UNAIR NEWS – As countries worldwide intensify efforts to tackle the clean energy crisis, a researcher from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) is developing a breakthrough technology aimed at improving the efficiency of solar energy harvesting. Through nanoscale material engineering, Tahta Amrillah SSi MSc PhD, a lecturer at UNAIR’s Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidiscipline (FTMM), has introduced an innovation that could reshape the future of solar panel technology. His sustained contributions to research have also secured him a nomination for the prestigious 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings 2026 in Germany.
Nanomaterial innovation drives future energy efficiency
His research centers on the development of nanomaterials specifically designed to significantly enhance the conversion of sunlight into electrical energy. By applying advanced physical engineering at the nanoscale, the innovation addresses one of the major limitations of conventional solar panels, which have long struggled with relatively low energy absorption efficiency. The solar cells under development also feature a high degree of transparency, enabling their integration into building windows through Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) technology.
“The discovery of new materials is essential to making renewable energy technologies more practical and beneficial for society,” he said. He emphasized that improving efficiency through material engineering is a critical step toward reducing long-term global dependence on fossil fuels.
Leveraging local resources for energy independence
As a researcher working in a tropical nation, he aims to transform how Indonesia manages its natural resources. He pointed to the country’s abundant reserves of materials such as copper, zinc, and sulfur, which are still widely exported as raw commodities. According to him, these resources hold substantial strategic value if processed domestically to support Indonesia’s solar cell industry, especially given the country’s year-round solar exposure, which surpasses that of many nations in Europe, the Americas, and other parts of Asia.
“Indonesia has all the necessary components, from raw materials to energy resources. I hope this international nomination can help foster global discussions that encourage the downstream development of domestic materials so they can generate greater added value,” he said. He also urged young researchers to view research not as a bureaucratic obligation, but as a fundamental driver of national progress and global competitiveness.
Through the nomination, he hopes to strengthen strategic international collaborations that can accelerate the implementation of renewable energy technologies in Indonesia while further solidifying UNAIR’s reputation as a globally recognized research institution.
Author: Marissa Farikha Siti Fatimatuzzahra
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
