NEW DELHI: To tackle the challenge of controlling droplet infection in order to check the spread of coronavirus , Indian scientists have developed a highly efficient super-absorbent material that will help in safe disposal of respiratory secretions from infected Covid-19 patients in hospitals and quarantine centres handling such patients.Scientists at state-run Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology have named this material ‘AcryloSorb’ and the system based on it ‘Chitra Acrylosorb Secretion Solidification System’. AcryloSorb can absorb liquid 20 times more than its dry weight. Containers filled with the material will immobilise contaminated fluid by solidifying it, thus avoiding spillage and will also disinfect it. The canister containing the solidified waste can then be disposed of by incineration. The technology, developed by Manju S and Manoj Komath of the institute, will help reduce the risk for hospital staff, help in disinfecting bottles and canisters that are reused and makes such disposal safer and easier.Ashutosh Sharma, secretary of Department of Science and Technology, said, “A super-adsorbent gel with embedded disinfecting material is an attractive proposition for safe collection, consolidation and quarantine of secretions before their incineration.” Scientists have designed suction canisters and disposable spit bags using “AcryloSorb” technology. AcryloSorb suction canisters will collect liquid respiratory secretions from ICU patients or those with copious secretions treated in wards. The container can be sealed after use, making it safe and fit for disposal.Membrane tech to enrich oxygen supply in air: A spinoff company, Genrich Membranes, being funded by the department of science and technology, has developed a membrane oxygen equipment for Covid-19 patients that enriches oxygen supply in the air by up to 35% under pressure. The device does not require trained manpower for its operation, needs minimum maintenance, is portable, compact and with plug-and-play facility provides quick-start oxygen-enriched air.“Medical grade oxygen-enriched air is needed in a variety of patient-care settings, including Covid-19 situations where the global experience is about 14% infections require some kind of respiratory support, but only about 4% need ICU-based ventilators. The rest of this population, as well as in many other conditions involving chronic breathing problems, this innovation promises to be of excellent value,” said the DST secretary.