UNU Jogja Students Win Second Runner-Up at National Innovation Competition 2026 with Sustainable Clean Water Technology

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – The EcoMist.Tech team from Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) secured Second Runner-Up at the 2026 National Innovation Competition organized by the Center for Studies and Innovation of Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik.

The award was earned through an environmental innovation project titled “EcoMist.Tech: A Corona Plasma-Based Fog Water Extraction System Integrated with Solar Panels and Smart IoT Monitoring as an Eco-Friendly Hygienic Water Solution.”

The team was led by Sendi Adit Saputra from the Electrical Engineering Study Program, with members Ahmad 'Abdul Latif and Leni Kilalar from Informatics, Sigit Purnomo from Electrical Engineering, and Sherynia Amanda Putri from Accounting.

In the competition, the team proposed a sustainable clean water solution that utilizes atmospheric humidity through a Fog Water Extraction system enhanced by corona plasma technology, integrated with solar panels and an Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring system for real-time performance tracking.

The idea was developed in response to the limited access to clean water in several regions of Indonesia, particularly karst areas, drought-prone regions, and Indonesia’s remote, frontier, and underdeveloped areas (commonly known as 3T regions). By combining renewable energy and digital technology, EcoMist.Tech is designed to produce hygienic water while remaining energy-independent and environmentally friendly.

Team leader Sendi Adit Saputra explained that the innovation emerged from the need for a practical and sustainable clean water technology that could be implemented in areas facing water scarcity.

According to him, Indonesia's high level of atmospheric humidity presents significant potential as an alternative water source when supported by appropriate and sustainable technological solutions.

Beyond providing access to clean water, EcoMist.Tech is also designed to improve water quality, support public health, and promote sustainable water access for communities experiencing limited water resources.

Irwan Novianto, a lecturer in the Electrical Engineering Study Program at UNU Jogja, stated that the innovation reflects the students’ creativity and problem-solving abilities in addressing clean water challenges through sustainable technology.

“Competitions like this encourage students not only to develop innovative ideas but also to create solutions that are relevant to societal needs. I hope EcoMist.Tech can continue to be developed and eventually be implemented in areas that still face limited access to clean water,” he said.

Irwan further emphasized that the project demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing sustainable development challenges facing Indonesia.

With its potential application in karst regions, 3T areas, drought-prone locations, and disaster-affected communities, the innovation contributes to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). [Latifah]