The Technology Development Board (TDB), a body under the Department of Science & Technology, has invited proposals from Indian companies to address protection and home-based respiratory intervention for COVID-19 patients, DST secretary Ashutosh Sharma said. 

The proposals may include technologically innovative solutions like low-cost masks, cost-effective scanning devices, technologies for sanitisation of large areas as well as for contactless entry, rapid diagnostic kits and oxygenators, and ventilators.

The TDB provides financial assistance by means of soft loans (up to 50 per cent of project cost at 5 per cent simple interest per annum, equity participation (up to a maximum of 25 per cent of the project cost) or grant in exceptional cases, for encouraging the commercial application of indigenously developed technology and for adapting imported technology to wider domestic application

Sharma said the DST is looking at low-cost masks which can capture virus from the air and absorb respiratory droplets, cost-effective thermal scanning, large area sanitisation and sterilisation (including electrostatic spray and Ultra Violet treatment for various available surfaces like glass, ceramic, wood, textile).

He said the DST is also looking at bioinformatics and surveillance, rapid and accurate diagnosis kit (paper-based and other point of care devices), Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things (IOT) solution for contact-less entry, low cost and portable oxygenators and ventilators (low-cost and portable).

Technology Development Board

The Technology Development Board (TDB) provides financial assistance to Indian industrial concerns and other agencies, attempting development and commercial application of indigenous technology, or adapting imported technology to wider domestic applications.

The Parliament passed the Technology Development Board Act in December 1995. TDB came into being on September 1, 1996 as a statutory body of the Department of Science & Technology.

The board consists of 11 members, including secretaries to various departments and four nominated private members. 

Objectives of TDB

*Promote new ideas from small enterprises even at the risk of failures.

*Encourage production of competitive consumer products.

*Motivate industries and R&D institutions for product innovation.

*Develop socially relevant and profitable technologies.

*Identify and act in areas requiring strategic interventions.

*Invest in core technological strengths to enable India industry to stand-up to the competitive pressure and become a global player.

*Facilitate interaction between industry, scientists, technocrats and specialists.

*Facilitate the creation of a new generation of entrepreneurs.

*Assist partnerships with other, similar technology financing bodies.

*Creates new job opportunities.

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