Industry sessions mark end of techfest

IIT Bombay is developing a low-cost “point of care system” to accurately diagnose heart diseases which go undetected in at least 40% cases.

“Currently, in as many as 30 to 40% cases, the ECG does not show heart problems. A  more accurate diagnosis and further level of testing is required. We are developing a screening technology and lab tests have shown that it can detect a heart problem within minutes. The system is not very expensive and will cost a few hundred rupees only,” said professor V Ramgopal Rao, who is currently working on the said system along with colleagues and students of various departments at IIT Bombay.

“In another six months, we shall develop a prototype and conduct field testing,” he said.

According to him, many venture capitalists have already shown interest. “We’re exploring various options like starting our own company. We have also patented different aspects of the technology,” he said.

This technological development features among the 85 innovations which were showcased on Sunday at the Techfest. The festival, in association with DNA, concluded on Sunday.
Several sessions were conducted with industry representatives where in IIT Bombay’s research and development (R&D) was showcased with the aim of creating awareness and facilitating tech-transfer.

Another interesting innovation was a thermoelectrically cooled two-wheeler helmet, developed by professor MV Rane. It has marginal weight, needs no maintenance and can cool the helmet’s interior 8 to 10 degrees below ambient temperature.
Other technologies which have been compiled to be circulated in the industry include a novel device to help children learn fractions
and mathematical operations through games, and a letter box for the Indian Post.

This is among several initiatives undertaken on the research and development side. “We want to intensify research efforts and see to it that the research gets translated into actual implementation. We are looking at developing specific target programmes for our PhD students interested in entrepreneurial activities. We are also promoting groups of faculty coming together to solve big problems,” said Devang Khakhar, director, IIT Bombay.

According to R&D dean Rangan Banerjee, a white paper was created on ways to enhance R&D which asked for feedback from stakeholders including the faculty and students. “The students said that research should be projected as cool and romantic,” said Banerjee. “We’re looking at various initiatives and have simplified the patenting process by removing peer review. We are also looking at creating fellowships for the industry.”