3D Printing Is Being Used to Make a Safer Mosquito Repellent
Mosquitoes are transmitters of many serious diseases including malaria and dengue fever and as such are responsible for about one million deaths per year according to the WHO (World Health Organization). Not to mention how annoying the bites caused by these insects are. Mosquito repellents can be very effective in killing mosquitoes, but they are also harmful to our health. This is due to an active ingredient used in most repellents, DEET. Also known as N-diethyl-m-toluamide, it is a toxic material when it comes into contact with the eyes or mouth and can cause convulsions or even death. That’s why German researchers have developed a more sustainable, effective and safe 3D printed mosquito repellent.
A team of researchers at Martin Luther University Halle- Wittenberg (Germany) have developed the solution, a 3D printed wearable containing a skin-friendly chemical repellent. “The basic idea is that the insect repellent is continuously evaporating and forming a barrier for insects,” commented Fanfan Du, lead author of the study and a PhD candidate at MLU. The evaporation rate of the insect repellent depends on factors such as temperature, concentration and structure of the polymer used. As a solution to the problem of this toxic and temporary material they have developed a sustainable, effective and safe repellent. And in contrast to natural solutions that tend to wear off quickly and require continuous application, this 3D printed repellent is comfortable to wear as it can be in the form of a ring, bracelet or any design you want, without the need to apply any product on your skin.
(Photo Credits: Uni Halle / Fanfan Du)
What Can You Expect From the 3D Printed Mosquito Repellent?
The research team used a special 3D printing technique to introduce the insect repellent into a biodegradable polymer in a controlled manner and form the mixture of substances in different ways. As mentioned above, it is a wearable that is easy and convenient to use. It is is made out of a prototype material called IR3535, an insect repellent developed by MERCK. This chemical will be encapsulated in the 3D printable biodegradable raw material (PLA) and can be printed in any way the designer desires.
The rings have proven to be efficient in controlled environments, although further research is needed to determine the performance of the rings in real conditions. After numerous investigations the repellent would need more than a week to evaporate completely at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius for body temperature. The design such as the ring or bracelet are currently only prototypes for the study, although Androsch explained that the encapsulation material could also be optimized. This is a great initiative that would be a great solution to prevent the bites of these insects and the serious consequences of their bites on our health. You can access the full study HERE.
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*Cover Photo Credits: Eat This, Not That
