We have had an insight into the innovations in India to fight against COVID-19 in our previous blog post. The untapped potential of Indian youngsters is coming to light through various funding opportunities and contests organized by the Government of India. Let us look into some more innovative measures around our country to tackle this COVID-19 scenario.
Affordable Diagnostic Kits
Bione, a Biotech startup in Bangalore, has designed a kit for the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 from the comfort of our home. The kit approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), promises to give the diagnosis result within 5 – 10 minutes.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have also come up with a rapid diagnostic kit to detect the virus. The package developed at Kusuma School of Biological Sciences is currently undergoing clinical trials at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. Innovations in test kits will bring down the cost of testing and also give results within a short time-frame.
Bag-valve masks as Ventilators
Bag-valve masks are hand-held inflatable devices to support breathing in critical conditions. Professors from IIT Hyderabad have come up with a similar design that works with power from an electrical source, such as a car battery. The device is cheap, easy to manufacture, and portable.
Professor Murty and Professor V. Eswaran from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at IIT-Hyderabad, say,” the device could be manufactured for less than Rs 5,000, or one-hundredth the cost of a conventional machine.”
Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold (MOM)
Vishakhapatnam’s Naval Dockyard personnel have found an innovative solution to meet the demand of ventilators to treat COVID-19 infected patients. The MOM contains a six-way radial header fitted to one cylinder. This portable innovation can supply oxygen to six patients with one oxygen cylinder. MOM is an effective way to treat patients with limited resources available.
Herbal Sanitizers
Washing hands frequently can prevent the spread of COVID-19. All countries are stressing the importance of washing hands to keep ourselves safe from infection. The cost and demand for personal hygiene products have shot up around the country.
Students from IIT-Roorkee have prepared herbal sanitizers to promote personal hygiene. The sanitizers meet the regulations of WHO and the US government health research institute (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC).
Disinfectant Tunnel
A water treatment company in Tirupur, Tamilnadu, has designed a disinfectant tunnel that can disinfect people as we walk through it. This portable tunnel is about 16-feet, made of stainless steel, and fitted into a mild steel frame.
Arogya Setu and Corona Kavach App
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology have collaborated to develop a COVID-19 exposure risk tracking applications. The beta version of these Apps will be of use to track if the user has any exposure to coronavirus patients. These Apps will track the user’s location and alert them if they come across a person who was tested positive for the virus.
Innovation Contests and Funding Events
Several government agencies and private sector companies have come forward to encourage and support innovations and designs developed to tackle the COVID-19 crisis.
COVID-19 Solution Challenge
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched this challenge to involve active community participation around the country. The challenge is accepting solutions to help fight COVID-19. The best solutions that could be adopted in real life will be rewarded. The contest will give away prizes totaling to 1,75,000 INR.
The last date to participate is 16 April 2020.
United Against COVID-19-Innovation Challenge
The department for the promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) with Startup India has announced an open call for all companies, startups, and innovators to offer solutions that can bridge the gap between the demand and supply of medical requirements used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of COVID-19. The contest encourages innovators to work on med-tech, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things, to come up with ideas, prototypes, and designs to combat COVID-19.
The deadline for entries is 15 April 2020.
Challenge COVID-19 Competition (C3)
National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF), an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology – India, has announced a competition to find solutions to the most pressing problems in the COVID-19 scenario.
The C3 encourages innovations to reduce virus transmission, improve sanitizing facilities, and enhance door delivery options for the elderly. Currently, the contest is accepting entries on a rolling application basis.
Centre for Augmenting War with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH)
The Indian Ministry of Science and Technology has formed the CAWACH to identify and support innovations of startups working on the novel, safe and affordable respiratory devices, personal protective equipment, diagnostics, and any other innovation to control and treat the spread of COVID-19. The Centre is equipped with funds amounting to 56 Crore and plans to identify 50 such innovations and take them to the next level.
Many State Governments have also come up with challenges motivating students, startups, innovators around the country to come up with innovative solutions to face this health crisis. The positive and encouraging environment is an ideal platform for budding innovators.
Kindle Einstein and Newton in you to help our nation solve the COVID-19 issue.
