UV Light Based Smart Portable Sterilization Robot

COVID-19 pandemic has put the whole world into crises. Human mobility has turned into a threat that is affecting the livelihood of people. With Alcohol-based hand sanitizer in short supply and expensive, researches are turning to natural hand sanitizer or ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light i

Project Title

UV Light Based Smart Portable Sterilization Robot

Project Area of Specialization

Robotics

Project Summary

COVID-19 pandemic has put the whole world into crises. Human mobility has turned into a threat that is affecting the livelihood of people. With Alcohol-based hand sanitizer in short supply and expensive, researches are turning to natural hand sanitizer or ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light is the latest popular tool in the ongoing race to find ways to avoid catching SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Disinfection/sterilization using UV light is nothing new. For the last several years, UV light sources are used for sterilization in hospitals, at food production facilities, for water purification, and in several other places. Although, UV light has been used to stop and kill pathogens for decades, however, would it work against SARS-CoV-2? Researchers have discovered that a specific wavelength of UVC light ie, about 200-280nm could be less dangerous to humans due to its less penetration power but can damage the RNA and DNA, rending the microorganisms incapable of replicating. However, the use of UV light needs safety measures to avoid risks. To avoid the risk involved in the use of UV light, this proposal focuses on the use of a remote-controlled robot equipped with UVC light sources of a specific wavelength for disinfecting and sterilizing public places such as hospitals, offices, banks, particularly classrooms and working places of educational institutes.

Project Objectives

Problem Statement:

• The SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread in the whole world rapidly. Millions of lives had been killed due to this virus. According to the survey, 99.8 million cases of coronavirus have been reported worldwide with a death rate of 2.14 million. Still, there is no proper medicines or vaccine to cure this deadly virus.
• The effective mean of education has been compromised and still compromising, as educational institutes have been closed since last year. No one knows how long would this virus takes to go. Hence it is required to come up with new ideas that can resume physical mode of education.
• The place where any COVID-19 patient was present needs proper sterilization for that specials disinfectants sprays and chemicals are required that are very expensive and still less effective. Along with that, this sterilization requires the human source to spray or clean the place, equipment, medical tools, etc. That increases the risk of getting covid-19 to that group of people performing sterilization. The UVC-based robot can perform effective sterilization without putting people at risk.

Objectives:

• To prevent spreading contagious and viral diseases  particularly COVID19
• To come up with accessible and cost-effective solution for sterilization.
• To resume effective mean of education. (physical classes)
• To prioritize human safety.

Project Implementation Method

After observing the heart rending condition of the world due to deadly COVID19 virus, it was aimed to come up with such a product that plays its part in the battle against the pandemic, a deductive approach has been taken, for which extensive research has been conducted. Detailed analysis has been carried out in order to get accurate information. Moreover, a market survey has been done to get knowledge about the need, demand, cost, and success rate of different products that has proven to play a role to combat the pandemic all over the world.

Ultraviolet light (UVC) of wave length 200-280nm is found to be an effective weapon against the viruses and bacteria. This range of UVC is absorbed by the RNA and DNA of microorganisms which damages their shell, making them incapable of replicating.

It is also found that direct contact with UV radiations can adversely affect the human eye and skin.

In order to protect individuals from direct interaction with UVC, a remote-controlled robot containing Omni directional placement of UVC lamps has been designed.  Strategies to provide maximum reflection and area coverage have been considered. Proper calculation and measurements has been done to proposed a smart design that can work efficiently in indoor environment. Exposure duration and area calculations have been done to estimate various power ratings. Human detection technology wielded into this system isolates direct exposure of ultraviolet light at the person and priotitizes human safety.

Pictures showing structure of this smart robot.

Benefits of the Project

• Helps fight against COVID19.
• Sterilization can be performed at hospital and public places.
• Physical mode of education can be resumed safely.
• Spreading rate of Covid-19 can be controlled.
• One time investment can save you from expending heavy amounts on less effective chemicals for sterilization.
• We can get an accessible and cost-effective solution for sterilization.
• Blood can be preserved for longer span.

RESIDENTIAL AIR PURIFICATION:

A large number of people keep pets at home such as cats, dogs, deer, etc. But do not aware of the risk of getting infected by the air these and other animals breathe out. Their breath contains such pathogens that can affect humans badly. These air purifiers are providing air purification so that you can inhale pure air.

IN HEALTHCARE/ HOSPITALS :

The OPD equipment is being washed with a special type of chemicals for further use, these chemicals are costly, in order to do sterilization of these sensitive equipment UV light is the best solution that is providing 99% surety of killing bacterias, viruses, molds, pathogens and other kinds of microorganisms.

It can be widely used in blood banks for blood preservation.

WATER STERILIZATION:

It can kill pathogens present in water that is not being killed by chlorine and cannot be filtered out.

BENEFITS: 

• This project will contribute to society by playing a vital role in the battle against covid 19. 
• This product can be a better substitute for expensive chemicals used for sterilization.
• It will help to stop the spreading of bacteria and viruses such as coronavirus as well as other viruses and other viral disaeses.
• It will kill the microbes, bacteria, and viruses which help in the betterment of the health of society.
• It will prevent humans from the direct interaction with UV-C and other disinfectants use in sterilization which causes skin cancer or permanent blindness.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

A working robot in product form will be delivered. This smart portable robot can be placed or moved into a room/office/OPD etc where the process of sterilization is going to take place. Firstly, the robot will ensure that there is no human presence inside the room. After getting this feedback the set of UV-C lamps will be operated.

The activity of the robot will be controlled by real-time video monitoring of the room. This video will be available on the remote screen.

This video will be captured by the camera present on the top surface of the robot. This camera will perform rotations with the help of the servo motor.

If during the sterilization any person enters the room, the motion will be sensed by PIR sensors and the connection between the supply and lamps will be cut off.

A timer can also be set for stationary sterilization such as equipment, machines, tools, etc.

Additionally, if desired, a spraying  system can be attached with this robot to carry out the disinfection process through chemical spray.  

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

Health

Other Industries

Medical

Core Technology

Robotics

Other Technologies

Internet of Things (IoT)

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Sustainable Cities and Communities

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com