Telangana's rural innovator develops technology that claims to 'kill Covid'

[Anta Assamey]

Rural innovator Mandaji Narsimha Chary of Telangana has developed lux optimisation technology which when used in an ultraviolet box with filament-less UV-C light claims to kill SARS-CoV2: the virus which causes the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tested by and validated by CSIR-Centre Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB), it can "successfully neutralise 99 per cent viral particles."

CCMB Director Rakesh Mishra said the institute had signed an MoU with Narsimha Chary to further explore the technology in case of new interventions in the experiment either by the innovator or CSIR-CCMB.

"It is very nice to see small entrepreneurs and start-ups coming up with innovative ideas and products. CCMB is happy to test, validate, and provide technical assistance wherever possible," he said.

The Telangana State Innovation Cell (TSIC) is currently working with the innovator to explore the possible scale-up opportunities.

"When we try to increase the lux in the UV-C light more than what it is capable of, the filament can burst. The circuit technology that I developed could optimise the Lux to maximum using the residual mercury until it becomes 0 mg after the light is diffused. This is tested on 30 watts & 254 nanometre-ranged UV-C light (could be performed on lights with different specifications) without filament, which is the first time in the world. This increased lux generated, as per CCMB was able to kill 99% viral particles at the tested time points, minimum at 15 seconds and maximum 1200 seconds when the virus sample is placed at 30 centimeters away from the light. Currently, I hold a provisional patent of the technology," explained Narsimha Chary, who also holds a patent for reglowing the dead tubelights.

TSIC handheld the innovator in facilitating him through the various institutional validations required for the technology from the time they learned the technology. While the biological validation was done by CSIR-CCMB, the technical validation was done by International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI).

"While Narsimha's technology to generate UV light without filament is an outcome of innate passion to answer problems with sustainable solutions, validation and accessibility to the innovator would be the foremost support by the State's innovation ecosystem," said Principal Secretary, Information Technology, Jayesh Ranjan.

Chief Innovation Officer of TSIC, Ravi Narayan said that what TSIC could do with Chary proves that the organisation can become an efficient nodal point between innovator and the innovation ecosystem at large. "TSIC's aSustainability and Scalability Office' believes that institutional validation plays a major role in establishing the credibility of the innovation, and works relentlessly towards enabling innovations through mentoring, market-connect, and access to funding," he added.

Ajit Rangnekar, Director General of Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH) which helped the innovator in the initial phase by establishing technical expert guidance, said that RICH is happy to be associated with TSIC and innovators like Narasimha Chary to support him in his journey to get the UV-Technology validated by facilitating connections at various stages and IIIT Hyderabad for technical inputs.

He hoped Chary's journey would inspire many other innovators from rural backgrounds.