IIT Guwahati has developed a low-cost UVC ( ultraviolet light) LED-based disinfecting system by which virus-infected surfaces can be sanitised.

UVC system is a proven technology to sanitise the micro organism infected non-porous surface. Almost 90 per cent killing rate can be achieved by the UVC for one of the highly stable virus — MS-2 Coliphase with 186 J dose, whereas 36 J dose is needed for influenza virus which is similar to Covid-19.

“In this project, the team has developed a UVC LED system capable of providing 400 J dose in 30 seconds, such that virus-infected surface will be sanitised. The unique design of this UVC system will ensure uniform UVC exposure in virus-infected non-porous area. Professor T.G. Sitharam, director, IIT Guwahati, has formed a research team led by Senthilmurugan Subbiah, department of chemical engineering, IIT Guwahati, to work in collaboration with Bangalore-based M/s Excel Tech and city-based Ultimate Aeroaqua Filter Pvt Ltd to develop this technology and the ability to make personal protective equipment (PPE) fabrication waterproof,” IIT-G statement said on Tuesday.

Subbiah said, “IIT-G community is focused to work with government agencies and industrial partners to develop low cost technologies.”