A researchers team at IIT Ropar has developed two noble synthetic materials that can be used for anti-microbial coating on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and as a disinfectant spray for tunnels and fogging purposes.

Researchers believe that these materials can be effective in curtailing the spread of microbes, especially in hospitals and quarantine centers where chances are high.

The material being used right now, is made of volatile compounds and has a pungent smell. Whereas, the material developed by IIT Ropar researchers is non-volatile and does not have a foul smell. It has a very high anti-microbial properties as compared to the presently used material.

IIT Ropar Director Sarita Das, said that with relaxations in the lockdown it is challenging to keep the public areas properly sanitized. Keeping that in view, the team of IIT professors Dr. Narinder Singh, C Raman Suri, Harpreet Singh and Amanpreet Singh, developed synthetic materials for anti-microbial coatings on PPE kits. The material developed has a high shelf life on both metallic and non-metallic surfaces.

The two types of coatings- hydrophilic and hydrophobic can be used on the bse of the area it has been applied. Hydrophilic materials are used for fogging and spraying on walls, whereas hydrophobic materials are used for coating on PPE and on furnitures

Several IITs across the country have been coming with news innovations as preventive measures against coronavirus. Earlier, researchers at IIT Ropar had designed a doffing unit to help the frontline healthcare workers to remove their protective gear under sterile conditions.