Exploring the mechanical world has been Latifah Nurahmi\'s (34) dream since she was a teenager. Now, she is exploring robotics that can be used to support the medical world.
By
ESTER LINCE NAPITUPULU
·6 minutes read
ARSIP L'OREAL INDONESIA
Latifah Nurahmi
Exploring the mechanical world has been Latifah Nurahmi\'s (34) dream since she was a teenager. Now, the Mechanical Engineering lecturer at Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), Surabaya, is exploring robotics that can be used to support the medical world.
Initially, Latifah thought that women in engineering should be in the "lighter" part. Latifah\'s research with the team at the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) relating to robots that can help doctors perform bone fracture surgery has earned her recognition.
She became one of two Indonesian women researchers to receive the prestigious L\'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science (FWIS) 2020 National Fellowship award on Wednesday (25/11/2020). This award is given annually to support female researchers or scientists in a number of countries, including Indonesia.
The recognition for her research that has had a profound impact on human life touched her. Her memory flashed back to when she was working on a proposal for FWIS 2020 on fracture reduction surgery robot as a minimally invasive surgical technique last October.
She was touched to see two women scientists, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna, win the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. "When I saw the women\'s victory in the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, I was also moved, as if I had won it. Women can also make extraordinary achievements. It became a motivation when I submitted a proposal and it turned out that I could become one of the winners," said Latifah, who was contacted in Surabaya, East Java, Friday (11/12).
In 2015, Latifah started research on the use of robotics for medicine when she returned to campus from studying abroad. She had once sprained her leg, which made it difficult to walk and she went to see a rehabilitation doctor. Under these circumstances, her husband gave her the idea of using a robot design to help with rehabilitation.
"My husband, when he was a child, wanted to be a scientist, so we like to discuss. When my husband\'s idea came up, I already had a theory to design a robot. So [we] started to open up for [robot] use in the medical world, a robot that helps rehabilitate a sprained leg,” she said.
Latifah initially engaged in fundamental research on design theory, until she became involved in designing robots. She then goes on to analyze human heel motion and robot motion. It turned out to be a good fit.
"We have discussed the robot to help with heel rehabilitation with the rehabilitation doctor. Many inputs were given for improvement," she said.
After the prototype for the rehabilitation robot was realized, the idea of creating robots for medical use continued to develop. This year, Latifah and her team are developing a robot that can help with bone fracture surgery. "The preparation has been a year. Now at the analysis and development phase. We hope that this robot can be applied in hospitals later," said Latifah.
Memorable conversation
Latifah\'s achievements in the field of robotics were previously unimaginable. She admitted that she had never had the confidence to be involved in mechanical engineering, which was dominated by men. Despite having interest in mechanics since high school, she thought it was enough for girls to stay behind the scenes with light jobs.
However, a simple conversation completely changed her view. In 2012, Latifah underwent her master\'s degree in France. One time, in an event she was invited to, she chatted with a director of the Total company who gave her a master’s degree scholarship. “I blurted out saying, because I am a woman, I chose not to do heavy jobs. My answer actually received a reprimand that changed my life,” she recalls.
Until now, she still remembers the director\'s message. "No, no. Not like that. Because, men and women are the same. If you have consciously entered your chosen field of mechanical engineering, why should you think differently?" she said imitating the director\'s words.
That brief conversation made Latifah realize that she should no longer judge see herself as inferior to the men who dominated the mechanical engineering field. From that instance, she realized that women\'s barriers to progress were more owing to doubts and insecurities. Since then, Latifah has been steadily pursuing her career as a researcher.
The world of robotics showed Latifah that she was no longer doubtful. Her research career paid off. When she returned to ITS, Latifah saw an opportunity to make a robot.
"I see there are gaps in the field of kinematics and dynamics [because] not many [have entered the field]. This skill is important, such as analyzing the type of movement-whether it is rotating or straight. Then, if the motion is straight, it needs power, so then how much force? The effect will be in the form of design. It is true, my theory can be applied and in line with partners at ITS for the control part," she explained.
As a scientist and academic, Latifah wants fundamental research and robot application to run into a cycle. At the beginning, Latifah worked on developing theories for robot design. Now, Latifah has begun to focus on fundamental research on dynamics. For example, a robot when doing a job suddenly can vibrate at a point. Ideally, the robot should walk smoothly and not vibrate while walking.
Latifah chose to focus on developing medical robots to start introducing robots in hospital services. "The first step is definitely to introduce more robots for medical services. Through this research, we hope that someone will use it. We hope hospitals will begin to use technology and doctors side by side," she concluded.
Latifah Nurahmi
Place, DOB: Solo, 16 November 1986
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree (S-1) in Mechanical Engineering, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, Surabaya (2005-2009)
- Master’s degree (S-2) in System and Product Design, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, France (2010-2012)
- Doctoral degree (S-3) in Robotics, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, France (2012-2015)
Profession:
- Head of Control and Systems Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, ITS (2020-present)
- Head of Industrial Robotics Research, Mechatronics and Automation Industry Center of Excellence, ITS (2017-present)
Awards include:
- L\'Oreal-UNESCO For Women In Science 2020 (December 2020)
- Best Research and Performance by the Toray Science Foundation (2018).
