Manipal students win with their inventive talents

Manipal students win with their inventive talents

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, Apr 06, 2016: The makers’ culture programme, organised for undergraduates in town by INK Makers, Bengaluru, revelled in showcasing the skills of Manipal University students in creating new devices and tinkering existing ones.

Individuals, who were interested in making inventions and exploring new venues of technology and design, participated in INK Makers 2015, which had a concept of coming up with user-friendly and cost-effective products. The programme saw 150-odd participants in two separate series of mini makers’ festivals organised on the campus of the University. The grand finale of the INK Makers 2015, organised at the University, witnessed a fight among 14 teams shortlisted from the festivals.

The winners of the finale were to be selected judging the entries on parameters of novelty of the idea presented, the gravity of the problem solved, feasibility and workability of the idea and the final presentation outcome.

The project ‘Energy efficient stove and water heater’ by team Vinayak won the title of ‘INK Makers 2015’ and was awarded a cash prize of Rs 3,00,000. MIT student Vinayak Prabhu’s energy efficient and low indoor pollution stove has unique features like high fuel efficiency, low cost of production and maintenance.

 Vinayak developed a device which consists of a copper pipe, through which cold water is passed. The pipe prevents the escape of heat from the burner and diverts it, instead, to heat water placed in another container. Vinayak says it is multi-functional, with a mild steel body and an iron rod frame. It also has a wooden holding stand, a float bucket and a roller stand. He added that he manufactured it using the waste materials available at electronic shops and garage. The manufacturing cost is around Rs 2,300, he added.

Projects ‘Power Assisted Stretcher’ by team Spearheads and ‘Wearable Sanitizer Dispenser’ by team Excelsior, both from MIT, were the runners-up.

Spearheads built a prototype of a power-assisted stretcher for hospitals. It is an electronic-powered stretcher which requires only one person to manoeuvre it, unlike the conventional stretchers, which require three to four people to use them. It enables easy driving, as there are no prerequisite skills for its operation.

Team Excelsior decided to tackle problems in the medical field and developed a ‘Wearable Sanitizer Dispenser’. They designed a prototype of a contraption that will dispense sanitising liquid when a little pressure is applied on it. It can be worn as an accessory by medical professionals and will reduce the risk of transfer of infection from one patient to another, which is a common problem all over the world. Abhishek Mahapatra and his team members displayed their creation Tizer.

 He said that the watch gives a simple solution for complex problems. It is a lifestyle and hygienic statement. The watch priced at Rs 65 to Rs 70 is refillable and reusable, he added.

The first runner up received a cash prize of Rs 2,00,000 and the second runner-up was given Rs 1,00,000 cash.

Sulochana Pai, Nagarjuna Rao and other team members have come out with the new toilet basin which suits the Indian style of defecation, in the squatting position. “The basin has a redesigned seating arrangement and foot rest.

 Squatting is a posture where the weight of the body is on the feet. The western style of basin would badly affect the colon if the person is in the wrong position,” said Sulochana.

“Besides, it creates constipation problems. Humans use 30-35 anorectal angle in the squatting posture, whereas in the western toilets humans use 90 anorectal angles. The basin, which is named Easeit-dump in comfort, ensures good health,” adds Nagarjuna.

 

Courtesy: DHNS