• Equipped with Tri-Band UV Nature Booster Technology to sanitize belongings in rooms
• The inbuilt HEPTA Filter air purifier keeps air pure and germs free in around 220 sq ft and clean
• The odor neutralizer removes bad smells from the room  creating fresh ambiance  
• The stylish table design adds to the room decor with drawer cabinet for utility    

As the COVID cases continue to soar in India, hygiene practices become a key measure for ensuring safety. However, just keeping the hands sanitized these days isn’t adequate as now and then we need to touch our smartphones, wallet and numerous other objects which may remain infected. Along these lines to deal with the rising threat of contamination through object surfaces, Bengaluru based Nano-technology start-up, Log 9 Materials Private Limited came forward with an innovative, first-of-its-kind product, named CoronaOven which uses UV-C light for disinfecting surfaces. It is a cost-effective, proprietary and patent-pending technology for completely neutralizing COVID-19 and other pathogens within 10 minutes on surfaces of products including masks, PPE kits, tools, groceries, mobile phones, wallet, etc.

Speaking to the Machine Maker, Akshay Singhal, Founder, and CEO of Log9 Materials stated, “The major goal behind this product was to contain a surface to human transmission and thus contribute to this fight against the pandemic. Our team has been working for years to indigenously develop cutting edge technology for India’s self-reliance in energy and filtration sectors. Hence, this product is driven by the same conviction of providing locally developed innovations in our country’s fight against this global crisis”.

The Story behind CoronaOven 

The ongoing outbreak of COVID has pressurized and overburdened the healthcare sector and is persistently challenging their endeavour to deal with the unprecedented situation, thus, the importance of adequate protective gear (PPEs) for the medical personnel cannot be stressed enough. However, instances of limited or inadequate supply of masks and PPEs for healthcare workers have been reported off late worldwide and since we are about to enter stage 3/4 of the transmission, the problem of bridging the demand-supply gap is expected to become more prominent and equally troublesome in the upcoming days.

Akshay mentioned that a section of health experts have raised their concerns that re-using specific masks such as the N95, surgical masks, and PPE kits (most of which are intended for single-use and are disposable), if not done appropriately and scientifically, could result in reducing their effectiveness, parallelly which prompted a huge dilemma as re-using masks and other equipment turned into the need of the hour because of the emerging deficiencies. Therefore, at that point of time, to curb down the shortages, the Nano-technology start-up stepped into the scenario and developed a splendid initiative for providing a time-critical, ideal solution for effectively disinfecting various object surfaces, which appeared to be the game-changer for the entire Health care Community along with the commoners.

I would like to reiterate our Prime Minister’s message of ‘Vocal for Local’. We need to believe in technologies developed within India, support them and help them go global

Akshay Singhal
Founder & CEO, Log9 Materials

How it works

The Corona oven is a 20 liter, UV chamber that utilizes UV light of a specific wavelength in a blend with few other design parameters to sterilize surfaces. Its resemblance, as well as operation, is much similar to a microwave as one simply needs to put an object to be disinfected inside the 20, 33-liter box and turn it on for 10 minutes to get access to a complete safe version of the existing object. Its development is based upon the study on SARS virus and has been certified for appropriate UV-C light intensity and safety from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – empanelled Council of Scientific and Industrial Research & CSIR-CSIO laboratory.

The device is remarkably planned in such a way that whenever UV light is exposed to COVID virus, it penetrates the virus shell and reaches to its RNA strand, which further causes photochemical fusion of two adjacent nucleotides and permanently changes the structure of virus RNA rendering it incapable of infecting any other live cell.

Further Development

Currently, the Log9 team has joined hands with IISC, Bangalore to carry out additional research and optimisation for the existing CoronaOven and also for launching some new variants for the same product. Notably, the CoronaOven sanitization chamber system has been scientifically reviewed and verified in terms of UV intensity at the laboratory of IISC.

Apart from this, for their unique solution, MARICO Innovation Foundation has shortlisted them to combat the short supply of PPE and ventilators by awarding 76 lakh Rupees, and they even received support from ACT Grants. Despite restricting the gadget’s availability up to a certain area, the start-up attempted to provide their services to a broader sector which incorporates several hospitals such as, Trustwell, Narayan Hrudalaya, Amrita (Bangalore), AIIMS (Delhi), various diagnostic labs and clinics nationwide, police stations (Bangalore), airports etc.

The product’s efficiency not only amused India but even attracted foreign customers, as a result of which French President Emmanuel Macron’s residence got equipped with Bengaluru’s CoronaOven. “With support from the government, we are already live on the GEMS gov procurement portal and have started deliveries recently. The device is available for the general public for use by delivery personnel and in homes and we are also making a portable version of this oven which runs on a battery and can be used in ambulances, frontline police vans, etc which will be even capable of disinfecting parcels on the go on bikes in the food delivery space,” says Akshay.

Founded by Akshay Singhal in 2015, Log9 Materials is a nanotechnology company that aims to revolutionize the energy sector with an innovative zero-emission, low-cost aluminium-air fuel cell.

For more details contact: www.log9materials.com