AFMC cadets developing sensors for soldiers' safety in Siachen

Time of India

08-05-2025

Pune: Medical students at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) are developing a sensor to track carbon monoxide concentrations and lowest temperatures at Siachen Glacier outposts to ensure soldiers' safety.Soldiers stationed at these locations typically use bukharis (kerosene-fueled space heaters) in enclosed spaces to keep themselves warm.
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Officials said that often insufficient oxygen in the room causes dangerous levels of carbon monoxide to accumulate, which could be lethal. The device would also alert soldiers about sudden drop in temperatures.Although numerous outposts at the glacier are fitted with sophisticated equipment and safety protocols, officials said that these systems occasionally prove to be inadequate in frigid temperatures."This kind of sensor is necessary to monitor carbon monoxide and temperature levels for the safety of soldiers posted in the world highest battlefield," Colonel C Uday, officer-in-charge of Students' Scientific Society of AFMC, told TOI."The sensor will sound an alarm once the carbon monoxide level goes above the average level," he added.AFMC alumnus Captain Anshuman Singh, who was awarded Kirti Chakra (posthumously), died while trying to rescue fellow soldiers during a major fire at Siachen glacier in 2023.The college's medical students are also engaged in various biomedical engineering initiatives. AFMC has established 3D printing and dry tinkering laboratories on campus to provide guidance and exposure to advanced medical technologies, including 3D printing and surgical robotics."These labs are established for students so that they can do different projects that will be useful for the armed forces. We get problem statements from the field units of the armed forces, and based on that, we approve projects for the students. Thereafter, they work on those projects. So far, 180 of the 500 students are involved in various projects in the college," added Col Uday.Students receive essential training in robotic surgery at these facilities. "AFMC commandant Lt Gen PP Rao, an expert in robotics surgery, will hold classes for undergraduate students on the use of robotics in surgeries. The endeavour is to explain to them the nitty-gritty of robotics and the experience during the surgeries," said Col Uday.Students are also working on developing shock-resistant containers for safely transporting blood bags to remote locations. "These blood bags are transported by road through difficult terrains. So, there is a high chance of cells breaking due to consistent jerks during the journey. To address this issue, our students are working on shock-resistant bags based on gyroscopy," said Col Uday.From the second year onwards, the college asks students to participate in these activities to get acquainted with the latest technology and operational requirements of the armed forces, said officials. "In today's scenario, knowing about technologies that are being used in the medical field is essential for effective functioning. Therefore, the college established these labs considering the future necessity in the field," said the officials.A final-year medical student, involved in one of the projects, said, "We spend a couple of hours on the project understanding the technology used for a particular equipment. This knowledge will be of immense help while working in the field units."