IIT Kanpur develops washable sticky mat to absorb dust
This mat can be used in ICU of Hospitals, clean rooms, facilities housing sophisticated equipment as a component of air filters.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 24 Feb 2021 12:26 PM GMT
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur have developed a washable sticky mat that absorbs dust from a contacting surface to ensure a clean, hygienic, healthy, and refreshing atmosphere at homes, offices, hospitals, and laboratories.
Prof Animangsu Ghatak from the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, who developed the mat with the support of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, got the idea from adhesive pad present on the feet of wall climbing animals like house lizards.
This mat can be used in ICU of Hospitals, clean rooms, facilities housing sophisticated equipment as a component of air filters. Technology is important wherever cleanliness and hygiene is desired. The product is in the 7 ā 8 level of technology readiness level and is yet to be commercialized. A pilot plant is being built to make the material on a scale larger.
The adhesive uses nanoscopic pyramidal bumps to attract dust particles towards it, thereby cleaning the sole of our shoes when we step on it. When the adhesive gets completely covered with particulate matter, it is washed in a way like the clothes. At this, the surface gets back its ability to stick and remains usable through hundreds of such cycles.
Scientists have used a bottom-up approach of preparation of nano- to micro-patterned surface on elastomer over a large area, control of the geometry of surface patterns by simple methods, washability, and reusability of the adhesive over many cycles for the development of this mat.
It has been validated, and an Indian patent application has been filed for the sticky mat. It is simple to prepare, easy to wash, environmentally benign, cost-effective, and can be a replacement for materials imported for the same purpose. The closest substitute is the 3M sticky pad that is not washable or reusable.
