Covid-19: IIT Ropar converts household trunk into UV-based sanitisation unit

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 1

As the battle against Covid-19 rages on, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Ropar has developed an ultraviolet (UV-C) light based sanitisation unit using a household luggage trunk.

The unit is based on UV-C Germicidal Irradiation Technology to disinfect packages and personal accessories as well as food items including raw vegetables and fruits. It is suitable for offices as well as homes.

A UV light tube of 15 watts has been retrofitted in the trunk, which has been lined from the inside by aluminum sheet of a particular specification. 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.

“In today’s scenario when the entire world is fighting Covid-19, innovative and affordable products should help us in our fight against the virus," 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 that initially they would be making 20 units per day and later increase output as availability of raw material improves with the graded exit from the lockdown. “UV-C light needs to be used carefully and in a calibrated manner,” he said.