The invention of a puncture-proof tyre by a scholar of Odisha has been shortlisted for a national-level contest, India Innovation Initiatives (I3) conference, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on October 17.
Sameer Panda, a PhD scholar of the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), along with two others Dr Kshama Nidhi Panda and Smitiparna Satpathy, has developed the multi-chambered tube and multi-chambered tubeless tyre filled with liquid layer sealants, rubber particles, which prevent leakage of air in case of puncture. The technology would help the tyre to run extra mile even after getting punctured.
The invention was first conceptualised by Panda when he was a student at the UCE, Burla (now VSSUT) in 1998. It took him seven years to make the first prototype for his scooter.
The first prototype was tested by Dean, Students Affairs in VSSUT Dr D Mishra in 2005-06. He encouraged him to work further. Panda said the innovation would solve problems of leakage and wheel balancing partially or completely, apart from making the drive hassle-free in case of puncture and possibly improve the tyre’s life by cooling effect. “We have solved these issues by providing a chamber adjacent to the tyre inner layer in Tube,” he added.
The technology can be used as an additional feature of tube or tubeless tyre or self-supported tyre or auxiliary-supported tyre. “Whereas other technologies can be used in specific market segment, in our case it can be used in two-wheelers, cars, SUVs, buses, trucks and mining tyre,” Panda said.
The tyre would not only take care of puncture in tread area but also in sidewall at s very low cost. It would also increase the life of the tyre or tube by 10 per cent to 15 per cent.
“We expect it to increase fuel efficiency by three per cent,” he said, “Apart from that, in our invention there is no need of wheel balancing, which decreases the usage of highly poisonous substance, lead.”