Meghalaya: A team of experts develops tunnel sanitizer to combat COVID-19

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 16, 2020

A team of faculty, scientists, doctors and industrialists have developed a tunnel sanitizer based automatic temperature controller device in the state.

The tunnel is designed with a view to reduce the time of sanitization in places where there are people entering in large numbers such as religious gatherings, educational institutions, hospitals etc.

The sanitization process is effective as the person walks through the tunnel and disinfectants are sprayed all over the person from different angles so that the whole body can be sanitized.

The team comprises of people from multidisciplinary areas: Hirak Ranjan Das, Noor Islam and Sasanka Barooah from the Royal Global University, Guwahati, Dr Dinesh Bhatia from the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Dr Kalyan Kumar Das, Assam Engineering College and Prof. Animesh Mishra from NEIGHRIMS, Shillong.

Dr Dinesh Bhatia, an associate professor of Biomedical Engineering Department, NEHU said after more than three months of research, discussions, trials and testing, the machine has been made compact and cost effective.

He said the people passing are sprayed with a disinfectant solution coming out of a high pressure air compressor. The disinfectant is eco-friendly, multi-purpose microbiocide solution which is effective to disinfect different bacterial spores, viruses, protozoa, fungi etc.

He said when a person enters through the tunnel automatically the nozzle will be activated and a full body alongwith the cloth/shoes etc. will be sanitized with sprays at high pressure and speed.

The disinfecting process can be completed in 3-4 seconds. With proper implementation such sanitizers it can disinfect articles of clothing and shoes for a significant period of time.

The output material is like mist and highly effective as it covers a larger surface area unlike liquid disinfectant and does not need any drainage system in place.

“The tunnel does not require human control and operates with the help of ultrasonic sensors and micro controllers. It has two chambers with three different levels of disinfection. In the second chamber, the person entering the tunnel experiences a hot air blast at 70 degree Centigrade.

This is to make sure that any bacteria/viruses that could have survived during the disinfectant spray process would be killed through the heat in the second chamber. It is followed by exposure of far UVC light with a wavelength ranging from 207 to 222 nm that has capability to kill the viruses and is considered to be safe for the human eyes and skin,” Dr Bhatia said.

He said the tunnel will be equipped with a thermal scanner at the entrance. Any person detected with temperature higher than the normal body temperature will not be allowed to enter the premises and through the tunnel.

The team acknowledged the support of their respective institutions. Dr. D. Bhatia specifically acknowledged the idea to prepare the tunnel sanitizer during one of his meetings with Dr JN Nayak, Registrar, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong who emphasized the need for the same in the educational institution and at the main entrance of the University. The team contributed funds using their own resources to develop this disinfect tunnel sanitizer in a short span of time.