Two startups at Indian Institute of Technology- Delhi together have developed COVID-19 protection lotion and antiviral T-shirts at affordable prices. The products launched were unveiled by institute Director V Ramgopal Rao on Friday. The products being a part of an antiviral kit is developed by two startups -E-TEX and Clensta.
Experts from the Chemical and Textile department of IIT, Delhi have backed these products. E-TEX has designed the antiviral fabric using advanced technology which likely reduces the speed of contaminations and transmissions by destroying microorganisms on contact. The garment contains antimicrobial properties that remain effective even after mild 30 washes. The finishing is done on cellulosic fibres making it safe for human contact as well as for the environment.
Bipin Kumar, Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, IIT Delhi, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic is pushing for an all-time-high demand of multi-functional anti-viral and microbial apparels. Developing cost-effective bio-clothing with antiviral and antimicrobial functionalities through local resources and resilient manufacturing can deactivate the viral threats, can efficiently stop or slow the spread of the virus. Further, this will boost the local economy for the textile and garment sectors.”
Explaining the cons of the COVID-19 Protection Lotion launched by the start-up named “Clensta”, Bipin Kumar said that it offers 99.9 per cent virus protection with antiviral and antiseptic properties which remains active up to 24 hours.
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“The product is a breakthrough advancement in the formulation of engineering chemistry with first of its kind PAP Technology (Prolonged Antiviral Technology) to prevent bacterial, viral, and fungal infections without harming the environment and human health and advanced hand sanitizer are formulated with increased alcohol retention time to be effective prevention against multiple viruses,” he added.
Kumar stated, “The product can be used over any exposed part of the body including face and hands. The application of the product keeps users safe from viruses by disrupting it for almost 24 hours and reduces the extended use of alcohol-based sanitizers and washing hands multiple times a day.”
India’s COVID-19 cases stand at 81,484 crossing a mark of 64-lakh. The number of patients recovered from the infections has crossed 53 lakh pushing the recovery rate to 83.70 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. The death toll has reached 99,773 with 1,095 people died due to the disease in a span of 24 hours, according to the ministry data updated at 8 am on Friday.