IIT-Delhi to throw open its doors on Saturday

Special attention to design, socially relevant,
commercially viable projects this year
Ever wondered what the insides of a
laboratory at the Indian Institute of
Technology-Delhi looks like? How about
wanting to see a robotics show or perhaps
witness a mini quadcopter take to the skies?
You’re in luck, for IIT-Delhi’s traditional
“Open House”, where it throws open its doors
to the good citizens of the city, is happening
this Saturday.
“Almost all our laboratories, departments and
research will be open to the public on this
day. Along with over 500 projects that
showcase innovations in engineering and
technology, science and humanities, design
and management,” said Prof. Joby Joseph, who
is the “Open House” chairperson this year.
“This time, we have given special attention to
design, and socially relevant and commercially
viable projects,” he added.
“A lot of students have already confirmed
their presence as we have some talks lined up
along with the actual exhibition.
Schoolchildren never fail to astound us with
their questions,” said Dean of Research and
Development Prof. Suneet Tuli, while revealing
that their research funding had reached
around Rs.106 crore this year.
A few of innovations that are socially relevant
include the True Hb Hemometer that allows
you to test your haemoglobin levels with just
one drop of blood and gives you the results
within seconds. And the best part? It’s very
cheap and small, and can withstand higher
temperatures.
“The current practice is to send your collected
blood sample to a pathology lab and wait for
results overnight. Devices available in the
market need temperatures below 20 degrees
Celsius and cost about Rs.20,000 compared to
ours, which costs about Rs.7,000,” said
Ambar Srivastava, a student of Dr. Veena
Koul, who has invented this device.
Another quick and easy medical testing device
is the “Lipoprotien Analysis”, which can check
your “cholesterol levels at the cost of a
burger”.
Prof. A.S. Rathore explained that 73 per cent
of Indians are overweight, with the average
person becoming obese at the age of 38.
What is worse is that the majority belong to
the middle-class or poor households and are
forced to shell out Rs.5,000 for a cholesterol
analysis. “Our machine can do a test for
Rs.120, the exact cost of a burger with a slice
of cheese,” he said.
Ways in which information technology can be
used for better implementation of government
schemes, toys that can be made from trash
and making plastic from potato starch are
some of the other exhibits on display.