Son’s gift for mom: Touch-free sanitizer

KOZHIKODE: Necessity is the mother of invention, but love for mother can be a reason for invention too! Amal Varun Mathew, 20, hailing from Kattangal in Kozhikode, invented an automatic sensor-triggered sanitizer dispenser that does not require touch to operate.
Amal developed the automatic hand sanitizer dispenser for Amala Rural Health Centre where his mother Dr Mary Joseph works as centre director.The equipment reduces the risk of virus spread as people can disinfect their hands without touching the dispenser.
The major highlight of the dispenser is that the instrument, which comprises only four electronic components, costs just Rs 200.
In addition, the device needs a box made of plywood, pipe and wire with a total cost of Rs 400, including labour charges.
Amal, pursuing his final-year polytechnic in Mechatronics at Thalassery-based Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF), has been receiving inquiries from educational institutions, churches and shop owners for his invention.
The equipment is sensor triggered and if one extends their hand in front of the sensor, the machine automatically dispenses the sanitizer onto the hand.
Amal has installed the automatic sanitizer dispenser in vigilance special cell, Thondayad and Kunnamangalam police station.
“A total of 10 new machines would be donated to my college following request put forth by its authorities,” he said. “I have never thought of manufacturing it in bulk quantity so far,” he said.