IIT Guwahati researchers develop affordable antiviral spray-based coating for PPE
In an attempt to safeguard healthcare workers and citizens from coronavirus, a team of researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati have developed an affordable antimicrobial spray-based coating for PPE kits to kill and prevent the spread of microbes once they come in contact with the coated PPE surface.
They have also developed 3D printed ear guard for the comfortable use of face masks by healthcare workers, said IIT Guwahati in a statement.
In a press release, IIT Guwahati said that the concepts were developed by Dr Biman B. Mandal, Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, along with his Ph.D. scholars, Bibhas K. Bhunia and Ashutosh Bandyopadhyay.
Talking about the work, Dr. Biman B. Mandal, Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, said, “Effective yet affordable technologies are need of the hour for India. We at IIT-G under the leadership of our Director, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, are committed to contribute to the nation’s immediate need at this hour of COVID-19 crisis.”
PPEs that are being used presently are designed to protect the wearer from infectious microbes/aqueous virus droplets acting as a barrier.
However, these PPE, generally, do not have the ability to prevent the spread of microbes as the surface of the fabric readily allows adherence and accumulation of microbes with time. This leads to further spread of the microbes due to the negligent handling of PPE and wrong disposal protocols, said IIT Guwahati.
The strategic association of metal nanoparticle cocktail, such as copper, silver and other active ingredients, present in the spray acts as an antimicrobial agent.
This ensures limited penetration and accumulation of microbial contaminants on PPE. Thus, the coating has the potential to reduce the risk of secondary infection by limiting the transmission of the microbes.

No extra chance will be given to Covid affected UPSC candidates: Centre to SC

SBI SCO admit card released, here's how to download
- State Bank of India (SBI) on Friday released the admit card for the specialist cadre officers (SCO) at its official website, sbi.co.in.

All India Bar Exam-XV: 1.20 lakh advocates to appear at 154 centers

RBI Recruitment: Apply online for 241 vacancies for security guard posts
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has invited online applications for recruitment against 241 Vacancies for the post of security guard. Aspirants can apply online till February 12 at rbi.org.in.

Marginal increase in UP Board exam centres as govt amends allotment policy
- As per the amendment, the total number of centres will not be increased more than 10% as compared to last year

UPSC IES, ISS Result 2020 declared at upsc.gov.in, check merit list here
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has declared the results of Indian Economic Services/Indian Statistical Services written exam on its official website -upsc.gov.in. The written exam was held in October 2020

SSC CHSL 2019 final answer key for tier 1 exam released at ssc.nic.in
- Staff Selection Commision (SSC) on Friday released the final answer key of Convinced Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) 2019 tier 1 exam on its official website- ssc.nic.in.

CGBSE board exams 2021 schedule for class 10th, 12th released
- Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE) on Friday released the exam schedule for its class 10th and 12th board exams. The schedule has been uploaded on the official website-cgbse.nic.in.

Colleges, universities in Haryana will be tobacco-free from Jan 26: Khattar

Schools to reopen for Classes 9-12 from Feb 1 in Jammu division’s summer zone

Education ministry extends JNU V-C Jagadesh Kumar’s term

'Conventional education has seen great upheaval for good in the form of NEP'

MU to conduct annual convocation ceremony virtually this year
- MU is one of many higher education institutes across the country which chose to conduct convocation ceremonies virtually this year.

Maharashtra parents write to NCPCR over fee concerns
- Parents from across the state have written to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) over issues pertaining to private schools in the state.
