No Need to Import Anymore, IPB University Develops AQIMOS to Monitor Air Quality in Real Time
A group of researchers from IPB University consisting of Prof Arief Sabdo Yuwono (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering), Prof Husin Alatas, and Dr Rady Purbakawaca (Department of Physics) has successfully designed and developed AQIMOS or Air Quality Monitoring System.
Team leader Prof Arief Sabdo explained that AQIMOS is the first domestically produced device for measuring and displaying the Air Quality Index (AQI). Currently, Indonesia still faces challenges in air quality measurement and monitoring, as most AQI equipment is still imported.
“This innovation is a significant breakthrough in air quality monitoring, which has largely relied on imported equipment,” he said during the official launch of AQIMOS at the Launching of Outstanding Research Results at IPB Dramaga Campus (7/22).
According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Regulation (PerMen LHK) No. 14 of 2020, ISPU is a dimensionless number that describes the ambient air quality at a specific location over a certain period of time based on its impact on human health, aesthetic value, and other living organisms.
Prof Arief Sabdo explained that AQIMOS functions to take ambient air samples, measure the concentration of all air quality parameters in accordance with current legal provisions, analyze the measurement results, and present the data in real time.
“The measurement results can be accessed through a panel on the AQIMOS device or other devices such as laptops, mobile phones, and other modern monitor screens,” explained Prof Arief Sabdo.
According to him, the implementation of AQIMOS is expected to have a tremendous impact on the air quality measurement and monitoring system in Indonesia. Some of the significant changes offered by AQIMOS include:
- Acceleration of ISPU result presentation from 24 hours to only 1,6 minutes.
- The use of domestically produced equipment at a much lower cost compared to imported equipment, which previously cost billions of rupiah.
- More dynamic and adaptive monitoring, no longer limited to specific points. AQIMOS can be accessed through various modern communication devices in a practical and attractive manner.
- Significant increase in the number of samples and data accuracy. With this system, environmental management authorities can take faster and more targeted emergency measures when air quality deteriorates.
“The development of AQIMOS is an important milestone in the history of air quality measurement and monitoring in Indonesia, while also supporting technological independence in the environmental sector,” he concluded. (AS) (IAAS/LAN)
