A device that provides long-term mosquito protection without the need for heat, electricity or skin contact has been developed for the US military at the University of Florida. Dr. Christopher Batich and Nagarajan Rajagopal created the controlled-release passive device. From the USDA's Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Dr. Daniel Kline, Dr. Jerry Hogsette and Adam Bowman recently successfully tested it in a four-week half-field trial at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Gainesville.
According to the results, the test site was successfully cleared of several different mosquito species as a result of the controlled release of the repellent transfluthrin. The organic pesticide called Transfluthrin is thought to be harmless to both humans and animals.
According to Rajagopal, “our technology eliminates the need to apply topical repellent and pesticides sprayed into an open area that can contaminate nearby plants or water sources and have a detrimental effect on beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies.” It is an adaptable, portable, simple to use solution and does not need heat or energy to operate.
Mosquitoes can spread dangerous infections and viruses such as West Nile, Zika, dengue, and malaria, so they are more than an annoying distraction for military units. The Department of Defense is constantly looking for new ways to protect soldiers from mosquito bites while in the field.
A tube-shaped piece of polypropylene plastic measuring 2,5 centimeters in length, together with two small tubes and a cotton ball carrying the repeller, make up the controlled-release passive device. While the team attached 70 of the devices to the opening of a large military tent with fishing line, nothing was attached to the control tent. According to Rajagopal, within 24 hours, nearly all of the caged mosquitoes released in various places along the exterior of the tent were either killed or expelled.
Stating that the final product to be produced with XNUMXD printing technology can extend this period up to three months, Rajagopal said that the field test showed that the team's prototype created a protective zone against mosquitoes for four weeks.
“We call it passive because you don't have to do anything to activate our technology,” the man explained. “Instead of an initial surge, it provides a steady release of pesticide over a long period of time.”
Rajagopal stated that they have applied for patents to eventually commercialize the technology for the civilian market, and the government is interested in future research. According to USDA experts, those who prefer outdoor activities are more likely to benefit from this technology.
According to Kline, a USDA research entomologist, “although originally created for tent entry protection, the personal protection device in a variety of sizes and configurations has potential for other applications, including hiking and fishing.”
Additional active ingredients will be studied to maximize transfluthrin's potential, Kline said.
According to Rajagopal, this goes beyond mosquitoes. We hope to demonstrate that it will be effective against other insects, particularly ticks, which are dangerous as they can spread Lyme disease.
Source: techxplore
Günceleme: 29/01/2023 09:34
Be the first to comment