New Delhi: Minister of State for Education Shri Sanjay Dhotre launched a Rapid Antigen Test kit for COVID-19 developed by IIT Delhi. The Rapid Antigen Test kit has been developed by the IIT Delhi researchers led by Dr. Harpal Singh, professor at the Institute’s Centre for Biomedical Engineering.
This kit can be used for in vitro qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen. The SARS-CoV-2 Ag Rapid Test is a colloidal gold enhanced double antibody sandwich immunoassay for the qualitative determination of SARS-CoV-2 antigen in human nasal swabs, throat swabs, and deep sputum samples. It is suitable for general population screening and diagnosis of COVID-19.
The invention is directed towards an in vitro diagnostic kit for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus antigens in the nasopharyngeal swab, using the rapid immune chromatographic method. The identification is based on the monoclonal antibodies specific for the Coronavirus antigen. The results obtained are qualitative based and can be inferred visually with the naked eye.
A SARS-CoV-2 positive specimen produces a distinct colour band in the test region, formed by the specific antibody antigen-coloured conjugate complex”(Au-SARS-CoV-2-Ab)-(SARS-CoV-2-Ag)-(SARS-CoV-2-Ab)”. The absence of this coloured band in the test region suggests a negative result. A coloured band always appears in the control region serving as procedural control regardless of the specimen contains SARS-CoV-2 or not.
The test is found to be suitable for early Ct values (Between 14 to 32) with a Sensitivity- 90%, Specificity- 100% and Accuracy- 98.99%, and certified by the ICMR. These are one of the best available values for any such test kit. The technology and its manufacturing are 100% indigenous, explained Dr. Harpal Singh.
MoS, Shri Sanjay Dhotre said, “I am confident that this technology will revolutionize the COVID test availability in the country. I am glad to know that the kit has been developed entirely using the internal resources at IIT Delhi.”He informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government is focused on Atmanirbhar Bharat through research, development, and innovations. The focus on research in National Education Policy, National Research Foundation and initiatives like PM Research Fellowship will help further to improve the quality of research in our country. Technology plays important role in wealth creation. IITs being premier technology institutions play a major role here.
He further asked the premier institutes to make the research centres and innovation parks in their campuses more vibrant and activate industry-academia linkages. For popularising science technology among general citizens, he asked the scientists and technologists to write more on these issues in print and other media, to deliver lectures for the general public, and to venture into the field of popular science fiction and non-fiction writing. Mechanisms to be developed for regular interaction of IIT professors and students with the school students in the vicinity, and vice versa, to inspire the school students to venture into the field of science and technology, Shri Dhotre said.
Speaking on this occasion, Prof. V Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi said, “IIT Delhi had in July 2020 launched an Rs. 399 RT PCR kit, which helped bring the RTPCR test costs to the current level. Using the technologies developed in the Institute, over 8 Million PPE kits have been supplied so far. With the launch of this Antigen based rapid test kit, we hope to make the diagnostics easy and affordable for the rural areas.” (India Science Wire)
![New Delhi, [India], June 26 2024: Haier Appliances India, the No.1 global major appliances brand for 15 consecutive years, announced the launch of the new Kinouchi Dark Edition Air Conditioner - the perfect combination of innovative technology and premium aesthetics. Curated to provide the best in class customer experience, the new air conditioner boasts advanced technologies like Supersonic Cooling in 10 seconds, Frost Self-Clean Technology, HEXA Inverter Technology, Intelli Convertible 7-in-1, and much more. Available in 1.6 tons and 1.0 tons, it will be available across all retail channels Committed to producing innovative products for Indian consumers, Haier India has constantly evolved to meet consumer demands for inspired living. With a focus on customer-driven innovation, the brand is focused on delivering a premium experience for consumers with the new launch. Commenting on the new launch, Mr. NS Satish, President, Haier Appliances India said, “At Haier India, prioritizing the evolving needs of consumers has remained fundamental to our ethos. Over the years along with offering innovative solutions that make everyday life smarter, convenient and comfortable, we have focused on curating an ecosystem of products that cater to rising demand for aesthetically designed premium products. Committed to creating customer-inspired innovations, all of our air conditioners, including the latest Kinouchi Dark Edition, are manufactured in India and meticulously designed for the Indian market. With this the air conditioner, we're presenting consumers with a premium product with advanced features, ensuring they can combat the summer heat with both efficiency and style.” Premium aesthetics and design In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift among Indian consumers placing increased importance on the aesthetics of their homes, viewing them as reflections of their personalities. Acknowledging this evolving trend and the growing demand, Haier has introduced the Kinouchi dark edition air conditioner which is not just a cooling device. The model combines premium technology, innovation, and a chic design, bringing a renewed sense of elegance and excellence to home spaces. Supersonic cooling in 10 seconds A standout feature of the new air conditioner is its ability to deliver a 20X faster cooling experience than conventional air conditioners. Additionally, the model is engineered to provide efficient cooling even in extreme temperatures, reaching up to 60 degrees Celsius. Frost Self-Clean Technology The new Kinouchi model is crafted to provide healthy, clean air, aligning with Haier's commitment to Indian customers. The Frost Self-Clean Technology in the entire inverter air conditioner range ensures 99.9% sterilization, circulating perfectly clean air in just 15 minutes and drying time of 6 minutes. HEXA Inverter Technology Backed by Full DC Inverter technology with electronic expansion valve and dual DC compressor, the air conditioner comes with a highly robust design which provides additional powerful performance. Intelli Convertible - 7 in 1 This intelligent convertible feature allows users to reduce the cooling capacity of the air conditioners as per their need. The Intelli Pro Sensor also provides self-adjustment for efficient performance. This will help the users to choose the tonnage of the air conditioner as per their requirement, resulting in more energy savings. 20-metre-long air flow The latest model features a 'TURBO' mode, ensuring consistent and powerful cooling for Indian households. With an efficient 20-meter-long airflow, cooling swiftly reaches every corner of the room. Longevity Haier’s new air conditioner model is fortified with high ambient performance. Its special design and effective conformal coating protect the appliance components from external elements, ensuring effective performance in the long run. Additionally, it is equipped with a Hyper PCB (Printed Circuit Board) to deliver and maintain stable operations, enhancing the longevity of the air conditioners. Price and availability • Haier Kinouchi Dark Edition air conditioner will be available across India at a starting price INR 46,990 • As part of the launch offer, Haier India is providing a 5-year comprehensive warranty valued at INR 15,990, along with cashback offers of up to 10%. The offer also includes free installation and a lifetime compressor warranty.](https://metrocitynews.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/WhatsApp-Image-2024-06-26-at-6.10.53-PM-120x86.jpeg)
