Research & Development @ IIT Bombay Prof. Krithi Ramamritham Dean R & D, IIT Bombay.
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Slide 1
Research & Development
@ IIT Bombay
Prof. Krithi Ramamritham
Dean R & D, IIT Bombay
Slide 2
IIT BOMBAY
Vision
“To be the fountainhead of new ideas and of
innovators in technology and science.”
Mission
“ To create an ambience where new ideas,
research and scholarship flourish and where the
leaders and innovators of tomorrow emerge.”
Slide 3
Some Examples of Recent
Technology Transfers- Society
• ASAN: The Low Cost ATM
• A Learning Based Tool for Automatic Address
Segmentation
• Palletized Tea Storage Methodology employing
Controlled Atmosphere
•Design & Development of Composites passenger
coach doors for Railways
•Modular FRP toilet units for Railways
•A PC based communicator for children with special
needs
•Pedal power devices for rural applications
•Animal driven battery charging unit
•aAQUA web portal for providing information to
farmers
•Design & development of rehabilation aids for
physically handicapped using light weight polymers
•Development of LPG stove for blind
•Improved design of post boxes
•Silicon Locket-for Cardiac monitoring
•Artificial hand for amputees
•Bio Char unit for charcoal production
Slide 4
Information Technology
Slide 5
aAQUA
• Need To insert
It is an Online expert Question &
a picture
Answers based community forum for
delivering information at the grassroot levels to the Indian Community.
http://aaqua.persistent.co.in/aaqua/forum/index
aAQUA ia a multilingual
communication framework conceived:
To provide a language independent
knowledge database
TO provide an easy to use interface to
accommodate even inexperienced
users
To integrate the agricultural domain of
aAQUA with the Agro-explorer group
Developed at KReSIT IIT Bombay.
Slide 6
Computer Keyboard for Indian Languages
Salient Features
•An alternative design mechanism for
text input in Devnagari.
•Amongst several alternatives, a
keyboard called Key-Lekh was
developed with a goal to enable persons
familiar with Devnagari to use it without
instructions.
•For example, on a ticket vending
machine at a railway station, literate
passengers should be able to 'walk up
and use' this keyboard to type their
name, destination and other details to
buy train tickets.
•The underlying concept of the design
of Key-Lekh is based on the 'Varnamala'the well-structured Indian alphabetic
system.
Prof. Anirudha Joshi and
his team at the Industrial
Design Centre (IDC)
have worked on
designing alternative
mechanisms for text
input in Devnagari.
… continued
Slide 7
Computer Keyboard for Indian Languages
Demonstration Projects
•Studies on a prototype have proven that the Key-Lekh is an efficient
'walk-up-and-use' keyboard, and can also work as a desktop keyboard.
•The prototype has been subjected to extensive tests by users in
various age-groups through road shows and competitions held on the
campus.
•The initial feedback suggests that Key-Lekh is the easiest-to-learn
keyboard yet developed for Indian scripts. Presently its performance is
being tested more rigorously.
•Key-Lekh's design is being further improved to make it sufficiently
robust and useful as a commercial product.
Slide 8
Silicon Locket for Cardiac Monitoring
Salient features of product are:
The SILICON LOCKET - an efficient and
high performance medical device
Optimized to observe cardiac patients
with state-of-the-art electronics,
embedded into an ultra small form
factor - thus named ‘locket’.
The system a web enabled heart
monitoring device with a host of
advanced features to accelerate
modern treatment schemes.
The subject is required to wear a
match-box sized silicon locket with
the electrodes strapped at proper
locations, and he/she may be at home
or in hospital.
Prof. Rakesh K. Lal and Prof. Dinesh
K. Sharma from the Microelectronics
group at IIT Bombay, and Dr. Sunil D.
Sherlekar from TCS have mentored
the project for the last three years.
Prof. Saumyo Mukherji has also been
associated with this project since its
inception. Vivek Vaid, Ashrut
Ambastha and Sudip Nag have made
major contributions to circuit and
system building.
The custom IC for linear functions
was designed by Dr. Maryam Shojaei.
Slide 9
Silicon Locket for Cardiac Monitoring
Salient features of product are:
The device is optimized to acquire three
simultaneous channels of electrocardiogram (ECG)
data and store it on-board memory.
The locket is equipped with a USB, IrDA, RS232 and
2.4GHz direct sequence spread spectrum wireless
connectivity for seamless integration with the public
network, existing mobile phones and high-end PDAs.
A miniaturized and pluggable PSTN modem is
constructed to transfer data remotely to a doctor’s
computer or medical database.
In case, an abnormality is detected (such as
arrhythmia) in the patient’s ECG, the silicon locket
can connect to a mobile phone and send an alert SMS
to the doctor.
Simplified communication protocols are used to
eliminate code complexity and task overhead on the
16-bit processor.
A low cost polymeric accelerometer (MEMS) has also
been fabricated using electron beam lithography,
which will be useful for detecting motion artifacts in
ambulatory subjects.
The project was
sponsored by Tata
Consultancy Services
(TCS).
Slide 10
Technologies for the Physically
Challenged
“Science is People”
Prof. Alan MacDiarmid
Nobel Laureate (Chemistry), 2000
Slide 11
An LPG kitchen stove for the sight-challenged
Pa n
su p p o rt
The Technology Developed
has:
• Design made conducive
for the blind by using the
principle of kinesthetic and
facile sensation.
• Low cost mechanisms
developed for auto ignition
and flame failure detection.
Hig h w a tt
b u rn e r
Lo w w a tt
b u rn e r
Drip d isc
Fla m e
g u a rd
rin g
Re fe re n c e
rid g e
Re fe re n c e
p o in ts
Up p e r p a rt a n d
lo w e r p a rt o f th e
body
Re d e sig n e d
kn o b d ia l
Drip tra y
Fro n t g o ve
Ru b b e r
stu d
Sta in le ss ste e l
body
Ne w c o n c e p t LPG sto ve :
Diffe re n t c o m p o n e n ts
The project was sponsored by the Department
of Science and Technology, Govt. of India.
Product Cost:
Approximately Rs. 3,500/- to 4,000/- per stove.
Status:
30 stove units have been developed in
association with M/s. PK Limited, Hyderabad,
of which five were handed over to the National
Association of Blinds for trial.
… continued
Slide 12
An LPG kitchen stove for the sight-challenged
Salient features of product are:
Fla m e g ua rd
ring
Hig h wa tt
b urne r
•Two-burner gas stove.
Re fe re nc e
p o ints
•Separate auto igniters for each stove.
•Auto flame failure detectors for each burner
Sta inle ss ste e l
with different tone.
body
•Flame guard ring for each burner.
•Five-prong pan support.
Drip tra y
•Drip disc around each burner.
•Drip tray underneath the stove.
•Easily operational burner control knob with
The Ne w c o nc e p t LPG sto ve :
three control positions.
p e rsp e c tive vie w
•Two step body for easy location of burner and
control area.
•Reference ridge on the body for easy location
of burners and easy repositioning of pan
support and flame guard by the blinds after
cleaning.
•Stainless steel body.
•Central groove on the front surface for
This problem was addressed
keeping vessels etc.
through a project taken up by
•User can replace the battery
Prof. G. G. Ray and Mr. M. S. G.
•Aesthetically pleasing and safe product form.
Rajan of the Industrial Design
•Can be efficiently used both by the visually
Centre, at IIT Bombay.
handicapped and sighted persons.
•Low cost.
•Easily serviceable. .
Lo w wa tt
b urne r
Slide 13
A communicator for Children with
Cerebral Palsy
Development of Keyboard:
Keyboard Layout proposed by the
school – a complex keyboard requiring
lots of memory recall
Keyboard Layout suggested by IITB – a
simple keyboard with executable
commands
Developed By Industrial Design
Centre, IIT Bombay
Slide 14
Artificial Hand
Salient features of product are:
Version 1: Only hand – single motor for
grasp/prehension. Two-motor hand grasp
and forearm rotation. Discrete electronics
with low-cost lead-acid battery. Overload
detection and protection. IIT-Bombay
design: 1999-2002.
Version 2: Hand and forearm – additional
motor for forearm supination/pronation.
Microcontroller based electronics.
Improved control using 3 switches. Two
mobile phone batteries. Redesigned at
CMC-Vellore: 2002-2004.
Version 3: Hand, forearm and elbow –
third motor for elbow flexion/extention.
Single mobile phone battery, 12 volt
motors, 2 switch control for multiple
functions. Elbow movement. CMC-Vellore
design: 2005… continued
A low cost artificial hand was
developed at IIT Bombay under a
project funded by the Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment
(MSJ&E) 1999-2001 (budget
Rs.6.65 lakhs) (Investigators:
Suresh Devasahayam, R Lal, and
P C Pandey).
The initial design was done at IIT
Bombay, (Version-I), and after
preliminary testing at the
Rehabilitation Institute in Mumbai,
clinical trials with long term
follow-up was done at CMCVellore.
The design was revised
substantially at CMC-Vellore in
2003, (Version-II), and production
of the revised version started in
2004
Slide 15
Artificial Hand
Salient features of product are:
•Artificial hand would cost less than Rs
10,000 as compared to the imported
ones for more than 3 lakhs
•The motorized hand has several userfriendly features including myoelectric
and whistle controllers.
•A single motor helps the co-ordinated
movement of the fingers and thumb,
while another motor turns the hand at
the forearm.
•The motors are operated by switches
placed in the socket of the artificial
hand.
•The bulging of the muscles and the
slight movement in the residual limb of
the amputee are used to control these
switches.
•works better in humid climates.
Slide 16
Ascender: The Climbing Wheelchair
Salient features of product are:
The Industrial Design Centre has
produced an innovative wheelchair
design, named Ascender, for the
increased comfort and ease of operation
by disabled persons.
Special features
• Allows users to negotiate kerbs and
steps with greater ease
• Provides users with higher level of
operational freedom and self-reliance
• Facilitates transfer of persons to and
from the wheelchair
• Design eliminates extensive use of
hands
• Easy transportation and assembly of
parts
• Uses new materials and joining methods
The design is available for
commercialisation.
Prof V P Bapat,
Industrial Design Centre,
IIT Bombay
Slide 17
Lightweight Rehabilitation Aids for Polioaffected Children
Salient features of product are:
The main disadvantage associated with steel (metallic)
rehabilitation aids is the weight that has to be borne
by the user, especially so when the user is a child.
A lightweight prosthesis, employing novel material, has
been developed by the Aerospace Dept jointly with the
SDM Hospital, Jaipur.
Clinical trials on over 1000 patients have confirmed
the superiority and acceptability of the product in
cases of lower limb paralysis.
Developed at the Aerospace
Engineering Department, IIT
Bombay
Slide 18
Different Aids for Children with Cerebral
Palsy
Salient features of product are:
•Ergonomically designed aids to help improve
neuromuscular and communication skills of such
children.
•These include therapeutic aids, educational aids,
mobility aids, and personal aids with several
advantageous features to suit different age groups.
•Some of the products are suitable for use by
normal children as well. the product in cases of
lower limb paralysis.
Prof G G Ray, Prof U A Athavankar,
Prof V P Bapat, Industrial Design
Centre IIT Bombay
Slide 19
Products and Technologies for
Rural and Urban requirements
“… Care must be taken to ensure that modern technology does not
merely become a preserve but that its benefits reach also the fields
and villages of rural India”
-Smt Indira Gandhi
-December 9, 1982, in a message to the Institute on the occasion
of the Silver Jubilee Celebration of IIT Bombay
Slide 20
Tools and Technologies for the Cane and
Bamboo Craft
Salient features of project are:
An estimated 13.5 lakh persons in
India are dependent on bamboo
for livelihood, of which 5-6 lakhs
are involved in bamboo craft.
IIT Bombay has developed a
number of technologies to bolster
the unorganized craft sector by
helping artisans produce valueadded, contemporary bamboo
products to compete with other
materials in the urban and
international markets.
Prof. A G Rao, Industrial Design
Centre, IIT Bombay
.. continued
Slide 21
Tools and Technologies for the Cane and
Bamboo Craft
A tool-kit (Fabricated by: M/s
Lamicraft and M/s Kadirus ) with 97
product-specific hand tools to process
bamboo.
•Small hand-operated machines for
bamboo-processing, suitable for
remote areas with unreliable power
supply
•Jigs, fixtures and moulds to aid
control of sizes and give better
finishes
•Variety of treatments such as
smoking, alum, etc. to prevent fungal
and insect attacks and various surface
finishes using natural dyes
•New weaves and product designs for
ergonomically, functionally and
aesthetically improved products.
Prof. A G Rao, Industrial Design
Centre, IIT Bombay
Slide 22
Bio-Char Unit for Low Cost Production of
Charcoal
Salient features of product are:
•simple to operate & non-polluting
•Is adaptable to other waste although
developed for bamboo waste
•Uses the otherwise polluting gases as
thermal fuel
•a uniform yield of 25% charcoal from
bamboo waste, and about 28% charcoal
from other woody biomass is obtained,
with a consistent calorific value of
28MJ/kg
Sponsored by the National
Mission on Bamboo
Applications (NMBA), TIFAC,
The Department. of Science
and Technology, developed
by the biomass research
group led by Prof Anuradda
Ganesh (Energy Systems
Engineering), IIT Bombay
Slide 23
Bio-Char Unit for Low Cost Production of
Charcoal
Demonstration Projects
A single person can operate the unit, which costs Rs.
35,000.
•A bio-char unit was set up at an activated carbon
manufacturing plant in Hyderabad, where the suitability of
bamboo charcoal as raw material was successfully
demonstrated.
•Another BCU sponsored by KVIC is being put up at a bakery
unit at Yusuf Mehrauli Centre, Tara Village, Maharashtra to
demonstrate the use of thermal energy from gases for
generating charcoal as a by-product.
•Through NMBA, 15 such units at five different locations in
Tripura, Meghalaya, Bastar, Amravati and Pune districts are
being deployed for training and further dissemination of the
technology.
•A 10 kg batch unit was also demonstrated at the VII World
Bamboo Congress, New Delhi. The BCU is expected to help
generate rural employment, and ensure village energy
security
Slide 24
Engineered Ecosystems for Waste
Management
Salient features of process are:
Organic wastes from human and animal
habitations can accumulate in, and
endanger the environment. Engineered
ecosystems research for waste
conversion has led to the development
of Vermiculture Technology at IIT
Bombay. This process overcomes the
problems associated with conventional
methods such as solid state composting,
activated sludge, and extended aeration
in which bio-energy gets dissipated. It
engages an ecology consisting of soil,
plants and soil micro and macroorganisms including geophagous
earthworms. The process obtains
synergy between photosynthesis and
respiration, so that bio-energy of wastes
is fully utilized.
Facilitated through initial
support by the
Department of
Biotechnology, the
process has major potential
in city farming, animal
husbandry, agriculture,
wasteland development, and
agro-industrial waste
processing.
Prof. H S Shankar, Chemical
Engineering, IIT Bombay
Slide 25
Bio-reactor for Recycling of Wastewater
Engineered ecosystems may also be used
for treatment of liquid wastes. Cultured
Soil Filter Technology developed for this
purpose consists of impervious
containment (typically 1.0 - 1.5m below
ground), and incorporates soil, filtration
media, soil organisms like earthworms,
Applications
and plants.
• Treatment of water for
irrigation, construction, and soil
Special features
application
• Industrial effluent treatment
• A cost-effective ‘green’ technology,
• Processing solid wastes
suitable for all solid and liquid organic
• Non-chemical purification of
swimming pools and drinking
waste
water
The technology has been
• Very low energy consumption
adopted by several user• Bio-mineral fertilizers and soil as byorganisations
products
• No sludge production, unlike
Prof. H S Shankar, Chemical
Engineering, IIT Bombay
conventional units
• Self-sustaining revenue model
Slide 26
Dam project - Karjat
Salient features of project are:
Karjat Taluka of Raigad district in
spite of the heavy rainfall
received here, many villages and
hamlets face a severe shortage of
drinking water in summer
Project was to construct small
dams in some of these hamlets
with the main objective to hold
enough water so that drinking
water needs for the villagers and
their livestock are met for the
whole year.
The project developed by The Centre
for Technological Alternatives for Rural
Areas (CTARA) with Civil Engineering
Department, Computer Science &
Engineering Department, Centre of
Studies in Resources Engineering,
Earth Sciences Department and
Humanities & Social Sciences
Department of IIT Bombay in
association with the Academy of
Development Science (ADS), Kashele,
Karjat
CTARA, IIT Bombay
Slide 27
Dam project - Karjat
Two sites of Gudwanwadi and Belachiwadi
have been selected initially for the current
year and next year respectively, along with
nearby hamlets of Amberpada, Kathewadi.
The dam for Belachiwadi will be roughly 80m
in length, with a 20m spillway and a
maximum height of 8m with storage of about
30,000 cu. m.
The survey and study of the sites has been
done by the Earth Sciences students and CSE
students have developed a geometry code on
Gram ++ developed by CSRE for watershed/storage estimation. Civil Engineering
researchers will undertake Geodesy, Dam
Design, Construction and Analysis.
Humanities and Social Sciences staff and
students conduct a need analysis, site
selection and social analysis.
ADS will be responsible for the social
mobilization, local support and execution
getting technical consultancy from
Gangotree, an agency with considerable
experience in social watershed development.
Rough estimates for the dams
are Rs. 12 lakhs for Belachiwadi
and Rs. 18 lakhs for
Gudwanwadi, A large donation of Rs 20 lakhs
by IITB alumni, Dr Shridhar
Shukla, of G S Labs, Pune has
helped taking this initiative
further.
CTARA, IIT Bombay
Slide 28
Briquetting Machine
•Different kinds of fuels are used for
heating purposes. In rural areas most
of the people use fuel-wood for
cooking and heating the water. The
large scale use of fuel-wood has led to
the deforestation.
•In a view to conserve the forest,
alternative fuels such as briquette can
be used for every day heating works.
Briquettes are made from dried leaves,
dung, saw dust etc.
•The mixture, prepared by adding
sufficient water, is placed in the mould
and it is compressed by hand lever.
•
•Two person can make 25 – 30
briquettes in an hour. Density of
briquettes made in the hand briquette
machine is around 500 – 600 Kg/m3..
Dr. N. G. Shah, CTARA, IIT
Bombay
Slide 29
Box Type Solar Cooker
Solar cooker is an enclosure with area
of around 2500 sq. cm and depth of 1520 cm. It traps the solar energy and
converts it into heat which can be used
for cooking the food.
The temperature up-to 120°c can be
obtained on sunny days. Pulses, rice,
vegetables can be readily cooked. The
time taken for cooking depends upon
the solar radiation and varies from ½ to
2 ½ hours.
Slide 30
Rain Water Harvesting Structure
Rain Water Harvesting Structure
There is heavy rainfall in Konkan region;
however, water run away on the slopes and
very little water (around 18%) is left for the
use. Hence, people face severe scarcity of
water in summer season.
Six houses are constructed around the sides
of the hexagonal water tank. When the rain
falls on the roof of the houses, it runs away
on the roof and gets deposited in the tank.
The capacity of water tank is 1.2lakh liters.
Considering the per capita consumption of 25
lit/day, water stored in the tank will be
enough for six families for four months of
summer season.
Slide 31
Pedal Powered Battery
A Pedal Powered generator provides a method
of generating electricity by means of a
modified bicycle for producing electricity by
means of a Direct Current (DC) generator that
is connected by a chain to the flywheel.
The energy generated by the DC generator can
be stored in various types of dry/lead-acid
batteries. Also, energy that is stored within
the battery can be utilized as DC current for
use in DC appliances and by using inverter can
be use to run alternating Current (AC)
appliances.
The unit can generate 100W power by
peddling 1 hr @40-50 rpm. It is enough to
light two CFL lamps (10W) for five hours.
A prototype unit is installed at YMC-TARA
village Rural Industry centre in December 2003
with requisite training to the concerned
technical staff. Initial feedback from the user
has been very encouraging.
Slide 32
Pedal Powered Potters Wheel
Pedal power Potters wheel consists of a driving
mechanism, seating arrangement, rotary wheel
and plastic splash pan. The driving mechanism
consists of a chain and sprocket drive with set
of bevel gears, which convert human energy
into horizontal rotary motion and transmits it
to the wheel. Wheel itself acts as “Potters
wheel” as well as flywheel that curbs the
effect of the unevenness associated with
pedaling. The wheel would have a full range of
speed control from slow revolutions to fast
(i.e. 100 to 300 rpm). It can hold both fast and
slow speed accurately under load.
A prototype unit is installed at YMC, TARA
village rural Industry centre with requisite
training to the concerned technical staff. Initial
feedback from the potter having used the unit
has been very encouraging.
Cost of Prototype : Rs.5000/-from the user has
been very encouraging.
Slide 33
Improvised Designs – for local
adaptability
Slide 34
ASAN: ATM Enclosure Design
• ASAN,
a low cost Automated Teller Machine
(ATM) was launched in December 2003.
•ASAN has several advantageous features over
the currently deployed ATMs to suit the Indian
customer and settings.
•The attractive new design incorporating
elements from traditional Indian architecture
•ASAN's ergonomic design suits the typical
Indian body dimensions with respect to the
height of the keypad and the inclination of
the screen
•The machine has a provision for keeping
one's personal belongings, and protruding
wings for ensuring privacy during
transactions.
•A multi-coloured card reader status indicator
guides users unfamiliar with new technology
like smart DIP card readers
•…….continued
Slide 35
ASAN: ATM Enclosure Design
•A multi-coloured card reader status indicator
guides users unfamiliar with new technology
like smart DIP card readers.
•The machine has NCR-intelligent powersaving hardware and software. An integrated
pedestal accommodates a UPS, providing
maximum availability during outages.
•The robust engineering design ensures
trouble-free operation in hot, humid and
dusty environments.
•Additionally, a unique airflow system allows
deployment at non-air conditioned sites. Such
features make it suitable for interior
locations.
•Other features include, 40-column graphics
thermal receipt printer, secure encrypting PIN
pad and a flat panel screen.
The design team won the
Excellence in Consultancy
Services – 2004 award for
this Project on "Design of
NCR EasyPoint 57i ATM:
ASAN for NCR", given under
Consultancy Development
Centre National Awards,
supported by DSIR Ministry
of Science and Technology.
The award was presented by
the Honourable President of
India Dr A P J Abdul KAlam
Designed by Profs A. Joshi, V. P. Bapat and U. A. Athavankar of The Industrial Design Centre
Slide 36
Modular Toilets for Indian Railways
Features and advantages:
• Factory built, prefabricated product, ‘ready to assemble' in
A/C Coaches (manufactured by Integral Coach Factory,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and Rail Coach Factory, Kaputhala,
Punjab)
• Unit consists of 5 modules
• Can be erected in 3-4 hours
• 3 variations made to suit requirements of different types of
coaches: include three Oriental types WCs, one Western
Type WC & 2 Units of Outside Panel with wash basin.
• All plumbing and electrical wiring concealed
• Indian style WC specially designed with ergonomic features
for maximum comfort
• Good aesthetics and ergonomics the running theme
throughout the design process
• Visual clutter due to leakage, visible plumbing, loose wiring,
rusting elements avoided to make the unit a clean &
hygienic place for use.
• Modern efficient image given by choosing right materials,
form, colour & finishes
• Many innovative ideas incorporated to enhance the
aesthetics, convenience & safety.
The project was taken up at Industrial Design Centre & Department of Aerospace Engineering of Indian Institute
of Technology Bombay for Indian Railways.
… continued
Slide 37
Modular Toilets for Indian Railways
• The project on Modular Toilet Unit in FRP was taken
up at Industrial Design Centre & Department of
Aerospace Engineering of Indian Institute of
Technology Bombay for Indian Railways. The project
was supported by the Advance Composite Mission,
Department of Science & Technology, Government of
India. Hindustan Fibre Glass Works, Vadodara, made
the prototypes with design and technology support
from IIT Bombay
• IIT Bombay received a Certificate of Merit from the
Consultancy Development Centre (DSIR) for
excellence in consultancy services for the project on
‘Design of Modular Toilet Unit for Railway Coaches’ for
the year 2001.
• After a trial run in 2-tier air conditioned coaches of
the Rajdhani Express, the units were transferred to
the Indian Railways. Air-conditioned coaches made at
the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai now employ these
units.
Slide 38
Concern for man and his
destiny must always be the
chief interest of all technical
efforts.
Never forget it in all your
dreams and equations
-- Albert Einstein
Thank You
Research & Development
@ IIT Bombay
Prof. Krithi Ramamritham
Dean R & D, IIT Bombay
Slide 2
IIT BOMBAY
Vision
“To be the fountainhead of new ideas and of
innovators in technology and science.”
Mission
“ To create an ambience where new ideas,
research and scholarship flourish and where the
leaders and innovators of tomorrow emerge.”
Slide 3
Some Examples of Recent
Technology Transfers- Society
• ASAN: The Low Cost ATM
• A Learning Based Tool for Automatic Address
Segmentation
• Palletized Tea Storage Methodology employing
Controlled Atmosphere
•Design & Development of Composites passenger
coach doors for Railways
•Modular FRP toilet units for Railways
•A PC based communicator for children with special
needs
•Pedal power devices for rural applications
•Animal driven battery charging unit
•aAQUA web portal for providing information to
farmers
•Design & development of rehabilation aids for
physically handicapped using light weight polymers
•Development of LPG stove for blind
•Improved design of post boxes
•Silicon Locket-for Cardiac monitoring
•Artificial hand for amputees
•Bio Char unit for charcoal production
Slide 4
Information Technology
Slide 5
aAQUA
• Need To insert
It is an Online expert Question &
a picture
Answers based community forum for
delivering information at the grassroot levels to the Indian Community.
http://aaqua.persistent.co.in/aaqua/forum/index
aAQUA ia a multilingual
communication framework conceived:
To provide a language independent
knowledge database
TO provide an easy to use interface to
accommodate even inexperienced
users
To integrate the agricultural domain of
aAQUA with the Agro-explorer group
Developed at KReSIT IIT Bombay.
Slide 6
Computer Keyboard for Indian Languages
Salient Features
•An alternative design mechanism for
text input in Devnagari.
•Amongst several alternatives, a
keyboard called Key-Lekh was
developed with a goal to enable persons
familiar with Devnagari to use it without
instructions.
•For example, on a ticket vending
machine at a railway station, literate
passengers should be able to 'walk up
and use' this keyboard to type their
name, destination and other details to
buy train tickets.
•The underlying concept of the design
of Key-Lekh is based on the 'Varnamala'the well-structured Indian alphabetic
system.
Prof. Anirudha Joshi and
his team at the Industrial
Design Centre (IDC)
have worked on
designing alternative
mechanisms for text
input in Devnagari.
… continued
Slide 7
Computer Keyboard for Indian Languages
Demonstration Projects
•Studies on a prototype have proven that the Key-Lekh is an efficient
'walk-up-and-use' keyboard, and can also work as a desktop keyboard.
•The prototype has been subjected to extensive tests by users in
various age-groups through road shows and competitions held on the
campus.
•The initial feedback suggests that Key-Lekh is the easiest-to-learn
keyboard yet developed for Indian scripts. Presently its performance is
being tested more rigorously.
•Key-Lekh's design is being further improved to make it sufficiently
robust and useful as a commercial product.
Slide 8
Silicon Locket for Cardiac Monitoring
Salient features of product are:
The SILICON LOCKET - an efficient and
high performance medical device
Optimized to observe cardiac patients
with state-of-the-art electronics,
embedded into an ultra small form
factor - thus named ‘locket’.
The system a web enabled heart
monitoring device with a host of
advanced features to accelerate
modern treatment schemes.
The subject is required to wear a
match-box sized silicon locket with
the electrodes strapped at proper
locations, and he/she may be at home
or in hospital.
Prof. Rakesh K. Lal and Prof. Dinesh
K. Sharma from the Microelectronics
group at IIT Bombay, and Dr. Sunil D.
Sherlekar from TCS have mentored
the project for the last three years.
Prof. Saumyo Mukherji has also been
associated with this project since its
inception. Vivek Vaid, Ashrut
Ambastha and Sudip Nag have made
major contributions to circuit and
system building.
The custom IC for linear functions
was designed by Dr. Maryam Shojaei.
Slide 9
Silicon Locket for Cardiac Monitoring
Salient features of product are:
The device is optimized to acquire three
simultaneous channels of electrocardiogram (ECG)
data and store it on-board memory.
The locket is equipped with a USB, IrDA, RS232 and
2.4GHz direct sequence spread spectrum wireless
connectivity for seamless integration with the public
network, existing mobile phones and high-end PDAs.
A miniaturized and pluggable PSTN modem is
constructed to transfer data remotely to a doctor’s
computer or medical database.
In case, an abnormality is detected (such as
arrhythmia) in the patient’s ECG, the silicon locket
can connect to a mobile phone and send an alert SMS
to the doctor.
Simplified communication protocols are used to
eliminate code complexity and task overhead on the
16-bit processor.
A low cost polymeric accelerometer (MEMS) has also
been fabricated using electron beam lithography,
which will be useful for detecting motion artifacts in
ambulatory subjects.
The project was
sponsored by Tata
Consultancy Services
(TCS).
Slide 10
Technologies for the Physically
Challenged
“Science is People”
Prof. Alan MacDiarmid
Nobel Laureate (Chemistry), 2000
Slide 11
An LPG kitchen stove for the sight-challenged
Pa n
su p p o rt
The Technology Developed
has:
• Design made conducive
for the blind by using the
principle of kinesthetic and
facile sensation.
• Low cost mechanisms
developed for auto ignition
and flame failure detection.
Hig h w a tt
b u rn e r
Lo w w a tt
b u rn e r
Drip d isc
Fla m e
g u a rd
rin g
Re fe re n c e
rid g e
Re fe re n c e
p o in ts
Up p e r p a rt a n d
lo w e r p a rt o f th e
body
Re d e sig n e d
kn o b d ia l
Drip tra y
Fro n t g o ve
Ru b b e r
stu d
Sta in le ss ste e l
body
Ne w c o n c e p t LPG sto ve :
Diffe re n t c o m p o n e n ts
The project was sponsored by the Department
of Science and Technology, Govt. of India.
Product Cost:
Approximately Rs. 3,500/- to 4,000/- per stove.
Status:
30 stove units have been developed in
association with M/s. PK Limited, Hyderabad,
of which five were handed over to the National
Association of Blinds for trial.
… continued
Slide 12
An LPG kitchen stove for the sight-challenged
Salient features of product are:
Fla m e g ua rd
ring
Hig h wa tt
b urne r
•Two-burner gas stove.
Re fe re nc e
p o ints
•Separate auto igniters for each stove.
•Auto flame failure detectors for each burner
Sta inle ss ste e l
with different tone.
body
•Flame guard ring for each burner.
•Five-prong pan support.
Drip tra y
•Drip disc around each burner.
•Drip tray underneath the stove.
•Easily operational burner control knob with
The Ne w c o nc e p t LPG sto ve :
three control positions.
p e rsp e c tive vie w
•Two step body for easy location of burner and
control area.
•Reference ridge on the body for easy location
of burners and easy repositioning of pan
support and flame guard by the blinds after
cleaning.
•Stainless steel body.
•Central groove on the front surface for
This problem was addressed
keeping vessels etc.
through a project taken up by
•User can replace the battery
Prof. G. G. Ray and Mr. M. S. G.
•Aesthetically pleasing and safe product form.
Rajan of the Industrial Design
•Can be efficiently used both by the visually
Centre, at IIT Bombay.
handicapped and sighted persons.
•Low cost.
•Easily serviceable. .
Lo w wa tt
b urne r
Slide 13
A communicator for Children with
Cerebral Palsy
Development of Keyboard:
Keyboard Layout proposed by the
school – a complex keyboard requiring
lots of memory recall
Keyboard Layout suggested by IITB – a
simple keyboard with executable
commands
Developed By Industrial Design
Centre, IIT Bombay
Slide 14
Artificial Hand
Salient features of product are:
Version 1: Only hand – single motor for
grasp/prehension. Two-motor hand grasp
and forearm rotation. Discrete electronics
with low-cost lead-acid battery. Overload
detection and protection. IIT-Bombay
design: 1999-2002.
Version 2: Hand and forearm – additional
motor for forearm supination/pronation.
Microcontroller based electronics.
Improved control using 3 switches. Two
mobile phone batteries. Redesigned at
CMC-Vellore: 2002-2004.
Version 3: Hand, forearm and elbow –
third motor for elbow flexion/extention.
Single mobile phone battery, 12 volt
motors, 2 switch control for multiple
functions. Elbow movement. CMC-Vellore
design: 2005… continued
A low cost artificial hand was
developed at IIT Bombay under a
project funded by the Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment
(MSJ&E) 1999-2001 (budget
Rs.6.65 lakhs) (Investigators:
Suresh Devasahayam, R Lal, and
P C Pandey).
The initial design was done at IIT
Bombay, (Version-I), and after
preliminary testing at the
Rehabilitation Institute in Mumbai,
clinical trials with long term
follow-up was done at CMCVellore.
The design was revised
substantially at CMC-Vellore in
2003, (Version-II), and production
of the revised version started in
2004
Slide 15
Artificial Hand
Salient features of product are:
•Artificial hand would cost less than Rs
10,000 as compared to the imported
ones for more than 3 lakhs
•The motorized hand has several userfriendly features including myoelectric
and whistle controllers.
•A single motor helps the co-ordinated
movement of the fingers and thumb,
while another motor turns the hand at
the forearm.
•The motors are operated by switches
placed in the socket of the artificial
hand.
•The bulging of the muscles and the
slight movement in the residual limb of
the amputee are used to control these
switches.
•works better in humid climates.
Slide 16
Ascender: The Climbing Wheelchair
Salient features of product are:
The Industrial Design Centre has
produced an innovative wheelchair
design, named Ascender, for the
increased comfort and ease of operation
by disabled persons.
Special features
• Allows users to negotiate kerbs and
steps with greater ease
• Provides users with higher level of
operational freedom and self-reliance
• Facilitates transfer of persons to and
from the wheelchair
• Design eliminates extensive use of
hands
• Easy transportation and assembly of
parts
• Uses new materials and joining methods
The design is available for
commercialisation.
Prof V P Bapat,
Industrial Design Centre,
IIT Bombay
Slide 17
Lightweight Rehabilitation Aids for Polioaffected Children
Salient features of product are:
The main disadvantage associated with steel (metallic)
rehabilitation aids is the weight that has to be borne
by the user, especially so when the user is a child.
A lightweight prosthesis, employing novel material, has
been developed by the Aerospace Dept jointly with the
SDM Hospital, Jaipur.
Clinical trials on over 1000 patients have confirmed
the superiority and acceptability of the product in
cases of lower limb paralysis.
Developed at the Aerospace
Engineering Department, IIT
Bombay
Slide 18
Different Aids for Children with Cerebral
Palsy
Salient features of product are:
•Ergonomically designed aids to help improve
neuromuscular and communication skills of such
children.
•These include therapeutic aids, educational aids,
mobility aids, and personal aids with several
advantageous features to suit different age groups.
•Some of the products are suitable for use by
normal children as well. the product in cases of
lower limb paralysis.
Prof G G Ray, Prof U A Athavankar,
Prof V P Bapat, Industrial Design
Centre IIT Bombay
Slide 19
Products and Technologies for
Rural and Urban requirements
“… Care must be taken to ensure that modern technology does not
merely become a preserve but that its benefits reach also the fields
and villages of rural India”
-Smt Indira Gandhi
-December 9, 1982, in a message to the Institute on the occasion
of the Silver Jubilee Celebration of IIT Bombay
Slide 20
Tools and Technologies for the Cane and
Bamboo Craft
Salient features of project are:
An estimated 13.5 lakh persons in
India are dependent on bamboo
for livelihood, of which 5-6 lakhs
are involved in bamboo craft.
IIT Bombay has developed a
number of technologies to bolster
the unorganized craft sector by
helping artisans produce valueadded, contemporary bamboo
products to compete with other
materials in the urban and
international markets.
Prof. A G Rao, Industrial Design
Centre, IIT Bombay
.. continued
Slide 21
Tools and Technologies for the Cane and
Bamboo Craft
A tool-kit (Fabricated by: M/s
Lamicraft and M/s Kadirus ) with 97
product-specific hand tools to process
bamboo.
•Small hand-operated machines for
bamboo-processing, suitable for
remote areas with unreliable power
supply
•Jigs, fixtures and moulds to aid
control of sizes and give better
finishes
•Variety of treatments such as
smoking, alum, etc. to prevent fungal
and insect attacks and various surface
finishes using natural dyes
•New weaves and product designs for
ergonomically, functionally and
aesthetically improved products.
Prof. A G Rao, Industrial Design
Centre, IIT Bombay
Slide 22
Bio-Char Unit for Low Cost Production of
Charcoal
Salient features of product are:
•simple to operate & non-polluting
•Is adaptable to other waste although
developed for bamboo waste
•Uses the otherwise polluting gases as
thermal fuel
•a uniform yield of 25% charcoal from
bamboo waste, and about 28% charcoal
from other woody biomass is obtained,
with a consistent calorific value of
28MJ/kg
Sponsored by the National
Mission on Bamboo
Applications (NMBA), TIFAC,
The Department. of Science
and Technology, developed
by the biomass research
group led by Prof Anuradda
Ganesh (Energy Systems
Engineering), IIT Bombay
Slide 23
Bio-Char Unit for Low Cost Production of
Charcoal
Demonstration Projects
A single person can operate the unit, which costs Rs.
35,000.
•A bio-char unit was set up at an activated carbon
manufacturing plant in Hyderabad, where the suitability of
bamboo charcoal as raw material was successfully
demonstrated.
•Another BCU sponsored by KVIC is being put up at a bakery
unit at Yusuf Mehrauli Centre, Tara Village, Maharashtra to
demonstrate the use of thermal energy from gases for
generating charcoal as a by-product.
•Through NMBA, 15 such units at five different locations in
Tripura, Meghalaya, Bastar, Amravati and Pune districts are
being deployed for training and further dissemination of the
technology.
•A 10 kg batch unit was also demonstrated at the VII World
Bamboo Congress, New Delhi. The BCU is expected to help
generate rural employment, and ensure village energy
security
Slide 24
Engineered Ecosystems for Waste
Management
Salient features of process are:
Organic wastes from human and animal
habitations can accumulate in, and
endanger the environment. Engineered
ecosystems research for waste
conversion has led to the development
of Vermiculture Technology at IIT
Bombay. This process overcomes the
problems associated with conventional
methods such as solid state composting,
activated sludge, and extended aeration
in which bio-energy gets dissipated. It
engages an ecology consisting of soil,
plants and soil micro and macroorganisms including geophagous
earthworms. The process obtains
synergy between photosynthesis and
respiration, so that bio-energy of wastes
is fully utilized.
Facilitated through initial
support by the
Department of
Biotechnology, the
process has major potential
in city farming, animal
husbandry, agriculture,
wasteland development, and
agro-industrial waste
processing.
Prof. H S Shankar, Chemical
Engineering, IIT Bombay
Slide 25
Bio-reactor for Recycling of Wastewater
Engineered ecosystems may also be used
for treatment of liquid wastes. Cultured
Soil Filter Technology developed for this
purpose consists of impervious
containment (typically 1.0 - 1.5m below
ground), and incorporates soil, filtration
media, soil organisms like earthworms,
Applications
and plants.
• Treatment of water for
irrigation, construction, and soil
Special features
application
• Industrial effluent treatment
• A cost-effective ‘green’ technology,
• Processing solid wastes
suitable for all solid and liquid organic
• Non-chemical purification of
swimming pools and drinking
waste
water
The technology has been
• Very low energy consumption
adopted by several user• Bio-mineral fertilizers and soil as byorganisations
products
• No sludge production, unlike
Prof. H S Shankar, Chemical
Engineering, IIT Bombay
conventional units
• Self-sustaining revenue model
Slide 26
Dam project - Karjat
Salient features of project are:
Karjat Taluka of Raigad district in
spite of the heavy rainfall
received here, many villages and
hamlets face a severe shortage of
drinking water in summer
Project was to construct small
dams in some of these hamlets
with the main objective to hold
enough water so that drinking
water needs for the villagers and
their livestock are met for the
whole year.
The project developed by The Centre
for Technological Alternatives for Rural
Areas (CTARA) with Civil Engineering
Department, Computer Science &
Engineering Department, Centre of
Studies in Resources Engineering,
Earth Sciences Department and
Humanities & Social Sciences
Department of IIT Bombay in
association with the Academy of
Development Science (ADS), Kashele,
Karjat
CTARA, IIT Bombay
Slide 27
Dam project - Karjat
Two sites of Gudwanwadi and Belachiwadi
have been selected initially for the current
year and next year respectively, along with
nearby hamlets of Amberpada, Kathewadi.
The dam for Belachiwadi will be roughly 80m
in length, with a 20m spillway and a
maximum height of 8m with storage of about
30,000 cu. m.
The survey and study of the sites has been
done by the Earth Sciences students and CSE
students have developed a geometry code on
Gram ++ developed by CSRE for watershed/storage estimation. Civil Engineering
researchers will undertake Geodesy, Dam
Design, Construction and Analysis.
Humanities and Social Sciences staff and
students conduct a need analysis, site
selection and social analysis.
ADS will be responsible for the social
mobilization, local support and execution
getting technical consultancy from
Gangotree, an agency with considerable
experience in social watershed development.
Rough estimates for the dams
are Rs. 12 lakhs for Belachiwadi
and Rs. 18 lakhs for
Gudwanwadi, A large donation of Rs 20 lakhs
by IITB alumni, Dr Shridhar
Shukla, of G S Labs, Pune has
helped taking this initiative
further.
CTARA, IIT Bombay
Slide 28
Briquetting Machine
•Different kinds of fuels are used for
heating purposes. In rural areas most
of the people use fuel-wood for
cooking and heating the water. The
large scale use of fuel-wood has led to
the deforestation.
•In a view to conserve the forest,
alternative fuels such as briquette can
be used for every day heating works.
Briquettes are made from dried leaves,
dung, saw dust etc.
•The mixture, prepared by adding
sufficient water, is placed in the mould
and it is compressed by hand lever.
•
•Two person can make 25 – 30
briquettes in an hour. Density of
briquettes made in the hand briquette
machine is around 500 – 600 Kg/m3..
Dr. N. G. Shah, CTARA, IIT
Bombay
Slide 29
Box Type Solar Cooker
Solar cooker is an enclosure with area
of around 2500 sq. cm and depth of 1520 cm. It traps the solar energy and
converts it into heat which can be used
for cooking the food.
The temperature up-to 120°c can be
obtained on sunny days. Pulses, rice,
vegetables can be readily cooked. The
time taken for cooking depends upon
the solar radiation and varies from ½ to
2 ½ hours.
Slide 30
Rain Water Harvesting Structure
Rain Water Harvesting Structure
There is heavy rainfall in Konkan region;
however, water run away on the slopes and
very little water (around 18%) is left for the
use. Hence, people face severe scarcity of
water in summer season.
Six houses are constructed around the sides
of the hexagonal water tank. When the rain
falls on the roof of the houses, it runs away
on the roof and gets deposited in the tank.
The capacity of water tank is 1.2lakh liters.
Considering the per capita consumption of 25
lit/day, water stored in the tank will be
enough for six families for four months of
summer season.
Slide 31
Pedal Powered Battery
A Pedal Powered generator provides a method
of generating electricity by means of a
modified bicycle for producing electricity by
means of a Direct Current (DC) generator that
is connected by a chain to the flywheel.
The energy generated by the DC generator can
be stored in various types of dry/lead-acid
batteries. Also, energy that is stored within
the battery can be utilized as DC current for
use in DC appliances and by using inverter can
be use to run alternating Current (AC)
appliances.
The unit can generate 100W power by
peddling 1 hr @40-50 rpm. It is enough to
light two CFL lamps (10W) for five hours.
A prototype unit is installed at YMC-TARA
village Rural Industry centre in December 2003
with requisite training to the concerned
technical staff. Initial feedback from the user
has been very encouraging.
Slide 32
Pedal Powered Potters Wheel
Pedal power Potters wheel consists of a driving
mechanism, seating arrangement, rotary wheel
and plastic splash pan. The driving mechanism
consists of a chain and sprocket drive with set
of bevel gears, which convert human energy
into horizontal rotary motion and transmits it
to the wheel. Wheel itself acts as “Potters
wheel” as well as flywheel that curbs the
effect of the unevenness associated with
pedaling. The wheel would have a full range of
speed control from slow revolutions to fast
(i.e. 100 to 300 rpm). It can hold both fast and
slow speed accurately under load.
A prototype unit is installed at YMC, TARA
village rural Industry centre with requisite
training to the concerned technical staff. Initial
feedback from the potter having used the unit
has been very encouraging.
Cost of Prototype : Rs.5000/-from the user has
been very encouraging.
Slide 33
Improvised Designs – for local
adaptability
Slide 34
ASAN: ATM Enclosure Design
• ASAN,
a low cost Automated Teller Machine
(ATM) was launched in December 2003.
•ASAN has several advantageous features over
the currently deployed ATMs to suit the Indian
customer and settings.
•The attractive new design incorporating
elements from traditional Indian architecture
•ASAN's ergonomic design suits the typical
Indian body dimensions with respect to the
height of the keypad and the inclination of
the screen
•The machine has a provision for keeping
one's personal belongings, and protruding
wings for ensuring privacy during
transactions.
•A multi-coloured card reader status indicator
guides users unfamiliar with new technology
like smart DIP card readers
•…….continued
Slide 35
ASAN: ATM Enclosure Design
•A multi-coloured card reader status indicator
guides users unfamiliar with new technology
like smart DIP card readers.
•The machine has NCR-intelligent powersaving hardware and software. An integrated
pedestal accommodates a UPS, providing
maximum availability during outages.
•The robust engineering design ensures
trouble-free operation in hot, humid and
dusty environments.
•Additionally, a unique airflow system allows
deployment at non-air conditioned sites. Such
features make it suitable for interior
locations.
•Other features include, 40-column graphics
thermal receipt printer, secure encrypting PIN
pad and a flat panel screen.
The design team won the
Excellence in Consultancy
Services – 2004 award for
this Project on "Design of
NCR EasyPoint 57i ATM:
ASAN for NCR", given under
Consultancy Development
Centre National Awards,
supported by DSIR Ministry
of Science and Technology.
The award was presented by
the Honourable President of
India Dr A P J Abdul KAlam
Designed by Profs A. Joshi, V. P. Bapat and U. A. Athavankar of The Industrial Design Centre
Slide 36
Modular Toilets for Indian Railways
Features and advantages:
• Factory built, prefabricated product, ‘ready to assemble' in
A/C Coaches (manufactured by Integral Coach Factory,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and Rail Coach Factory, Kaputhala,
Punjab)
• Unit consists of 5 modules
• Can be erected in 3-4 hours
• 3 variations made to suit requirements of different types of
coaches: include three Oriental types WCs, one Western
Type WC & 2 Units of Outside Panel with wash basin.
• All plumbing and electrical wiring concealed
• Indian style WC specially designed with ergonomic features
for maximum comfort
• Good aesthetics and ergonomics the running theme
throughout the design process
• Visual clutter due to leakage, visible plumbing, loose wiring,
rusting elements avoided to make the unit a clean &
hygienic place for use.
• Modern efficient image given by choosing right materials,
form, colour & finishes
• Many innovative ideas incorporated to enhance the
aesthetics, convenience & safety.
The project was taken up at Industrial Design Centre & Department of Aerospace Engineering of Indian Institute
of Technology Bombay for Indian Railways.
… continued
Slide 37
Modular Toilets for Indian Railways
• The project on Modular Toilet Unit in FRP was taken
up at Industrial Design Centre & Department of
Aerospace Engineering of Indian Institute of
Technology Bombay for Indian Railways. The project
was supported by the Advance Composite Mission,
Department of Science & Technology, Government of
India. Hindustan Fibre Glass Works, Vadodara, made
the prototypes with design and technology support
from IIT Bombay
• IIT Bombay received a Certificate of Merit from the
Consultancy Development Centre (DSIR) for
excellence in consultancy services for the project on
‘Design of Modular Toilet Unit for Railway Coaches’ for
the year 2001.
• After a trial run in 2-tier air conditioned coaches of
the Rajdhani Express, the units were transferred to
the Indian Railways. Air-conditioned coaches made at
the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai now employ these
units.
Slide 38
Concern for man and his
destiny must always be the
chief interest of all technical
efforts.
Never forget it in all your
dreams and equations
-- Albert Einstein
Thank You