Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad has been providing nearly 100 liters of hand sanitisers per day to the Sangareddy District Administration since April 4, 2020 to help the local community against coronavirus. The hand sanitisers were developed by a Research Group led by Dr. Jyotsnendu Giri, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad. They are being handed over to the Sangareddy Collectorate, which facilitates dissemination of the product to the local population.

Dr. Giri’s research group developed their own compositions of hand sanitiser, which includes Isopropanol/ethanol, Mecetronium Ethyl Sulphate, Glycerol, Brilliant Blue and Fragrance (Jasmin/Clove/Lavender Oil). It was also being shared with the IIT Hyderabad community since March 2020. The Research Group has developed the composition on par with the standards recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Speaking about this initiative, Prof. B.S. Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad said, “Amid the Coronavirus crisis, IIT Hyderabad, as a premier academic institution, is geared up to contribute to the society, the nation and the world at large through its research and offer support to the local community. To combat Coronavirus, the Institute initially prepared hand sanitizers for internal usage. In view of the scarcity of this product for the public at large, the Institute is now preparing and delivering about 100 liters of hand sanitizer every day to the Sangareddy District Collector’s office for local distribution.”

Laboratory technical staff staying inside campus are involved in the manufacturing process of the hand sanitiser every day. Dr. Jyotsnendu Giri along with other technical staff, including Vijaya Kumar and Jaya Lakshmi, are involved in the process.

Dr. Giri, Associate Professor, Dept of Biomedical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad, said, “Being a researcher in an IIT, it is my duty to serve our nation through scientific research and innovation. This is my small contribution to our society in this difficult time. I am thankful to Prof. B.S. Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad, for this initiative and all support and others involved in the manufacturing process.”

Dr. Giri’s research group – Engineering Nanomaterials and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory (ENARM Lab) – focuses on research and innovation for effective and affordable healthcare solution in the areas of Nanomedicine and Regenerative Medicine.