UMS Architecture Students Win Silver Medal in China

RRI.CO.ID, Surakarta – Two Architecture students from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), Ariz Fantrio Larosa and Muh Radjabani Umara Qalbian, won a Silver Medal at the 12th International Exhibition of Inventions in Guangzhou, China, on August 21–23, 2026. Supervised by lecturer Suharyani, S.T., M.T., they presented an innovation titled “Kercal: An Innovation in Sustainable Wall Panels Composed of Chicken Feather Biomass and Eggshell Waste.”

Kercal repurposes chicken feather biomass and eggshell waste into prefabricated wall panels that are functional, aesthetic, and eco-friendly. Alongside the Silver Medal, Ariz and Radjabani received a special award from Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang, a senior executive at RIVA Vietnam, recognizing their creativity and circular economy concept.

Lecturer Suharyani explained that Kercal is engineered as an acoustic panel utilizing chicken feather fibers and internal air cavities to absorb sound, paired with a wavy surface design to enhance sound diffusion. The innovation addresses organic waste management while offering a sustainable alternative for construction materials.

During development, Kercal’s acoustic performance was tested at the ERIC Acoustics Lab, Faculty of Engineering UGM, on July 17, 2026, adhering to ISO 10534-2 and ASTM E1050-10 standards. Results showed a sound absorption coefficient of 0.408 at 1000 Hz, with higher absorption efficiency across the 1600–6300 Hz frequency range.

Before competing in China, the team prepared competition materials including posters, presentations, video showcases, and registered Intellectual Property (IP) rights. They also passed internal university screening through the INNOPA event at UMS to secure full institution support for the international stage.

Suharyani hopes Kercal’s success fosters a culture of sustainable material innovation within academia, particularly through the Architectural Material Technology course. She encourages students to move beyond being technology users and become active innovators turning waste into high-value architectural products.

Ariz Fantrio Larosa noted that international judges appreciated Kercal for offering practical solutions to global environmental issues through local waste management. He highlighted that Kercal was engineered with thermal and acoustic insulation potential to reduce the environmental footprint of green building construction.

Meanwhile, Muh Radjabani Umara Qalbian expressed hope that Kercal will progress beyond competitions. He aspires for the project to undergo further research and reach commercialization, delivering tangible benefits to both the green construction industry and the environment.