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New green technology controls fire ants without harmful chemicals or poisons.
What started out as a heat lamp, a waffle iron, a timer, and one retired Texas rancher, has evolved into a non-toxic fire ant control system with two U.S. Patents to its credit. This is a “green”, long-term solution to the fire ant nightmare and it is perfectly named, The AntAgonizer.
The guiding principles of the invention were discovered by long time Mills County Rancher Sid Brooks. Sid became fascinated by fire ants and their behavior around food and electricity. After some ideas and experimentation, Sid came up with a rudimentary contraption that was both killing and driving away fire ant colonies. Some ants would die on the spot. Others would wander around in circles a bit. According to Sid, “They were dead, they just hadn’t been notified yet.” Without these foragers, food was not getting to the queen and her eggs. Colonies were abandoned.
The AntAgonizer is now top tier technology. Development and design is by Alan Abele, a brilliant engineer with eight U.S. Patents to his credit, several of those in the aerospace industry. Two are for The Antagonizer, one for the innovative timer that controls pulses of infrared energy. The second is for the methodology of the unit, in other words how it kills and controls fire ants. Abele stated, “This product represents the fusion of the biological and engineering sciences and it works.”
The AntAgonizer uses small pulses of infrared energy to disrupt and ultimately destroy fire ant colonies. The system controls fire ants without using toxic chemicals that can poison property, contaminate water resources and endanger children, pets, livestock, fish, waterfowl, and beneficial insects.
The Antagonizer has been in development for almost seven years, says Ginger Spies, AntAgonizer principle. “During that time we have learned a lot about the behavior of fire ants and we have heard stories that are just amazing. We know of a fire ant attack that ended a funeral service and sent people running for their cars; of golfers who couldn’t putt out because of infested greens; of football players who were taken to the hospital during a game because the field had been treated with pesticides earlier that day; and numerous attacks on small children and the elderly. Fire ants are truly capable of spectacular injury and damage.
Sid Brooks, retired rancher, has started a movement and it’s one he hopes will contribute to a major paradigm shift for the way we treat the Earth and ourselves.
What started out as a heat lamp, a waffle iron, a timer, and one retired Texas rancher, has evolved into a non-toxic fire ant control ... more -
Light an affordable commodity in off-grid areas ?
About 1.6 billion people worldwide depend on "fuel-based lighting" because they do not have access to the electric grid, usually burning kerosene for light in different types of lanterns. Besides being a very inefficient light source, kerosene lighting is expensive, dangerous and poses a health hazard for its users.
The first step in establishing a viable global solution for off-grid lighting is a pilot project. OSRAM has started this pilot around eastern Africa's Lake Victoria, addressing local fishermen and their communities. In April 2008, the first O-HUB in Mbita, Kenya, was inaugurated. Lake Victoria was chosen because the local fishermen fishing for sardines at night use kerosene lanterns.
The fishermen spend up to 70% of their income on kerosene, so they have a strong interest in efficient lighting.
About 1.6 billion people worldwide depend on "fuel-based lighting" because they do not have access to the electric grid, usually burni... more -
Ruins: of the Past and Present
This is an investigation of the current state of American cinema houses. Three college students explore the crumbled theaters of San Francisco to find what it means to live in digitized world. The interviews inside Ruins, suggests that the experience of movie-going for future generations will be significantly different. This is an investigation of the current state of American cinema houses. Three college students explore the crumbled theaters of San ... more
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One Step Closer to the Bionic Woman
Engineers at the University of Washington have used new techniques to create a flexible, biologically safe contact lens with an electronic circuit and lights. This could offer an opportunity for superhuman vision.
I realize this is just one more step closer to some science fiction-like world where we've create a race of robot/human hybrids that want to destroy us, or something equally sinister but you know what? I totally want these! Engineers at the University of Washington have used new techniques to create a flexible, biologically safe contact lens with an electr... more -
Jetpacks for Sale in 2008
Is this the new way of walking, or "just another segway-bust"? We'll get to decide next year!
$200,000 will buy you a jetpack, with training of course...
Is this the new way of walking, or "just another segway-bust"? We'll get to decide next year! ... more -
ATMs in Malawi
Concern Worldwide is currently running an innovative project as a response to food shortages in Malawi. Hilary Benn, the UK's Secretary of State for International Development (DFID), visited Malawi in February 2007 to see a DFID funded project in action. Concern Worldwide is currently running an innovative project as a response to food shortages in Malawi. Hilary Benn, the UK's Secretar... more
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New Technology
