US-developed bodysuit could help in fight against malaria
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A Cornell University scientist and designer have created a hooded bodysuit embedded at the molecular level with insecticides for warding off mosquitoes infected with malaria.
While insecticide-treated nets are commonly used to drive away mosquitoes, the Cornell prototype garment can be worn throughout the day to provide extra protection and does not dissipate easily like skin-based repellents.
By binding insecticide and fabric at the nanolevel using metal organic framework molecules — which are clustered crystalline compounds — the mesh fabric can reportedly be loaded with up to three times more insecticide than normal fibrous nets, which usually wear off after about six months.
In a statement, Frederick Ochanda, postdoctoral associate in Cornell’s Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design, said: ‘The bond on our fabric is very difficult to break. The nets in use now are dipped in a solution and are not bonded in this way, so their effectiveness doesn’t last very long.’
The garment, fashioned by Matilda Ceesay, a Cornell apparel design undergraduate, debuted on the runway at the Cornell Fashion Collective spring fashion show on 28 April on the Cornell campus.
It is said to consist of an underlying one-piece bodysuit and a mesh hood and cape containing the insecticide.
It is hoped that the outfit will serve as a prototype to drive new technologies for fighting the spread of malaria, a disease that in Africa alone is estimated to kill 655,000 people annually.
On the horizon, according to Ochanda, is a fabric that releases repellent in response to changes in temperature or light — offering wearers more protection at night. At minimum, they hope the technology can be applied to create longer-lasting insecticide-laden bed nets.
Readers' comments (2)
rune | 11 May 2012 6:39 pm
interesting technology but probably not for mosquito nets. The technology available today is already advanced enough so that it insecticide outlasts the net itself. It s the physical integrity of the net that s the limiting factor not the insecticide treatment.
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mike blamey | 16 May 2012 11:20 am
I agree: on VSO in British Guiana SA (longer ago than I care to remember but 1964/5 if anyone else was alive then)..I recall being advised that the purpose of a mosquito net was to keep the little 'Bu**ers' out, not in! The big toe -which usually was a part of the body which impinged upon the net..was a favourite target for bugs.
Just for the record, with my textile technologist hat on most so called 'nets' are not! A true 'net' has a full tied knot at each yarn junction (otherwise the fish could and would push their way out! and bugs could push their way in!) The fabric for ballerina's tutus are true nets: that is what makes them 'stick-out'. Most other materials that claim to be nets are actually warp knitted.
I had a project many years ago to deal with what is called sweet itch: a problem with horses which was believed to be due to their eating sweet spring grass. It was actually caused by bugs that had a long proboscis that hatched in the spring (spelun was never my strong suit) that could penetrate the thermal covers that horses wear in the winter/early spring. We simply made the coats thicker (by altering the tension of the knitting beams and increasing the size of the sinkers to lengthen the loops) and the problem was solved.
from the minute to the mighty: and all places in-between! Didn't Nevil Shute describe an Engineer as a person who can do for 10p what any bloo*y fool can do for £1. I hope so!
M
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