S. Vishnu Sharma
IIT Madras researchers have proved their mettle by developing a nano-coated filter media for healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients.
There is more to it than meets the eye. The filter brought out by IIT Madras researchers can also be used defence sector and all other areas where air filtration of submicron particles is required.
IIT Madras researchers 2020
This nano-coated filter media developed by IIT Madras researchers has been fabricated by a nylon-based polymer coating on cellulose paper and was developed through the electrospinning process.
The coating properties are optimized for efficient removal of sub-micron sized dust particles in the air. The nano-coated filter media developed by IIT Madras researchers is in the process of being tested in practical applications.
Upon validation through field trials, it will be recommended for bulk manufacturing through industry collaborations.
This good work taken up by IIT Madras researchers is funded by Defence Research Development Organisation and owing to its high potential for the need of the hour, it is repositioned in healthcare applications.
This nano-coated filter developed by IIT Madras researchers can be used by healthcare personnel treating COVID-19 patients.
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Speaking about the unique points of this nano-coated filter brought out by IIT Madras researchers, Professor K. Arul Prakash, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras said the nano-coating fabricated through the electrospinning process have fiber diameter less than 1 micron and can be positioned according to the need to enhance surface/depth filtration for healthcare workers or public responders.
This novel filter with multiple nano-coating have capabilities to filter particles of the order of one micron size, which is a remarkable achievement, he said.
IIT Madras researchers to who took up the work of developing the nano-coated filter were from various departments of the prestigious insitution.
They included Professor Raghuram Chetty from Department of Chemical Engineering and Professor Saravana Kumar from Department of Engineering Design.
Professor Prakash speaking about the defence applications of the filter brought out by IIT Madras researchers said nano-coated filter media have much better reverse cleanability behaviour resulting in an extended service life period of air filters providing prolonged working hours for armoured vehicles.
This will save a huge cost for defence applications where the filters are currently imported from developed countries, he said.
The practical applications of the filter lie in face masks with an enhanced particle filtration efficiency. They can also be used in respirator devices, air purification system in operation theatres of hospitals.
The filter developed by IIT Madras researchers also can be used in cabin air filters for the comfort and health of air passengers, can be used in the air filters for the engines in armoured vehicles.
They can be used in computer hard disk drive filters and pneumatic equipment.
IIT Madras researchers are now trying to optimize the coating parameters of nanomaterials for bulk manufacturing at an affordable cost and testing the antiviral properties for broader utilization in various applications.
Also, attempts are being made to develop composite nano-coated filter media having more than one nanomaterial coating with the possibility of manufacturing multi-layered masks.
Various characteristics of the nano-coated material such as permeability (a measure of flow-through media), coating thickness and mechanical strength have been measured.
The optimized nano-coated filter media has been developed using computer tools and validated with experimental results.
An increased filtration efficiency for submicron size dust particles of the order of 0.25 microns with a marginal increase in pressure drop is a notable achievement through this technology.
The filtration can be further improved with multilayer nanomaterial coating. The nano-coated filter will not only be restricted for health care and defence applications but, in other places where air filtration of submicron particles is required.
The computer simulation methodology adopted for the creation of the structure of the nanocoated filter media is also a novel development in this work.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) was established in 1959 by the Government of India as an ‘Institute of National Importance.’
The activities of the Institute in various fields of Science and Technology are carried out in 16 academic departments and several advanced interdisciplinary research academic centres.
The Institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes leading to B.Tech., M.Sc., M.B.A., M.Tech., M.S., and Ph.D., degrees in a variety of specialisations.
IITM is a residential institute with more than 580 faculty and 9,500 students. Students from 18 countries are enrolled here.
IITM fosters an active entrepreneurial culture with strong curricular support and through the IITM Incubation Cell.
IITM has been ranked No.1 in the ‘Overall’ Category for the second consecutive year in India Ranking 2020 released by National Institutional Ranking Framework, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Govt. of India.
The Institute has also been ranked No.1 in the Engineering Institutions category in the same Rankings for five consecutive years – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
It was also adjudged as the ‘Top innovative Institution’ in the country in the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2019 launched by Innovation Cell of MHRD.