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rosege | 2 years ago

I was wondering the same as OP. Thanks for your link - here's some more info from it:

The technology/invention uses a microfabricated surface to entrap insect pests, inspired by the action of microstructures on leaves of plants. The first pest to be targeted is bed bugs, because of their commercial importance and proof of concept using this method.

Earlier, we were able to generate synthetic (plastic) materials that exactly matched the natural leaf surface geometry including the sharp microscopic hooks, using a double molding fabrication technique (Szyndler et al. 2013). However, those synthetics did not permanently entrap bed bugs. We have recently had very promising results using a variety of different materials and alternative microfabrication methods. We have been able to generate arrays of microscopic hooks, producing modifications of shapes beyond those found in nature (Fig. 1). This exciting result means that we have a greater ability to vary the material and mechanical properties of these new surfaces, thereby increasing the probability of better performance in entrapment by these synthetic materials. We are currently at the stage of generation of prototypes and evaluation, and characterization of these different microfabricated surfaces.

it took 3 years between the submission of our first patent application and the granting of the patent. Two additional related patents have been granted subsequently.

Apart from that there is no concrete info on when a product might be avaiable.

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