The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : An apparel for all seasons

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

An apparel for all seasons

R. Ravikanth Reddy

Active heating and cooling apparel developed
Huge potential for the product in the armed forces seen

HYDERABAD: Keeping warm in freezing temperatures with just a jacket or enjoying the comforts of a cool breeze in the midst of a desert in a hot summer with the same apparel might sound incredible! But a jacket that can condition temperature according to the needs might be a reality soon. The city-born and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) educated young entrepreneur Kranti Kiran has developed an active heating and cooling apparel that can maintain comfortable body temperature and protect from extreme weather conditions.

A team of students from the Indian School of Business (ISB) is working out a business model for the product. “Within a year the product is likely to roll out for the targeted group,” says Kranti, who completed his B. Tech from the B.V. Raju College of Engineering & Technology in 2001. Gaurav, a student of Indian School of Business (ISB) and working on the business model that sees a huge potential for the product in the armed forces who work in extreme weather conditions. Soldiers who work in places in Siachen use four litres of kerosene to make use of one litre of kerosene.Another niche area where Gaurav is looking at is the Formula 1 races. Since the drivers’ spot is extremely hot they use a compressor plugged into a jacket to reduce the heat. “This is the first time that Indian innovators are being offered concrete solutions to make their invention a successful business venture,” says V. Chandrasekar, Executive Director, Wadhwani Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (WCED) at the ISB. The competition has attracted 135 teams of students from various B schools and IITs.

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