IIT-R develops device to disinfect personal belongings

Roorkee, July 2 (IANS) Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R) announced on Thursday that they have developed a disinfection box that can be used for sterilising a wide variety of personal belongings to reduce the transmission risk of Covid-19.

Named ‘Unisaviour’ box, it comprises a metal coated with specially- designed highly reflective geometry to allow the calibrated passage of ultraviolet (UVC) light to disinfect personal belongings.

The box has an internal coating of indigenously- developed metal oxide along with herbal anti-bacterial and anti-viral layers to prevent the growth of microorganisms when UVC light is not in use. The user-friendly device comes with an additional safety switch for UVC light.

“The sterilising system will aid the disinfection of various personal belongings and can be easily deployed at public places such as malls and cinema halls, among others, to maintain the highest standard of hygiene,” Soumitra Satapathi, Associate Professor of Physics, IIT Roorkee, said in a statement.

According to the Institute, the ‘Unisaviour’ box is equipped with an Arduino-programmed system to control the time exposure and intensity of UVC light, that aids in the sterilisation of various personal belongings.

“This device will be a step forward in ensuring safety. It is easy to use and will be useful for disinfecting items in public places,” said Ajit K. Chaturvedi, Director, IIT Roorkee.

The research team has also filed a patent for this innovation.

–IANS

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