All Idiots on Durgapur drive

Updated on: Monday, July 19, 2010

They are a team of ‘All Idiots’, but together, they’ve designed something that could have a major impact on the way you drive.

Inspired by the Aamir Khan blockbuster ‘3 Idiots’, a group of 30 second-year BTech students — working as the team of ‘All Idiots’ — from Institute of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Durgapur, have developed the prototype of a diesel fuel measuring device (DMD) that can check pilfering and increase efficiency by 15-20%.

The Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) has acknowledged it as a unique device and the institute has already applied for a patent. A Kolkata-based cement transport company has given orders for manufacturing 200 such devices and handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh as advance.

A college team will give a demonstration to transport minister Ranjit Kundu soon and explore the option of manufacturing the device commercially.

Partha Pobi, vice president of Sanaka Trust, which runs the college, said, “The device can be fitted into a vehicle by cutting the fuel pump, while the meter will be installed on the dash board. The cost of each unit will be around Rs 20,000 and we hope to hand over the consignment in three to six months.” Pobi had given the idea of the device to the college for a project.

“It took about nine months to complete the project and we are sure of its commercial success. All of us have watched ‘Three Idiots’ and are proud of our achievement,” said Sudeshna Roy, a member of All Idiots. Buoyed by the success of All Idiots team, the college is now planning a second project on wireless electricity for charging phones and household electrical connections.

A conventional fuel tank indicator gives a rough indication of the availability of fuel in the tank but the DMD actually displays the actual amount of fuel consumed. “The aim of this project is to increase fuel efficiency, minimize consumption and restrict fuel pilfering,” said Sourav Ghosh, a second-year student.

The fuel consumed by a diesel engine is measured by the DMD at all speeds and different gears constantly and the data is stored in digital form. (TNN)

All Idiots on Durgapur drive

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