IIT-H RESEARCHERS DEVELOP ‘DUROKEA’ TO FIGHT COVID-19

A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IITH) has developed a novel technology to combat the spread of the the Covid-19. It was launched on Friday at an online event in the presence of Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'.

The ‘DuroKea’ technology has been developed to ensure killing of 99.99 germs within 60 seconds, the research team said. It leaves behind a long-lasting protective nanoscale coating up to 35 days or till the next wash. DuroKea products have been tested and certified by an Indian government accredited lab and field-tested at the IIT Hyderabad campus.

Talking about the product and the technology, Dr Jyotsnendu Giri of IIT-H’s department of biomedical engineering, said: “Unlike silane-based long-lasting technology, our self-disinfecting DuroKea nanotechnology kills pathogens instantly and provides protection for longer periods, from several hours to several days.”

Dr Giri said long-lasting hygiene products have several advantages along with being time and money efficient.

“These nano-formulation products are the first of their kind." Dr Giri hoped that the new products will play a crucial role to combat the pandemic and hospital-acquired infection.