IKGPTU develops UV-based sanitising lamp

Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, September 1

In its effort to provide solutions for unlocking during the pandemic, IK Gujral Punjab Technical University has developed a sanitising lamp that uses an ultraviolet-type C (UV-C) technology for disinfecting spaces and objects. The initiative has been taken by the university’s electrical department.

Vice-Chancellor Ajay Kumar Sharma on Tuesday said the new product had been designed and developed by Dr Deepika Bhalla, an assistant professor of the electrical engineering department. The initiative was a start-up of “Raju Bro Softech Pvt Ltd” and mentored by IKGPTU under the Entrepreneur Development Programme.

Sharing the functioning of the product, the Vice-Chancellor said this solution for sanitisation was chemical and residue free and did not damage the wooden polish, soil the upholstery or stain metal surface of furniture and furnishings, nor leave a stubborn residue on the floor like the liquid sanitisers did. It was ideal for use in hotel rooms, home, offices and at the workplaces, hospitals and clinics, cars and cabs, lifts or any other environment that required regular and repeated sanitisation.

The product developer, Dr Deepika Bhalla, said sanitising through the UV-C technology was not new to the scientific community. “Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection method that uses short wavelength UV-C light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by disrupting their RNA and DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions. Exposure to UV-C light makes the micro organisms like viruses, bacteria, molds, and other pathogens unable to replicate and grow. A pungent odour is expected after UV-C sanitising due to its effect on dust present in rooms which comprises keratin which is a component of dead human skin cells and cystine-a component of hair and nails,” she said.

As per the manufacturer, the UV-C tube used in the lamp has an efficiency of 99 per cent for disinfecting spaces and surfaces from SARS-COV-2. The sanitising lamp has a 22-minute cycle. Keeping in mind the issues related to the effect of UV-C to uncovered or unprotected skin and eyes, before starting the radiation for sanitisation purpose, the lamp gives safe time limit for vacating the room. Along with it, the lamp has a sound alarm that keeps beeping as long as it is “on” and it is not advisable to enter the room being sanitised. When the beep sound stops it’s safe to enter the room that is sanitised for use.