Engineer Uses Solar Energy, Wax And Human Sweat To Fight Malaria

Those who live in cities often we forget that malaria remains an epidemic in many parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 300 and 500 million cases are diagnosed annually. And while insecticides to help the cause, the mosquitoes quickly become resistant to it. Fortunately, an engineer named Tom Kruer from the United States has devised a cheap and low technology to combat the problem of malaria.

Kruer won $ 40,000 for his idea, which uses only beeswax, human sweat and solar energy.

This ingenious invention is a trapping of mosquitoes in a cone shape that uses wax and sweat as the main ingredients. During the day, the solar heat melts the wax that falls into a container. At night, the container goes into the house, where the heat can be seen at about the same temperature as the human touch, as the wax solidifies. This combined with water mixed with human sweat, and simulates the core temperature of a sleeping person. Mosquitoes are attracted to the cone and therefore trapped.

Kruer believes that his invention can be produced for less than $ 10, making it ideal for developing communities.

Pilot production is already in progress and is expected to start producing steadily in May this year.