ID :
139483
Thu, 08/26/2010 - 20:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/139483
The shortlink copeid
Thailand succeeds in developing nano-tech mosquito-killing net
PATHUM THANI, Aug 26 – Thai scientists have successfully developed a mosquito-killing net using applied nanotechnology, believed to be the first in Asia, designed to prevent mosquito-borne diseases and to export the nets, according to the head of the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC).
Dr Sirasak Teparkum, director of NANOTEC’s Technology Transfer Division, told a media briefing that Thai researchers created the mosquito net which they claimed could kill mosquitoes in six minutes.
The nets are treated with insecticide deltamethrin which gives similar results as natural extracts. The substance works by infiltrating into receptor cells at the tips of mosquitoes’ feet which are sensitive to the substance.
Deltamethrin quickly causes a knock-down effect on the mosquitoes, knocking them unconscious and killing them later.
Mr Sirasak explained the nano-mosquito net mainly targets malaria-carrying mosquitoes, culex mosquitoes and other pests, while assuring the substance impregnated into the nets is safe for humans.
Minister of Science and Technology Virachai Virameteekul who also attended the media briefing added that there were two types of fibres, mono-component fibre and bi-component fibre for producing the nano-mosquito-killing net.
For the mono-component fibre, the scientists impregnated the chemical substance into plastic resin before transforming it into fibre.
Meanwhile, the bi-component fibre is already impregnated with the chemical substance in the fibre.
According to the material, the substance can be coated in the fibre. The net can be washed over 30 times with two-year duration of the insecticide team expected that the innovation can help boost exports and domestic sales of the mosquito-killing nets which will reduce the products’ imports.
In the past Thailand imported around 200,000-250,000 mosquito-killing nets annually, price between Bt250-500 (US$7.5-16) per piece.
The World Health Organization (WHO) suggested the mosquito-killing nets are a key tool in preventing malaria which is one of the deadly diseases killing many people in developing and underdeveloping countries.
Each year, over 39,209 Thais contract malaria, particularly those living along Thai-Myanmar and Thai-Cambodian borders. (MCOT online news)
Dr Sirasak Teparkum, director of NANOTEC’s Technology Transfer Division, told a media briefing that Thai researchers created the mosquito net which they claimed could kill mosquitoes in six minutes.
The nets are treated with insecticide deltamethrin which gives similar results as natural extracts. The substance works by infiltrating into receptor cells at the tips of mosquitoes’ feet which are sensitive to the substance.
Deltamethrin quickly causes a knock-down effect on the mosquitoes, knocking them unconscious and killing them later.
Mr Sirasak explained the nano-mosquito net mainly targets malaria-carrying mosquitoes, culex mosquitoes and other pests, while assuring the substance impregnated into the nets is safe for humans.
Minister of Science and Technology Virachai Virameteekul who also attended the media briefing added that there were two types of fibres, mono-component fibre and bi-component fibre for producing the nano-mosquito-killing net.
For the mono-component fibre, the scientists impregnated the chemical substance into plastic resin before transforming it into fibre.
Meanwhile, the bi-component fibre is already impregnated with the chemical substance in the fibre.
According to the material, the substance can be coated in the fibre. The net can be washed over 30 times with two-year duration of the insecticide team expected that the innovation can help boost exports and domestic sales of the mosquito-killing nets which will reduce the products’ imports.
In the past Thailand imported around 200,000-250,000 mosquito-killing nets annually, price between Bt250-500 (US$7.5-16) per piece.
The World Health Organization (WHO) suggested the mosquito-killing nets are a key tool in preventing malaria which is one of the deadly diseases killing many people in developing and underdeveloping countries.
Each year, over 39,209 Thais contract malaria, particularly those living along Thai-Myanmar and Thai-Cambodian borders. (MCOT online news)
