Coronavirus: Defence Institute of Advanced Technology develops microwave sterilizer

The Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) has developed a microwave steriliser to sanitize objects, the defence ministry said in a statement. This microwave can sanitize only non-metallic objects.

The Pune-based Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) has come out with a microwave steriliser to sanitize objects, the defence ministry said in a statement.

DIAT is a deemed university supported by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is among the several government agencies that have been contributing to the country fight against the coronavirus disease. 

The virus gets disintegrated by differential heating in the range of 56 to 60 degrees Celsius, the ministry said in a statement. “The product is a cost-effective solution and can be operated in portable or fixed installations. This system was tested for human/operator safety and has been found to be safe,” it said.

Depending on the size and shape of the objects to be sterilised, the time can range from 30 to 60 seconds. This microwave steriliser can be used for only non-metallic objects.

Different wings of the defence ministry including the armed forces, the DRDO and the Ordnance Factory Board, have designed and developed a wide range of products to support the country’s effort to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The DRDO has come out with several products to fight the pandemic including ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, large area sanitisation solutions and Covid-19 sample collection kiosks. Last week, it had stepped forward to provide medical oxygen plants to the hospitals located in far-flung areas to help them generate their own oxygen supply. Earlier, the armed forces have also come up with a raft of innovations to combat the pandemic --- from modifying quadcopters to spray disinfectants over large areas to ultra-violet light sanitisers, assisted respiratory systems and 3-D printed masks.

Read More: