Dhaka:Researchers at Dhaka University have introduced an advanced mosquito trap capable of detecting Aedes mosquitoes, which are responsible for spreading dengue, in their early stage. The new device, named 'MAST-CloudNet,' features an automated system that uses acoustic sound to attract mosquitoes and captures their images with an internal camera. The images are analyzed in real time by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify Aedes mosquitoes.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the trap was created through a collaboration between the Microsystems and Nanoengineering Lab under the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) and the Mueid Research Group under the Department of Zoology at Dhaka University. The findings were published in the IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement journal.
The device exploits the natural behavior of male Aedes mosquitoes, which are drawn to the wing-beat frequency of females. By emitting a sound within this frequency range, the trap lures male mosquitoes into an internal chamber. They are then captured on a yellow sticky sheet, and a camera transmits photos to a cloud server for AI analysis. This allows for instant monitoring of mosquito populations via a web dashboard.
Field trials on the Dhaka University campus demonstrated the trap's effectiveness, capturing significantly more mosquitoes than non-acoustic traps. Despite challenging weather conditions, the device functioned continuously, capturing 49 Aedes mosquitoes over a three-day period. The cost of assembling each unit is about BDT 12,000, significantly less than traditional mosquito surveillance tools.
Researchers are planning further field validations and have outlined future improvements such as solar power integration and enhanced data transmission capabilities. The Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam, acknowledged the importance of this invention in early detection and prevention of dengue, urging further development to enhance its field application.