IIT-Delhi has come up with an innovative, easy-to-use model of waterless and odourless urinals that do not need power or chemicals. Invented by Dr VM Chariar, Zerodor is a low-cost device that can be fitted in the existing urinals without any additional equipment.
The device will be up for demonstration in IIT-Delhi on Saturday during the 10th edition of IIT Open House. “The device is designed in a way to separate faecal matter, urine and wash water making it easy to treat these components and convert them into fertilisers. It is basically low-cost technology that helps recover fertilisers from human urine,” said Chariar.
In 2009, ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi had set up 1,000 waterless urinals across the city to remove the stench emanating from the existing urinals. However, due to zero maintenance they are currently in a poor condition. According to Chariar, Zerodor will not need recurring expenditure on maintenance thus making it a feasible option for public utilities. “It is a zero maintenance device that is easy to clean and is touch free. There is no need to flush as well. It also helps save around 1,51,000 litres of water per urinal each year,” added Chariar.
Apart from Zerodor, there will also be other innovations like fibre wrapping for earthquake protection of buildings, a haemoglobin meter, cholesterol reader and solar-powered refrigeration system that will be up for demo during the Open House event. There will be a total of around 140 live demonstrations and many student projects as well as commercial designs during the event this year. While most of these designs are IIT-Delhi patents, there are a few that have been made in collaboration with other institutions, one of them being the Stanford University.