SHILLONG, Sept 25 - Two departments of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have collaborated to develop a machine to sanitize books and paper materials, which has been dubbed as the Auto Book Sanitizing Composite Machine or ABSCoM.
Books are carriers of a lot of germs and viruses, especially those in the libraries as these change hands frequently. With the onset of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Incubation Centre of the NEHU approved of the project to build the ABSCoM in May.
It took the two departments and its team comprising Vinayak Majhi, Ashit K Baruah, Richman Kharwanniang, Aseem Sinha and Sudip Paul about 75 days to build the first prototype.
The machine works on two technologies: ultraviolet rays and controlled heat exposure. All the machine parts were sourced locally from the State capital and some online from other parts of the country.
�The machine kills COVID-19 virus on books and other paper materials, thereby making them safe for users,� Assem Sinha, one of the innovators, told The Assam Tribune.
Sinha terms the prototype user-friendly and cost-effective with low maintenance costs. According to Sinha, the prototype sanitizes up to 150 books in 45 minutes at a recurring cost of 20-30 paise per book.
This sanitizing machine functions in an auto-controlled mode to sanitize all kinds of paper reading materials without causing any damage. Moreover, the machine is completely safe though it uses UV rays for sanitization.
One of the machine prototypes was installed in the NEHU library on Wednesday. The team is now looking forward to patenting their innovation and necessary paperwork is under process, Sinha said.
Based on the feedback and demand, the team is open to mass production of the device and the idea of customizing it for users. At present it can sanitize books and papers, but it can be remodelled to sanitize currencies, letters and parcels, especially in banks and post offices.
FR Sumer, Librarian in-charge, NEHU, has said that the device would greatly benefit the students during the pandemic and keep the library safe while handling paper reading materials.
