Just in time for the summer bug season comes this news about a patch you may one day wear to shield your identity – from mosquitoes! The Kite Patch was developed by Olfactor Laboratories, and works like DEET — blocking mosquitoes’ carbon dioxide receptors. Researchers say the chemicals used are so safe they are considered “food grade flavors” by the Food and Drug Administration.
Mosquito defense may have a new secret weapon.It looks like a nicotine patch, but the little diamond-shaped Kite Patch is laced with a very special sauce that its developers claim can protect whomever wears it from mosquito bites for up to 48 hours.
For many, mosquitoes are merely annoying, but in many parts of the world they spread malaria, a deadly disease that is far more dangerous than many health authorities had previously guessed.
The average mosquito has long-range sensors that can sense the carbon dioxide humans emit through their breath from up to a half-mile away. The mosquito’s sensing organ, the maxillary palp, contains a neuron called the cpA neuron that pings the mosquito’s brain when it senses CO2.
The active ingredient and most effective commercially available mosquito repellent is DEET, which works by confusing these
Via Olfactor Laboratory
sensors. But some research suggests it can be toxic, especially to children. It is also a bit too expensive for everyday use, especially in the poorer countries stricken with mosquito-borne diseases. Oh yeah, and it melts plastic. Yikes.
The World Economic Forum held in Switzerland last week announced its new class of Technology Pioneers: 31 of the most innovative technology start-ups from around the world– the companies representing 13 countries. (Interestingly, more than half of these Technology Pioneers are from the United States!) Many of them you’ve never heard of, but they will…
Could the smallest commercial gimmick in the world become a new trend in advertising? Maybe not, but I couldn’t resist posting this innovative and unconventional way of delivering messages to customers. At this year’s 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair a German book company, Eichborn, decided to create an ad campaign that was highly unusual, but effective…
When we talk about trends for Millennials, it’s because these are the folks who’ve been handed our baton of leadership, technology and innovation. So what drives them and what shapes them? Inc. Magazine reports the top brands that are attracting and influencing the millennial workforce: Lists of Millennials’ top workplaces, top apps, and top athletes offer plenty of insights…
Have you ever stopped to think your next breakthrough product may be right under your nose? Or that ‘local’ could go very global with the right development support and customer-needs tailoring? As a proud resident of Appleton, Wisconsin, I recently took a look at the surprisingly rich history of invention and innovation in my hometown…
I am excited to launch a new partnership for Innovationedge: Inforum is a way to bring together thought leaders from all across northeast Wisconsin to collaborate on innovative ideas. For Inforum, we teamed up with Insight on Business Magazine, and one look at this cutting-edge online publication and you’ll see why Insight is an excellent…
Happy New Year’s Eve! On this last day of 2010, I’m looking back at where we started and finished in our own innovation projects and how we accomplished our goals. How did you do in that respect? Did you notice any trends that can help your business in 2011? One of the bigger trends of…
