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Mosquito Aspirator

Brendan Riske holding mosquito aspirator device

Researcher and MS student Brendan Riske needed a way to collect mosquitos for research. Online, a mosquito aspirator (a machine that sucks up and captures adult mosquitoes) costs upwards of $300. Because the device is essentially a fan with a net over it, it made much more sense to simply make it in the Design and Build Lab! Brendan and some Creative and Technical Specialists spent one day collaborating on a design for the aspirator, then collected all the parts and assembled the device. Brendan came in with essentially no electronics experience and left with a working device that would capture as many mosquitoes as he could handle. The CaTS in the lab also helped with the living space for the mosquitoes by 3D printing a cover so the mosquitoes don't escape.

Mosquito aspirator's fan
Soldering wiring of mosquito aspirator
Soldering wiring of mosquito aspirator
Components of the mosquito aspirator
Mounting and assembling mosquito aspirator