IIT-Delhi develops a sensitive and inexpensive respiratory filter

A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has developed a sensitive but inexpensive respiratory filter which can protect the users against most of the fine dust and air pollutants for at least eight-hours at a cost of just Rs 10.

It is not just dead-cheap in price but also comfortable in its application, compared to the face masks and other alternatives available in the market to fight critical levels of air pollution, particularly in Delhi and other metro cities, according to the researchers team.

“Our nasal filter can restrict entry of 95% of the fine particulate matter of 2.5-micron size. It is very comfortable, highly cost effective and better than the face masks and other alternatives available in the market,” Prateek Sharma, an alumni of the IIT-Delhi and part of the team which developed the product, told DH.

Its users would experience just one third of the breathing resistance than that they would experience while using face masks and other products available in the market to combat the higher level of air pollution, he said.

“Our respiratory filters are easy to use as one just have to stick it to his or her nasal orifice,” he added.

The IIT-Delhi's research team comprising two faculties of the institute Manjeet Jassal and Ashwini K Agrawal; its alumni Sanjeev Jain and Tushar Vyas; and a student Jatin Kewlani, besides Sharma, recently Startups National Award 2017 from President Pranab Mukherjee last week for the developing the innovative product.

The face masks available in the market to protect people from entry finer particulate matters into their lungs cost more than Rs 1500.

“These face masks may be used for 80 to 100 hours but they are not washable. They are very costly also. Our nasal filter would auto-clean itself every time its user breathes out. It can be used for a longer period but we recommend that it should be replaced with a new unit in 8-10 hours as it would cost just Rs 10 per unit,” Sharma said.

The innovative product under brand name ‘Nasofilters’ would soon be available for purchase in India and abroad by the Nanoclean Global Pvt Ltd, a company formed by the researchers team of the IIT-Delhi.

“We want to bring it to the Indian and global market in next two-three months,” Sharma said.

The product has been developed by assembling millions of small sized pores to create a thin flexible membrane, which could capture very small particles with high efficiency, Agrawal said.

“This allows filters to be used for long hours while maintaining good breathability and comfort. The filters aim to provide relief to common users from air pollution and to protect people, who are prone to allergies.

It also seeks to safeguard people who are exposed to industrial particulate pollutants,” he added.

The Nasofilters would restrict entry of foreign particulate matter including bacteria and pollen allergens, besides 2.5-micron sized particulate matter.