Students propose radiation resistant emergency facility

NIE engineering college pupil develop future technology

Vivek and Nikhil H C, sixth semester students of NIE, proposed a facility that could drastically reduce the amount of radiation affecting people at ‘CogNIEscience 2011’, a national-level paper presentation competition organised by the Department of Mechanical Engineering on Saturday.

According to Vivek, while designing the facility he has only considered the radiation levels, while he is yet to take into consideration factors such as earthquakes. Presenting the initial designs, Vivek said that the facility would be of two levels. One level would be situated above the ground and the other below.

With dimensions of about 200 feet by 200 feet, it could house about 10,000 people until they are evacuated to an alternative destination. The facility would be packed with 20 inches of soil and the walls of 3.5 inches thickness. The wall would comprise of 2.5 inches of concrete and one inch of steel.

Further, a lead coating could be used on the inside of the walls to further protect the health of the people. His partner, Nikhil mentioned that the based on the principle of halving thickness, the intensity of radiation could be drastically reduced. The design also includes an temperature control system, air purifiers and underground drinking water connection, which would be safeguarded from radioactive elements.

Other topics

Paper presentations were conducted in four categories including energy, production, design and management.  About 50 students presented their ideas in these categories.

Other interesting paper presentations included solar roadways to make use of renewable sources of energy by Lakshmi M B and Poornima S  and using air as a ‘wonder fuel’ to run engines by Sudarshan M P and Krishna J.

Inauguration

Earlier, Meritor HVS India Ltd Vice President S Raghunathan inaugurated ‘CogNIEscience 2011’ .

NIE Management Committee President S R Subba Rao, Principal Dr G L Shekar, Head of the Department, Mechanical Engineering, Dr T N Shridhar and Co-ordinator Tajmul Pasha were present.