By Adeniyi Adedeji, Ilorin
The Federal Polytechnic, Offa has invented solar powered machines which would help prevent the spread of the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
The machines included: Solar-Powered Automated Hand Wash Sanitizer System; Solar Powered Sound Automated Pee Toilet and Hand Clap Switch Solar Powered Hand-Rub Ultraviolet, UV, Wave Sanitizer System.
The institution has also invented an Automated Fumigation Disinfectant System as part of its contribution to the fight against the wild virus plague, by both the Federal and state governments
The devices were supervised by Dr. (Mrs.) Christianah Abiola Olafimihan, who set up the COVID-19 Technical Committee, chaired by Dr Fowomola, M.A., to midwife the project to life.
Previously, the school had invented Automatic Fumigation machine which was demonstrated during the visit of the Rector, Dr. Lateef Olatunji, to traditional rulers in Offa and adjoining communities to donate the devices to them. The communities included Offa, Ipee, Erin-ile and Ojoku.
At the Oloffa’s palace, the monarch, Oba Gbadamosi Esuwoye said, “I am very proud that the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, has invented something that is actually different from what others have been inventing. This is a laudable contribution from the institution.”
Similarly, the Elerin of Erinle, His Royal Highness, Oba AbdulGaniyu Ibrahim, Olusookun ll, thanked the Polytechnic management for the items presented to his community to combat the spread of coronavirus in the community.
He said, “Everyone must continue to abide by all preventive measures as stated by the government. I really appreciate the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, for this commendable project and I will urge you to keep up these efforts and give it a wider coverage.
“The Polytechnic has been peaceful under the leadership of Dr. Olatunji and that is also commendable. The institution should keep the legacy.”
The Automatic Fumigation Disinfectant System was invented by Mr Aduloju Emmanuel, a lecturer in the department which converts solar energy into mechanical energy.
The solar energy is tapped from the sun and stored in the battery, which enables it to spray the disinfectant automatically, rather than the usual manual pumping method. It can be used to fumigate environments and public places to curtail the spread of COVID-19, according to Mr Aduloju.
The Solar Automated Hand Wash Sanitizer was also designed by Mr. Aduloju, who said the device dispenses soap, water and sanitizer sequentially.
It has a censor which detects human presence and automatically triggers the discharge of soap to rinse hands for five seconds from the first dispenser. The second dispenser in the middle will in turn dispense water for 20 seconds to wash hands while the third dispenser then releases sanitizer for three seconds.
The Solar Powered Sound Automated Pee Toilet System was conceptualized and designed by Mr. Somoye, O. A., a lecturer in Physics Unit of the department presently studying for a Ph.D in Nottingham University, United Kingdom.
This device, he said, was developed for urination without touching or having contact with any object in the toilet.
He said, “The pee system works with a sound. Once the user finishes urinating, he makes a sound with the thumbs and water starts running automatically from the tap for about 30 to 40 seconds to flush or rinse off the Pee. The pee system is developed to avoid contact with objects in the toilet which might have been touched by another user.”
The Hand-Clap Solar Powered Hand-Rub Ultraviolet, UV, Wave Sanitizer System, also a product from the Physics Unit of the department was designed and developed by Mr Yusuff Moshood, who said, “The machine works automatically by clapping hands. Once a user claps, it powers on. Then place hands in the radiation and it sanitizes hands devoid of liquid particles.”
Meanwhile, the devices had been presented to the management of the Polytechnic for regular academic and research activities in the institution.
