title: Functional Micro-Dispensers based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) integrated with fabrics as functional materials to protect humans from mosquito feeding.
abstract: Functional Micro-Dispensers (FMDs) based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) were designed to deliver spatial repellents that reduce the ability of mosquitoes to feed on humans. FMDs were integrated with fabrics as functional materials for protection against mosquito bites. The use of MEMS devices provides an unprecedented control over the release kinetics by means of integration with electronics for selective and timely activation of each device to perform controlled release of pesticides in air. In addition, because MEMS manufacturing techniques evolved from the microelectronic industry, FMDs can be mass produced at very low cost. Trials using FMDs that contained transfluthrin improved protection against mosquito feeding in human subjects above that of permethrin-treated uniform fabric worn on the arm of the volunteer. The overall reduction in feeding was approximately 90% compared to the untreated fabric control, and about 50% reduction compared to the permethrin-treated fabric control. The devices were efficacious over course of 32 days. FMDs have the potential for a simple and cost-effective implementation for mass adoption as wearable devices integrated in fabrics as active functional materials.
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA.
authors.forename: Ulrich R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Bernier
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gurman
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA.
authors.forename: Gary G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Technology Square, NE47-525, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Electronic address: nelman@mit.edu.
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Elman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009033:Culicidae; D006801:Humans; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems; D013784:Textiles
chemical_list: D007302:Insect Repellents
keywords: Bio- micro-electro-mechanical systems (BioMEMS); Functional materials; Human trials; Vector-borne diseases