IIT Madras incubated startup Muse Wearables develops coating to inactive coronavirus on contact

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras-incubated Start-up Muse Wearables is working on developing novel and scalable methods that can be used for coating textiles with nanoparticles-based antimicrobial agents that can inactive the human Coronavirus on contact.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras-incubated Start-up Muse Wearables is working on developing novel and scalable methods that can be used for coating textiles with nanoparticles-based antimicrobial agents that can inactive the human Coronavirus on contact.

These coatings are expected to work up to 60 wash cycles, thereby making the textiles re-usable. The coated textiles can be used to manufacture N95 masks, surgical masks, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and food packaging bags, among others, with inherent properties of inactivating the coronavirus.

This current pilot machine by Muse Wearables can coat textiles of up to 100 meters length within a few minutes. Muse Wearables was incubated by IIT Madras Incubation Cell.

"The innovations done by the startups at the institute who are working on a range of products that are vital to India's fight against Covid-19, from N95 masks to intubation boxes and ventilators to affordable testing kits is commendable. They have quickly mobilized and repurposed their offerings in response to the situation and are striving to make a positive contribution to the nation's anti-virus efforts. IIT Madras Incubation Cell continues to assist its startups through these challenging times and hopes that industry support will help them ramp up their efforts in a more meaningful way,” said Dr. Tamaswati Ghosh, Chief Executive Officer, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, while lauding the Muse Wearable for their initiatives.

At present, the startup is working on assembling the coating machine and will start coating various textiles with different nanoparticle solutions soon. The coated textiles are expected to be ready for the testing by the first week of May. The start-up is also partnering with a mask manufacturing company to launch five-layered Antiviral N95 Masks at an estimated price of Rs 300 per piece.

Several IITs around the country are coming up with different innovations to help the country in its fight against coronavirus. From face shields to robots, the team of students and teachers at various IITs are putting their best efforts to save frontline healthcare workers, patients and others from this deadly disease. 

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