Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) actively supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9), through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. In today’s digital era, AI plays a critical role in driving industrial transformation and enhancing infrastructure development. UGM is instrumental in ensuring that the AI technologies they develop not only focus on technological innovation but also align with the sustainability and inclusivity principles of the SDGs.

The integration of AI with UGM’s SDG initiatives is evident in various research projects and collaborations with industry aimed at creating technological solutions that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of industrial processes. AI applications in these fields include industrial automation, smart infrastructure development, and innovations in healthcare and transportation. By adopting an ethical and responsible approach, UGM ensures that AI deployment can generate long-term sustainable benefits while supporting inclusive economic development.

Adhering to principles of integrity, UGM ensures that AI technology development takes into account ethics, transparency, and sustainability. This is crucial for creating a technological ecosystem that not only innovates but also positively impacts the broader society. This commitment aligns with UGM’s vision to be a university that supports global development through responsible innovation, focusing on a better future for all.

Wijayanti Dwi Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D, and Imroatul Hudati, S.T., M.T., faculty members from the Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology Program, along with their students, have successfully designed and developed an environmentally friendly heating system for the Fluidyne engine utilizing Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) technology. The key advantage of this Fluidyne engine lies in its use of sunlight as a heat source, rather than fossil fuels, which are typically employed in similar engines.

The PTC system is equipped with a solar tracking feature, allowing the PVC-coated reflector to precisely capture and direct sunlight onto the Heat Exchanger pipe of the Fluidyne engine throughout the day. Additionally, a monitoring system measures light intensity, temperature, and the reflector’s tilt angle to ensure optimal heating. Test results indicate that the PTC effectively focuses sunlight onto a single point, resulting in a significant temperature increase in the Heat Exchanger pipe.

Although research into the full-scale implementation of Parabolic Trough Collector technology on the Fluidyne engine is still underway, initial findings reveal significant potential for this technology as an eco-friendly energy solution. The PTC system is projected to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and facilitate more effective utilization of renewable energy sources.