Zapping Mosquitoes Dead with Lasers

Image source: Intellectual Ventures Lab

Malaria is a mosquito borne infectious disease that kills between 1-3 million people a year.  Ninety percent of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.   Malaria transmission is generally reduced through the prevention of mosquito bites with inexpensive mosquito nets, insect repellants, or insecticides.

Revealed at TED2010, we may have a new technology on our hands to aerially combat these insects.  Check out Kim Zetter’s article on Wired.com for description of the Death Star laser for mosquitos.

And check out this post from its maker, Intellectual Ventures Lab, with an awesome video that shows you the ins and outs of what it is and how it works, plus a little more explanation and some photos.  IV's main page has more posts about malaria, mosquitoes and some other projects they're working on.