Jakarta, April 2 -- Indonesia's Nuclear Technology Polytechnic under the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing radiation-modified activated carbon to treat water contaminated with heavy metals, particularly copper (Cu²).

The innovation uses gamma irradiation and biodegradable surfactants to enhance activated carbon's absorption capacity, offering a faster and more efficient wastewater treatment method, according to research team head Dhita Ariyanti.

"We developed a method to strengthen activated carbon's ability to absorb heavy metals. Results show strong potential for wastewater treatment applications, with relatively quick and efficient processes," Ariyanti said Thursday.

She explained that activated carbo...