Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rivai ST MT explained the advantages of his research innovation in his scientific oration for his inauguration as ITS Professor.

ITS Campus, ITS News — In an increasingly competitive industry, fast and accurate quality evaluation is an urgent need. However, conventional methods that rely on laboratory tests often require a long time and special expertise. Responding to this challenge, the 215th professor of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rivai ST MT initiated an innovation called the Electronic Nose (e-Nose).

In his scientific oration for the inauguration of the professor entitled The Role of Electronic Nose Technology as a Future Innovation in Quality Evaluation , the lecturer who is usually called Rivai explained how e-Nose can replace laboratory methods. This system works by imitating the human sense of smell, enabling product quality analysis, health diagnosis, and environmental monitoring. “By using machine learning algorithms, this device can process aroma patterns accurately and efficiently,” he explained.

The Surakarta-born man has implemented e-Nose in various fields. This technology has been used to detect diabetes through urine sample analysis, identify the level of doneness of cookies, and detect chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma through the patient’s breathing air. “The gas sensor on the e-Nose used varies depending on the needs,” he said.

In diabetes detection research, e-Nose was developed using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM)-based gas sensor coated with carbon nanomaterial. This sensor is able to recognize the typical aroma pattern of urine of diabetics with an accuracy of up to 91 percent. With this technology, diabetes diagnosis can be done more easily and quickly. “This innovation can be a solution for people who need a detection method without having to go through a blood test,” he explained.

In addition, e-Nose is also developed for respiratory disease analysis, such as asthma and COPD detection. By using 20 semiconductor gas sensors combined with machine learning algorithms, this system is able to analyze the patient’s respiratory air. This technology has been tested on patients at Airlangga University Hospital (RSUA) and Dr. Soetomo Hospital. The test results prove that e-Nose has high accuracy in distinguishing COPD or asthma patients and healthy individuals.

Prof Dr Muhammad Rivai ST MT explains the sensors installed on the e-Nose

Not only in the medical world, e-Nose is also applied in the food industry. In this industry, Rivai uses a Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) gas sensor to identify the level of doneness of cookies. This technology can replace subjective methods based on color or baking time with an accuracy of up to 90 percent. “With this system, food manufacturers can set more objective product quality standards,” said Rivai.

Furthermore, Rivai said, e-Nose was also developed for environmental and industrial safety, especially in the LiDAR-based gas leak search robot system. This robot is able to track the source of gas leaks with 62.2 percent higher efficiency compared to conventional methods. The application of this technology is a strategic step in improving safety in the oil and gas industry and mitigating environmental risks.

With the various steps that have been taken, Rivai explained that his research contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , especially point 3 related to good health and well-being. In addition, point 9 regarding infrastructure, industry, and innovation, and point 13 which focuses on handling climate change.

He hopes that the innovation he has developed can provide real benefits to society in various aspects of life. “We want to ensure that this research does not just stop in the laboratory, but can really have a positive impact on the lives of many people,” he hopes optimistically. (ITS PUBLIC RELATIONS)

Reporter: Naurah Fitri

Translator : Devinka Mutianeira