Weekly Innovation Bulletin : 2nd-8th August

IIT Kharagpur devised an efficient, portable and economical device for the diagnosis of covid-19

In this ongoing unprecedented condition, early detection of the virus is the most crucial aspect for saving more no. Of lives. So, researchers from IIT Kharagpur have invented a portable symptomatic device which is capable of detecting covid-19 infection within an hour, at an economical cost of Rs.400. The standard results obtained from RT-PCR(Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) machine, using the synthetic viral RNA have been strictly verified by the other established laboratories. The synthetic viral RNA is the exact replicative copy of the viral RNA extracted from the covid-19 patients. Apart from diagnosing covid-19, by following the same generic process, this peculiar instrument is potent enough to detect other kinds of RNA virus which might act as an unforeseen pandemic in the near future. The current status of medical infrastructure is not hidden from us. Compensating these constraints, this device also empowers to use this new designed Technology at places which are deprived of appropriate infrastructure ,resources and trained professionals.

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"Apiary" & "Idea Challenge Program" in BlockChain Technology

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) through video conferencing launched Apiary, a centre of excellence (CoE) in BlockChain. Apart from it, the Ministry also announces an Idea Challenge Program in BlockChain Technology, which welcomes all the entrepreneurs and start-ups to enthusiastically participate. Dr. Omkar Rao the director general of STPI launched these projects via webinar. In the recent few years Blockchain has emerged as an underpinning Technology in the Public Sector. It's a digital record of transactions.

Blockchain application is very beneficial to the public sector and government as it helps to build trust with citizens, protects sensitive data and information thereby improves efficiency. BlockChain is now a widely deployed Technology, finding its use beyond the financial realms. Its adoption in e-governance, health, agriculture and other sectors will maintain trust and immutability to the assets, which will also support programmes like Made in India & Digital India .

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COVID 19 detection App innovated by a 17 yr old boy in delhi

HRD Ministry had organised the 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat' Ideathon on june 20, in which a student of DPS RK Puram named Aryan Gulati, a 17 year old boy became the youngest winner of the Ideathon. He invented a web-based app named LungAI which is not only capable of monitoring Covid-19 but also potent enough to detect 16 other lung disorders like lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia and many more, within 3-5 seconds.

How do the LungAi app function?

On this website one just needs to upload his/her chest X-ray or CT Scan and then within 3-5 seconds you will receive the result. If the result is positive the website ultimately goes on to provide treatment measures. Thus, in the medical and pharmaceutical sector it's a deep learning based digital platform to spot covid-19 and other lung abnormalities. The LungAI website has the accuracy rate of 90%.

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Rail Bicycle launched by Indian Railways 🚆

To safeguard passengers Security The Indian Railways has devised a Rail bicycle with novel mechanism to facilitate quick track inspection, urgent repairs,thereby making the travel more safer and convenient. As per Railway Ministry the peculiar bicycle has been introduced keeping in mind the problem faced by the railway staff to immediately reach at repairing sites during monsoon season which lead to unwanted delay in train services. Despite its role in emergency situations, this Rail bicycle will also be utilized for hot weather patrolling along with daily monitoring of railway tracks. According to Railway Ministry, manufacturing of these bicycles are cost effective, with the total cost of Rs5000 per bicycle. It's light in weight, constituting around 20kg in total and can also be easily assembled and dismantled by an individual. On average the rail Bicycle speed ranges from 10-15km/hr.