IITians created a device, which when attached to generators collects particulate matter from soot
One hot summer afternoon two years ago, as they sipped on sugarcane juice, observing closely the motor of juice machine, came their eureka moment. The wall where the kiosk was parked had turned jet black because of the soot produced by the machine, inspiring three IIT engineers to conceptualise Chakr Innovation, a start-up that "creates solution from pollution".
For a city that is choked on alarmingly high air pollution levels, Chakr, founded by Arpit Dhupar, Kushagra Srivastav and Prateek Sanchan, which is a sustainable development model to combat air pollution, may just be the answer. Turning pollutants into useful products like inkjet cartridges, paints etc, these three IITians along with a team of 15 members, are everyday contributing towards a cleaner air for the capital to breathe in. "We saw that the juice vendor had attached a pipe at the exhaust of the genset which had turned the wall completely black. So we thought 'what if there is some technology that utilises this soot in a similar and broader way," shared Srivastva, CEO of the enterprise.
The trio then set sailing on endless hours of research, trying to find some know-how that supported their idea. After spending half of 2015 on the extensive study and hitting a dead end, they decided to formulate their how mechanism and Chakr Shield was born. The shield, when attached to the exhaust system of diesel generators, captures around 75 to 90 per cent of particulate matter, a kind of air pollutant, which is also one of the main constituents of soot.
Particulate matter is also the main health hazard compared to other polluting components. "A team of chemical, mechanical and textile engineers from our institute brainstormed for months because we were fixed on the idea to improve our environment by manufacturing a value added product from pollutants," said Anmol Khandelwal, a team member. The soot is then collected and processed into ink, called POINK, which is then supplied to textile companies, printing presses, paint companies etc.
Without any capital to support their idea, all the members chipped in from their pockets to launch Chakr in 2016. Meanwhile, the company won a grant of Rs 2 crore from University of Chicago in January this year.
They have till now installed around 30 shields in different sectors including telecom towers, FMCG players among others. "We plan to expand our operations and make equipments that can be installed on furnaces and chimneys in big industries. It is not an easy path because one, this kind of technology is unheard of," Khandelwal stated.
... & ANALYSIS
- Few strong steps were taken by the authorities to curb the pollution in Delhi city. In January 10-year-old diesel vehicles were banned.
- City needs more innovators like these who can help curb pollution in their own little way. Also these home-grown innovators will help to make PM's pet project Make in India a success
- Getting funds for such projects is always difficult. Even IITians major worry is that their research does not get easy funding
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "IIT students")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}