Low-cost automatic hand sanitizer dispenser for Covid-19 pandemic period

The COVID'19 pandemic has increased awareness about personal health and hygiene. Wearing a protective face mask, maintain social distancing, frequent handwashing with soap or hand sanitization are few steps to stay safe in this pandemic period. Sharing as well as mass use of sanitizer bottles may lead to the spreading of coronavirus, so an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser at public places like industries, offices and schools become a practical way to provide safe and touch-free hand sanitization. There are a variety of Automatic Hand Sanitizer Dispensers available in the market with different features. This article describes a novel way of developing an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser using a simple mono-stable multivibrator actuated by an infrared obstacle detector. Safety measures are incorporated to avoid the spilling and vaporizing of alcohol-based sanitizer, hence prevents the potential fire hazards. This is a cost-effective prototype with added safety features, built with commercially available raw materials and components.