Project Lead(s): Michael Wollowitz
In-home use of mosquito traps has been shown to be effective in reducing disease transmission by mosquitoes, the primary carriers of Zika virus. Tangible Design’s AHEAD kit project will develop low-cost kit-type versions of several types of existing mosquito traps.
Firstly, existing commercial and experimental traps will be analyzed and evaluated for efficacy, and applicability. A matrix will be developed that relates efficacy, potential cost, and applicability to kit development. Secondly, a series of prototype kit-type traps will be designed and fabricated. Designs will be based as much as possible on existing trap technologies selected from the matrix. The prototype traps will be fabricated using mainly commonly available recycled materials. Thirdly, preliminary field testing will be performed using a set of the prototype traps. Where practical the testing will compare the effectiveness of the prototype traps with that of existing commercial traps.
In parallel with the trap development, software design for a reporting system will be initiated and mock-ups or storyboards will be generated. Prototype educational materials for introduction of the kit traps in classrooms and an associated plan for community engagement will also be developed.