It all started as a way to find a solution to one person’s problem, remembers Prateek Sharma, a former IIT student. Sharma’s mother, who suffers from asthma, would often have trouble with masks which she found suffocating. It took a period of two years for a team consisting of IIT alumni, professors and students to develop the filters. An idea that had originated with Sharma’s will to help his mother breath better soon took the form of Nasofilters.
There are two parameters against which this filter was primarily assessed. Firstly, it was tested for its efficiency against PM particles. Secondly, it was tested to see how much resistance it causes while breathing.
Sharma claims that the filters have an efficiency of over 95 percent in providing protection against the severely harmful PM 2.5 particles, while also boasting of very little breathing resistance.
The filters also help in restricting the inhalation of pollen allergens and dust particles, further protecting people against allergies.
One of the biggest challenges, Sharma recalls, was that of design. Aesthetic aspect of the filter was very important, he says smiling ruefully.
During one of the earlier rounds of testing, when the filters were light coloured, the team handed them out to young boys. As they stood wearing them and giving positive feedback, a girl walked up to them and laughed about the unusual design. The team knew it was time to take a good look at it. Sharma affirms that now that girl is regular user of Nasofilters.
The filters can be used for up to 12 hours and are biodegradable. They are not commercially available yet, but the team hopes to begin the sale in January itself, with the product priced at Rs 10.
In May 2017, the team of innovators was awarded the ‘Startup National Award’ by former President Pranab Mukherjee. The product also made it to the South Korean government’s list of ‘Top 50 technical startups in the world’.
Video Editor: Ashish Maccune
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