NASA Technology Targets Mosquitos

NASA engineers at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Ala., have teamed up with an Arkansas inventor to take aim on one of summertime's greatest pests - the mosquito.

In 1995, Alvin Wilbanks of Environmental Products and Research, Inc., of Osceola, Ark., met with the MSFC Technology Transfer Office's, Dinah Higgins. Wilbanks discussed his ideas for developing a mosquito killing system with Higgins, who suggested that NASA-derived technologies could be incorporated into the design. Higgins also was able to suggest incorporating molding technologies that would benefit the company once the product entered production.

The NASA engineers suggested a number of improvements to cut costs and improve efficiency that were subsequently adopted by the Arkansas firm. MSFC also referred Wilbanks to a non-profit agency that assisted him in rapidly producing the molds used to manufacture the base and top structure of the new product.

The MKS (Mosquito Killing System) that has resulted from the collaboration of NASA and private industry is a revolutionary new mosquito control device. Unlike existing electronic insect killing devices, the MKS actually attracts mosquitoes to itself. The invention relies on the insect's natural ability to sense heat and breathing to find its prey. The patented device uses a heat source to provide an image to attract the insects, coupled with gentle air currents that simulate breathing. A pheromones attractant also is used to further attract the insects into the device. The system will attract insects over a one-acre area. Once inside the device's killing zone, the mosquitoes are electrocuted.

The MKS includes a number of safety considerations including secure mounting points and a tip-over safety switch. It also has an energy-conserving photoelectric cell to activate the machine at dusk and turn it off at dawn. Using 110 volt alternating current and the energy-saving photoelectric feature, the device should cost about $6 per month to operate. Functional and attractive, the device fits well into any backyard decor.

The self-cleaning device is environmentally friendly, using no chemicals to destroy the pests, and comes with a one-year warranty. The new mosquito control devices are expected to be available commercially by May, 1997. The firm estimates that, by allowing municipalities to eliminate mosquito spraying during the summer, the cost of the MKS can be recouped in five years, thus freeing revenues for other purposes.

Persons interested in the MKS may contact Environmental Products and Research, Inc., at 215 Melton/P.O. Box 50, Trumann, Arkansas 72472, Phone: 501-935-1396 Fax: 870-935-9535.