Mataram, University of Mataram – The Sade Lombok Team which is the PKM-Application of Science and Technology Team of University of Mataram (Unram) succeeded in receiving the Student Creativity Program (PKM) funding grant in 2023. They currently have initiative to create an Automatic Seaweed Dryer Using Hybrid Electrical Heating Seaweed (HEHS) as an innovative solution designed to help seaweed farmer partners optimize the drying process efficiently and automatically. This technology combines an electric heating system and a hybrid heater to ensure the best results for seaweed drying.

In its implementation from June – September, the Student Creativity Program (PKM), the Sade Lombok Team consists of 5 people from different multidisciplines consisting of M. Ahleyani as the head of the team from Electrical Engineering Study Program, Muhammad Riyadhus Sholihin from the Electrical Engineering Study Program, Afrianti from the Chemistry Education Study Program, Dini Febrianti Lestari from the Marine Science Study Program and Qurratul Akyuni from the Management Study Program striving to create an automatic Seaweed Dryer to optimize seaweed commodities in West Lombok.

The appropriate technology designed by the Sade Lombok Team not only increases the yield of dried seaweed production, but also empowers farmer partners with knowledge and skills in operating tools and optimizing the utilization of seaweed commodities to generate higher profits through innovative products from seaweed. The automation system in this dryer is also equipped with sensors and controls for temperature, humidity, and air state, which can help maintain the quality of the seaweed produced.

PKM emerged as an important initiative run by the government in order to provide support and opportunities for students to develop students’ creativity, innovation, and research skills outside the classroom. In an effort to accommodate the development of students’ creative and innovative ideas, PKM continues to be developed and refined so that students are able to anticipate, understand and even contribute to realizing the goals of world life launched by the United Nations in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (Sustainable Development Goals) 2015-2030. PKM is also designed to adopt digital technology to almost all aspects of life.