BANTUL – The Research and Technology Ministry has encouraged the emergence of young and talented researchers in rocket and windmill technology by organising national competition annually with the hope that in 5-10 year’s time Indonesia will have many excellent researchers. Thus was said by Assistant to Deputy Minister for Society Science and Technology, Drs. Momon Sadiyatmo, M.Si, in the closing of windmill design competition at the office of Bantul Regent on Monday evening (31/12).
Momon said the progress in technology cannot be made instantly. For example, the industrial revolution in Europe and the U.S. took approximately 100 years to complete. “In our case, we have even not become independent for one hundred years,” he said.
Even so, Momon said, intervention from government and educational institutions is required to boost more interest of the young talented people in technology. The ministry will support competition that can increase student’s creativity. “We have conducted five competitions in rocket loading nationally while the windmill competition is the first,” he said.
The rocket and windmill competition will routinely be organised annually at the Bantul beach of Pandansimo. The beach was the location of the first rocket testing by the rocket association of students of Universitas Gadjah Mada.
Sapuangin and Nagaphasa Teams Are Champions
The student teams from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), Sapu Angin and Nagaphasa, became first and second winner in the national windmill design competition lasting from 27-31 December 2012. They won over 27 teams from 13 universities, such as UGM, ITB and ITS. Third winner is Garda Tamansiswa team from Universitas Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa (UST) Yogyakarta. Consolation winners are Zefiros from Universitas Muhamadiyah Surakarta and Larins from ITS Surabaya.
Chairman of jury, Ir. Heru Santoso, M.Eng., Ph.D., said winnes are selected by accumulation of power that is produced by the windmill for 2x24 hours. Of 27 participants, only four teams were able to generate electricity power over 100 Watts per hour. “The highest power is 200 Watts/hour and 191 Watts/hour,” he said.
He appreciated student’s creativity in the windmill design with the variety of materials used for the windmills. “In average, participants used 2-6 blades for the mill,” he concluded.