Researchers at the University of Malaya have developed street lights powered by wind and solar that attract and trap mosquitoes using a ‘human’ scent.
More than 1 million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Mosquitos contribute to the spread of many deadly diseases, including malaria, the Zika virus and dengue fever. Controlling the growth of mosquito populations is an effective way to prevent the spread of such infectious diseases.
Energy-efficient street lights that attract and trap mosquitoes by giving off a ‘human’ scent are being used in Kuala Lumpur. Developed by researchers at the University of Malaya, the smart outdoor LED lamps are powered by wind and solar energy, and can function off the grid, even in flood-prone areas.
Mosquitoes react sensitively to certain wavelengths of ultraviolet light. The mosquito trap consists of an integrated weak UV light and a suction fan. Parts within the trap are coated with titanium dioxide (TiO2). When the UV wavelength comes in contact with the TiO2, a photo-catalytic reaction takes place that produces carbon dioxide (CO2). This is the same CO2 that humans exhale and is irresistible to mosquitoes. Once the mosquitoes have been attracted to the trap by the UV light and CO2, the fan draws in the mosquitoes at the bottom and keeps them from escaping with the vacuum action created by the continuous cycle of the fan.
Developed to combat the spread of dengue fever in Malaysia, the self-powered street lights can be easily deployed in areas lacking power infrastructure, providing energy-efficient lighting as well as disease control.
The highly innovative design comprises many groundbreaking features that maximize the traps’ effectiveness. The hybrid renewable energy sources consist of a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel and a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). The PV panel is located at the top of the system to reduce the effects of shadow and maximize the energy harness of the sun. The VAWT is covered by an omnidirectional guide-vane (ODGV), which is a wind-power augmentation system to increase the oncoming wind speed. During wind tunnel testing, researchers found that the power output for the ODGV-integrated VAWT increased by about 3.48 times compared to the bare VAWT. The rotating parts of the VAWT are enclosed within the ODGV to make it safer for the public.
The two renewable energy sources provide the power required to run the light in varying weathers, and therefore improve the system’s reliability. The power generated by the green energy controls both the lighting and the mosquito trap. The long-lifespan LED lights provide brightness during the night and also serve a decorative purpose.
With increasing numbers of cases of dengue fever across Malaysia, it has been imperative to seek a solution to control the mosquito population. This is an excellent example of researchers and scientists creating innovative ways to combat disease on a macro level. The combination of lab researchers collaborating with developers and innovators as well as local governments to address widespread problems is a trend that is becoming more and more apparent. This cross-pollination is a great solution to issues that span the jurisdictions of health-care professionals, politicians, scientists and innovators.
A similar innovation is bug-trapping drones used as part of Project Premonition, which employs an autonomous drone system to monitor infectious agents and predict diseases before they infect humans.
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Website: www.researchsea.com
Contact: chong_wentong@um.edu.my
Company name: University of Malaya
Innovation name: Smart outdoor lighting system
Country: Malaysia
Industries: Health & wellbeing / Nature & sustainability / Smart cities