Muse Nanobots conducted a study with the U.S.-based Situ Biosciences, an ISO 170205-accredited, independent product test laboratory in Chicago, which specializes in providing microbial product testing.

The study was conducted in accordance with ISO 18184, the international standards for determining antiviral activity of textile products.

It is already in touch with around 40 Indian companies including Government Research Organizations.

It is also in advanced stages of negotiations with a few companies to install the nanocoating machines at their production facilities.

Speaking about the unique aspects of nanocoating Mr. Sai Prasanth, Co-founder of Muse Nanobots said they are one of the first Indian technology companies to prove, via clinical testing and validation, the coating efficacy of our product on the Coronavirus.

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Muse Nanobots coating has also displayed a strong anti-bacterial activity on human pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, among others, he said.

The coating makes the textile surface self-sanitizing and provides a germ resistant surface, he said.

Co founder of Muse Nanobots further said this shows that Muse Nanocoat on textiles can become an added layer of protection in the fight against this pandemic.

Muse Nanobots coating can be applied on any kind of fabric and can be coated on masks, PPE kits, clothes and packaging material.

The test also has shown that it is non-toxic to human cells and is comfortable to use, he said.

However, there are other ways in which COVID-19 can spread, such as while shaking hands with others or through droplets/coughs and hence, users should adhere to social distancing and follow the guidelines to protect themselves against COVID-19, he said.

Muse Nanobots is targeting the installation of their nanocoating machines in around 15 Indian Textile Companies that make regular office and casual attires, sportswear, PPEs, decor industry (curtains, bedsheets) and packaging material makers by end of 2020.

Elaborating on how the Muse Nanobots is taking this nanocoating technology to the country at large, Gautam Reddy, CEO of Muse Nanobots said Muse Nanobots’ nanocoating machine can coat fabrics at an industrial production scale and can be integrated into the existing textile production facilities.

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No changes in the textile fabrics observed after the coating process which makes this relevant for various textile applications such as office wear, school uniforms, medical wear, sportswear and wearables, among others.

The coating lasts upto 60 washes when washed under 70 degrees celsius. The coated chemicals do not show any leaching of chemicals, he said.

Gautam Reddy also said With respect to the cost, Muse Nanobots ensures optimal coating concentrations making us commercially viable compared to our international competitors.

In the words of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ we are a ‘Make in India’ product and we have all the supply chains from India.

We are also happy to announce that we have attracted top talent to our R&D team and have started working on developing nanotech solutions for water filters, air cleaners and oxygen concentrators, he said.

Apart from direct installations at partner locations, Muse Nanobots also has a coating facility based in Bengaluru where textile companies can send their fabrics to be treated with the antiviral coating.

The startup plans to establish three more coating facilities at different cities to cater to the textile coating demand and faster turnaround time by the end of September 2020.

Muse Nanobots face masks will be available in the market by the first week of September 2020 on e-commerce platforms and Muse Nanobots website.

A highlight of these nanoparticles coated textiles is that these have anti-microbial properties: It continuously captures and destroys viruses and other microbes upon contact.

The other property is that it does not leach while washing in water and is environment-friendly.

The particles can also be coated on materials like cotton, polyster and cotton-polyster. It is non-toxic and therefore can be safely used for making masks and other PPEs.

Designed to monitor the freshness of seafood in real-time by responding to pH changes, the film offers a practical solution for improving food safety and reducing waste.

This film detects the release of volatile amines, compounds typically associated with spoilage, and indicates food quality through visible color changes, say sources from NIT Rourkela.

These natural components make the film biodegradable, safe, and responsive, aligning with sustainability goals and offering a non-invasive way to assess seafood freshness.

Findings

The findings of this research have been published in the journal Food Packaging and Shelf Life in a paper co-authored by Prof. Preetam Sarkar (as the lead corresponding author), along with his research scholars, Mr. Rahul Thakur, Miss Harshi Singhi, Mr. Vedsagar Rajesh Suryavanshi, and Dr. Ravichandran Santhosh.

Other co-authors in this work include Dr. Khalid Gul from NIT Rourkela, Dr. Swarup Roy from Lovely Professional University, Dr. Srinivas Janaswamy from South Dakota State University, Brookings, USA and Dr. Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad from IIT Roorkee.

Fishing

India is the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing approximately 8% of global fish production, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

It also holds the distinction of being the top five producer of shrimp globally, with frozen shrimp being the top export commodity.

Given the scale and importance of seafood production, innovations that ensure freshness and reduce spoilage are of immense value, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

In this context, intelligent packaging systems, which preserve food while monitoring its quality, are rapidly gaining global interest.

Unlike conventional packaging that serves merely as a protective barrier, the intelligent packaging film developed by NIT Rourkela team offers visual cues about the product’s condition, making it a promising solution for enhancing food safety and reducing waste.

The beetroot peel extract was prepared separately, and then combined with the starch, gum tragacanth, and a small amount of glycerol to cast the films.

These were dried and tested for their pH-sensitivity and effectiveness in monitoring seafood freshness, said Prof Preetam of NIT Rourkela.

Pigments

Beetroot peels contain betalains, a group of pigments known for their bright colours and pH sensitivity, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

These pigments also offer antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, making them suitable for food-related applications.

Incorporating these natural compounds into the starch-based film creates a biodegradable, safe, and responsive packaging material.

When the seafood begins to spoil and pH levels rise, the film changes colour, providing a clear visual indicator of freshness.

Starch

The choice of Kodo millet starch and gum tragacanth contributes to the film’s biodegradable and eco-friendly profile.

Kodo millet is an underutilised grain with excellent film-forming properties, while gum tragacanth enhances the mechanical strength and flexibility of the material.

The researchers believe that using such agricultural by-products not only supports sustainability but also adds value to food processing waste, such as beetroot peels.

At the laboratory scale, the cost of producing the film was estimated approximately Rs. 900 per kilogram.

When scaled up for industrial production, the cost is projected to range between Rs. 400 and Rs. 600 per kilogram, making it a potentially viable option for commercial use.

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