Malaysian researchers invent mosquito trapping street lamp

University of Malaysia researchers invented a street lamp that mimics human scent to lure and trap mosquitoes. The LED lamp also produces small amounts of carbon dioxide that attracts mosquitoes.

“The mosquito trap takes advantage of the mosquito’s sensory abilities by tricking them with features that mimic the odours associated with humans.

“Decoyed mosquitoes enter the trap through the capture windows on the upper part, and then are strongly sucked into the capture net in the lower part by a suction fan. Once they are sucked into the capture net, they cannot fly away,” the team’s head researcher Chong Wen Tong was quoted as saying by UK daily The Guardian today.

The lamp is solar and wind-powered, and would function even in cases of power outages and floods.

“For remote areas with no access to the electrical grid, this system can serve as a stand-alone, self-sustained renewable energy source to supply basic electricity needs. It is scalable to match the energy demand.

“Moreover, the battery, electrical wiring and controller have been designed to be placed on the top portion of the pole and this allows the system to continue functioning during floods,” he was quoted saying.

In the long run, the mosquito trapping lamps are more cost-friendly since they are renewable.

“Based on life-cycle analysis – electricity prices are relatively low in Malaysia – the payback period is six years. In urban settings, the installation of the conventional street lights requires landscape disruption in order to have electrical connection.

“With this invention, these indirect costs, such as trenching, cabling, rebuilding the landscape and maintenance, are minimised or eliminated,” he was quoted saying.

Category: Technology & Devices, Top Story