Advancing Material Research: Indonesia Now Has Limited XPS Technology
Universitas Indonesia (UI) continues to strengthen its flagship research capacity. Through the Faculty of Engineering Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), UI now introduces the X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) instrument, an advanced technology for material analysis.
With the presence of this facility, FTUI becomes one of only three institutions in Indonesia that possess XPS technology, along with Universitas Diponegoro and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The instrument was obtained through a grant from the Centre of Excellence in Higher Education (PUAPT) with support from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. In the future, the XPS will be operated in the Analytical Laboratory, which is part of the Energy Transition Laboratory (ETL).
Dean of FTUI, Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, stated that the presence of XPS is a strategic step in strengthening the research ecosystem.
“This facility not only enhances the depth and quality of research in the fields of materials and energy but also opens up broader collaboration opportunities with industry and academic partners, both at national and global levels,” he said.
XPS is an instrument based on the photoelectric effect used to analyse elemental composition, chemical states, and electronic structure on material surfaces. Utilising X-ray radiation, the device measures the energy of emitted electrons to identify the unique characteristics of each element. Its high precision allows for deeper chemical state analysis compared to conventional characterisation methods.
The capability of XPS to analyse up to a depth of several nanometres makes it an essential instrument in testing various types of materials, such as metals, semiconductors, polymers, nanomaterials, and catalysts. This is highly relevant for supporting research and development in new renewable energy, future electronic devices, and other advanced material innovations.
Furthermore, the presence of XPS also provides tangible benefits to society. In-depth material analysis enables improvements in the quality of electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems, the development of more efficient and durable electronic devices, and innovations in environmentally friendly materials for waste processing and pollution control. In the industrial sector, this facility can be utilised to ensure product quality and reliability, thereby enhancing national competitiveness.
Head of the ETL Laboratory, Hasbi Priadi, added that the existence of XPS will serve as a catalyst for FTUI’s flagship research as well as a technology-based solution for industrial needs, particularly in precise and comprehensive surface chemical analysis.
The presence of XPS becomes an important milestone for UI in building an excellent and innovative research ecosystem. This instrument is expected to accelerate UI’s position as Indonesia’s leading engineering campus, while strengthening the role of higher education institutions in supporting energy transformation, material innovation, and enhancing the nation’s competitiveness on a global scale.