MYSURU: Scientists of Mysuru-based Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) have come up with “antifreeze container” technology which helps armed forces in high altitude areas tackle the problem of “rock-hard” eggs, “juice bricks” and frozen fruits and vegetables which become unfit for consumption.
The technology developed under the guidance of Dr Anil Dutt Semwal, Director of DRFL, has cleared all trials. If everything goes as per DRFL plans, it will be implemented this year. After videos of soldiers deployed in Siachen breaking “rock-hard” eggs, “tomatoes” and “juice bricks” went viral a few years ago, DFRL scientists started working on this technology.
In high-altitude areas, the temperature tends to freeze fruits and vegetables during transportation from the depot to forward posts, making them unfit for consumption.
“With this antifreeze insulated container, fruits and vegetables can be transported or stored. The container can retain freshness without any symptoms of freezing and chilling injury for almost 90 hours. The structural integrity of the container with minimum heat loss needs no electrical energy,” said a scientist, who is part of the team which developed this technology.
The team is now working on extending this technology to armed forces deployed in high-altitude areas, especially in Siachen. Scientists of DFRL have also developed proto-models of “anti-freeze flexible bags or sacks” that work without electrical energy.