Ir. Ekavianty Prajatelistia Promotes Sustainable Biomaterials Research via ICEEB 2026 in South Korea
Seoul, South Korea – Biomaterials research continues to advance to meet healthcare needs while supporting sustainable technological innovation. This focus highlighted the participation of Ir. Ekavianty Prajatelistia, S.T., M.S.Eng., Ph.D. from the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD) at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) in the 15th International Conference on Environment, Energy and Biotechnology (ICEEB 2026), held in Seoul, South Korea, on July 17–19, 2026.
This event forms part of FTMD ITB’s ongoing efforts to introduce and disseminate its biomaterials research within international forums. ICEEB 2026 was organized by the University of Seoul, with support from Jeju National University and the Jeju Green Environment Center. The conference brought together academics and practitioners from various fields related to the environment, energy, and biotechnology to exchange knowledge, research findings, and collaborative opportunities.
At ICEEB 2026, Dr. Ekavianty presented research titled “Bio-Functionalized GO/ZrO₂ Coatings for Enhanced Stability of Biodegradable Magnesium Implants: Influence of Curing Temperature on Hardness and Tribological Performance.” The study explores the development of graphene oxide (GO) and zirconia (ZrO₂) coatings on AZ31 magnesium alloy as an approach to enhance the performance of biodegradable implant materials.
Research Team
This research represents an inter-institutional collaboration conducted by Ekavianty Prajatelistia, Ph.D., alongside a research team comprising Fadhilla Layalia Zahlevi, a master’s student at FTMD ITB, and Oka Pradipta Arjasa from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The team investigated GO/ZrO₂-based coatings on AZ31 magnesium to enhance material characteristics for potential implant applications.
AZ31 magnesium was selected as the substrate material due to characteristics favorable for implant development, including an elastic modulus close to cortical bone and inherent biodegradability. Meanwhile, the GO/ZrO₂ coating was developed to improve surface characteristics, including hardness, corrosion resistance, and tribological performance.
Key Research Findings
A primary challenge in utilizing magnesium as an implant material is its relatively high corrosion rate and low wear resistance. To address these limitations, the study utilized a combination of ZrO₂—which enhances hardness—and graphene oxide (GO), which imparts solid lubrication properties to the material’s surface.
The findings demonstrate that curing temperatures significantly influence the characteristics and performance of the GO/ZrO₂ coating on AZ31 magnesium. Key findings include:
- Curing at 50°C: This temperature better preserves the GO structure, yielding optimal lubrication characteristics. The coating exhibited a coefficient of friction (CoF) of approximately 184 and offered the best wear resistance performance.
- Curing at 250°C: The higher temperature increased the mechanical hardness of the material up to 4 HV. However, high temperatures also caused the reduction of GO to rGO, contributing to a more brittle coating and increasing the risk of cracking and delamination.
- Biological Activity: The GO-based coating also demonstrated antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, with a reported inhibition zone reaching 32 mm.
Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The participation and research presented by Ekavianty Prajatelistia, Ph.D. support three key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Developing safer, more durable, and biodegradable implant biomaterials improves the quality of life for patients requiring bone reconstruction or hip joint replacements.
Technological innovations in surface engineering coatings using advanced materials (Graphene Oxide and Zirconia) advance global biomedical research.
The use of naturally degradable magnesium substrates reduces medical implant waste and minimizes unnecessary repeat surgical procedures.
In addition to participating in ICEEB 2026, Dr. Ekavianty visited Yeungnam University to extend a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) and discuss research collaboration opportunities. This visit serves to strengthen academic networks between ITB and Yeungnam University, opening avenues for joint research and student involvement with partner institutions.
Dr. Ekavianty’s participation in ICEEB 2026 highlights how biomaterials research at FTMD ITB can be developed within a broader perspective—not only through technological innovation but also through contributions to sustainable development agendas. Disseminating research findings in international forums and strengthening research networks are vital to driving technological advancements that benefit healthcare, industrial innovation, and sustainability.
Through these activities, FTMD ITB continues to foster high-impact research capable of addressing real-world needs while contributing to the achievement of SDG 3, SDG 9, and SDG 12 through biomaterial innovations, technology development, and international academic collaboration.
