RESEARCH & INNOVATION
In a significant stride towards combatting dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus is in the process of developing a groundbreaking, anti-mosquito product powered by renewable energy. The prototype, known as the Renewable Energy- powered Silent Terminator (REST) , is poised to revolutionise the fight against mosquito-borne diseases. S pearheaded by teams from the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) and Centre for Biosecurity Studies (CBS), known as Biosecure Inc. , the initiative is generously funded by the FirstCaribbean International Bank and Export Barbados . The current prototype was built by FaSoVe , a company associated with The UWI, St. Augustine Campus and known for its multidisciplinary team who propels ideas through the innovation process and deliver market-ready solutions. REST is designed to tackle the persistent issue of mosquito-borne diseases and operates by attracting and killing flying, biting insects using green energy, thereby eliminating the need for harmful toxic chemicals such as insecticides. The initiative has already received major recognition. Biosecure Inc. was the recipient of the Most Promising Innovation award during the Innovate! Cave Hill competition in 2022. The award, totalling USD$8,000, was presented for their cutting-edge product. The team, comprising Mrs. Ayanna Young Marshall , Professor Troy Lorde , and Dr. Kirk Douglas , developed the product using a proprietary blend of novel attractants to selectively target female, flying, biting insects. The Putting Pesky Mosquitoes to REST by Camille Russell
CHILL NEWS 60
CONTENTS PAGE
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator