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The world after the coronavirus pandemic is going to see a shift in the sanitary practices followed in workplaces and institutions. India is also moving towards phasing out of the lockdown gradually. Scientists, engineers, and doctors are working hard to find new, inventive ways that can help make this shift easier. As a part of this effort, partnered with M/a Shima Engineering, IIT Madras fights corona by developing a touchless sanitizer dispenser to be placed in running vehicles for both public and private transport.
The design uses a choice of materials that can be used with liquid and gel type sanitizers safely. It is innovative and can be used with both AC and DC power supply.
The project was a joint effort of Dr. Kavitha Arunachalam, Associate Professor, Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras, and Anandraj G. Rajesh D. from M/a Shima Engineering, a Chennai-based firm. They have already received business inquiries and are in the process of moving to production mode.
Dr. Kavitha commented that the origin of this project was the foresight of M/s Shima Engineering. She mentored them to build prototypes. Predicting that hands-free personal hygiene products such as a touchless sanitizer dispenser would become a requirement in the post-COVID world.
“We fabricated few units that were installed in IIT Madras Student Dining Halls and the institute hospital, and in other areas of the campus such as the IIT Madras Research Park.”, says Dr. Kavitha.
Materials used for the parts that would come in contact with the sanitizer are chemically stable and 3 millilitres can be discharged in 3 seconds. It is not only ideal for workplaces but there is also no mechanical wear and tear in the design’s inner parts. This makes it ideal for use even in industries, educational institutions, and corporate offices.
On the basis of the feedback obtained for the prototype deployed across the campus (since mid-April 2020), a rough design has been built. Incubation support from IIT Madras will enable M/s Shima Engineering in developing more products related to personal hygiene, disinfecting public spaces, commercial buildings, etc.
The design uses a choice of materials that can be used with liquid and gel type sanitizers safely. It is innovative and can be used with both AC and DC power supply.
Brains behind the project
The project was a joint effort of Dr. Kavitha Arunachalam, Associate Professor, Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras, and Anandraj G. Rajesh D. from M/a Shima Engineering, a Chennai-based firm. They have already received business inquiries and are in the process of moving to production mode.
Dr. Kavitha commented that the origin of this project was the foresight of M/s Shima Engineering. She mentored them to build prototypes. Predicting that hands-free personal hygiene products such as a touchless sanitizer dispenser would become a requirement in the post-COVID world.
Testing within the IIT Madras campus
“We fabricated few units that were installed in IIT Madras Student Dining Halls and the institute hospital, and in other areas of the campus such as the IIT Madras Research Park.”, says Dr. Kavitha.
Materials used for the parts that would come in contact with the sanitizer are chemically stable and 3 millilitres can be discharged in 3 seconds. It is not only ideal for workplaces but there is also no mechanical wear and tear in the design’s inner parts. This makes it ideal for use even in industries, educational institutions, and corporate offices.
On the basis of the feedback obtained for the prototype deployed across the campus (since mid-April 2020), a rough design has been built. Incubation support from IIT Madras will enable M/s Shima Engineering in developing more products related to personal hygiene, disinfecting public spaces, commercial buildings, etc.
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