IIT Ropar develops UVGI based 'room disinfection' device "UVSAFE"
ROPAR: A unique UVGI based Room Disinfection Device has been developed by IIT Ropar Researchers in collaboration with Momentum India Pvt. Ltd.
The device harnesses the germicidal effects of UV-C radiations to inactivate viruses and bacteria while the “State of the Art” design of UV Safe ensures Zero-shadow 360o disinfection through its Prismatic Body and foldable wings. The researchers said that especially designed wings provide focused exposure to the most frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, table tops, cupboards, room fixtures, wall corners, work tops, artefacts, furniture tops etc.
The trapezoid base houses the control panel of the equipment. A removable handle and magnetic cover have been designed for comfortable storage and transit of the device. This unique and efficient design has been patented.
The device has been conceptualized and designed at IIT Ropar by Khushboo Rakha, Assistant Professor, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering and Naresh Rakha, Senior Scientific Officer with technical support from Shahriar Reza (Design Consultant). The team worked under the able guidance and support of Prof. Harpreet Singh (Dean, ICSR) and Prof. Sarit K. Das (Director, IIT Ropar).
“The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a serious challenge to the scientific community to contain its spread. This virus is known to spread through frequently touched surfaces and contaminated environments. The virus can be easily carried by infected or asymptomatic individuals to hospitals, office spaces, hotel rooms, malls, sports complexes etc. Thus, an urgent need was felt to develop a device to disinfect and make such spaces safe”, said Khushboo Rakha.
She added, “UV Germicidal Radiations have been shown to kill/ inactivate all viruses and bacteria which have been tested so far. The spray of chemicals in offices and other spaces is a public health hazard since these have residual effects for a long time and deface the surfaces. UV-C disinfection is a chemical-free method with no residual toxic effects. These radiations can travel long distances and are effective on all exposed surfaces and spaces.”
Notably, the IIT Ropar team has developed a Mathematical Model based on the last 60 years of research on viruses and bacteria to determine the precise dose of UV-C radiations to effectively inactivate various viruses and bacteria present in/on different types of media (air, surface and liquid). The equipment has the ability to adapt too many differently sized enclosures. With adjustment of time of exposure, and space aspect ratio, the device is suitable to conduct disinfection of varying structures in terms of geometrical designs and sizes. The time of exposure can be determined using software developed at IIT Ropar based on the Mathematical Model. The equipment can achieve a disinfection level of up to 99.99%.
They said that the device has been tested for its efficacy by FICCI Research and Analysis Center (NABL Accredited Laboratory, New Delhi). For a floor area of 14ft X 14ft, UV Safe can achieve 99.9% disinfection in just 6 minutes. The device boasts of multiple safety features like a remote control to enable its operator to stay at safe distance; infra-red motion sensors to automatically switch off the UV-C lamps on movement detection and Emergency stop switch to shut down the device in emergency situations.
The device harnesses the germicidal effects of UV-C radiations to inactivate viruses and bacteria while the “State of the Art” design of UV Safe ensures Zero-shadow 360o disinfection through its Prismatic Body and foldable wings. The researchers said that especially designed wings provide focused exposure to the most frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, table tops, cupboards, room fixtures, wall corners, work tops, artefacts, furniture tops etc.
The trapezoid base houses the control panel of the equipment. A removable handle and magnetic cover have been designed for comfortable storage and transit of the device. This unique and efficient design has been patented.
The device has been conceptualized and designed at IIT Ropar by Khushboo Rakha, Assistant Professor, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering and Naresh Rakha, Senior Scientific Officer with technical support from Shahriar Reza (Design Consultant). The team worked under the able guidance and support of Prof. Harpreet Singh (Dean, ICSR) and Prof. Sarit K. Das (Director, IIT Ropar).
“The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a serious challenge to the scientific community to contain its spread. This virus is known to spread through frequently touched surfaces and contaminated environments. The virus can be easily carried by infected or asymptomatic individuals to hospitals, office spaces, hotel rooms, malls, sports complexes etc. Thus, an urgent need was felt to develop a device to disinfect and make such spaces safe”, said Khushboo Rakha.
She added, “UV Germicidal Radiations have been shown to kill/ inactivate all viruses and bacteria which have been tested so far. The spray of chemicals in offices and other spaces is a public health hazard since these have residual effects for a long time and deface the surfaces. UV-C disinfection is a chemical-free method with no residual toxic effects. These radiations can travel long distances and are effective on all exposed surfaces and spaces.”
Notably, the IIT Ropar team has developed a Mathematical Model based on the last 60 years of research on viruses and bacteria to determine the precise dose of UV-C radiations to effectively inactivate various viruses and bacteria present in/on different types of media (air, surface and liquid). The equipment has the ability to adapt too many differently sized enclosures. With adjustment of time of exposure, and space aspect ratio, the device is suitable to conduct disinfection of varying structures in terms of geometrical designs and sizes. The time of exposure can be determined using software developed at IIT Ropar based on the Mathematical Model. The equipment can achieve a disinfection level of up to 99.99%.
They said that the device has been tested for its efficacy by FICCI Research and Analysis Center (NABL Accredited Laboratory, New Delhi). For a floor area of 14ft X 14ft, UV Safe can achieve 99.9% disinfection in just 6 minutes. The device boasts of multiple safety features like a remote control to enable its operator to stay at safe distance; infra-red motion sensors to automatically switch off the UV-C lamps on movement detection and Emergency stop switch to shut down the device in emergency situations.
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