As the number of novel coronavirus cases continues to be on the rise in India, an air purifying technology which reduces the virus load in infected areas has been developed by Pune-based Science and Technology Park (STP).
According to Dr Rajendra Jagdale, Director General of STP, the machine called Scitech Airon’ generates 10 crore negative ions every second which react with water present in the air and further form two molecules, Hydroxyl Iron (OH-) and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2). He said both these then immediately start to react with other molecules present in the air. The OH- molecules then break the lipid wall of the novel coronavirus like soap and reduce the virus load in the air.
Mr Jagdale claimed that the negative ions generated from the machine not only neutralise virus molecule in the air but also nullify particles fallen on various surfaces from infected people’s sneezing or coughing.
On the mechanism of the machine, Dr Jagdale says it’s the same like lightening effect that purifies the sluggish atmosphere following which can feel freshness in the air. Dr Jagdale explained that it is practically impossible to spray or fumigate all surfaces at all times.
It is impossible to spray toxic compounds all over. People even spray caustic soda because it has hydroxly ions which also break the virus fat wall, but spraying can have negative impact on their health. On the other side this negative ion generating machine in protecting our atmosphere, destroying all of the pollutants in the air and also has positive impact on our health, he addSpeaking to India Today, Dr Jagdale said the project is funded by the government of India and developed under the Nidhi Prayas programme. The director general also said that the Centre has released 1crore scale up the production of Scitech Airon.
Cost of one small size machine is Rs 40,000 and the big machine one costs around Rs 60 lakh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also sought a report on the machine to see how it can help in combating the Covid-19 spread in the country, he said.
On whether tests have been conducted that certifies that the machine actually kills the novel coronavirus, Dr Jagdale says the machine is being sent to NIV for certification. Dr Jagdale goes on to share papers published that prove that if 25,000 negative ions are generated, they can kill all types of virus present in the air. This machine generates 10 crore negative ions per second. This machine at the same time protects the atmosphere as it does not generate ozone which it is toxic, he says.
SciTech Park, established a start-up company that has 25 % investment from the government, is also manufacturing at least five other machines that generate 60 trillion negative ions per second to purify air and reduce pollutants. The director informs that one such machine has been fitted near Delhi. Four small machines have have been installed at a hospital in Pune.
Dr Jagdale added that that various hospitals and scientists abroad are already asking them for the machine. One party from the US said they are ready to send a chartered flight every week but want these machines at the earliest. People from Kuwait, Oman, Dubai have placed an order for 5,000 machines, he said.
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