IIT-Ropar converts household trunk into sanitisation unit

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 1

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, has developed a ultraviolet (UV-C) light-based sanitisation unit using a household luggage trunk.

The unit is based on UV-C germicidal irradiation technology for disinfecting packages and personal accessories as well as food items, including raw vegetables and fruits. It is suitable for offices as well as homes.

A low-wattage UV light tube has been retrofitted in the trunk, which has been lined from the inside by a metallic sheet of particular specifications. The item to be disinfected is placed inside and exposed to the UV-C light for about 10 minutes on each side. It can be used for letters, files, wallets, keys, handkerchiefs, stationery, grocery packets, bottles and eatables.

The unit has been conceptualised and designed by Prof Naresh Rakha, Senior Scientific Officer at the IIT, along with Dr Khushboo Rakha, Assistant Professor, and TS Anand, an executive engineer at the institute.

“At IIT-Ropar, we believe that staying healthy is a way of life and in today’s scenario, when the world is battling with Covid-19, innovative affordable products should help us in our fight against the virus. Every individual should take all possible measures to avoid exposure to the new deadly pathogens,” Prof Naresh Rakha said.

The technology for manufacturing the unit has been transferred to a Chandigarh-based firm for commercial production. Pritpal Singh Matharu of Esspee Industries said initially, they would make 20 units per day and increase output as availability of raw material improves. “UV-C light is known to destroy all kinds of viruses that get exposed to it, but it needs to be used carefully and in a calibrated manner,” he added.