UV technology based innovation to battle Coronavirus

Team L&M

To disinfect surfaces (of various objects, personal protective equipment and more) from germs including bacteria and viruses, a first-of-its-kind product, CoronaOven, has been launched to contain or at least mitigate the chances of serious outbreaks like what the world faces at present.

CoronaOven, launched by Log 9 Materials Pvt Ltd, a Bengaluru-headquartered nanotechnology start-up, makes use of UV-C light (having wavelength of 253.7 nm) in combination with significant design parameters. It is a lightweight, portable disinfection chamber (of 20 litres volume) specifically designed to kill various types of Coronaviruses, including the Novel Coronavirus. It is a proprietary, patent-pending device conceptualised and designed by Log 9, based upon the existing scientific principle of UltraViolet germicidal irradiation (a disinfection method applying short-wavelength UVC rays). What makes the product stand out is its ability to kill virus/pathogens within 10 minutes approximately and from all types of surfaces, after the object is placed inside the chamber for undergoing disinfection.

“We are proud to be able to present a novel solution to the market pertaining to India and the world’s ongoing battle against Covid-19. CoronaOven has been specifically designed by us keeping in mind the cell structure and characteristics of ‘the Corona family of viruses’. We were able to create this product and conduct simulations for the same within a very short timeframe (only in the last two weeks or so) basis our existing knowledge of nanoscience as well as competence in terms of rapid prototyping and scientific product development,” shared Akshay Singhal, founder & CEO, Log 9 Material.

CoronaOven has been enlisted by Log 9 Materials on Government of India’s e-marketplace portal (www.gem.gov.in) and is expected to be commercialised on a large scale soon, reaching out to government agencies, healthcare providers, and other key stakeholders as well as the common public. The product will be made available in two variants: one, as a plug-in device and two, battery-powered.

Overall, CoronaOven is a risk-free, zero-chemical device deemed to have multi-level applications: in healthcare settings, in household or home settings, and for disinfecting delivery parcels on-the-go. In healthcare settings such as hospitals, CoronaOven can be used to quickly decontaminate/ sterilise medical equipment like N95 masks, eye goggles, face shields, etc; this also enables reuse or multiple times usage of these masks and helps front-line workers like doctors and nurses to remain infection-free, even when there is a shortage/unavailability of masks and PPEs. On the other hand, at homes, grocery items, food items (including fruits and vegetables), water bottles, utensils, and various other home appliances and accessories having solid surfaces of plastic, metal, leather, fabric can be disinfected using the CoronaOven product.