Indian varsities rise up to Covid challenge with low-cost solutions
Top educational institutes such as the IITS, IISC, and deemed universities have taken the Covid challenge head-on and developed low-cost solutions.
Some areas where Indian varsities have produced results are diagnostics and surveillance, hospital assistive devices, modelling, simulation and analysis, preprints, sanitisation and disinfection, and vaccine development.
IIT Delhi has developed the most affordable ‘reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction’ or Rt-pcr-based diagnostics kit globally, at a base price of ~399. Even after adding the ribonucleic or RNA acid isolation and laboratory charges, the cost per test will considerably reduce.
The probe-free diagnostics kit has been manufactured by NCR-based Newtech Medical Devices. IIT Delhi has given licence to 10 firms to manufacture diagnostics kits, using the technology.
Modulus Housing, a start-up incubated at IIT Madras, has developed a portable hospital unit that can be installed anywhere within two hours, by four people. It costs ~14-15 lakh per MEDICAB Unit, with installation on site.
The institute collaborated with a government hospital, for the design and rapid construction of a modular ‘doffing unit’ for safe removal of PPE. It costs ~4 lakh for a single unit, including transport to Chennai. Costs will reduce if large-scale production takes place.
I IT graduate TES Madhavan has developed a steam disinfection unit for Covid, based on natural oils. The unit uses saturated steam of natural extracts to weaken the virus. It replaces the existing usage of NACLO (Sodium Hypochlorite), Dettol, Lysol, and other chemicals for disinfection.
IIT Hyderabad has developed a point-of-care Covid testing kit, powered by AI. Each test costs ~600 device. However, mass production will help reduce the cost to around ~350 per test.
IIT Mandi students and researchers have developed a technology for high-efficiency face masks, from Waste ‘PET Bottles’, UV-C Disinfection Box, and Foot Operated Hand Sanitiser Dispensers, to minimise risks.
Indian Institute of Science (IISC) students and researchers have developed solutions for diagnostics and surveillance, hospital assistive devices, sanitisation and disinfection, and vaccine development.
Kerala-based Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) has developed a Rapid Antibody Card, Viral Transport Media (VTM) kit and a viral RNA extraction kit.
The card will help study the presence of ANTI-SARS-COV-2 IGG antibodies, with 100 per cent sensitivity and 98 per cent specificity. It facilitates the testing of a large number of samples at any level of clinical setting — public health centres and hospitals — a major challenge.
The VTM kit helps preserve the viability of the virus for up to 72 hours at a refrigerated temperature. Anand Samuel, provice chancellor, Vellore Institute of Technology, said the institute is developing a point of care fiber optic biosensor device for rapid detection of Covid-19.