Context: Recently,a new technology has been adopted by the Maharashtra hospitals in the fight of COVID-19 fight. The technology was developed by a Pune based Start Up.

About Scitech Airon

• It is a negative ion generator which helps to control the virus, bacteria, and fungal infections in a closed environment.
• It is designed in such a way that it could clean up the air and disinfect areas which are exposed to the infection through Covid 19 positive cases and suspects.
• A Pune based company, Jclean Weather Technologies, is the nodal company for manufacturing the Scitech Airon.
• Its usefulness in killing disease-causing viruses and bacteria has been scientifically tested by various globally renowned labs in different types of closed environments.
• The negative ions generated by the ionizer form clusters around microparticles such as airborne mold, corona or influenza viruses, mite allergens, bacteria, pollens, dust and so on and render them inactive through a chemical reaction by creating highly reactive OH groups called hydroxyl radicals.
• The detergent property generated by the ion generator helps in the breakdown of the outer protein of the allergens, viruses, and bacteria, which helps in controlling airborne diseases.
• It has been developed under the NIDHI PRAYAS program initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Significance of the technology

• It helps to control the virus, bacteria, and other fungal infections in a closed environment and could help purify the air and disinfect areas around COVID-19 positive cases and suspects. Hence it could ensure the wellbeing of the staff, doctors, and nurses who are working round the clock in quarantine facilities by enhancing their disease-resistance power and ability to fight the virus.

About NIDHI

• NIDHI (National Initiative for Development and Harnessing Innovations), an umbrella program is pioneered by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, for nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful startups.

About Nidhi Prayas Program

• Department of Science & Technology has launched a NIDHI program (National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations) under which programmes for setting up of incubators, seed fund, accelerators and ‘Proof of concept’ grant for innovators and entrepreneurs have been launched.
• Under NIDHI, PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring innovators & Startups) programme has been initiated in which established Technology Business Incubators (TBI) are supported with PRAYAS grant to support innovators and entrepreneurs with grants for ‘Proof of Concept’ and developing prototypes.
• A maximum grant of Rs. 220 lakh is given to a TBI for establishing a PRAYAS Centre which includes Rs.100 lakh for PRAYAS SHALA, Rs. 20 lakh for operational cost of PRAYAS Centre and maximum of Rs. 10 lakh to one innovator for developing prototype. Funding for ten innovators is given to the TBI in a year.

Components of NIDHI

• NIDHI GCC - Grand Challenges and Competitions for
• NIDHI - PRomoting and and accelerating Young and
• NIDHI-Entrepreneur In Residence (NIDHI-EIR)-Suppo
• Startup-NIDHI
• NIDHI-Technology Business Incubator(TBI)-Converti
• NIDHI-Accelerator-Fast tracking a start-up throug
• NIDHI-Seed Support System (NIDHI-SSS)-Providing e
• NIDHI Centres of Excellence (NIDHI-CoE)-A World c and last one is Nidhi Prayas Program

Eligibility for Submission of a Proposal of PC

• STEPs/TBIs  promoted  by  Government  of  India  are  eligible  to  apply  under  the  PRAYAS Centers (PC).
• The  proposal  to  be submitted  by  aSTEP  /  TBI and  other  institutions  with  a  proven  track record in promotion of technology based entrepreneurship. The STEP / TBI is  supposed   to   have   adequate   expertise   and   infrastructure to  support  innovation  scouting,  screening,  selection  for funding  support  and  monitoring  of  progress  of development.
• Student applicants pursuing long term research projects like doctoral research projects or similar projects will not be supported under the program.
• The STEP/TBI should have been in existence for at least 3 years. This limit of time period will not apply  to  entities  created  by the central  government or state governments.
• A  pure R&D  proposal  for  academic  pursuits  and  industrial consultancy  will  not  be eligible for support.
• The  proposals  which  are  not  complete  or  do  not  meet  eligibility  criteria  will  not  be considered