A COVID-19 mask that lets you breathe & a sanitiser that doesn’t dry your hands? Read this

New Delhi: National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), an enterprise of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, has entered into an agreement with Kolkata-based M/s Paulmech Infrastructure Private Limited, under which it has transferred two COVID-19 control technologies developed by SN Bose National Centre For Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS). The SNBNCBS is an autonomous research institute in Kolkata under the Department of Science and Technology.

The two technologies developed by SNBNCBS and transferred by NRDC are:

1. An active respirator with attached exhalation valve and suspended particulate matter filter for comfortable and hygienic breathing
2. Long-lasting nano-sanitiser with a dispensing antimicrobial layer.

The active respirator mask is an innovative solution to the rebreathing of carbon dioxide, exhaled moisture, and sweaty and hot environment inside the mask. It also improves the clarity of speech of a person with a face mask and assures comfortable, hygienic breathing to protect the wearer from exposure to airborne contaminants.
The long-lasting nano-sanitiser innovation is a solution to the problems caused by the use of the general sanitizer like dehydration of skin due to frequent use, and nature of instantaneous antimicrobial action of common sanitisers without protective role. This innovative sanitiser technology assures comfortable and hygienic hand sanitisation for a longer duration.

Use of these innovative products will help users in overcoming existing problems with masks and sanitisers available in the market.

The agreement has been signed by NRDC's CMD Dr H Purushotham and Paulmech Infrastructure Private Limited's Director Shanti Ranjan Paul, online in the digital presence of Professor Ashutosh Sharma (Secretary), Department of Science & Technology, and Dr Samit Kumar Ray, Director, SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Scientist Professor Samir Kumar Pal, Registrar Shohini Majumder, Nodal officer of Technical Research Centre (TRC), Dr Soumen Mondal of SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Priyankan S Sharma, Somavo Gupta of Paulmech Company and senior officials of NRDC.

Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary DST, congratulated all the stakeholders for bringing the fruits of science and technology to benefit society.

Earlier this week, NRDC has funded 16 Covid-19 technologies for commercialisation under its DSIR grants-in-aid promotional programme for the development of COVID-19-related technologies for commercialisation and up-scaling. The financial support is given for the development of COVID-19 technologies in the area of tracking, testing and treatment, covering process scale-up, pilot plant studies, validation and authentication of the product, registration of the product with regulatory authorities, conducting field trials, generation of toxicology data, bridging the gap between lab-scale development and industrial requirement so that commercial production and marketing of the product become successful. 

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