Student develops affordable ultraviolet box to kill virus
Bhubaneswar: A city-based agriculture student has developed an ultraviolet (UV) box that is capable of disinfecting a range of daily-use products such as vegetables, wallets and cell phones within minutes.
The 21-year-old, Abhisekh Mohapatra, who is currently pursuing his degree in agriculture at SOA deemed-to-be university here, said excessive use of sanitisers or chemicals on gadgets could damage them. “I chose to use the UV method of sanitisation, which is already in use in places like laboratories and airports. The problem is they are too costly, not easily available and mostly of improper size, so I decided to make my own UV device,” he said.
Abhisekh claimed that his UV box is the most affordable one, which can be made available under Rs 1,000. “Other such boxes cost over Rs 2,000, but this one can be made available for only Rs 700,” he said.
His UV box has a reflective inner side in which one can put all their daily devices such as masks, spectacles, money, watch and more. “Besides, there is a hook at the top of the box to hang the mask inside it. I also made the box lid automatic so that it can close easily. Instead of sensors, I used simple circuits to turn off the light when the lid is opened for the safety of users,” Abhisekh added.
On being asking about its cost-effectiveness, the developer said he had used the most easily available materials in the market such as Thermocol sheets as they are good insulators, reflecting materials, wires, resistors, tape, magnets, sockets and UV. He said the device can work on simple 220 volt of current via any kind of socket at home. It will take nearly 15 minutes for perfect disinfection of the products. The device can be used anywhere as it is mobile and light, he added.