Indicative Masks – Dhairya Kataria

Problem:

Increase in random disposal of protective masks, creating a severe threat to public health and the environment
Cross-transmission of diseases through rag pickers and their immediate community
Repetitive re-use of single mask posing a threat on individual health
Practice of re-selling used masks with only primary or absolutely no treatment

Solution: An indicator-based mask to segregate the used masks from the unused ones

Identified the ill-practice of washing and repacking of tons of used masks which are further being sold to dealers across cities at cheap prices, posing a serious health hazard
Identified the problem of overuse of a single mask, which overtime reduces its efficacy and further acts as a carrier of germs
Identified the problem of waste segregation for the rag pickers which pose severe cross-transmisible health concerns to them and their community
Ideated to develop an indicator based mask to segregate the used masks from the unused ones to prevent threat to public health and the environment
Thereafter, he approached and initiated a collaboration with eminent alumni of Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi
Along with his mentors and team, he proposed to infuse a novel chemical indicator into the polymers used to manufacture such single-use face masks- the optical indicator would detect the presence of CO₂ at different levels and change the color via the gasochromic phenomenon
Post approval of the idea and concept by IIT Professors, the team was was granted the permission to work in the lab and work on developing a color-changing mask that changes color post usage, eliminating the notion of reuse
They further received a funding of INR 4.5 Lakhs (~USD 5200) from Ansys Inc. under the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, to support the development of a prototype

Other applications of the invention:

The fruit & vegetable industry, wherein the colour changing indicative packaging can help prioritise the sale of the older stocks to avoid loss due to rotting.
The indicative packaging can help HORECA( hotels, restaurants & cafes) industries to manage their inventory and supply chain more efficiently.
The indicative pigment can be infused in any PPE kit to ensure single time usage in critical care units.
A Full patent has been applied for, to authorise the process further, and response is currently awaited