and relevance of integrating environmental engineering into blue carbon strategies to support climate-resilient coastal development in Indonesia.

Mangrove Fruits for Biofuel Production in Indonesia within the Framework of Climate Change Mitigation: A Literature Review of Technical and Policy Aspects

2025-12-21T18:43:44+07:00

Aims: This study assesses the potential of mangrove fruits as a sustainable feedstock for biodiesel production to support climate change mitigation and adaptation in coastal regions.
Methods: A peer-reviewed literature published between 2008 and 2025 was conducted to evaluate oil yield, fatty acid composition, and conversion challenges associated with mangrove-based biodiesel.
Result: Quantitative findings show that several mangrove species exhibit exceptionally high oil content, notably Cerbera manghas Linn., with oil yields reaching 67.1%, significantly exceeding many conventional biodiesel feedstocks. Other promising species include Suaeda salsa (Linn.) Pall. (40%) and Wikstroemia indica (Linn.) (up to 39%). The extracted oils contain dominant fatty acids, palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids, indicating strong compatibility with biodiesel standards. However, elevated free fatty acid (FFA) levels present technical constraints by reducing catalyst efficiency during transesterification, highlighting the need for pre-treatment or alternative catalytic approaches. From a policy perspective, mangrove-based biofuel development aligns with Indonesia’s National Energy Policy under Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2006, which targets 5% biofuel use by 2025.
Conclusion: Overall, mangrove fruits offer high technical potential, provided that processing, infrastructure, and policy support are strengthened.