The Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT Delhi) and innovative start-up Swatrics claims to have developed a fabric to be used for the country’s monumental national flags that is 100 per cent more durable than the current materials used.
Such flags endure extreme weather conditions and must therefore stand the test of time. As well as being more durable, the researchers say their solution is also stain-, dust- and dirt-resistant and can biodegrade at its end of life. Monumental flags are the large flags dotted throughout the country which are lowered at sunset and illuminated at night. IIT Delhi is in the process of installing flags made from its material on campus, which is expected to be completed by March.
“Next month, we are also sending 10 different prototypes to different locations in the country for installation. So far, our research is at prototyping stage, the exact durability of the flag will be known in the next few months,” Bipin Kumar, a professor in IIT Delhi’s Textile and Fibre Engineering Department, told the Telegraph India.
IIT Delhi’s Director, V. Ramgopal Rao, added: “Our faculty members have been closely interacting with the Flag Foundation of India, a non-profit organisation founded by Naveen Jindal.
“They are looking at multiple aspects related to the national flag. They are working closely to develop material standards for monumental flags and a lot of field trials are currently on. I am glad to know that the initial results are encouraging.”
