Five best frugal innovations by IITians to know about
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are the country's premier engineering institutes that are recognized as centers of academic excellence in science and technology. IITs are reputed for producing graduates of outstanding caliber. In recent years, many IITians from across the country have been developing frugal solutions to several problems of society and for a better future. Here are five frugal innovations by IITians.
Passive Solar Water Wall, a cost-effective substitute to AC
Two IIT-Kharagpur students, Sahashranshu Maurya and Somrup Chakraborty, developed an economical and innovative substitute to air conditioners in 2017. It can reduce cooling cost by 50%. Their eco-friendly "Passive Solar Water Wall" involves a water tank with high surface area inserted into walls. It allows maximum air to interact with tank walls and get cooled down rapidly, thereby reducing temperature in the surrounding area.
IIT-Hyderabad students use jamun seeds to purify drinking water
To address the issue of contaminated drinking water, students of IIT-Hyderabad in 2017 came up with a low-cost water-purifying solution. They invented a process that is not only inexpensive and innovative but sustainable as well. The IIT-H team used activated Jamun seed powder (activated carbon from Jamun seeds) to reduce fluoride in drinking water to a level acceptable by the World Health Organization.
#3: Parichaya, a simple touch-responsive device to combat tuberculosis
In 2017, Himanshu Seth, a former IIT-Guwahati student, developed "Parichaya" a low-cost, touch-responsive medical tuberculosis (TB) kit. It can dispense medicine and educate patients as well. The plate-like device has an audio and visual interface to interact with patients while the medicine is being dispensed.
Low-cost Dirt Detector can help keep public places clean
IIT-Kharagpur researchers came up with a low-cost Dirt Detector in 2017 to help keep public places clean and hygienic at all times. This innovative device can be installed at places where hygiene/cleanliness needs to be monitored. Through sensors, it records levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter and sends alerts when a certain limit is crossed.
#5: An inexpensive, portable CPR machine to save lives
IIT-Gandhinagar students, Kratika Bhagtani and Karthik Karvaje, developed a low-cost and portable CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) machine earlier in 2019. The innovative device can help save people from sudden cardiac arrests. It can perform chest compressions, ventilate lungs, maintain an open airway, etc. in patients.
