Asem Bhakta
IMPHAL, JULY 21: In a major breakthrough ‘Virus Kavach Fabric Spray’ developed by Centre for Nanofabrics, School of Nanoscience and Technology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur in Maharashtra is found to inactivate Coronavirus by more than 99.99%, according to a report by the institute.
This novel and important research on validation and product development research at Centre for Nanofabrics, School of Nanoscience and Technology, leading “Virus Kavach’ fabric spray technology, inactivating a wide spectrum of bacteria and virus like the COVID-19 virus, is a major achievement in the current scenario to fill up the vacuum to prevent spread of COVID-19 virus in the society at large and specially for the CORONA warriors like Police, Press Personal, Health workers and other essential service providers until a vaccine is available for COVID-19 virus according to the report published by the university’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Nitin Karmalkar last 18 July.
The project is said to be headed by Prof. Kiran Kumar Kakchingtabam Sharma from here. Prof. Kakchingtabam Kiran Kumar Sharma is the son of (L) Shri Kakchingtabam Kanhailal Sharma (Smriti Shastri in Sanskrit), National Teachers Awardee, Government of India 1983 and Smt. Kakchingtabam Ibemnungshi Devi from Thongju Part II, Wikhom Khongnang, Imphal Manipur. He is the fifth of the six siblings, an ex-student of Sainik School Imphal (1983 batch), graduated in B. Sc. (Chemistry Hons.) from D. M. College of Science (1994), earned his M. Sc. with specialization in organic chemistry from Department of Chemistry, Manipur University (1997) Imphal. He was selected as JRF in all India test in UGC-DAE-CSR, Kolkota Centre in the year 1998. He pursued his Ph. D. in Chemistry from Chemistry Department, Pune University (now S. P. Pune University) under the supervision of Prof. B. S. M. Rao and obtained his Ph. D. Degree in the year 2003. During his Ph. D. tenure he visited Radiation and Genome Stability Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell, Oxford as visiting researcher during 2001-2002 for one year and worked under Prof. Peter O’Neill. After his Ph. D. he joined Department of Biotechnology, S. P. Pune University as Teaching/Research Associate in the year 2003 and got his first US Patent. He was selected as National Institute of Health, USA funded project at Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Medical Centre, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York as Postdoctoral Research Associate under (late) Prof. William A. Bernhard from 2004-2007. He was also awarded with International President Postdoctoral Fellowship by University of Paris Sud XI, Orsay and worked with Prof. Sandrine Lacombe (2009-2010). Prof. Kiran Kumar K. Sharma entered his carrier in University as Assistant Professor at School of Chemical Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, Maharashtra in the year 2010-2014. He got selected as Deputy Director/Associate Professor in the School of Nanoscience and Technology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra in 2014. He is now a Professor in the same School.
Prof. Kiran Kumar K. Sharma, played pivotal role as one of the Project Investigator in bringing a project under Rashtriya Uchatar Siksha Abhiyan (RUSA) called as “Centre for Nanofabrics” worth Rs. 1.22 crores other than patents and publications. He is also instrumental in planning and development of School of Nanoscience and Technology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, which was a new School created in 2012 at the Shivaji University campus. Prof. Kiran Kumar K. Sharma, has family based in Pune and has two siblings. He has been away most of the time from his family in Pune and Manipur in one vision to fulfil his (late) father’s Shri. Kakchingtabam Kanhailal Sharma and family to tranlste research to societal use.
He dedicates this achievement to his late father whom he missed to see when he passed away and family members in Manipur and Pune, his spouse (Prof. Geetarani K. Sharma, Department of Chemistry, S.P. Pune University) and sons for their humongous sacrifices and support in achieving one of the goals. He believes in translating laboratory science into societal use and equipping himself with knowledge rather than running after success. Prof Kiran Kumar Kakchingtabam Sharma asserted that his supervisors have been great support and inspiration.
“Virus Kavach Fabrics Spray Technology” is easy to apply by spraying on the fabrics dry or iron. Once dried it provides nanolayer protective shield that will sustain until washed. Fabric coating can easily be recharged by spraying it again and following the steps in the instructions on the product. It is a universal solvent, water based spray containing naturally occurring organic carboxylic acid compounds, listed as non-toxic, ecosafe by United States Environmental Protection Agencies (US EPA) categorized as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) and included in the approved list under the Foods and Drugs Administration USA.
‘Virus Kavach Fabric Spray’ will soon be available to the general public from all major stores. The costs of 250 ml. will be around Rs. 270 while for 500 ml. it will be around Rs.495. At present, the Ecoscience Innovations Pvt. Ltd. in Pune has a production capacity of around 5,000 bottles per day, added the VC.
